Semper Fi Fellowship

Makin the Change!

2006-03-28T05:36:00.000-08:00

Yup, I've made the change too! You can now find the Semper Fi Fellowship over in pastorhawkins.wordpress.com

The Guy's Rules

2006-03-26T20:22:00.000-08:00

The Guy's Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story.

(I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear "the rules" From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note... these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men ARE NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one .

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings Peach, for example, is a fruit, not! A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will Be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.

Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Hearing God

2006-03-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

What a joy when you hear God speaking to you! He has been speaking loud and clear to me via the 40th Psalm.

I'm currently memorizing this Psalm and encouraging you to do the same. Memorize it 4 verses at a time. Make sure you have plenty of selah moments. Let it sink in. Let God speak to you through this inspiring psalm.

Wait patiently for the Lord.....He will speak to you!

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

Disillusioned

2006-03-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

The following letter was received by a dear friend of many years. All the time I've known this person there has been relationship struggles. People, especially Christian people, have acted in ways they should not have acted. I asked this person for permission to put this person's questions before the readers of Semper Fi, to see if they can help this person find the answers to the questions this person is seeking.

Where does it all begin and end? What is the real meaning to life? Is there really The God I have believed in all my life?

Was it really Him I have thought to have felt all these years?

What is the REAL TRUTH? I find myself doubting so many things I have always thought to be true. Am I really the person I think I am? What kind of person am I, REALLY?

Do I really love the people I profess to love? Do the people who say they love me really love me? Is there really such a thing as love? Or is it just a figment of our imaginations? Something made up in our minds to keep us going….something to drive us crazy at times and feel wonderful at others.

Are couples really true to each other for the rest of their lives when they say their vows during the wedding ceremony? Why do people get married? Why do we have children?

Why do we strive so hard for so long and never really get anywhere? We achieve what we think will make us happy then find out it is the thing that makes us the most miserable!

What is true peace? Is there such a thing? Why am I the person that I am? What has really shaped me? I am so different from my parents, yet, at times, I see a lot of them in me.

I don’t understand….it is all so confusing.

Where do I begin looking for the answers I am seeking? And once I find them are they really the ones I want? What path do I follow?

I feel like there is no beginning or no end…it just keeps going round and round again. What is trust?

Is there really anyone who you can trust totally? Can anyone really trust me? Am I trustworthy?

What is right and wrong? Is there really such a thing? Or is it just someone’s made up ideas?

Stock Tip of the Week

2006-03-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

Logitech Taps Dell Finance Executive Mark Hawkins
Former Dell and HP Executive to Become Logitech CFO, SVP of Finance and Information Systems

FREMONT, Calif., March 21, 2006 and ROMANEL-SUR-MORGES, Switzerland, March 22, 2006 — Logitech International (SWX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced that Mark J. Hawkins will join the company as senior vice president of finance and information systems, and chief financial officer. Mr. Hawkins, age 46, was most recently with the Dell Corporation for six years, following eighteen years with the Hewlett-Packard Company. He will succeed Kristen Onken, senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Mr. Hawkins will join Logitech on April 3, 2006, and Ms. Onken will begin her previously announced retirement at the end of April, 2006.

“When Kris Onken announced her intention to retire, we made a commitment to our shareholders, customers and employees that her replacement would be a leader who met the highest standards of financial and business leadership,” said Guerrino De Luca, Logitech president and chief executive officer.

“We are delighted to have Mark Hawkins join Logitech. His outstanding financial and business experience, acquired in two companies that are leaders in innovation and operational excellence, makes him a great fit for Logitech.”

“I am thrilled to join Logitech,” said Mark Hawkins. “The combination of its solid track record, its strong management team and its growth prospects, makes it an exciting company in our industry, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with the team.”

Mark Hawkins´ most recent position at Dell was vice president of finance for worldwide procurement and logistics and the Dell Operating Council. Previously, he held the business unit chief financial officer role with Dell´s U.S. consumer group. Prior to joining Dell, Mr. Hawkins was with Hewlett-Packard from 1981 to 1999 in finance and business-management roles. Among other assignments, he was involved in supporting the spin-off of Agilent Technologies. He received a B.A. degree in operations management from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. degree in finance from the University of Colorado, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Mr. Hawkins is married, with two sons. His family will relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area from Austin, Texas.

About LogitechFounded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and in the U.S. on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Simple Wisdom

2006-03-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either.

Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

The Power of Commitment

2006-03-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Until one is committed
there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all the acts of initiative and creation
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which
kills countless ideas and splendid plans.

That the moment one definitely commits oneself
then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents
and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamed would come his (her) way.

Whatever you can do or dream to do,
Begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Joy in the Journey

2006-03-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Are you planning a vaction this summer? Do you have some family member coming to visit that you've not seen for awhile and you can't wait until they arrive? Is there a dinner outing you are planning for the weekend? Are you anticipating an activity with your best friend?

Whatever you future fun plan is, have you noticed that everytime you think of that anticipated event, whenever you simply think about it, that it brings you joy? It is amazing to me that just anticipating certain events brings almost as much joy now as the acutal event brings in the future! This is so true....try it! Don't defer joy until sometime later....experience joy in the journey. There is no promise of tomorrow, experience joy today!

It is no wonder that the apostle Paul says, "And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.

I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words."

So, on a regular basis, think about the fact that Jesus is coming again! Experience joy in the journey of life! One day we will be with Him, FOREVER!!

Maranatha Lord! Maranatha!

2006-03-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

This worship song is based on Psalm 40. It is a celebration of God's rescue and renewal. God does more than merely lift us out of the mire. He puts a song in our mouths and sets us before the assembly to sing of his love.

Psalm 40 has always been one of my favorite psalms, in large part because I identify with what the psalm is all about. God has delivered me and continually puts new songs in my mouth. I praise him for his goodness and grace!

Newsong

I will wait for you oh Lord
Because you have filled my heart with joy
You lift me higher and higher
Lord my one and only desire

Chorus:
You put a newsong in my mouth
Here’s my praise to you
All I wanna do is wake up
Spend my days with You
You put a newsong in my mouth
Here’s my praise to you

You put my feet on the rock Lord
I’ll put my trust in you sing a newsong
Sing a newsong, yeah

I will wait for you oh Lord
Because you have filled my heart with joy
You lift me higher and higher
Lord my one and only desire

Chorus:
You put my feet on the rock Lord
I’ll put my trust in you sing a newsong
Sing a newsong, yeah

Maybe we’ll see you and fear you Lord
Put our trust in youMaybe we’ll see you and fear you Lord
Put our trust in you
Sing a newsong

Chorus:
I will wait
I will wait for you
I will wait
I will wait for you

Thank God for Those Who Give

2006-02-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

Women asking about their sons through out the ages.

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then, long, long ago, a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar -- "that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."

The Jesus Model - Connections

2006-02-21T06:08:00.000-08:00

What was Jesus' idea for church organization? Did He place a great deal of emphasis on Sunday morning attendance? Did He create a variety of different programs appealing to various demographics of society?

The New Testament records His simple, yet life changing, plan of connecting people in relationships. No, not the superficial, political and self-serving relationships that are common place in most churches, but deep, loyal, committed, true connections in relationships.

Where do you go to experience these kind of relationships? It will never happen in a large, celebration type of gathering. It will only happen in the context of a small group. You can't be intimate friends with everyone. The idea that, in church, we must know and be close friends with everyone at church has served to keep churches from growing. It's called the us 4 and no more philosophy. On the other hand, everybody, in the body, must be connected to somebody! This can happen in a small group.

Jesus put a priority of knowing, intimately, 12 people. He poured His life into these 12 people who in turn changed the world! If each of Jesus' 12 disciples developed a discipling relationship with 12 who discipled 12......just do the exponential math! This is the Jesus model for church growth!

Within the context of the small group is the life of the church. All the purposes of the Christian life happen in small groups: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelsim. The small group is the fertile field in which Christians grow in their relationship with God and with each other. Sounds like the way to fulfill the most important command in the bible: Love God and love people.

