Praying for Katie Hugan

Pastor has updated Katie's health blog recently. She is having some symptoms that could either be serious or something to do with her eyes. So while you are checking out my new blog with Danielle, give that a good looking over as well. And remember to pray for Katie. I'm hoping God will give her the final victory in the long battle that shes fighting.

We're here for you Katie, get well soon!

New Blog

I've started a new blog for Danielle and I. You should check it out. Go now. Its over in "My Favorite Places To Visit" space. Go on, it'll be ok. Do it!!

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE K IN 401K MEANS?

Its hard to turn on the news or listen to the radio without hearing of the "financial crisis" thats "gripping" the country into a "downward chaos" that will end with all of us living in cardboard boxes and eating shoe leather.

While I dont know much about the economy the little I do know is enough to comfort me that there is no way that it will go that far. But its sad to hear of housing prices dipping down lower and lower, investments disappearing and lay offs everywhere.

There is a couple in one of my Beginner classes who both had succesful jobs, by week two the husband lost his job to outsourcing. Dealerships are closing by the thousands everywhere, and the Canadia "Loony"(spelling?) is now worth more then the American dollar.

The big news on msn this morning was how the GOP paid something to the tune of $150,000 for a new wardrobe for Sarah Palin. While Obama is paying even more on equally silly things.

I'm sad for the world, and all the money its losing, I really am. However I can't help but smile a bit when I think of what little money I have. I dont invest in the market anymore, because to me its like gambling, easy come, easy go, I don't own a house and it will be a few years before I need to consider it. I dont play the lotto and I don't dabble in realestate.

There is only one thing I think that we should invest in as Christians, and thats our Heavanly Retirement policy.

Just like your retirement policy here on earth we need to be diligent, always thinking about it, always adding to it, always seeing what ways it can be protected. There is nothing like a life that is centered around the Lord. His service and His worship. To know that you are doing as much as you can one day, and then learning how to do more the next. the answer isnt in bears and bulls, I'm banking and putting all of my investments into the Lamb.

The world...its like road kill, I hate looking at it, but its everywhere you go.

My daily reading schedule has taken me back to Genesis 8. The part where Noah and the ark are floating through the flooded world. And we all know the story, of course, but what hit me as special today is the rainbow that God put up in the sky as a promise to Noah. God had just finished cleansing the world from its sin and the degradation that we caused, and in a promise to never flood it again, He changed the way light hit water so that it split the white light into the many colors it creates.

There are so many promises in the Bible, yet this one He reminds us of every time it rains. That never again will He use the rain, never again will he destroy the whole world in that manner again.

But think about the last time you saw a rainbow on the back of a car, or a rainbow flag in the beginning of a parade. It's become the symbol of Homosexuality not just in America but everywhere. When you see the rainbow bar on the back of a car, thats what it means. When you see a flag like that, sodomy is being promoted.

It is a sick reminder that the Devil is still out there and still working to pervert the things of God. That they would reject God in such a way is an abomination in and of itself, but to take that symbol and that promise and turn it into something God hates, well thats just taking sin to a higher playing field.

And lets not forget why God made it rain in the first place. They are using this symbol to herald the very thing that God destroyed in those 40 days. Tell me that the Devil's fingure prints aren't all over that!

When will we stop the world from taking these things from us? When will God's people stand up for His law? For His statutes? For His promises? It's true that God doesnt need us to stand up for Him. But that doesnt give us a pass to stay home and wait for the rapture.

