For SCC - A Heart For Friendship 6-29-08

As we continue our series on the life of David the following is from this past Sundays Service.

The story of Jonathan and David is found in I Samuel 18-23 in the midst of ongoing wars, family drama, and a very jealous king who is out to get David. I drew the following thoughts form Scripture and from A book written by Charles Swindoll, David. Please keep in mind this story is full of relational principles and truths that you and I can glean from and learn from in regards to the pain jealousy can cause, the good that comes from being a secure individual like Jonathan, and the good that can be experienced in life due to close friendships. The following is just a brief, yet if applied we can become good friends and experience close and secure friendships.

A Heart For Friendship

In life we have acquaintances, working relationships, party friends, and close friends. The story of Jonathan and Davis is about a close friendship. We can be this type of friend. We should look for this type friend.

A close friend is willing to give.

Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. I Samuel 18:4

A close friend is a loyal defense.

Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?" I Samuel 19:4-5

A close friend is a source of encouragement.

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. I Samuel 23:15-16

A Real Friend

Call someone who you consider is a real friend to you and tell them THANK YOU. have fun encouraging them. Remind them of a time when they helped you out and let them know they are a difference maker and that there life matters.

Making The Most Of Your Finances

Have some fun. Become a little frustrated. Learn a little. Make the most of your money. Visit Dave Ramsey online. This dude is sharp, funny, wild, informed, challenging. During these times we all need to learn how to be very wise with the $$$$.

Romans12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Funny. LOL

This is Funny!! The fact is for many followers of Jesus Christ this is how it is when they seek to tell others about God's wonderful love and goodness. It doesn't have to be like this. As a follwer of Jesus I can simply allow Christ to live in me as I give my life to Him and then learn to verbally share in a very real, relevant, and powerful way God's love with others so that they can enter into a relationship with God and experience LIFE. Have fun.

I you have some time this week got to BluefishTV and enjoy previewing some of their short videos. Have fun.

Good Words

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. Ephesians 4:29

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

The Gargage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport . We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly . So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks takeover their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... "Love the people who treat you right and pray for the ones who don't."

My our lives be an Air Freshener not a Garbage Truck.

I can tell you I have been a Garbage Truck way too often in my life. I desire to be an Air Freshener. I want to be pleasant to others and to God. The sense of smell that you and I have is a very powerful sense. It can turn you on or turn you off. It can lead to, "What is that XXXXX smell?", or, "That smells great." In the bible Paul writes, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." II Corinthians 2:14 My guess is God smells good. The smell of flowers, roses, a fresh rain, the ocean breeze, etc. So, I want to smell good. Not because I have put on some deodorant or cologne, but because my life, words, character and smile is a fragrance that leads people to say, "That smells good.", and because of Christ in me they are blessed and encouraged.

God Is Looking For You

"So long as we imagine it is we who have to look for God we must often loose heart. But it is the other way about - He is looking for us." Simon Tugwell

By His Wounds

But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Bold and Courageous

Bold: fearless and adventurous, cunning and eager to face danger or adventure with a sense of confidence and fearlessness; requiring or showing fearlessness, daring, and often originality

Synonyms: brave, daring, courageous, intrepid, audacious, gallant, valiant

Courage: quality of being brave; the ability to face danger difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear, or being deflected from a chosen course of action

Synonyms: brave, guts, nerve, valor, daring, audacity

A child who jumps off the diving board for the first time that’s bold and courageous
A child who rides a bike without training wheels that’s bold and courageous
A teenager who says no to drugs that’s bold and courageous
A teenager who is willing to be a leader and not a follower that’s bold and courageous

Here are some more things that are bold and courageous:
A couple who gets married
Having a child, adopting a child, raising someone else’s child as your own
Changing careers
Continuing your education
Sitting back and letting your children raise their children
Taking time to give
Helping others
Being Honest and Trusting
Being a Friend
Believing in God, yourself, and others
Doing your best no matter what
Trying to change and not giving up
Being an example of a loving person for others
Knowing when to let go and when to hold on
Living life regardless of fear
Doing the right thing
Courage is standing up for what you believe and for those you love
Courage is following your dreams
Courage is having hope in your heart and sharing it with others

This is God Stuff

The following is taken from an email sent to me and some other pastors who meet together occasionally for encouragement and leadership growth from a fellow pastor in VA. This man is a blessing to me and many others.