Join a small group today!

Blame Game Hurts the Kingdom Cause

2006-02-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

I was reading something from one of my favorite preachers. He was discussing a point concerning the Parable of the Talents in Matt. 25:14-30. He shows why the man who was given one talent did not invest it:

Matthew 25:24, He’s blaming his boss! He’s justifying himself. He’s saying, “It’s your fault, sir, that I failed. You’re a hard man and I knew it so I hid it in the ground. It’s your fault. The reason I failed is because you were so unreasonable.”

Question: Who are you blaming for your lack of serving God? Who are you blaming for your unhappiness? Who are you blaming for not being in the center of God’s will? “If I had just married somebody else, I could have been a great Christian!… If I could have just gotten married, I’d really have gone far in this world… If I had had different parents, then I really would have amounted to something in my life…. If I hadn’t gone through that divorce… If I had had a different brother and sister… If I had had different children than the ones that I’ve got, then maybe I would have made something of my life.”

Quit blaming other people. You are as close to God as you choose to be. No more and no less. You are as spiritual as you want to be. You can’t blame anybody else. If you’re close to God it’s because you’ve chosen to be close to God. If you’re far it’s because you have moved. God hasn’t. Stop blaming other people.

It is fear that always causes me to make excuses for why I haven’t done more with my life and it is fear that causes me to blame other people for the problems in my life and why I can’t do more than what I'm doing with my life. I’ve learned this from experience. Satan will most likely attach a fear to your greatest talent because he doesn’t want you to use it for God’s glory. So if you’re good at singing, he’ll say, “You can’t do that!” Or if you’re good at planning, he’ll say, “You couldn’t do that!” On and on.

You must move against your fear. You must do the thing you fear the most. Satan wants to keep you from using your talent and making the contribution that God put you on this earth to fulfill and if you don’t do it, you’re going to report to God one day why you let fear keep you in a box. You must move against your fear and you must make a contribution helping others with the talents God gave you.

Proud Uncle

2006-02-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

My nephew, Dan Hawkins, is an art major at UCLA. Check out some of his work through the link below "Dan, The Art Man." I sure am proud of you Dan!

Surprise!

2006-02-15T04:30:00.001-08:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

as I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

by the lights or its decor

But it was the folks in Heaven

who made me sputter and gasp--

the thieves, the liars, the sinners,

the alcoholics, the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade

who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought

was rotting away in hell,

was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, and asked,

"What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake!"

"And why's everyone so quiet,

so somber? Give me a clue."

"Hush, child," said He,

"They're all in shock."

"No one thought they'd see you"

Judge NOT.

THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT! PRAISE GOD!

2006-02-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a. m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there are some that come along that have an important message, and this is one of those kind.

Just had to share it with you all. Oh, by the way, peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. (Amen to that!)

Please share this with someone you care about.

I JUST DID !!

Healing

2006-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

In keeping with NewSongs support of Relay for Life, I found this very relevant and encouraging article. I know it is long...but well worth the read. We all know someone who is or who will be struggling with cancer.

Using Every Endeavor

"But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are madeperfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effectivein [your] weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9a, Amplified Version)

Casey Treat, pastor of an 8,000-member, multicultural church in Seattle, found himself in a life-threatening situation a few years ago. Despite many years serving the Lord and preaching the Gospel, the pastor’s past came back and almost destroyed him.

During a routine exam, his doctor noticed that Casey’s enzyme levels were “a little off." More tests revealed that he had Hepatitis C, an often incurable virus that destroys the liver. After a thorough interview, the doctors concluded that Casey had contracted the virus in his youth from sharing needles while abusing drugs. The doctors explained that Hepatitis C lives in a person’s cells indefinitely and slowly multiplies until it destroys the liver. He was offered a treatment program that gave him only a 4% chance of clearing the virus.

Medical reports reveal that Hepatitis C virus has become an epidemic as people like Casey Treat, now in their forties, reap what was sown in their youth.
“When I was nineteen, Treat said, “the judge said he would let me stay out of prison if I would stay in the rehab center. I told the judge that I would be there a while!”

The director of the rehab grabbed him and said, "I've got something more for you than drug rehab.” Young Treat was born again, called to ministry, and the rehab director became his spiritual dad.

Casey earned a Theology degree, started a radio broadcast and television program, founded Dominion College and led an international leadership conference. Then his life and ministry drastically changed as he and his family attacked the illness in every way.

“God gives us many tools to face our problems,” he said, “and I decided to use them all.”
He believes in prayer and faith for healing. He had seen God work many miracles as he preached and prayed over people’s physical needs. However, when he told his congregation about his illness, one of the doctors in his church showed him Proverbs 18:9 in the Amplified Bible. It says, “Use every endeavor to heal yourself lest you be brother to him who commits suicide.”

“When I read that, God spoke to me,” Treat said, “He told me not to put Him in a box thinking that I will be healed by brother what's-his-name putting his hand on me, or sending off for the prayer cloth.”

Treat felt if he used every endeavor, God would heal him in every way. He committed to a nutrition program, with supplements and vitamins, as well as the prescribed medical treatment. He also vowed to fight spiritually.

“Chemotherapy can put you in such darkness,” he admitted. “But I stayed up as much as I could. I kept my prayer life strong and I stayed in God's word.”

When the doctors asked how he maintained such a positive mental and state, he responded, "I keep my mind on Jesus, on His promise and on hope." The medical team didn't know how to process his answer, but they acknowledged they saw a difference in his experience with the treatment.

Pastor Treat believes that people are often waiting for God to do something in their life in one way, but if it doesn't happen in that way then they think God is not there. “God has many ways to get to us, and he uses many tools,” he said.

The apostle Paul talked about being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, forgotten, and hungry, but he defined his greatness by his trials and his struggles. He concluded, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (2 Corinthians 12:9b)

Casey advises people to let God bring them to the end of themselves--whether it is disease, a family problem or a financial problem. “When you come to the end of your strength, ask God, ‘What can you do with me?’”

Christians get stronger and better by journeying through battles with total dependence on His strength and His plan. The comfort and strength we gain is then passed on to others, in prayers and encouragement.

After eleven months, Pastor Treat’s family, friends and church members rejoiced as he was healed of Hepatitis C. “Now I've got pastors around America and around the world that I call every week,” he said. “They're on chemotherapy for something or they're fighting other issues. Sometimes they just need to hear me say, ‘Hey, I'm with you, man.’ The prayer keeps them going.’’

This WeekAllow the Lord to bring you quickly to the end of yourself. There, in your weakness, you will gain His strength.

Prayer“Lord, I don’t want to put you in a box with the struggles I face. I open my heart and mind to your many ways of accomplishing your will so that my life brings you glory.”

Jesus - The Original Change Agent

2006-02-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

The only thing that stays the same is change! Jesus' mission was all about change. He did not come to do a little re-modeling....He came to tear down the old and build something entirely new!

Some of his most scathing rebukes were given to religioius people. Jesus told parables, did miracles, gave talks to combat the practice of religious bigotry and legalism. He lifted up relationships over law and rule keeping. He demolished traditions, purposefully, to help people in their felt needs and to help them know the Father.

Open your heart and let Jesus in and watch the changes take place! No one is the same after letting Jesus in your heart!

10 Easy Ways to Know You’re Not a Leader

2006-01-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

As you’re considering your influence or evaluating the potential of others, this list will help you identify leadership capacity or, more specifically, where it may be lacking.

You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
You’re content.
You tend to foster division instead of generating helpful dialogue.
You think you need to say something to be heard.
You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
Your dreams are so small, people think they can be achieved.
No one is following you.

God's Precious Gifts

2006-01-27T06:02:00.000-08:00

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not eating your own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids for one day they will choose your nursing home.

AND FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE: "TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"!!!!!

Let's Go Fishin'!!

2006-01-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

Tips for Fishing

What are some of the tips we need to remember as we fish for disciples?

Go where the fish are.

