Sunday, November 4, 2012
Election Alert: It's not just about Obama and Romney
As I was waiting in the early voting line today, over hearing people go back and forth about the downsides of President Obama and Mitt Romney, and how if the other is elected we're doomed. I couldn't help but laugh internally to the blindness of my fellow Americans, let's take a quick look..."If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me." That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crest-fallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go. As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom? Let me tell you, it's easier to gallop a camel through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter God's kingdom." (Matthew 19:21-23 MSG). The Facts are, Profit Ratios,
"Citigroup jumped 5.5 percent to $36.66 today. Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit, 55, is cutting jobs and shedding unwanted assets, including a 49 percent stake in Smith Barney, as he seeks to return capital to shareholders and comply with new regulations on buffers against losses. Revenue from fixed-income trading surged 63 percent excluding accounting adjustments after tumbling last year during the European sovereign-debt crisis."
(10/15 Bloomberg).
"JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), the biggest U.S. bank by assets, reported record third-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as mortgage revenue soared 72 percent.
Net income rose 34 percent to $5.71 billion, or $1.40 a share, from $4.26 billion, or $1.02, a year earlier, the New York-based company said today in a statement. Earnings, which included a loss on accounting adjustments, beat the average estimate of $1.20 among 30 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg."
(10/12 Bloomberg).
"Goldman Sachs Earnings Q3 2012: Bank Brings In $1.5 Billion Profit"
(10/12 Huffington Post). Total repayment to American taxpayers to date...
Citigroup $9,098,354,471 (out of $45,000,000,000),
JPMorgan Chase $0 (out of $25,000,000,000),
Goldman Sachs Bank $0 (out of $10,000,000,000)
(11/3 Propublica).
2012 Presidential Elections Contributions to date,
Obama, $632,200,000.00,
Romney, $388,700,000.00
(FEC).
The average median wage in 2011 was $26,965.43
(SSA).
The average Student Loan Debt in 2012 was $26,500.00
(10/18 New York Times).
The facts honestly took about 20 min. to research via Google. The question is not just about Romney or Obama, but are we asking ourselves the right questions? Or is it easier to blame it on what we see? Well, what are we looking at?
The Lord said to him, “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? (Exodus 4:11 NET)
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Don't Make Doctrine Out of Opinion!
Don't make doctrine out of opinion!
Men of God, do we release the power of our speech in our everyday lives?
"In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! " (James 3:5-10 NLT)
Do we release men of God the correalation between speech and lust and how this combination can truly set us up for disaster if we're not careful?
God grants us the ability to "speak decrees" or literally speak things into existence, law. If we as men do not tame any foothold that we have left for Satan to devour, it will devour us!
"Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer." (James 1:13 MSG)
So moving forward, men of God, let's realize the attack that Satan is planning for all of us. If we allow lust, in all forms, to remain in our hearts, Satan will us it against us. The most common way is through our speech, and the things we say to others and ourselves. So let's be aware of our words and the power of them! God bless.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Press or Pressure?
Press or Pressure...
Often times, men of God, it is so easy to feel inadequate when confronted with life's speed bumps. We look at the bills due, then the bank account, we look at our children's grades, then our work schedule, we look at the situations in front of us and determine that "this mountain is too high to climb". Have we ever evaluated our minds & seen the flaws with us? In Acts 14:21 MSG version, "After proclaiming the Message in Derbe and establishing a strong core of disciples, they retraced their steps to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch, putting muscle and sinew in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn't be easy: 'Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times." We realize that Paul himself, did not have a life so smooth that he did not have to face any trials or persecutions, but rather upon doing the work of Christ, they grew in occurrences, why do we think this was? Faith! What voice are we listening to when our struggles come, the voice of the deceiver who discourages us into believing that due to our inadequecies "we're not good enough" or the voice of our daddy proclaiming "it's already taken care of!". It's time for us to lead our families, neighborhoods, and friends by first identifying the spiritual, then being confident in our victory.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
10 Creative Ways To Spend More Time With Your Wife
10 Creative Ways To Spend More Time With Your Wife
Many of us date, fall in love, get married, launch our careers, start a family… and then drift apart. Why? The reasons vary, but sometimes it’s all because we stop spending time with our wife – not often enough nor long enough to stay connected and madly in love.