Just a quick testimony that God has been moving in my life in a powerful way the past several weeks. I have been experiencing a personal revival and a new since of closeness to God.

At our VBS commencement I always offer an invitation for people to follow Christ. I teach the final lesson = serving Christ & offered an invitation. As I asked people (children) to close their eyes & bow their heads. I asked if they would like to follow Christ to raise their hands. Many, many hands went up. I asked them to repeat the sinners prayer with me. There were many voices praying out loud! I was overwhelmed at the tremendous number & loudness of the prayers. Then I asked if you raised your hand or prayed for Jesus to come into your heart to come forward. There must have been about 30 - 40 children come forward!

Now I know many were following the crowd & entire rows of children came forward & many were not sure or understand what they were doing. So since we were having a meal (picnic) to follow I asked the children to talk with their parents & give me their name, address & phone number & I would be in touch with them & follow up. I had never been a part of such a mass outward moving of the Holy Spirit in which so many responded. I have lots of work ahead of me. I am looking forward to a very fruitful children's ministry in the future.

Thinking A Little About Purpose

Yesterday and today I have been thinking about purpose. Personal purpose. Purpose at work. Accomplishing objectives. Living with purpose. The Purpose Driven Church. The comment, "He did it on purpose.", made by a child often pointing out someone elses wrong. Purpose. Living on purpose. Loving on purpose. Encouraging on purpose. Raising children on purpose. Loving and honoring my wife on purpose. Planning a message on purpose. Purpose. Thank God life is purposeful. Love God. Love others as yourself. Purpose and meaning go hand and hand. Think about your purpose. Live on purpose today. "If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time." Take aim and give a positive word to someone on purpose. Take aim and lead on purpose. Take aim and be a blessing in your child's life today. Take aim and allow God to have control of your life. Purpose.

David and Goliath

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2017&version=31

David faced and overcame a lion and a bear as he tended to his fathers flock of sheep when he was a teenager. You want to talk about giants, they were giants. Giants cause our hearts to tremble. Lions and bears cause my heart to tremble and most likely they cause your heart to tremble. David was only a teen so no matter the size of the lion or bear they were giants. David had also faced his God and for some reason had a faith in his God that moved him to face giants. It was only when God revealed Himself and empowered David that he defeated his giants. Those victories gave David confidence in defeating Goliath. David and Goliath is a story known by many and a phrase used by sports commentators to this day to describe individuals or teams that are facing insurmountable odds in a competition. Just like David we too can overcome the giants of our lives, be an encouragement to others and bring glory and honor to God and His Kingdom when we rely upon God and face our giants.

So what Giant(s) are you facing today? What circumstances are overwhelming you? Your marriage, conflicts at work, financial worries, sickness, injuries, addictions, breaking an unhealthy habit? No matter the size of your giant, God is bigger. Goliath was big, God was bigger. Circumstances can be overwhelming, God is bigger. The odds can be against you, but God is for you as you seek to honor Him, His Name and His Kingdom.

For Dads Only

A good and brief article for dads.

http://www.family.org/parenting/A000001228.cfm

Good Father Replies

Below are some of the responses to an email I sent out this week asking people to share their thoughts about what qualities make up a good dad.

Patience, love, kindness, sacrifice, guidance, a good listener, respect both ways, a good example, adaptability and he shows how much he loves their mother.