Be with people on their own turf.

Be real, be vulnerable, and be honest.

Be creative.

We don’t have to do things the same old way.

Be spiritual, but not "churchy".

Be patientBe ready for surprises!

Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.

Be on the lookout for where God is at work.

Be praying.

p.s. The entire gospel is represented in the above acronym. Does anyone know what it is in english? How about Greek? History?

Darwin Awards

2006-01-25T05:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that magical time of the year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us. Here then, are the glorious winners:

1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked..... And now, the honorablementions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.

3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, he man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash hegot from the drawer...$15.(If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?)

7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinderblock through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinderblock and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinderblock bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.

8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."

9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.

******A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER*****

10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted
to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

Authority

2006-01-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

I have always loved that story Stephen Covey relates in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

A battleship, Covey writes, was sailing through the darkness of a foggy night.

Suddenly a lookout on the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."

The captain inquired as to whether or not it was steady or moving astern.

"Steady, captain" came back the answer.

The captain growled to the signalman, "Signal that ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change your course 20 degrees."

A moment later a response came: "Advisable for you to change your course 20 degrees." The captain, Covey writes, became furious.

He spat out, "Send, 'Change course 20 degrees. I'm a battleship.'"

Back came the signal, "I'm a lighthouse."

Mistaken Identity

2006-01-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door.

She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. " I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."

Incentive to Forgive

2006-01-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

General Oglethorpe once said to John Wesley, "I never forgive and I never forget." To which Wesley replied, "Then, Sir, I hope you never sin."

Maybe the Reverend Wesley based his reply on Matthew 7: 1 & 2 where it says we will be judged by the way we judge.

Or maybe Matthew 18:18 where it says "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven"

In other words if we forgive the other person on earth then our Father forgives us in heaven.So there is an incentive for us to forgive.

Forgiveness Is Good Medicine

2006-01-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Forgive and forget. Easier said than done, right? Well, now studies are showing forgiveness is not only good theology, but good medicine as well. According to the latest medical and psychological research, forgiving is good for our souls-and our bodies. People who forgive:

Benefit from better immune functioning and lower blood pressure

Have better mental health than people who do not forgive feel better physically

Have lower amounts of anger and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression

Maintain more satisfying and long-lasting relationships

"When we allow ourselves to feel like victims or sit around dreaming up how to retaliate against people who have hurt us, these thought patterns take a toll on our minds and bodies," says Michael McCullough, director of research for the National Institute for Healthcare Research and a co-author of To Forgive is Human: How to Put Your Past in the Past (IVP, 1997).

Forgiveness

2006-01-17T05:18:00.000-08:00

Forgiveness is to release, to let go, relinquish, get rid of sin—ours and those we’ve been victimized by.

Dr. Lewis Smedes, wrote about what forgiveness is not:

When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are immediately healed.

When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are going to be buddy/buddy.

When we forgive a person, this does not mean we surrender the right to restitution or justice when appropriate.

When we forgive a person, this does not mean that we trust them, yet.

When we forgive a person, we are not avoiding pain, we are opening the door to healing.

When we forgive, we take the journey at the pace we are able to handle...the deeper the hurt, the longer the journey.

2006-01-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

There is no greater gift than the gift of God's grace. It is so vital that we remember where we were....how we were lost and without hope....and where we are now, saved completely, totally and forever because of God's amazing grace. I never get tired of hearing it over and over again. I can't do anything to get God to love me any more or any less. His love for His people is perfect, unconditional and forever!

I often think of how Barabbas must have felt as he left his jail cell a free man. I wonder how he felt as he watched the man Jesus, the innocent man Jesus, who suffered and died on that cruel Roman cross in his place. Did it change the life of Barabbas? How could it not? Visualize yourself in Barabbas' sandals and let the grace of God change your life forever!!

Northridge - A Local Success Story

2006-01-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

Check out this story:

http://www.mmiblog.com/monday_morning_insight_we/2006/01/transitioning_c.html

Story of a Cab Ride

2005-12-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice,wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across thefloor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stoodbefore me. She was wearing a print dress and a pill box hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All thefurniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knick knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard boxfilled with photos and glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly." Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long. " I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like meto take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, " I'm tired. Let's go now. "We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are otherpassengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.

I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What ifI had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware; beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Ten things God won't ask:

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many peopleyou drove who didn't have transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10. God won't ask you about your knowledge of doctrine, He'll ask if you shared the love of Jesus with a friend or someone who needed to feel his presence today.

Merry Christmas to ALL!

2005-12-25T06:28:00.000-08:00

For unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given: upon his shoulder dominion rests.He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, And the Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to the stable in Bethlehem this Holy Season, our hearts overflowing with adoration and gratitude, as we kneel with Joseph and Mary before the manger of Your only-begotten Son.

Unto us, who have lost our innocence and sense of wonder, a Child is born. Unto us, who have hardened our hearts and misplaced our joy, a Son is given. Upon His shoulder rests a government both compassionate and servant, for Jesus has come to embrace us, wash our feet, and save us on the Cross.

Truly, in all our trials, He is born to be our Friend! O Lord, please send out Your Spirit this Christmas and soften our hearts. Help us take time to look into each other's eyes, listen a little more closely, and appreciate the goodness of each person standing in front of us.

Help us take time also to seek You in the quiet of our hearts, homes, and churches, for time with You is our greatest treasure. Watch over our loved ones near and far, especially those who protect us at home and abroad.

Bring peace to every part of our world, every room of our homes, and every corner of our hearts. Lord Jesus, bless our community with Your warmth and light.

May You be born again in us this Christmas and forever. Amen!

The story behind "Silent Night"

2005-12-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night" -- Luke 2:8

How the world's most famous Christmas carol came to be written

In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing in towns throughout the Austrian Alps. On December 23 they arrived at Oberndorf, a village near Salzburg where they were scheduled to perform the story of Christ's birth in the Church of St. Nicholas.

Unfortunately, the St. Nicholas' church organ wasn't working and would not be repaired before Christmas. (Note: some versions of the story point to mice as the problem; others say rust was the culprit) Because the church organ was out of commission, the actors presented their Christmas drama in a private home. That Christmas presentation put assistant pastor Josef Mohr in a meditative mood.

So, instead of walking straight to his house, Mohr took a longer way home. His path took him up over a hill overlooking the village. From that hilltop, Mohr looked down on the peaceful snow-covered village. Reveling in the wintry night's majestic silence, he gazed down at the glowing scene. His thoughts about the Christmas play he had just seen reminded him of a poem he had written a couple of years earlier. The poem about the night when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah to shepherds on a hillside.

Mohr decided those words would make a good carol for his church to sing the following evening at their Christmas eve service. However, he didn't have any music to which that poem could be sung. So, the next day Mohr went to see the church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. Although he only had a few hours to come up with something, by that evening, Gruber had composed a musical setting for Mohr's poem which could be sung with a guitar (since the organ was broken).

On Christmas Eve, the little Oberndorf congregation heard Gruber and Mohr sing their new composition to the accompaniment of Gruber's guitar.

Weeks later, well-known organ builder Karl Mauracher arrived to fix the St. Nicholas church organ. When he finished, Mauracher stepped back to let Gruber test the instrument. When Gruber sat down, he began playing the melody he had written for Mohr's Christmas poem. Deeply impressed, Mauracher took the music and words of "Silent Night" back to his own Alpine village, Kapfing. There, two well-known families of singers -- the Rainers and the Strassers -- heard it. Captivated by "Silent Night," both groups put the new song into their Christmas season repertoire.

Silent night! holy night! All is calm, all is bright, 'Round yon virgin mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

The Strasser sisters spread the carol throughout northern Europe. In 1834, after they had performed "Silent Night" for King Frederick William IV of Prussia, that king ordered his cathedral choir to sing it every Christmas eve.

The Rainers brought the song to the United States in 1839, singing it (in German) at the Alexander Hamilton Monument located outside New York City's Trinity Church.