It's just sad that now a days what you really find at the end of a rainbow is Ellen Degeneres and Rosie O'donnal

I'M STILL HERE, though my readers may have left

So its been a few weeks since my last update, but if you have been checking my blog with any sort of regularity you have come to expect this. It's kind of like a tradition, one sad apathetic tradition of procrastination.
Big words aside, I have been some resemblance of busy. Work is still going well. I'm the Head Dog Trainer at the Monroe Petsmart. Which is just like being a regular dog trainer but with more paper work, and phone calls. But over all its a great job, I've only been bit once, and so far I'm doubling qoutas and winning customers. Something the bosses in button up shirts appreciate.
I'm still battling with credit theft, I'm losing, but its been a great war.
We had a Champion class activity. Which you may see pictures of in a slide show somewhere over to the side.
Then on Monday (Labor Day) Danielle, Mrs. Thompson, Bindy, Lucy and I went for a walk at the Maumee State Park. Which was a blast that left everyone but Bindy tired. Apparently its hard to wear out a grey hound. Even if it is mixed with another breed.

That catepillar attacked us when we poked it with a stick. No I've poked many bugs with sticks in my day, and never have I had anything strike the stick snake style.

DBC started again which means another year of book devotions. Which I'm looking forward to, because on your own there are things that you avoid studying that the book makes you consider. And some how they find a way to adress a problem that you have every week.

continue to pray for those on the prayer list. Its something that I plan on memorizing every week. So quiz me the next time you see me just to keep me honest.

See you around

Update:And a picture of a duckie!!!!

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been staying out in a hotel in Northville for my Pet Trainer training. And let me tell you, my job must mean a lot to them… The first week, I walked into my room to see a big television, a king sized bed and enough room to run around in, if you do that sort of thing. I went down to the “concierge” (get a dictionary) to explain how much I would love to go for a dip in the pool, but I’m picky as to who I swim with. No women folk, and any dudes in there need to be in something larger then dental floss.
Without a frown they agreed to let me swim alone, and gave me a whole hour slot at 7am to swim in. Which was awesome, but I never did figure out why the gave me a bottle of chlorine and a large squeegee though.
The second week was just a great but with an added hot tub bonus. That’s right a three person bubbling pool of hot relaxation just for yours truly. Of course I shared it with one of my closest friends. Well two…..

But one early morning I was aroused by a large screech and a flashing light. Were it not for the flashing light, the alarm clock would have become just another notch on my belt. I couldn’t see a thing. I try to make a room as dark as possible when I sleep in it, no light whatsoever if possible. I find it more comfortable that way, but in the middle of a fire alarm that’s not as cool. Save for the flashing light I had no way of seeing, in a panic I tried to find my pants, and the door. In that order of course. I could only see in those brief moments of light, glimpses that I couldn’t be sure of until the next flash. I had to remember in the dark, what I had seen when the alarm on the wall lit up just a moment ago. It seemed like I took forever to get to the door, I got into the hallway and there were people just like me looking back and forth trying to see what was going on.
Turns out it was just some guy burning something in the microwave and the smoke turned on the alarm.
Sitting at breakfast later that morning I was thinking about it and I remember thinking to myself, “That would have been hilarious, had I known I was going to live through it.”
And it put me to mind about all the things happening in my life.
A new job


A wedding coming up to fast
A few financial things that are slowly getting fixed.
The Nehemiah book I’ve been writing
Life, where I’m going to live, my future with Belle, Studying, and trying to be a witness.

It’s odd how all of those things can be affected by sin. I’m walking in the light, when suddenly I choose sin and it plunges me into that darkness. It seems sometimes when I do things, like I don’t have any sense. I’ll work at something, and find myself blowing it all away by one click of the remote, or in a moment of weakness.
I like what Paul said when he wrote “I know whom I have believed.” He got to the end of his life and he knew who it was that all of his life, he had put his belief in. I’m waiting for that time, when I’m up in Heaven and I can truly say that I know who it was I believed. And relied on Him all the way.
I don’t know about you but sometimes my faith is as weak as that light that led me to the hallway last week. Rare flashes and I’m forced to move closer to the Lord, with only what I can remember of what I saw, when I was close enough to see in the light. And I’m so glad that no matter how many times I let Him down, and no matter how many times, I let His people down, I can still move into the light. And I know full well that I don’t deserve it. I know perfectly well, that I ought to be cast into the burning darkness. And I don’t know why He chose me for this, and I don’t care why He chose me, I’m just glad He did.
So I’m going to work, and I’m going to plan, and I’m going to pray. I’ll fail from time to time, I’ll make the wrong calls, but one day we’ll be free from our ignorance, and our selfish desires, and be home, right where we ought to be.