Someone who places the time with his children above his own personal wants and desires

Someone who listens with full attention and open mind

Someone who leaves the judging for GOD

Someone who is open to change

Someone who is not afraid to show his emotions or express his feelings from the heart

Someone who is supportive and encouraging

Someone who works hard but enjoys laughter and having fun

Someone whose love you always feel no matter what

I've had some time to think so here are my thoughts:

The world defines a great Dad by the following:

- Success - Wealth - Job - Materialism

God's word shows us what a man/Dad should really be. I really believe these attributes are what so many men are looking for in today's society but are unable to capture due to the culture that is created around them. Hence, making their lives empty. One word sums it up for me "FORTITUDE" Fortitude is courage built on the strength of the soul. Being able to bare pain without diversity. A desire to face challenges, welcome diversity and coming out on the other side successful in God's eyes. Fortitude means standing on God's principles: Conviction - honoring the family no matter what the storm is and staying true. Caring for children even as they grow to adulthood Courage - honor God's principles no matter the cost Strength - provide security to the family (physical, emotional and financial)

In I Corinthians 16:13-14 Paul writes to "be on the alert, keep the faith, act like men and be strong and all of this should be done in a loving, charitable way." In Deuteronomy 31:6 - Joshua is getting ready to take the helm from Moses and he is told to "be strong and of courage, fear not for the Lord is always with you."

Father's Day Thoughts

I sent out an email earlier this week to many people and asked them to think about... What makes a good dad. Below are two responses about a good dad.

dad tells you, after you have wrecked your car, "Don't worry about it. Cars can be fixed, but people can't." A dad gives warm hugs, affectionate kisses and constantly tells his kids he loves them and is proud of them. A dad tells his daughter who has recently had her third baby, "If you need us to come back and help out some more, just call and we will turn right back around." A dad tells his daughter that she doesn't need to thank him for the check he has recently sent. He knows she is appreciative. A dad sends his kids traveling expenses so they won't have to ever say, "I can't afford to come and see you." :) A dad doesn't have favorites amongst his kids. A dad has tears in his eyes when he says good bye. A dad is also a great grandpa. A dad loves on his grandkids and tells them that they are super kids, just because of who they are. A dad knows the importance of hard work and instills a good work ethic in his kids. A dad prays for his kids and grandkids. A dad loves on his wife and openly displays affection.

My Dad has been gone 20 years now but a good Dad pays his little girl five cents when she combs his hair for him.

High School Students Who Love JT

It is always good to receive encouraging words. This clip was put together to give Jon Trude some words of encouragement.

Hope

Adam

Father's Day Thoughts

This morn I sent out a request via the net and asked people to think about what makes for a good father. Below are a few responses.

A father is someone you can count on. He will always be there for his family. He is a mixture of toughness & tenderness, depending on what the situation calls for. He must often make difficult decisions. A good Father is one who knows the Heavenly Father & has a personal relationship with him that shapes his character & life. It is a great responsibility to be a
father & responsible for a family.

A good father does not judge, loves unconditionally, gives "tough love" when needed.....someone who says they are proud of you...teaches you how to do the basics in life (check the oil in your car, change a flat tire, how to use a hammer and nail), but also teaches you the fun things (how to drive a car, a boat, how to skateboard, surf, and whatever else you want to learn....no matter how crazy it seems to be......a good father gives you the confidence to achieve anything...be it school or dropping in on a ramp:).....also, someone who will still love you no matter what your report card may reflect.

At my retirement party, my children were asked to say a few words about what they'd learned from me. I discovered a lot about what kind of Dad I'd been! For one thing, I realized again that life "lessons" from parents to children are often more caught than taught. Our lasting impact on our kinds is much more a matter of informal, day-to-day modeling than formal teaching.
Here's the most surprising item for me from the "What Daddy Taught Us" retirement party speech. My son has a dangerous job. One day he thought he was going to be killed. He just had time to send a two-line email to his mother, sister, fiancee, and me to say he loved us and owed all he was to us. It was a chilling note to read on the screen! Thank God, he survived. He said in those near-death moments, he asked, "What would Daddy do in this situation?" Then, he said he set about being the calmest person in the room...because I'd taught him to keep his head and values when the pressure is on. The big surprise in that lesson for me was simple: I never ever had a "calm" lesson in my Daddy teaching plan. He had caught it, but I hadn't consciously taught it.
Dads and Moms are always teaching...even when we don't intend to. Kids watch, learn, and become an awful lot like us, because our lives are contagious. One day we'll see what they've caught from us.

