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