So what's the last five minutes at work for you like?

On Training,Studying,Working and Preachamacations?

For those of you paying attention I got that job at PetsMart. No longer am I shuttling foreign car parts to foreign people, with no change, and no english speaking ability whatsoever.
My new job is awesome, I get to spend most of my time, talking to folks, selling fun things that no one in the world needs, but most importantly reading about how to train animals. For some reason it always makes the people in the classes laugh to find out that I'm in training to be a trainer. I've heard it over a dozen times so its lost its potency, actually I never found it all that funny, but they pay me large sums of money to laugh at anything that even seems funny so.....hehehe.
They gave me two books to go through, hundreds of pages each, I have to work through them and even have some of them memorized before camp.
The sermons are almost finished, I just have to go through the long and torturous process of pushing the print button. Hmm.... Button, Button whose got the button, Oh well maybe later.
You ever study so much you think your head is bigger? I'm not sure, but I think my hat is getting smaller. Maybe a bigger hat? Extendable stretchy elastic band? I dont even look good in a hat. Oh well.
I won't be updating until after camp, so pray for us. Its a lot of fun stepping out on the limb God lays out, you never know what He is going to do while you are out there.

Work,work,work................

Its been a few days since the poll that I posted expired, and either I actually have 12 viewers and they all like the idea, or my mom voted 12 times,(I voted for myself) But either way there is work to do. I've finished the introduction, and I have most of the first chapter done. What I wouldnt mind now is that if there would be two or three people who would volunteer to edit and evaluate my finished work, and help be throught the editing phase. As always you can leave a comment, send an email. preacherboym@hotmail.com Or you can come up to me. But please, I say this hoping that you will understand that I may tell you no. Do not take it personally. But when I'm not working on that I'm working on my sermons for camp. Which I'm both excited and very nervous about. But so far I'm please with the progress I've made so far. And theres the work on the Bible Study on the Unseen World. Sundays at 5:30 at church. I am so sorry I spoke so quickly, nerves have a tendancy to make me talk fast. Hopefully I won't do that again. The Thompsons are out of town, so I'm dogsitting Lucy Then of course theres the myriad of chores around the house, working full time, and the hand ful that I lovingly refer to as "Bindy". And as much fun as I am having, With all this work its enough to make you crazy. I mean you, not me, I'm crazy already....
But what a life it is.....................

But it seems that no matter how busy life gets, there is always fun in everything. Provided the attitude is right.

Strike!!!!

ALright I've had enough. I mean there is only so much we can take. I'm done with hearing who's fault it is, I'm finished arguing over how to improve gas mileage. I'm on strike!
Ok granted it will do almost nothing to their bottom line. However it will greatly improve mine. I've decided only to buy gas once every 2 weeks. From there I've devoted whats left of my fertile mind to finding wasy around having to buy more gas. These ideas include....



* Catching a ride up to Mom's work and bike riding to mine from there.
* Not coming home before church
*Get roller blades and have Bindy pull me about.
* Car pool with anyone that will have me.
* Keep a track of how much I have saved per week and record it.

If you have any more ideas, leave a comment below or email me at preacherboym@hotmail.com

A Psalm 77 kind of day

I've often spoken of the importance of a "Scripture Break" as opposed to the worlds "Smoke Break". Yesterday deffinately merited three or four such breaks. Not to go to much into the details, I was having a bad day at work, and I was dealing with some sin in my life. I'd love to tell you what that sin was, but I wont make the job of the Detective investigating that bank robbery, any easier.
But a passage grabbed a hold of me. So much so that before I went home Wednesday I had to make a stop to look at it more closely.


Psalm 77
1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

What a great God we serve.