Five Love Languages

The link below will take you to a website that you will find very helpful to you and your family. Have fun and grow in love.

http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/

Our Son

When Ruth and I moved to VA our son was little bitty and still and infant. He is now approaching six feet tall and is a good looking boy. Amazing, how time flies. Today is Monday. Monday is the day of the week that I pray for my family throughout the day. I pray for Ruth, Nat and D. I pray for my brother and his family, my sister, my mom and her husband, and a few others. My prayer today has been and will be, "God, as much as Daws has grown physically over the years may he and the others grow in their relationship with you ten times that much."

Think About This

The only people to pay back in life are those who have helped you out.

Psalm 33 - My personal devotional reading for the rest of June

Danger. Danger. You will get hooked. When you start reading this post and checking out the cross references you will get hooked and time will move very fast. This is good and Godly danger.

A cross reference helps you discover other places in the Bible where the topic you are reading may also be found. Click on the letter in blue and it will take you to a cross reference for that word or passage, then click on the cross reference passage to see another passage in the Bible that covers the same topic that you are currently reading. Fun stuff.

Praise to the Creator and Preserver.

1(A)Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is (B)becoming to the upright.
2Give thanks to the LORD with the (C)lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a (D)harp of ten strings.
3Sing to Him a (E)new song;
Play skillfully with (F)a shout of joy.
4For the word of the LORD (G)is upright,
And all His work is done (H)in faithfulness.
5He (I)loves righteousness and justice;
The (J)earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.
6By the (K)word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And (L)by the breath of His mouth (M)all their host.
7He gathers the (N)waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deeps in storehouses.
8Let (O)all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the inhabitants of the world (P)stand in awe of Him.
9For (Q)He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD (R)nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11The (S)counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The (T)plans of His heart from generation to generation.
12Blessed is the (U)nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom He has (V)chosen for His own inheritance.
13The LORD (W)looks from heaven;
He (X)sees all the sons of men;
14From (Y)His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15He who (Z)fashions the hearts of them all,
He who (AA)understands all their works.
16(AB)The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17A (AC)horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18Behold, (AD)the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who (AE)hope for His lovingkindness,
19To (AF)deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive (AG)in famine.
20Our soul (AH)waits for the LORD;
He is our (AI)help and our shield.
21For our (AJ)heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.

Cross references:
Psalm 33:1 : Ps 32:11; Phil 3:1; 4:4
Psalm 33:1 : Ps 92:1; 147:1
Psalm 33:2 : Ps 71:22; 147:7
Psalm 33:2 : Ps 144:9
Psalm 33:3 : Ps 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; Is 42:10; Rev 5:9
Psalm 33:3 : Ps 98:4
Psalm 33:4 : Ps 19:8
Psalm 33:4 : Ps 119:90
Psalm 33:5 : Ps 11:7; 37:28
Psalm 33:5 : Ps 119:64
Psalm 33:6 : Gen 1:6; Ps 148:5; Heb 11:3
Psalm 33:6 : Ps 104:30
Psalm 33:6 : Gen 2:1
Psalm 33:7 : Ex 15:8; Josh 3:16; Ps 78:13
Psalm 33:8 : Ps 67:7
Psalm 33:8 : Ps 96:9
Psalm 33:9 : Gen 1:3; Ps 148:5
Psalm 33:10 : Ps 2:1-3; Is 8:10; 19:3
Psalm 33:11 : Job 23:12; Prov 19:21
Psalm 33:11 : Ps 40:5; 92:5; 139:17; Is 55:8
Psalm 33:12 : Ps 144:15
Psalm 33:12 : Ex 19:5; Deut 7:6; Ps 28:9
Psalm 33:13 : Job 28:24; Ps 14:2
Psalm 33:13 : Ps 11:4
Psalm 33:14 : 1 Kin 8:39, 43; Ps 102:19
Psalm 33:15 : Job 10:8; Ps 119:73
Psalm 33:15 : 2 Chr 16:9; Job 34:21; Jer 32:19
Psalm 33:16 : Ps 44:6; 60:11
Psalm 33:17 : Ps 20:7; 147:10; Prov 21:31
Psalm 33:18 : Job 36:7; Ps 32:8; 34:15; 1 Pet 3:12
Psalm 33:18 : Ps 32:10; 147:11
Psalm 33:19 : Ps 56:13; Acts 12:11
Psalm 33:19 : Job 5:20; Ps 37:19
Psalm 33:20 : Ps 62:1; 130:6; Is 8:17
Psalm 33:20 : Ps 115:9
Psalm 33:21 : Ps 13:5; 28:7; Zech 10:7; John 16:22

