Happy Halloween

This Song Rocks

I heard this song this week at an Associational Meeting that was held at Union Bethel Baptist Church. Their choir was powerful and this song really touched me and made me think about the hope I have in JC.

The Great Depression

A family member sent me this info about The Great Depression. It has been an interesting read, look and listen. Be warned, you may get hooked.

From "Serious Times"

Vol. 4, No. 19

Dear Mr. President:

I do not yet know your name, but in a few days you will be elected to our nation’s highest office, and become the leader of the free world at the end of a long and engaging election season.

I wanted you to know that I will be praying for you. Not praying against you, or about you, but for you. That is both my pledge, and my obligation as a follower of Christ. In the Bible, the apostle Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

And I will do so with a full and undivided heart.

I will be praying for you from my position as a father of four children, and God willing, future grandchildren; that you will have the foresight to think through what your decisions will mean for them as the next generation.

I will be praying for you as a citizen of the United States; that you will seek wisdom from God and humbly submit yourself to His leadership as you lead our nation through economic turbulence, domestic divides, and cultural diversities.

I will be praying for you as a member of the global population; that you will work with other well-intentioned leaders from around the world as we face environmental challenges, wars and rumors of wars, and humanitarian crises.

And finally, I will be praying for you as a Christian; that you will encourage faith in God to flourish and never allow deeply held spiritual convictions to become a matter of ridicule, instead encouraging everyone to grant them a respectful hearing, even if they go against the political policy of your party.

It is being widely spoken that the next president will inherit more that needs immediate attention than any other president in recent memory. As a result, it has been a hard-fought and hotly contested election. Yes, I will vote, and I do not know if you will be the one for whom I cast my ballot. But following November 4th, all that must be set aside no matter how deep the divides may be.

So while I do not know if you will be the candidate I voted for, I do know that no matter your name, I will support you in one way without question.

I will be praying for you.

James Emery White


Sources

Scripture reference: I Timothy 2:1-2, New International Version.

For an online community committed to praying for our leaders that is both non-political and non-partisan, see www.presidentialprayerteam.org.

I copied this from an email I receive from Serious Times. Dr. James White authored the book and comments on the blog. Thoughtful reading.

Hearts And Hands

SCC begins a two month missions and ministry emphasis beginning this Sunday, 11-2. It has been exciting to think about this, discuss this and work on the promo with other leaders. Hearts And Hands will encourage and challenge those associated with Sunrise to think, pray, and give in new realms.

Pods For Growth

Catalyst

Money - Dave Ramsey Will Light Your Fire

Money is definitely on people's minds these days. Listen to this and then give it some thought.

Courses For Men - Funny

Class 1: How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays - Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM .

Class 2: The Toilet Paper Roll - Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3: Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? - Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4: Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor - Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5: Dinner Dishes - Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 6: Loss Of Identity - Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM.

Class 7: Learning How To Find Things - Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum Monday at 8:00 PM , 2 hours.

Class 8: Health Watch - Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9: Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost - Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10: Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon , 2 hours.

Class 11: How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion - Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM .

Class 12: How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy - Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 13: The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Thanks to Doug Fraizer sending this my way.

THANKS

Thanks for the Pastor Appreciation Gifts given to Me, Scott and Ruth.

Much Prayer

Where there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing prayer. -Andrew Murray, The Secret of Prayer

House

1Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. 4You know the way to where I am going." 5Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"
6"I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.

WWW - Stewardship

Proverbs 3:1-10

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Problem Solving

Steps that will help you as you think about overcoming a problem:
1. Identify problem
2.Rephrase as positive behavior or outcome
3.Create/List optional solutions
4. Evaluate options
5. Select best option(s)
6. Compromisr for purpose - This is for groups
7.Carry out the plan
8. Evaluate and celebrate

Give While You Shop

I give is a way to give as you shop. We have a person in SCC who uses igive.com and SCC has received donations from I give. Check this out. Thanks for the reminder Janice.

Go Horns

Havin' some football fun.

This Is Rich

Luke 12

For SCC - What's In Your Wallet? 10-19-08

Continuing the Balancing Your Life series. The following is a quick look at What's In Your Wallet?

In our wallets or purses we find our Identification, Important Information and Money. The items in our wallets are important to us. They are also important to God. You are important to God. Your family, health, business, and other aspects of life are important to God. Your money is important to God. so much so that the Bible has a great deal to say about money. In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells a story seeking to help people understand just how important it is that we grasp the need of being wise with money and seek to honor God with money. The story is about being a good steward. It is about stewardship. These are words we do not hear very often today.

Steward: One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs. An agent, manager, trustee, servant.

Insights From This Passage:

God is the owner.

Opportunity is before us.

Be responsible.

Take action.

Live in faith not fear.

We are accountable

Stewardship in the Biblical sense is realizing that God is the owner and you and I are the managers, agents or trustees. Being a good steward of finances involves Earning/Work, Taking and Inventory, Spending, Saving and Giving. It involves having a financial plan or budget and being informed in regards finances. We were encouraged to look at one of the above areas and seek become better stewards.