Take that Bobby Flay!!!!

From our "Consumer Report" Department.

It was lunch time at work and I'm about two minutes drive from a grocery store. So more then often I'll drive over and look for something to eat or something to drink. Walking down the aisle I considered my choices. Juice, Soda, Diet or regular?, milk or maybe a water.

And then I found them, dozens of them. Energy drinks galore. Big ones, small ones, huge ones and even ones bigger then I think someone can finish in one sitting. They came in all different brands, flavors and advertising angles, some for men, some for women, many for kids. I'd heard rumblings and opinions on these for a while now so I looked into it.

Energy Drinks have been around for a long time. They use chemicals and vitamins that our bodies create in order to function at a normal level. particularly vitamin B6 and B12.

Taurine is a chemical found in the muscles of most animals and in Humans. It is created in the mitochondria of your cells. The mitochondria is used in the respiration of your cells and uses the chemicals to do its work in the muscles. The over consumptions of things such as Taurine does pretty much what alcohol and cocain do to the dopamine levels in your brain, eventually it causes these chemicals to stop in their production. Much like the UAW on strike against foreign cars, your body will stop the production of these chemicals. Which means when they are rushed out of your body with the rest of the effects of the energy drink, your body has to replenish its store. Which is one of the leading causes of that "crash" that is referred to when the consumer comes down from their "Energy High".

Why add chemicals, to what you already have. AS My picture of Bindy said last blog, its better to sleep.

Also when you look at a can of this stuff it doesnt tell you that it packs over 280 mg of caffeine per 9 ounces(roughly). Given that the FDA has put a ban on using any more then 65 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces of Soda. From my quick research I found that many nutritionists say that caffeine is benign, yet unhealthy in large doses. But I find that close to all of them warn against its use on a regular basis.

Now I'm not a scientist but from reading what I have today, and seeing the effects of it, from both my own use, and the effects of testimonies I've read on the web, I'm not touching the stuff again.

Bear in mind that I in no way intend to insult those that are frequent purchasers of these products. I'm not writing this to prove my intelligence, trust me it would not help.

The thing I find most interesting of all of my research is the label on the back of a can,

"These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,treat,cure or prevent any disease."

This product has not been tested, for its effects, its content, or the dangers of marketing it for children.

Hmmmm...........

Ah Spring

It feels good to ride in a car with the windows down. To walk out the door without having to look for my coat. And yet with that freedom comes all the work that comes with the weather being so nice. Yesterday after work Dad and I filled in all the holes that bindy had dug in the lawn.
I've gone for a bike ride, a jog, and even a long walk with Bindy. I've set a few goals for myself, one is to reach my weight goal by camp. Another thirty pounds, it doesnt seem all that bad now.
In just a weeks time all of the troubles that kept me up at night, have seemed to vanish. As the answer and the means have been supplied for each. And yet as I sit here typing I still feel like there is more for me to do.
I look at Pastor's list on his blog, and I've decided to have a hand in most of the things on it. You can put a big check on the church window as good and done. All we have to do now is to paint it when we paint the rest of the church. Mr. Thompson started it, I helped from the middle to the end, and the boys came in towards the end to finish it up. We learned a lot about patience with this job, for some reason that old putty just wouldn't come off.
I really enjoyed the singing, and thats about all I can say about it. It was a blast, during and after. Thank you guys so much for all that you did to make it great.

Good night for now.
Matt.

From our politically incorrect department.

A month or so ago during a family holiday get together I was called into a room full of upset mothers. You know exactly what I'm talking about, when something is said by a male or a child that makes every mother in the room yell in indignation. Like mud stained carpet, or a pregnant daughter.

The culprit behind this maternal anxiety was a discussion about myspace and the things my adolescent cousins had on their accounts. Both had listed themselves at 18 years old, neither of them were older than 13.