You Can Be SURE

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:11-13 NIV

11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. I John 5:11-13 NLT

11-12 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. I John 5:11-13 The Message

God's Will

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Leadership Thought

Be A Winner
The winner is always a part of the answer. The winner has a plan. The winner says, "Let's get it done." The winner sees an answer for every problem. The winner says, "It may be difficult, but it is possible." Win.

Heard This Today

When we are born we are crying and those around us are celebrating. If we live our lives in Christ and for Christ when we die we are celebrating and loved ones are crying.

Eternal Life

People often wonder if loved ones are in Heaven after they pass away. God desires that all people enter into His Heaven and provides us the opportunity to be sure of the reality of eternal life in Heaven by making a decision while we are alive. The following link will help you decide to accept God's provision and love and become a follower of Jesus Christ.

http://account.churchwebworks.com/acct/13335-6135/tmpl/tm241_about_god.php

Life and Death

I've been thinking about life and death for about the past three weeks due to some accidents that I heard of that took lives that were young and vibrant. I first heard about a well known Contemporary Christian Artist who lost a very young daughter in a vehicle accident. I then was told of the death of a father and son in a plane crash. The fatter, 44 years old, was a well known and respected pastor in well known church, his son was 13 years old. They left behind a wife and mother and 5 children and siblings. I would occasionally listen to this man's messages online. Just this past weekend an accident occurred in the area in which my family lives. Two teenage girls lost their lives in a car accident. My son new one of the girls pretty well. People in the church I serve new both families and girls pretty well. One leader in Sunrise in neighbors to both families and has been profoundly impacted by this loss and yet has been ministering to the families in a powerful way. Life and death. I seek to dwell on the life part and as a pastor/leader seek to help people dwell on the life part and live while alive. A man, who lived years ago, by the name of David wrote, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:23. Another man by the name of Moses wrote, "The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:10 and 12. A wise king by the name of Solomon recorded, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1. Life is a wonderful gift that we often take for granted. God, the author of life, wants us to live. Live today in love, forgiveness, newness and goodness. Live today as a learner, encourager, and difference maker. Live today in honesty and consideration of others. Live.

For SCC - The Challenge of Keeping Your Marriage Alive 6-1-08

Part 3 of the series on the family was presented this past Sunday by Scott Salsman. The following is only a brief, but it will be helpful to you. Good stuff. Have fun.

God's vision for marriage is oneness.

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:15-18

21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:21-24

Disconnects can break down the oneness God desires we expereince in marriage. Three major disconnects in marriage today:

1. An unhealthy pace of life.

Homework Assignment - Arrange a talk in an unrushed setting and ask, "How many of our disconnects are caused by an unhealthy pace of life?" List two or three ways to declare war on your runaway pace of life.

2. Covered up complaints.

Homework Assignment - Arrange a talk in an unrushed seeting and open up a conversation about covered up complaints.

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. Ephesian 4:15

3. We forget to have fun.

Homework Assignment - Find common interest and passions and engage in them.

Be A Blessing

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

"Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;

he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

I Peter 3:8-12