It turns out that two of our best-known clichés: “Familiarity breeds contempt” and “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” are both completely false when it comes to marriage. Together time is a necessary ingredient if we value relationships that last.
However, and like anything else worthwhile, carving out time with your wife is going to require creativity and intention. All Pro Dad thinks your wife is worth the effort. We’ll give you a jump-start on the creativity – the intention you’ll have to provide for yourself.
Talk about it: A declared objective is the first step toward change. Talk about “together time” with your wife. Let her know you want to increase time, then make your plans together.
Measure it: There’s a tried and true principle in psychological measurement that declares the following. Self-assessment has a positive effect on the behavior being appraised. If, for example, you keep track of money spent on soft drinks, the act of measuring will reduce the number of drinks. If – in fitness – you keep track of miles walked, you tend to walk more. If, in a relationship, you measure the amount of time spent with your wife, the time count will necessarily increase – independent of any other intervention.
Exercise together: This is win-win. Both you and your spouse benefit from the exercise and – additionally - the relationship benefits from the time together.
Sign up for a class together: Community college: cooking, art appreciation, and gardening. Then you can carry her books and – later – help her with her homework.
Work your way through a “One Tank Trips” book together: Extra points if you try this one. Most communities offer excursion guides to places within a half-tank of gas from home. It’s a great way to learn about your region while enjoying personal time.
Volunteer together: This is another “two-fer.” Doing good, together with your wife and growing your marriage in the context of service to the community.
Take it in turns to organize a “mystery adventure date”, once a month: The key here – when it’s your turn – is do the research to find out what she enjoys. It could be a weekend tour of local lighthouse, or the night launch of a space shuttle, or a simple picnic on a tablecloth in her favorite state park, or a series of local museums. Use your imagination, make it count, take turns.
Step out together down memory lane: Collate and organize some scrapbooks that document family history – on both sides of the tree. You’ll end up retelling the stories, laughing together, remembering, spending time together, plus you will have a resource that you’ll treasure the rest of your lives.
Interview some elderly relatives: Work up the questions together, record or video the dialog, and take photographs. She’ll love that you’re interested in her family – you’ll be astounded how much cool stuff you’ll learn.
Interview one-another: Help each other come up with a list of questions, and then go through the process. Take notes, listen, learn, and take it from there!
Many of us date, fall in love, get married, launch our careers, start a family… and then drift apart. Why? The reasons vary, but sometimes it’s all because we stop spending time with our wife – not often enough nor long enough to stay connected and madly in love.
It turns out that two of our best-known clichés: “Familiarity breeds contempt” and “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” are both completely false when it comes to marriage. Together time is a necessary ingredient if we value relationships that last.
However, and like anything else worthwhile, carving out time with your wife is going to require creativity and intention. All Pro Dad thinks your wife is worth the effort. We’ll give you a jump-start on the creativity – the intention you’ll have to provide for yourself.
Talk about it: A declared objective is the first step toward change. Talk about “together time” with your wife. Let her know you want to increase time, then make your plans together.
Measure it: There’s a tried and true principle in psychological measurement that declares the following. Self-assessment has a positive effect on the behavior being appraised. If, for example, you keep track of money spent on soft drinks, the act of measuring will reduce the number of drinks. If – in fitness – you keep track of miles walked, you tend to walk more. If, in a relationship, you measure the amount of time spent with your wife, the time count will necessarily increase – independent of any other intervention.
Exercise together: This is win-win. Both you and your spouse benefit from the exercise and – additionally - the relationship benefits from the time together.
Sign up for a class together: Community college: cooking, art appreciation, and gardening. Then you can carry her books and – later – help her with her homework.
Work your way through a “One Tank Trips” book together: Extra points if you try this one. Most communities offer excursion guides to places within a half-tank of gas from home. It’s a great way to learn about your region while enjoying personal time.
Volunteer together: This is another “two-fer.” Doing good, together with your wife and growing your marriage in the context of service to the community.