In 1863, nearly fifty years after being written in German, "Silent Night" was translated into English (by either Jane Campbell or John Young). In 1871 the English version was published in an American hymnal: Charles Hutchins' Sunday School Hymnal.

For Sale - Tuttlehill Rd.

2005-12-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

Exclusive! Baptism Controversy Settled

2005-12-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

While surfing the net, I found this rare photo of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. This settles the dispute as to the mode of baptism. It is clearly immersion in a river.

More to come on baptism.

Just for Pun

2005-12-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

A good pun is its own reword.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat

A lot of money is tainted. It taint mine and it taint yours.

When two egoists meet, it's and I for an I.

Every calendar's days are numbered.

The reading of a will is a dead giveaway.

It was an emotional wedding. Even the cake had tiers.

When chemists die, we barium.

Why couldn't the bicycle stand on its own? Because it was two-tired.

She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg...until she broke it off.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.

Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.

When a clock gets hungry, it goes back four seconds.

When the actress saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

Reading while sunbathing makes you well-red.

Without geometry, life is pointless.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

A pessimist's blood type: always B-negative.

Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft, and I'll show you a flat minor.

Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

What you seize is what you get.

A man walks into a bar with a salamander in his hand. The bartender asks the man what he calls it. "Tiny" replies the man. "Why's that?" asks the barkeep. "Because he's my newt!"

2005-12-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Lighting of the 4th Candle: The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love. Its light is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us. Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s love in human form.

The Bible says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"Love is patient, love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take offense, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people’s troubles, but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never fails. "

We light this candle today to remind us of how God’s perfect love is found in Jesus.

Prayer – Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love – shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your Word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

Waiting for More

2005-12-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

Some Christians make their faith sound so simple. Find Jesus, they assert, be saved, and that will take care of everything. All will be finished, done, complete, settled. But to embrace the light and love of Christ is just the beginning.

It is a significant step, but only a beginning. We must then struggle with the presence of darkness, even as we affirm God’s gift of light. We must then grapple with the challenge to be co-creators with God as we anticipate that new creation.

William Willimon, dean of the chapel at Duke University, asserts: Show me a person who is not waiting [for something more to come], not yearning, not leaning forward, standing on tiptoe for something better, and I will show you a person who has given up hope for anything better, someonewho has settled down too comfortably in present arrangements. And that’s sad.

The future belongs to those who wait, for those who know we are meant for something better. The present darkness is not our final destination.

Keeping Expectations Low

2005-12-13T19:03:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite sources of illustrations used to be the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. I miss that little miscreant and his stuffed tiger. In one of the strips, Calvin is talking to Susie (remember, his arch enemy) about a test they had just taken and asked her:

"What grade did you get?"

Susie says, "I got an A."

Calvin replies, "Really? Boy, I'd hate to be you. I got a C."

Curious, Susie asks, "Why on earth would you rather get a C than an A?!"

To which Calvin smugly replies "I find my life is a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations."

Rev. Billy D. Strayhorn, Christmas: The Imperfect Gift

The Harvest of Love

2005-12-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

"Christmas is the harvest time of love. Souls are drawn to other souls. All that we have read and thought and hoped comes to fruition at this happy time. Our spirits are astir. We feel within us a strong desire to serve. A strange, subtle force, a new kindness animates man and child. A new spirit is growing in us. No longer are we content to relieve pain, to sweeten sorrow, to give the crust of charity. We dare to give friendship, service, the equal loaf of bread and love."

Helen Keller

In thesevery busy days of preparation, may His peace, His power and His purpose dwell in our hearts.

3rd Week of Advent

2005-12-11T03:22:00.000-08:00

Week Three:

The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds us of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her – a child who would save and deliver His people.

God wants us all to have joy. The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all people – for to you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We light this candle to remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life – a life in which the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free. We light it to remember that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy.

Prayer:

Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for this gift. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and to do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

2nd Week of Advent

2005-12-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

Week Two:

The second candle of the Advent is the candle of peace. It is sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle to remind us of the place in which preparations were made to receive and cradle the Christ Child.

Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to Him in faith. The prophet Isaiah calls Christ “the Prince of Peace.” Through John the Baptist and all the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that He may come in.

Our hope is in God, and in His son Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in Him. We light this candle today to remind us that He brings peace to all who trust in Him.

Prayer:

Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us through Jesus. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Guide us in all that we say and do. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Amen.

Christmas Traditions

2005-12-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a wonderful, magical time of the year! I am blessed with fond memories of a mom who did all she could to make Christmas a special time of the year. We always had a decorated tree, delicious meals, family gatherings and songs to sing. Most of all we learned the true reason for the season. I have special memories of hearing "Silent Night" sung with passion to a young child. I remember going to Christmas Eve services to learn about a special star that guided wise men to a baby born in a manger. The joy of Christmas giving was infectious. What a thrill it was to take your own money and buy something for someone else. It seemed like you were more excited to give the gift than the receiver was to open it!

One of my favorite traditions is one that my wife and I started when Russ was just 2 yrs. old. I read the story, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with all my children snuggled around me. I've done this now for over 25 years...and yes even with my grown children. I hope to continue this tradition with my grandchildren.

I hope that all of you have a tradition that can link special times together with suceeding generations of loved ones. Make memories with your dear loved ones that they too will cherish when you are old and they have gone on to be with Jesus. Most of all begin and continue the tradition of telling the Christmas story of God who came to earth, born in a manger, to bring salvation to all people!

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on

whom His favor rests."

Advent Season

2005-11-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 60:2-60:2

This week we begin celebrating the season of Advent by lighting the first Advent candle. The word Advent means, “coming” or “arrival.” It is, in a sense, a countdown of anticipation in which we celebrate Christ’s first Advent, or coming, in which Jesus was born into this world as a small child in a manger just over 2000 years ago.

The wreath and its candles are the visual focus of Advent. One of the candles is lit each week as Christmas approaches. The circle of the Advent wreath has no beginning and no end. It portrays for us God’s timelessness and His eternal plan of salvation. The evergreen color denotes eternal life that we are granted when we come to know Christ as our Lord and Savior. The shape of the wreath is round, reminding us of the fellowship of believers around the world who share with us the celebration of His coming. The four outer candles represent the gifts of His spirit in us, which are: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

WEEK ONE: Lighting of the 1st Candle.

The first Advent reading:

This week we recall the hope we have in Christ. The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a Savior would be born a King in the line of David. They spoke of how He would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.

As the follower of Christ, we await His return. We light this candle, the candle of hope, to remember that as He came to us humbly in the manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so He is coming again in power to deliver His people. We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for His return.

Prayer:

Loving God, we thank you for the promise of the Messiah who came to be the light of the world. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your Word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

Proclamation

2005-11-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C.October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

The holiday we know today as Thanksgiving was recommended to Lincoln by Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor. Her letters to Lincoln urged him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864 letter from John Nicolay, one of Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. Fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary on October 3 that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later, the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops and since then has disappeared.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

Persistence

2005-11-23T04:48:00.000-08:00

Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn't quit, look no further.

Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.

He could have quit many times - but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.

Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House:

1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.

1818 His mother died.

1831 Failed in business.

1832 Ran for state legislature - lost.

l832 Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.

1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.

1834 Ran for state legislature again - won.

1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.

1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.

1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.

1840 Sought to become elector - defeated.

1843 Ran for Congress - lost.

1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.

1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.

1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.

1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.

1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention - get less than 100 votes.

1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.

1860 Elected president of the United States.

Lincoln's Faith

2005-11-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

One of Lincoln's earliest statements on the subject of his faith came in 1846:

"That I am not a member of any Christian church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular....I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, or scoffer at, religion."

[July 31, 1846]

Common Sense

2005-11-21T04:05:00.000-08:00

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. "

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. "

"If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. "

"Sorrow comes to all...Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now realize that you will ever feel better and yet you are sure to be happy again. "

"I don't know who my grandfather was; I'm much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. "

"My father taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh - anything but work. "

"I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."