150

1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Community Group

Great discussion at Group last night. We had very open dialogue last night about the people who helped us come to Christ, people we are helping come to Christ, hoe our faith can impact others and help them accept Christ, the importance of forgiveness and that it is mankind's greatest need, how we each need forgiveness and how forgiveness brings healing form Christ to us and to to others. Good time, no, Godly time.

Joe The Plumber

Presidential Election - Information

The following links will provide you some information to think about as you seek to decide whom you will vote for on Nov. 4.

Presidential Debates

Saddleback Civil Forum Interviews with Candidates

Cell Phone and Bible - What if...

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat
our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

This is one of those circulating emails that was sent to me via a friend. Made me think. At this time in my life and career my cell phone is very important to me. At this time in my life and career the Bible is very important to me. Questions for me: Which one is more important? Which one gets more use? Do I spend as much money to help me and others in regards to Christianity than I do on my Cell Phone Bill?

Hmmmmmm...

Money - Makes Sense and Is Biblical

Seven Practical Steps

This Is Good

Jesus Loves You

My son's friend had this shirt on this morn. Funny.

Homecoming Court

The Nethery's are celebrating Nat's Sr. year in High School. She recently made the Homecoming Court in her High School, Western Branch Bruins that has about 2,500 students, and was in the running for Queen. She had a great week and a really fun Friday at the Homecoming Parade and game. Nat, you are a awesome daughter and a wonderful young lady.

Daily Devotional

The following is a good word about God's Word. You can check this site out yourself daily or you can order hard copies of this Devotional book that will help you as you seek to spend time with God each day.

Our Daily Bread

Some Quotes Sent From A Friend

Better to do something imperfectly than to do NOTHING flawlessly.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude!

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

Winners never quit and quitters never win!

To fail to plan means you plan to fail!

The first step to getting the things you want is to DECIDE what you want!

For SCC - Balancing Life's Demands

Continuing the series Balancing Your Life Sunday's service was an overview of upcoming services with an emphasis on deciding to live with Christ at the center of your life. Below is a brief of the message.

When we live in imbalalnce we experience frustration and fatigue.

The following story told by Jesus and recorded in Luke in Chpt 15:11-21. 11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

This man lived out of balance. His life became chaotic and frustrating because he was seeking to live for himself and away form any foundation. After doing some self evaluation he came to his senses and returned home. Scott encouraged us to do some self evaluation and decide to live with Christ as the center of our lives. We will be looking at the following areas iin the series: Finances, Mental/Thoughts, Physical Health, Spiritual Health and the importance of Friendships.

The message was closed with the following thoughts about taking action:
1.It’s never going to be any easier than it is today to do what God’s putting on your heart to do.
2.The longer the wait, the more damage.
3.Once you decide to do something, it’s amazing how quickly a change of heart can happen in our lives.

It is time to take action:

1.Take inventory
2.Make a plan
3.Establish Christ at the center of your life

201: Membership

Today I had the opportunity to lead SCC's 201 class. It was a good time. Fast and furious, yet a good time. Those in the class had already gone through SCC's 101 course and are very sharp people. I wish we would of had more time for discussion today because the brief discussion we did have was encouraging and beneficial to all in the class. It does my heart good to meet people who want to follow Jesus Christ and and recognize that God is working in their lives. It is encouraging to hear from others a desire to see God work in the lives of others and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Focus

Money - Helpful Forms

Financial Peace University - Helpful Forms

Crown Financial - Helpful Forms

Encouraging Words

Matthew 6:25-34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Quote - Personal Growth

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." Psychologist Carl G. Jung

Money - Funny, Yet Not

Leadership Thought

When you have a culture of disciplined people, you don't need hierarchy. When you have disciplined thought, you don't need bureaucracy. When you have disciplined action, you don't need excessive controls. When you combine a culture of discipline with a culture of entrepreneurship, you get the magical alchemy of great performance.- Jim Collins, Good to Great

Time

For SCC - Slowing Down 10-5-09

Sunrise began a new series this past Sunday. Below are the cliff notes to the service and message.

GLARE, the Music Team/Band, of Sunrise lead us in music that lead us to think about and encounter God. The DVD clip "Slow Down" was shown and GLARE played a cover song from Third Day that rocks and speaks to the heart and soul about slowing down in life.

Message Highlights:

Effects Of A Hurried Life:

A hurried life can lead you and me to experiencing and feeling more stress.

A hurried life can lead you and me to lose our sense of thanks and joy.

A hurried life can make us less productive.

In a hurried life we are most likely to make bad decisions.

In a hurried life we miss out on opportunities to share God's love with others.

God seems distant in a hurries life.

Slow Down:

S - Start your day with God.

This is about being in tune with God and empowered by God.

L - Learn to say "yes" and "no".

This is about life management and purpose.

O - Obey # 4.

This is about rest,relaxation and recognition of God.

W - Wait on God.

This is about trusting God.

Money - The Video Is Pretty Clear

Money - A Few Thoughts From The Bible

1. Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his childrens' children."
2. Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has."
3. Proverbs 22:7 states that "The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender."
4. Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it."
5. Matt. 6:24 "You cannot serve both God and money".

6. Philippians 4:10-13 "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Money - Helpful Ideas

How To Prosper In A Declining Economy is a sweet little article. Take 5 and give it a read.