For those of you unfamiliar to the Myspace world, it is a network of blogs much like this one, but more popular. Each member has their own page with their own links to pictures, friends and comment boxes. You can decorate them with music files, pictures of yourself and of any kind of graphic you can pick the coding for.

It is inhabited namely by preteens, teens and many adults who still think that they are teens. Atleast that is what it started off to be.

My cousins had filled theirs with risque pictures of themselves, Symbols of a famous pornographic empire and sparkle butterfilies that change colors. These are cousins that I used to babysit often. While their mother and father would go out they would stay at our house, where we would watch movies and play board games, or go into town and laugh through the aisles of the local grocery store. The pathetic thing is, is that I can not call this abnormal for their age. A quick glance at the pages of their friends, and of other girls the same age or older revealed something out of a depiction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The internet no matter what we may want to say about it, just isn't safe. It never was. It can be a tool of use to our churches, studies, and an easy means of communication. However left unchecked it can be the Devil's greatest asset, to both your mind and the lives of children.

As I mentioned before most blogs looked exactly like theirs, atleast the ones that I could look at before having to click away. These are children, just children. Mirroring the whoremongers, and "strangewomen" mentioned in the Bible.

Some reports are saying the men and women behind locking Internet Predators up are having more and more success using myspace. And this with good reason, because the predators are having more success. Myspace isn't the only blog type playground for kids. Sites like Facebook, Live Journal and many more provide instant access and venting space "for the frustrations of youth".

To me this problem can be solved by you parents. Make sure you know whats on these websites your kids are checking. Know the passwords to their internet accounts, and dont allow them any unsupervised time.

What good is it to have a word blocking agent on your t.v., pad lock on your door or even a strong say so as to what your children read if we let them run free on the web.

Do yourself a favor, Google for the statistics of childrens deaths due to internet stalking, read some of the stories of parents just like you. Hug your children, and then put the computer in a room where anyone can see what is being typed. The living room, kitchen alcove somewhere open. Use software that tracks where your children are going on the web. And at night before you go to bed, take the power cord with you. Not just the mouse, not just the keyboard. Remember those can be done without.

Strict? Maybe, but I'm taking these thoughts from a radio program done by christian parents, who have buried their children after some pervert had finished with them.

The world is no different from the one you grew up in. But technology has found new ways to get away with what you fear when you tuck your children in.

I grew up with this technology, my generation is what is making these sites so popular. It's just sad that to many parents show no care over what their children do. I'm not saying blogging is evil. Myspace, maybe, Facebook, no. But you have to pick up your Bible and draw that line.

Besides after hours web surfing should be avoided by anyone, think of all that sleep you could be getting.

"No wonder they call Him Savior!"

Last night at the L5 Concert, Glen Dustin got up and talked about his "bout with depression". Personally I dont believe in the conteporary idea of depression. Yes when people are tested they show chemical imbalances, but there is little that those pills are going to do for that sin in your life that you wont let go of.
But I got what he was saying about the troubles that are on your mind being so heavy that when you pray you just dont know what to ask for. I didnt even know where to start. Finances? Relationships? Goals? Work? I didnt know what to say to the problems I have in my life.
If you consult the great big book of useless Cliches it would give me this answer "Some people have a lot worse". But knowing that just makes me sadder.
Thanks to God's love and mercy though we dont consult that book. No nor texts not even anthologies of poetry. But we consult the word of God. And in that word you'll find answers to every problem, and solutions to every need.
So Some time last week I pushed everything off of my plate, I put off studying, didn't excercise, shut off my phone and just sat. I believe that the problems we have start from the sin we harbor in our lives. I knew that I had to have that time with God, but where to start? So I started off praising Him for the many things He has done in my life. How much I need him. Then it flowed, like a clogged drain I let all of the murky water of my sin, and my problems out into that empty room for my Lord to hear. Holding nothing back, from my concerns about the health and well being of others, all the way to sin. I asked for guidance, wisdom, mercy and compassion. All the time confessing how weak and useless I am without Him. I got up and I knew of the peace that the Psalmist mentions in Psalm 4:8. One that conjures of that first night of rest you had after you were saved. That kind of peace. Knowing that my Lord had me firmly, that I stood on that solid foundation.
The trick I think is not to let it build up over the day, month, week or year. But to go to Him immediately with your prayers, concerns, and yes even those things that sinfully worry us. To confess sin, and to take actions to never go back to that sin. I'm not going to say that every problem was solved, but I wont deny Him the deserved glory by not saying that He didnt provide the means over the next week. That conversation took a while, and it took even more out of me. My God works wonders. I hope I never forget that all my problems, are just opportunities to see the Father work