Take it in turns to organize a “mystery adventure date”, once a month: The key here – when it’s your turn – is do the research to find out what she enjoys. It could be a weekend tour of local lighthouse, or the night launch of a space shuttle, or a simple picnic on a tablecloth in her favorite state park, or a series of local museums. Use your imagination, make it count, take turns.
Step out together down memory lane: Collate and organize some scrapbooks that document family history – on both sides of the tree. You’ll end up retelling the stories, laughing together, remembering, spending time together, plus you will have a resource that you’ll treasure the rest of your lives.
Interview some elderly relatives: Work up the questions together, record or video the dialog, and take photographs. She’ll love that you’re interested in her family – you’ll be astounded how much cool stuff you’ll learn.
Interview one-another: Help each other come up with a list of questions, and then go through the process. Take notes, listen, learn, and take it from there!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Life Verses
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!
Psalm 46:10 — Be still and know that I am God.
Philippians 1:6 — Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 — Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Jeremiah 29:13 — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Luke 12: 22-24 — Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat' or about your body, what you will wear. For life more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"
Galatians 6:2 — Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 — Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race market out for us
Jeremiah 29:11 — For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
James 1:2-4 — Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Psalm 61:2 — From the ends o the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Philippians 1:21 — For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Colossians 3:23-24 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
James 1:12 — Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
1 Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Proverbs 29:23 — Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Joshua 1:9 — Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Hebrews 12:7 — Endure hardships as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
Psalm 46:10 — Be still and know that I am God.
Philippians 1:6 — Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 — Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Jeremiah 29:13 — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Luke 12: 22-24 — Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat' or about your body, what you will wear. For life more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"
Galatians 6:2 — Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 — Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race market out for us
Jeremiah 29:11 — For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
James 1:2-4 — Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Psalm 61:2 — From the ends o the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Philippians 1:21 — For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Colossians 3:23-24 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
James 1:12 — Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
1 Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Proverbs 29:23 — Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Joshua 1:9 — Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Hebrews 12:7 — Endure hardships as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Lines Are Drawn!
The call to War.
What is going on? We are in a war with the world, the flesh, and the devil (collectively “Evil” or “The Enemy” in this writing)! The stakes are high! The kingdoms of light and darkness are colliding. The battle lines are being drawn – this is the epic battle of Good vs. Evil! This is THE Great War – and you are essential to the cause! You are being called upon to fulfill your destiny to be a “mighty hero.”
This War is invisible, internal, and often unexplainable. But it is real! Of course you feel it! The odds against us seem overwhelming and evil feels relentless. These are very important days – very possibly the last days! But there is great hope because our King is raising up an army of fully devoted followers! The Kingdom forces are led by Jesus Christ, and His armies are advancing. And in spite of what sins have been committed, you are being asked to join Him. It’s what you were made for! It is your destiny!
When Christ returns to earth in visible form, He will return armed for battle – ready to strike down the nations, with his robe dipped in blood and the armies of heaven following him on white horses. (see Rev. 19:11-16) “On his robe and thigh [will be] written this title: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Jesus came last time as suffering servant, a lamb as a sacrifice for our sins. He will return as a military commander – a conqueror and king to execute judgement.
“I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” (Isa. 45:3)
“I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (Eph. 4:1)
( Band of Brothers)
What is going on? We are in a war with the world, the flesh, and the devil (collectively “Evil” or “The Enemy” in this writing)! The stakes are high! The kingdoms of light and darkness are colliding. The battle lines are being drawn – this is the epic battle of Good vs. Evil! This is THE Great War – and you are essential to the cause! You are being called upon to fulfill your destiny to be a “mighty hero.”
This War is invisible, internal, and often unexplainable. But it is real! Of course you feel it! The odds against us seem overwhelming and evil feels relentless. These are very important days – very possibly the last days! But there is great hope because our King is raising up an army of fully devoted followers! The Kingdom forces are led by Jesus Christ, and His armies are advancing. And in spite of what sins have been committed, you are being asked to join Him. It’s what you were made for! It is your destiny!
When Christ returns to earth in visible form, He will return armed for battle – ready to strike down the nations, with his robe dipped in blood and the armies of heaven following him on white horses. (see Rev. 19:11-16) “On his robe and thigh [will be] written this title: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Jesus came last time as suffering servant, a lamb as a sacrifice for our sins. He will return as a military commander – a conqueror and king to execute judgement.