"'A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall. So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey which catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the highroad to his reason."

"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them? "

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. "

The Railsplitter

2005-11-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day." Lincoln Observed: The Civil War Dispatches of Noah Brooks edited by Michael Burlingame (Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1998), p. 210.

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.

The Teacher

2005-11-19T05:27:00.000-08:00

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

I don’t know who my grandfather was; I’m much more concerned to know who his grandson will be.

Your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing.

It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.

The loss of enemies does not compensate for the loss of friends.

He who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood, and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him.

Common looking people are the best in the world; that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.

Taking Our Blessings for Granted

2005-11-18T05:45:00.000-08:00

A story is told of Abraham Lincoln.

One day the President summoned to the White House a surgeon in the Army of the Cumberland from the state of Ohio. The major assumed that he was to be commended for some exceptional work.

During the conversation Mr. Lincoln asked the major about his widowed mother.

She is doing fine, he responded.

How do you know asked Lincoln. You haven't written her. But she has written me. She thinks that you are deadand she is asking that a special effort be made to return your body.

At that the Commander and Chief placed a pen in the young doctor's hand and ordered him to write a letter letting his mother know that he was alive and well.

Oh, the blessings that we take for granted. Oh, the wretchedness ofingratitude.

It was Shakespeare who worded it more appropriately than everwe could. He wrote:

"Blow blow thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude."

Thanksgiving

2005-11-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

President Abraham Lincoln

Born: February 12, 1809 Hodgenville, Kentucky
Died: April 15, 1865Washington, D.C.

Sixteenth President of the United States 1861-1865.

Successfully led the country through the Civil War and was assassinated five days after the South surrendered.

His only other national elected office was one term in the House of Representatives 1847-1849.

All of us, individually and collectively, have much to give thanks. I would like to dedicate my blog this week to the man who proclaimed the last Thursday of each November to be a national day of Thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln was, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest men in the history of the United States. I will post some of the wisdom made by this inspirational statesman each day for the next week. Learn and enjoy!

"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference." The Inner Life of Abraham Lincoln: Six Months at the White House by Francis B. Carpenter University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1995), pp. 258-259.

"Truth is generally the best vindication against slander."

"I care not for a man’s religion whose dog or cat are not the better for it."

"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe. "

Truth!

2005-11-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

I just thought this was funny. Man, I sure wish I had time to go fishing.....but, I really need to clean my garage!

True Friendship

2005-11-09T05:42:00.000-08:00

My Best Friend
by Jackie Sagner

My best friend is always there.
When I am sick, he is by my side.
When something good happens he is there to share it.
He is there when I wake up, there when I go to sleep.
When I eat, he eats too.
When I watch TV he tags along.
When I talk on the phone, he listens in.
When I have friends over, he is there to greet them at the door.
When I am afraid he is there to protect me.
When I am angry, he stays out of the way.

Oh, did I mention my best friend is my dog?

Do you have a true friend? Consider yourself blessed! That is one of life's most treasured jewels. How do you find a true friend? You need be a friend to find a friend. Commit to your friend. Be there for your friend when they need you. Always be honest to your friend. Never betray your friend. Honor your friend. Sacrifice for your friend. Love your friend.

One practical suggestion in finding that true friend, is don't try to be best friends with someone you don't even like. That sounds simple, but in our desire for friendship we sometimes try to create a friendship with people we don't even like. That is a mistake. Christians are committed to love every single person on this planet with the love of Jesus, but that doesn't me we must like everyone and be their special pal!

Another problem in developing a special relationship is that often times we overcommit in relationships and can't be there for that special friend.

When you do find that true friend, guard that friendship like Fort Knox. It is more precious than gold or silver!

Proud Brother!

2005-11-03T17:57:00.001-08:00

My brother, Mark Hawkins was inducted into the Milan High School Hall of Fame. Mark is a 1977 graduate of Milan High school. He currently serves as one of the top executives of Dell Corp. Mark is the Vice-President for finance for Dell's World-wide business, overseeing billions of dollars in investment.

Mark attended Michigan State University as an undergrad, and the University of Colorado as a graduate. He started his career at Hewlitt-Packard. H/P sent him to the exclusive Harvard Business College, where he graduated at the top of his class.

Mark has literally traveled the world. He swam in the Red Sea, floated in the Dead Sea, strolled on the Great Wall of China, stood side by side with Pope John Paul in Rome, and many other adventures like that.

Mark is also an elite marathon runner. He has run in the Motorola marathon twice, once finishing with a personal best time of 3 hours flat (for a 45 year old guy, that is pretty darn good!) He has run the Boston Marathon during record heat with seasoned runners half his age falling out of the race on his right and left!

On top of all this, Mark is the best brother in the world! He is a committed family man with a devoted wife and two handsome and brilliant sons. His wife, Laura, has a masters degree in nutrition and is a professor at the local college. One son, Matt attends the University of Colorado and is studying business. His other son, Dan is attending UCLA and is studying art. Mark loves has a deep love for his family that is felt and experienced by all. He is a role model for the entire family.

We are all proud of you Mark and you deserve all the accolades you receive!

Lighten Up!

2005-11-02T17:54:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite pictoral interpretations of Jesus. There are plenty of examples of Jesus using humour in the scriptures.

The story of a man with a huge log sticking out of his eye as he helps another with a little piece of sawdust...if you can visualize it....is hilarious!

A man trying to strain a gnat out of of his drink and then swallowing a camel is a gut buster! (pun intended).

I'm so sure Jesus could rear his head back and just laugh....we need to do the same...especially when it's about ourselves! Amen?

This Is Funny

2005-11-02T04:57:00.000-08:00

A drunk stumbled along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to walk down into the water and stood next to the Preacher.

The minister turned and noticed the old drunk and said, "Mister, Are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk looks back and says, "Yes, Preacher. I sure am."

The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asks."No, I didn’t!" says the drunk.

The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?""No, I did not Preacher."

The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?"

The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher..."Are you sure this is where he fell in?"

God's Amazing Grace!

2005-10-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. "

There is nothing we can do or not do to enhance our position with God. His love for us is constant! Thank you God for your gracious gift! Thank you God for Your Holy Spirit that enables us to, daily, become more like Jesus!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.......So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Tell the Good News! As a direct result of God's gracious gift, we can have a relationship with Him! Come as you are! He loves you now!!

2nd Annual Semper Fi Men's Retreat - Rock Solid Relationships!

2005-10-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a bunch of guys getting together to just eat dinner together, worship together and watch a movie. We can burp, spit and flatulate to our hearts content! Our men's retreat is simple....yet it meets the goal of men getting to know other men.

Our goal is for every man to have 2 wingmen. A wingman is someone who prays for you daily and holds you accountable. He is also someone who is actively getting to know you better so he can challenge you as well.

A wingman is someone you can count on when in need. A man who understands you, knows all about you, and is committed to the relationship.

Life is a battle. At times we are all in a foxhole of discouragement, despair or some type of distress or attack. Thank you God for my wingmen....who I know, will always be there for me! Thanks guys!

The Mobile Church Office

2005-10-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

My new phone comes in tomorrow. This will enable me to do most of my office duties wherever I am! I'll get you my new number as soon as I get it. Call me anytime!

Narnia

2005-10-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

I Plan on seeing this movie when it releases on December 9th

Check out the web site for great outreach opportunities: http://www.narniaweb.com/

It's Your Choice

2005-10-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitude!

author of "Attitude"

Chuck Swindol

Faith

2005-10-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

There was a Pastor, who after the usual Sunday Evening Hymns, stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak."A father, His son, and a friend of his were sailing off of the Pacific Coast," He began, "When a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would throw the other end of the lifeline. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son’s friend was not.

The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. "As the father yelled out, ‘I love you son!’ He threw out the lifeline to his son’s friend.By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of the night. His body was never recovered." By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister’s mouth. "The father," he continued knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into eternity without Jesus.

Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save his son’s friend… With that the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon…

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side."That was a nice story," Politely stated the boys, "But I don’t think it was realistic for a father to give up his son’s life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you’ve got a point there," the old man replied glancing down at the worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn’t realistic, is it? But I’m standing today to tell you that the story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only son for me. You see… I was the father and your Pastor was my son’s friend."...

What Is a Miracle?

2005-10-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

That question has been debated throughout the ages. I'm sure this writer will not clear up the issue. But, I would like to explore and idea. I'd like to suggest this definition of a miracle: "Any action which is naturally impossible." For instance it is not natural that dead people come back to life, hence it would be a miracle. It is not natural for people to walk on water (unless it is 20 below zero!) in its liquid state, so that would be a miracle. It's not natural for water to turn into wine....o.k. I'm sure you have the idea.

Now, I'd like to suggest a broader view of miracles. If God is supernatural....that is, He is above and beyond nature and natural events....then would it not follow that any action of God in our natural world would be a miracle? You may be saying, "yeah, so what?" Here's the so what factor; if God is working in our world, and I believe He is, then maybe we are experiencing miracles all the time! And maybe, because we don't realize it is in fact God working behind the scene, we get frustrated with our life not going according to our plans. For example, maybe there is a reason we can't find our keys where we left them. Could there be a divine reason our car broke down? Could God have an eternal reason for us losing a particular job? Is there some heavenly plan for why this irritating person is in my life?

Are all the things that happen to us just happenstance? Mere chance and luck? Or is there a living, all knowing, all powerful Creator God, moving certain chess pieces to orchestrate a certain outcome? My friends, I believe there are miracles happening all around us all the time! Next time something happens that gets your attention, whether you perceive it as good or bad, don't ask, why God? Rather ask, what God? What do you want me to do? What is your will? What do you want me to learn.

Perspective

2005-10-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

Code of Conduct for All Semper Fi

2005-10-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

We are the fellowship of the unashamed.

We have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast.

We have stepped over the line.The decision has been made.

We are disciples of Jesus.

We won't look back, let up, slow down or back away.

Our past is redeemed, Our present makes sense, Our future secure.

We are finished & done with low living, sight-walking, small planning,

smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame division,

mundane talking, cheap giving & dwarf goals.

We no longer need preeminence, position,

promotion, plaudits, or popularity.

We don't have to be right. We don't have to be first.

We don't have to be recognized, praised, or rewarded.

We live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience,

lift by prayer, and labor by power.

Our face is set, our gait is fast, our goal is Heaven.

Our road is narrow, our way is rough, our companions few.

Our Guide reliable - Our mission clear.

We cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,

lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

We will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,

hesitate in the presence of the adversary,

negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity,

meander in the maze of mediocrity.

We won't give up, shut up, let up.

Until we've, Stayed up, stored up, prayed up,

paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

We are Servants for Christ!

Excuses!

2005-10-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

Finding the right excuse is not always an easy thing to do. Trying to explain why we are not able to attend a certain party or a way to absent ourselves from an obligation takes fore thought and clear thinking. Clearthinking is something that a number of parents in Albuquerque, New Mexico lacked when they wrote excuse notes for their kids.

"Dear School: Please excuse John from being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31,32, and also 33.""

Please excuse Brian for being. It was his father's fault."

"Please excuse Sara for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot."

"Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral."

"Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday."

Who Am I?

2005-09-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

"WHO AM I"

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Who am I? They often tell me I would step from my cell's confinement calmly, cheerfully, firmly, like a squirell from his country house.

Who am I? They often tell meI would talk to my warders freely and friendly and clearly, as though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell meI would bear the days of misfortune equably, smilingly, proudly, like one accustomed to winning.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?

Or am I only what I know of myself, restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage, struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds, thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness, trembling with anger at despotisms and petty humiliation, tossing in expectation of great events, powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance, weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making, faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?Am I both at once?

A hypocrite before others, and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?

Or is something within me still like a beaten army, fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved.

Who am I?

They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine.

Comfort Food

2005-09-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

This receipe is a winner! Enjoy!

Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Cookies With Drizzled Chocolate
Jill Mott, Northville, Grand-Prize Winner

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup butter (two sticks)
3/4 cup Pioneer Sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon raspberry flavoring
2 large eggs
6 ounces red raspberry preserves
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 cups chocolate chunk morsels
6 ounces each white chocolate and chocolate chips for drizzling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flours, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and put aside. Beat butter, sugars and flavorings. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat. Gradually add flour mixture. Mix in raspberry preserves, nuts and chocolate chunk morsels. Place tablespoon of dough on baking sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes. Cool cookies, then melt the chocolates in separate microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle one color of chocolate, cool, then the other color.

The Joy of the Familiar

2005-09-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

How we love to hear the songs that we heard when we were young. Why? It is the joy of the familiar. Why do we find pleasure in talking with complete strangers who lived in a town we used to live or who also served in the Air Force and were stationed at the same base we were stationed? The joy of the familiar. In the word familiar...you find the word family. We all yearn for kinship. There is something inside us that resonates when we find something that binds us to another in some shape of form. There is a sense of kinship with those who have shared experiences.

Our joys are multiplied when shared with others. The crack of the bat in the springtime. Grill smells floating through the neighborhood in the summer. Oh, the sweet smell of fall and the joy of the familiar in diving head first into a pile of leaves when we were young. The rapture of bread baking and invading the entire house. Snuggled up with some tea and a good book during a winter snow storm. Snow bound and playing video games with the kids. Building an igloo.

The joy of the familiar is found in hardship as well. As we re-live those gruelling times whe shared togehter. The two a day football practices, boot camp, finals at college. There can even be joy in the familiar when two have experienced a shared loss.

When you are feeling blue, here is what you do....find someone in which you can share and experience the joy of the familiar!

Who Can You Really Trust?

2005-09-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

When all is said an done....it comes down to this....Trust God! This world is full of questions that have no answers. In spite of our desire to know all....we simply are unable. This should not discourage a diligent pursuit of truth. It should just bring us peace in knowing there is One who does know all. God is in control in spite of our inability to understand why He acts and why He chooses not to act in any given situation. Many, if not most, of our inner turmoil comes when we try to see, understand and control God through the paradigm of our own shortsightedness.

The bible commands us to "Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!" You say, "how can I rejoice when there is so much pain and suffering in the world?" Our joy is not found in the temporary joy of this world, nor the temporary pain and suffering; true, lasting joy is found only in the Lord! When your world seems to be spinning out of control; sit down, take a deep breath and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Realize that our present suffering can't even begin to be compared to the glory that awaits us!

If you put your ultimate trust in anything else; such as money, physical strength, education, government, health aids, exercise, friends, family, etc....be prepared to be let down. Those things are not bad in themselves, it's just that they are not able to meet your every need, they are all subject to failure...just like you and me. We want to be people worthy of trust, but I'm reminded of something Jesus said, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Forgive those you have put your trust in and they failed you. Forgive yourself for the times you've failed others. Do your best to be a person worthy of trust...but know that only God is worthy of perfect trust. He will never let you down! No matter what!

2005-09-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

Life Is A Beach!

In spite of the hurricane....we had a blessed visit in Pensacola! It's during times of terrible tragedy that you remember what is really important in this world. Thank God everyday for your loved ones and kiss and hug them any chance you get! Amen!

Pals!

2005-08-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Trip to Flrioda $150.00. Sweet Tea $1.25 Sharing it with your grandaughter Priceless!

Destiny

2005-08-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

A rich and mighty Persian once walked in his garden with one of his servants. The servant cried that he had just encountered Death, who had threatened him. He begged his master to give him his fastest horse so that he could make haste and flee to Teheran, which he could reach that same evening. The master consented and the servant galloped off on the horse. On returning to his house the master himself met Death, and questioned him, "Why did you terrify and threaten my servant?" "I did not threaten him; I only showed my surprise in still finding him here when I planned to meet him tonight in Teheran," said Death.