Hold nothing back, Take none of it with you when you go.

Nehemiah Chapter 5, Yea yea I know, I'm two weeks behind, my secretary took a vacation, shes sick, my computer's brother needs a kidney. But enjoy!

Chapter 5

Its hair raising that this rag tag group of Israelites, who had survived decades of captivity, acquired another chance to be safe in those walls. They acquired materials and a great leader from a God that never gave up on them. Together they filled all of the breeches and had the wall half done. They had shown the enemy that they were to be taken seriously. Its troubling that the great cry was raised not by any of these mentioned things, but by wrong doings brought on by their brethren.
I A Great Cry
A. Those involved
1. Those that owned no land and needed food.
2. Those that owned land but mortgaged it for food
3. People who owned land but could no longer pay the taxes.
4. The nobles who were making out like the Monopoly Man.
B. What do you mean Monopoly Man?
1. The Nobles were charging high interest rates on loans.
a. While not against the law they were required to do business fairly.
b. Poor families ended up selling daughters just to get enough food to eat.
c. They were family every single one could trace themselves back to Abraham.
2. They ended up owning most of the money and land.
a. Much like the Monopoly man.
b. However family and God’s people should not treat each other that way.
3. At the point their brethren began to hurt they should have forgiven the debt.
II A Great Assembly
A. Communication
A great many troubles could be solved with little pain if we would just open our mouths and talk it out. Instead of letting it fester or building up anger for that person our goal needs to be on resolving the conflict so you can act like family again. We are a family here and have a responsibility to one another.
B. Taking the lead
1. Nehemiah’s anger vs. 6
a. Injustice to God’s people made Nehemiah angry. Of the very short list of things that have the right to make us angry this one ought to be pretty high up there.
2. “And breathe, you’re in a nice mossy field, you see butterflies!”
Nehemiah took a moment to think. There’d be a great deal fewer headstones if people would stop a minute and think about what needs to be done.
a. Think
b. Pray
c. Meditate on scripture
3. Let’s do what’s right, not what you can talk the other into
- There was a right answer to this problem. It was for the greedy nobles to forgive their ridiculous fees, and return what they had taken. State court would have ruled for the nobles, arguing that since they agreed to the terms of the loan they are culpable. However God demands that we forgive our bretheren.
4. No answer. Vs. 8
a. When you are wrong, you’re wrong. Stop fighting.
b. Don’t make excuses make it better.
c. There is no excuse for our sin, so just get right. Vs. 12
III. A Great Example.
A. Nehemiah required very little for what he did
B He wouldn’t gain at the expense of the suffering people.

Lets remember that we are all in this together to serve the Lord. We don’t have awards for gains and we don’t punish for losses. We care for each other, even if that means we have to drop our pride and lose some money.

MOM DOWN!!!