“I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” (Isa. 45:3)
“I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (Eph. 4:1)
( Band of Brothers)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It’s Tough to Be a Man
Men's Ministries is the mobilization of the men of the church to provide fellowship, training, and opportunities for ministry and outreach.
We are living in very difficult and confusing times. It is hard for men to balance their careers, family and personal lives. I would like to look at five factors that will help enhance and insure successful productive lives.
1.Remember ddisappointments are inescapable. Christ’s love is always there. When life lets us down, Jesus lifts us up. Truth is the source of true peace. True peace does not come as a result of eliminating sorrows and disappointments. It comes as a result of one thing, and that is an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is where anxiety ends and peace begins. John 14:27 (NLT) says, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.”
2.Look for the truth in the right place. Many voices shout at us, but one that speaks the truth is calm and soft. Seek the truth in the word of God. Whether you realized it or not, truth is the most important issues in your life. It is more important than what you do for a living, who you are married to, or what you earn. I am convinced that truth is the bottom line of life. You cannot have a real life without truth. John 14:6 (NLT) "Jesus told him I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
3.Obedience expresses our gratitude. Obeying God can be hard, but when we look at the cross and realize Jesus did that for us out of love, our course becomes clear. Our love is a response to God’s love. Likewise, our obedience flows from our gratitude for what he has done for us. 1 John 5:3 (NLT) “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult.”
4.Humility is possible when we know our place with God. We feel humbled knowing that through Christ, we are fully accepted by a perfect, Holy God. To become successful in the Lord is a comforting prospect for those striving to mature in their relationship with him and move his Kingdom forward. Psalm 147:6 (NLT) “The LORD supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”
5.Materialism is modern day Idolatry. Owning the latest electronic breakthrough pales in comparison to building Christ like character. Use temporal things but desire eternal. You cannot be satisfied with any temporal goods, because you were not created for enjoyment of such things but for the purpose and fellowship of the Lord. Matthew 6:19-21(NLT) “Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”
Remember no weapon that is formed against you will be successful and nothing can prevent you from obtaining all the Lord has for you. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or if I can be of assistance to you. Together, Moving His Kingdom Forward....
Pastor jeff
We are living in very difficult and confusing times. It is hard for men to balance their careers, family and personal lives. I would like to look at five factors that will help enhance and insure successful productive lives.
1.Remember ddisappointments are inescapable. Christ’s love is always there. When life lets us down, Jesus lifts us up. Truth is the source of true peace. True peace does not come as a result of eliminating sorrows and disappointments. It comes as a result of one thing, and that is an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is where anxiety ends and peace begins. John 14:27 (NLT) says, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.”
2.Look for the truth in the right place. Many voices shout at us, but one that speaks the truth is calm and soft. Seek the truth in the word of God. Whether you realized it or not, truth is the most important issues in your life. It is more important than what you do for a living, who you are married to, or what you earn. I am convinced that truth is the bottom line of life. You cannot have a real life without truth. John 14:6 (NLT) "Jesus told him I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
3.Obedience expresses our gratitude. Obeying God can be hard, but when we look at the cross and realize Jesus did that for us out of love, our course becomes clear. Our love is a response to God’s love. Likewise, our obedience flows from our gratitude for what he has done for us. 1 John 5:3 (NLT) “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult.”
4.Humility is possible when we know our place with God. We feel humbled knowing that through Christ, we are fully accepted by a perfect, Holy God. To become successful in the Lord is a comforting prospect for those striving to mature in their relationship with him and move his Kingdom forward. Psalm 147:6 (NLT) “The LORD supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”
5.Materialism is modern day Idolatry. Owning the latest electronic breakthrough pales in comparison to building Christ like character. Use temporal things but desire eternal. You cannot be satisfied with any temporal goods, because you were not created for enjoyment of such things but for the purpose and fellowship of the Lord. Matthew 6:19-21(NLT) “Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”
Remember no weapon that is formed against you will be successful and nothing can prevent you from obtaining all the Lord has for you. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or if I can be of assistance to you. Together, Moving His Kingdom Forward....
Pastor jeff
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