A fool believes he or she has control of their life. How many times have you said, "if only I had done this, or not done that, my life would be so much better?" Really? It is only foolish pride and arrogance that causes us to think we have so much control over our personal destinies.

I am reminded of the words of James, "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Am I advocating total and complete apathy in regards to life and the future? No...Instead use the guidance of Jesus. He said, (loose translation) "Do your very best to follow my way of life, in all areas of your life, and let the chips fall where they may." Matt. 6:33 TCV (that's Tom's contemporary version). God loves you where you are now. Enjoy the journey and trust in the One who is truly in control!

Racism

2005-08-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to Florida, we stopped in Brentwood, Tennesse at a fast food restaurant for lunch. I could not help but notice that every patron in the store, which was very busy at the time, was all, without exception, white. That would not be worthy of notice in and of itself, but what captured my attention was this: all of the workers at the restuarant were people of color. In my brief stay in that town, I noticed several other, meanial servant jobs were also exclusively the task of people of color. I had noticed this same phenomenon while preaching in a town south of Jackson, Mississippi. What is one to make of this observation? Why were there no whites working in the store and why were there no people of color there as patrons? Could it be that racism, in certain areas of our country, has become institutional? Could there be ingrained economics that hold certain people in certain occupations in certain areas of the country?

I hope that all Semper Fi men will make it part of their mission to destroy the walls of racism that continue to seperate us in so many ways. Do your part wherever and whenever you can. The way to peace and prosperity is an understanding and agreement that "all men are created equal and are given by God the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The mission of Jesus, and this great country we live in, is that we live in peace, side by side, with all different kinds of people. Oh, if only Israel and Palestine would get this message!

Vision

2005-08-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

While working at Tecumseh Plywood, a local hardware and lumberyard, I've learned how short sighted most people are. The city of Tecumseh is undergoing a major project to connect the east side of town with the west side. It is an enormous undertaking that will provide us with a continuous downtown look. There will be sidewalks, curbs, street lights, a bike path and wonderful landscaping.

Obviously there will be some inconveniences along the way in creating this beautiful streetscape. I would say most of the people who come in the store are complaining. They complain about the wait, as traffic is often times down to one lane. They complain about spending tax money. They complain about what is or is not being done. Why can't they see the completed project? Why can't they see the pretty trees? Why can't they see the Christmas decorations on the new street lights? Why can't they see families walking down the new sidewalks patronizing the various stores? Because most people can't see beyond their noses. They can't see beyond the here and now.

Also, many people are not willing to sacrifice in order to make life better. Many people are simply fearful of change. Both of these attitudes are the result of shortsightedness. It is the job of leaders to create a vision for the people to overcome their natural tendencies.

The bible says, "without vision the people perish." That is so true! Do you have a vision for the future? If so, what is it? I'd like to hear.

Semper Fi

2005-08-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

During four years in the U.S. Marines, author and speaker Richard Biggs learned a host of practical skills—leadership, discipline, organization, persistence and commitment, to name a few—that have served him well in his civilian business career. But it was the lessons about teamwork that may have made the deepest impression on him.

"The U.S. Marine Corps is the world's elite fighting force because it's composed of 'a few good men' who work together as a cohesive unit to fight battles and win wars," Biggs—a recent Leadership Wired interviewee—says. "Yes, each Marine is valued highly, but the Corps succeeds because it's a team of highly skilled men and women who are usually the 'first to fight' in any campaign."

As a Marine, Biggs discovered the following three teamwork principles:

1. Independence. "Every Marine is fiercely independent," he says. "That may sound contradictory to the team spirit, but personal pride plays a major role in the overall success of the Corps. After all, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link."

2. Dependence. "The Marine Corps is masterful in molding a diverse group of people into a synergistic team," Biggs says. "Individual pride is encouraged, but excessive ego isn't tolerated. Each Marine is dependent upon the team to accomplish the mission of the Corps."

Corporate America has much to learn from the Marines about this aspect of teamwork. As Jon R. Katzenbach and Jason A. Santamaria stated in a 1999 Harvard Business Review article titled "Firing Up the Front Line," "In a real team, no individual member can win or lose; only the group can succeed or fail."

3. Interdependence. "The Marine Corps is the smallest military branch," Biggs explains. "It's the ground force of the U.S. Navy. Navy SEALS often go in ahead of Marine recon units. The Navy provides transportation, air and big gun support, engineers known as Seabees, medical personnel called Corpsmen, and a host of other essential services. It's also necessary to coordinate battle plans with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Without an interdependent team attitude among all of the armed services, our military forces would be vulnerable and less victorious."

From a business standpoint, John Maxwell puts interdependence in the proper perspective in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork. "If you want to do something big, you must link up with others," he writes. "One is too small a number to achieve greatness. That's the Law of Significance."

- John Maxwell

A Good Wife

2005-08-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

The bible says it is hard to find a good wife. So you better count your blessings if you find one. I do all the time. I was working on a house, putting on vinyl siding, and my soul mate shows up with a McD's pie and iced tea! She is always thinking about me and my needs. Guys, when it comes to friends, there is no better friend than your wife. Remember that and tell her that often. Vera Mae you are the BEST!!

Champions

2005-08-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

"When the great Scorer comes to town, He will not ask, did you win or lose, but how did you play the game."

What a inspiration to watch our church softball team play today! They got mercied their first game and what did they do? Did they hang their heads, pout, get angry, or depressed? No! They we laughing, joking and encouraging one another! They were truly having fun! It was contagious! I think the teams that played against them had fun too!

I am so absolutely proud of every single member of the NewSong Community Church softball team! We all take our hats off to you and say, "Job well done!" You are true champions in every sense of the word.

Priorities

2005-08-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since the last post! It is simply a matter of priorities. The military taught me the value of setting priorities. Our priorities are determined by our mission. If flying jets is your mission...then everything that directly supports getting that jet in the air is priority #1. So, anything that is not directly connected to flying that jet is priority 2, 3, etc. Without a clear understanding and focus on your mission....it is so easy to get your priorities out of order.

As Christian men; priority #1 is doing the mission (purposes) that God has given us. Priority #1 is to worship God, to bring Him glory in all that we do. Priority #1 is to be actively involved in the family of God. Priority #1 is to become more like Jesus in all of our character. Priority #1 is serving our fellow person. Priority #1 is sharing the saving gospel of Jesus with those who don't know the good news. Everything else is life is priority #2. How are you doing with getting your priorities in the correct order?

Men's Outing

2005-07-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

It's time for a Semper Fi outing. I have several ideas, but would like to hear from any and all who visit this blog. I'm interested in hearing from the men...but also the wives of those men - You have excellent ideas as well. Please contribute!

The Power of Positive Thinking

2005-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm so tired of people saying it's hot out! Duhhhhh....don't you think I know that? I'm here in the same heat with you. It's like being in a swimming pool and someone saying, "boy it sure is wet in here." Really? No kidding? Do you realize the more you focus on something the more pronounced it becomes? By constantly thinking, talking, complaining about the heat you actually make it "feel" hotter. Instead, think of all the positives about the heat. Think about what a nice day it really is. If you do that, the heat will not be so burdensome.

Focus on the good and that becomes even better. It's true! Try it. And when someone comes complaining about a person, think about the good in them, focus on that...and they become better in your eyes! This is not Pollyana thinking, it is the power of positive thinking! There is good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us. So look for the good, in all things, and focus on that and the bad will shrink away to almost nothing.

The blessing of the power of positive thinking is that it changes you!

Are You Hearing What I'm Saying?

2005-07-18T06:50:00.000-07:00

President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him to shake his hand, he flashed that big smile and said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." People would automatically resond with comments such as "How lovely!" or "Just keep up the good work!" Nobody listened to what he was saying, excepet one foreign diplomat. When the president said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning, " the diplomat responded softly, "I'm sure she had it coming to her."

Oh, how much we miss by not listening. I admit to being the worst offender, but am in a listening recovery program! It is only pride and self-centeredness that cause us to scream to be heard and listen only when it suits us. Very few people actually listen well. We love those who do listen well;

His thoughts were slow,
His words were few,
And never formed to glisten.
But he was a joy to all his friends -
You should have heard him listen.

There few actions we can take that says to our friends, spouses, children, employees, relatives, neighbors, etc. that tells them we value them, than to actually listen to them. Listen with our eyes, our mind, our heart, our compassion, our understanding.

A great wingman...is a great listener!

Genuine Friends

2005-07-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

As the movie, "Brian's Song" showed, the friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo deepened into one of the best relationships in the history of sports.

Then, during the 1969 football season, Piccolo was cut down with cancer. He fought to play the season out, but he was in the hospital more than he was in the games. Gale Sayers flew to be beside him as often as possible.

They had planned, with their wives, to sit together at the Professional Football Writers annual dinner in New York, where Sayers was to be given the George S. Halas Award as the most courageous player in pro football. But, instead, Piccolo was confined to his bed at home. As Sayers stood to receive his award, tears sprang to his eyes. The ordinarily quiet and soft spoken athlete had this to say as he took the trophy:

"You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I love Brian Piccolo and I'd like you to love him. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him too."

"I love Brian Piccolo." How often do we hear men say words such at those, and really mean it? How much more enriched our lives could be if we dared to declare our affection as Sayers did that night in New York.

And more than the words, what happened that caused these two men to become true friends?There are so many men who need to know the answer to that question. Men are starving for just one true friend like Brian Piccolo or Gayle Sayers. We all have many acquaintances, other men we know and know us, but it is a rarity to have a Gale Sayers - Brian Piccolo relationship. Yet, it is what we all want and need.

Some words that come to mind as a foundation for such a relationship are honesty, loyalty, trust, commitment, unconditional love, time together, openness, encouragement, giving, caring.

All men need a "wingman" who will always be there for him. All men need a genuine friend who will be there by his side when the enemy attacks. A man that will stand beside him no matter what. A man that will pray with him. A man that will support and encourage him. A man that will love him unconditionally! This is the mission of Semper Fi! I know I've been missing in action, but I am back and will continue to do my best to help men discover the Sayers/Piccolo joy of men in TRUE friendship.

Leadership Development

2004-12-10T04:51:00.000-08:00

Part of the mission of the Semper Fi Fellowship is to develop leadership skills while, at the same time, building close relationships. In 2005 the Semper Fi Fellowship will be participating in various types of activities that men enjoy. During these events we will give men leadership assignments. This is one way of learning how to lead, by doing. Each man in the fellowship has two wingman. These is the first echelon of the Semper Fi Fellowship. This is a fire team. These guys pray daily for one another, check on each other regularly, are there when needed, etc. These men are called on to do various missions within the context of the church. 3 fire teams make up a squad and 3 squads make up a platoon. This organizational structure will help us complete, effectively, many different types of missions as well as to organize or Semper Fi Fellowship activities.

Builders Needed

2004-10-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

President Ronald Reagan once said, "Any mule can knock down a barn, but it takes a craftsman to build one." If you need someone to tear something down, you can hire just about anybody off the street. There is no skill needed. Destruction comes easy. It takes someone special to build.

Semper Fi Fellowship is dedicated to the building of men. Using the Word of God, we have the blueprints to carefully construct rock solid Godly leaders of homes, communities and churches. Paul commands us in Ephesians 4:29:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Why is it that men feel so compelled to cut one another down instead of building each other up? Why engage in this business of put downs? This is an epidemic among men. I've noticed that the cut downs don't normally occur when it is just two men together, but add a third man and watch the environment change! It will be the man with the weakest self esteem that will try to be the champion in making at least one of the other men look bad. This is a virtual truth. The man with the weakest ego will make the most noise. It takes a wise man...a faithful man...to obey the Lord and only speak those things that will build up other men.

Men, let us be committed this day, today, to only speak those things that build up other men. Can we take it to the next level? Call a friend, a brother, some other man and make it your mission today to speak to him what he needs to hear so that it may benefit him.

It is a devil's lie that you are not worthy. It is his deception that you must resort to tearing others down to make yourself look big. The Lord has promised us; "humble yourselves in His sight and He will lift you up." Whenever you wonder just how important you are....look to the cross. God thinks you are so valuable He allowed His Son to suffer and die.....for YOU!

Boys to Men

2004-10-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

A guest on the self-help show, Dr. Phil, made the following statement October 7, 2004; "I think men are supposed to be boys always. They just go through different stages and if wives understand that they can love them." Dr. Phil did not endorse this statement. It is not the intent of this article to judge the qualifications or the accuracy of the person making this statement.

When I heard this statement, I was offended. I wasn't offended because it is false, but rather because there was too much truth in it! There are far too many men who want a mommy and not a wife! At least that is how many of them act. A boy becomes a man when he is responsible. Men are not supposed to be boys! Men are to be responsible to their wives, their children, their family, their community, their employer, their God. Real men are Semper Fi men! They don't ask their wives, like little boys, "can I go fishing?" Real men don't ask their wives for permission to go golfing, hunting or a myriad of other personal activities. They don't ask because they are not boys asking mommy for permission! They are men! They are men who know what their responsibilities are. A godly man knows what his wife needs. He knows what his children need. He knows what his family, community, church and employer need. He is faithful, sacrificial and dedicated to fulfilling his responsibilities.

Wives, don't settle for a boy! Demand that you have a man. Unless of course you don't want one. Some women would rather control a little boy that follow the lead of a godly man. This is unfortunate. Men should not dominate you, nor you them. Immature men are not something to be understood and put up with, they are to be challenged. Wives, challenge your man and make sure to reward his leadership; his servant leadership. To better understand how to recognize your husband and communicate with him in a way in which you get what you really want, I highly recommend you read, "Men Are From Mars, and Women Are From Venus" by Dr. Gray. Men you should read this too!

A real man, not a boy, then, can co-ordinate with his other half the various activities that he is planning. If you want to be a boy, stay single and live with mommy. If you want to be a man, grow up and be responsible. There are many marriages in crisis simply because there are too many boys and not enough men. Become a man! Take the lead! Be responsible! Don't be selfish! Be dedicated! Be committed! Be Semper Fi! Hoorah!

Today's Mission

2004-10-08T04:39:00.000-07:00

What's your mission for today, to just get through the day? Is your goal to do what you need to do and then retreat to your favorite sofa for the remote and some r & r? What a waste! Men, you have marching orders each day you wake up. Today's mission is to carry out a full frontal assault of loving people. Get out of your self centered, self serving world and do something for someone else today. Target your love for someone who can do nothing to repay you. Our commander in chief has said, "All men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

Let's begin by building the corp of Christian men. Call, visit, have lunch with a fellow soldier. Deepen those relationships. You say, "I don't know how." Make a commitment to be a part of the Semper Fi Fellowship and you will get the basic training to enable you to find, develop and maintain friendships. This blog will be dedicated to bringing you encouraging information on how to build a Semper Fi Fellowship where you are. Men, who are committed to God and to other men, are a powerful force in our world. Unfortunately, our enemy is good at diverting that energy in to activities that are, often time, meaningless. What are you doing today that will last for eternity? What is your mission today? Men, soldiers of Christ, arise! You have weapons that far exceed nuclear power! Move out this day under the banner of love! You have your orders. Fall out! Semper Fi!

Men & Their Families

2004-10-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article that uses the Semper Fi theme as it applies to our families. Check it out soldier! http://www.christianitytoday.com/moi/2001/001/jan/18.18.html

Fellowship of the faithful

2004-10-07T04:24:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to the fellowship of faithful men. I want to use this blog to lead men to develop powerful relationships with each other and God. Semper Fi is Latin for "always faithful" This is the motto for the U.S. Marines. It is my prayer that the army of God would take on this same motto in battling the enemies of light! Our enemy's plan to conquer is nothing new. It is simply to divide and conquer. It is to get mighty warriors of God doing the insignificant through worldly diversions and petty quarrels. Let's find ways to unite and not divide.