Tuesday morning while I was trying to find my school folder mom called me on the phone to tell me that she was going to the hospital. Mom has only been to the hospital a few times, most of them becuase of me. So for her to go on her own, for herself, was a big deal. (And for the record that folder was under my pillow). Dad was working so I went with Mom. After all, she'd follow you there at two in the morning if you needed her. Which was a good thing I guess, because after they gave her the morphine..... well lets just say it was good someone was there to fill out her paperwork. After she fell asleep I had coffee with a nurse and had time to read a book. Things like that make you really think about that person and their effect on you. Where would i be if not for my mom. (think about it for a moment, and we're back). It sounds real cliche, but you dont notice how much someone is engrained into your life until their 7am wakeup call isnt there. Maybe its time we spend more time taking care of her. The snow is almost over. I love snow. But I miss my sandals. Bindy however is happier like this. AS for that diet thing i've been messing with for a month now. I'm not going to brag and tell you the exact number. But I will tell you that its close to 20 pounds. Is that humble enough? I was told today that the numbers will slow down. And while I can understand that. I still cant shake this great feeling that not eating bowls of junk has left me. So even if i do balance out here, I can deal with it. Sometime tomorrow I'll be posting last weeks addition to Nehemiah. See you tomorrow!

Maps,maps, every where but not a treasure to seek!

Something I could blow up and put on the screen if we had a projector! I got it from My Nelson's Bible Program. One of many pictures I would love to share. If you have trouble seeing in, double click the image and it will get bigger. I worked that out myself.

Chapter 4!!!!!!

I. Surrounded
A. Sanballet
1. Governor of Samaria
2. Typical of Government today
-they want power over you
-they dont like to be questioned.
B. Tobiah/Amonites
1. Deuteronomy 23:3 Stay away from them
a. World
b. Atheists
c. False prophets.
C. Arabians
1. Lost Family
2. They were hostile.
D. Asdodites
1. Same ones fought by Joshua
2. Philistines
3. Like the battle we have against Made up science.
E. Their intent
They wanted very much to slow the work down. They wanted to scare the Israelites from doing the work God had for them. Vs 8
II. Watch and Pray
A. Those precious words Christ said to His disciples that night in the Garden.
B. "That ye enter not into temptation"
1. We constantly must watch out for the world
a. They have a collection of sins they want to bring you down with
-Killing babies
-Smoking
-Drinking
b. If these get into your "wall" they will hinder the work.
III. Sneak Attack vs 10
A. Discouragement(wondering where Satan was in our list of enemies?)
1. Comes from taking your eyes off the Lord
Would you drive blind?
2. From Overwork
3. From weakness of the flesh
a. Feed from the word
b. Drink from the fountain
c. Excercise your faith often.
It's like running a mile for the first time in a year. Spiritually we can get out of shape.
B. Warnings 11-12
1. The enemy is coming
2. They can overtake you any minute
C. These warnings were more harm then good.
1. These informers
a. could have been enemy sent
b. could have been real and honest
c. but their pessimism was spreading doubt.
2. They opened the doors and let Satan right in.
a. We do that to often today.
b. Why would you intentionally carry Satan in on your back?
IV. Again I say, Watch and Pray vs 13
A. Set a watch
1 It helps to have friends watching with you.
2. They keep you accountable.
B. Enforce the watch 14.
1. We boast about owning guns on the off chance someone comes in but in reality we should use that .357 on our television from time to time.
2. Protect your family from the world.
a. music
b. television
c. books/magazines
C.Call their bluff.
V. But don't forget to be working.
A. Much like Terrorists, they win if they can get you to stop working.
B. They want you to lose your temper and fight on their level
1.mudfight!!
C. Be working together
D.Don't ever stop
-Only remove your armor long enough to check it.

I have Not Forgotten!

I know that it has been two weeks since I last posted notes on the Nehemiah Series. Partially its because internet access and time have been scarce. But more interestingly its because we are still on chapter 4. I hope to see everyone there as we FINALLY finish this eventful chapter.

The stomach problems come and go, and my doctor still isnt returning my phone calls. When he finally does I'm going to tell him to transfer my files to another Doctor. And if my condition is serious sue him for negligence. And if I win enough, buy a Starbucks. After all I'm known by name in about four of them.

Speaking of my stomach one interesting thing I can tell you about it is that its smaller. I've been on a diet for about two weeks now and have already lost 10 pounds. Thats a back pack, with a small child in it. Or all four of our small dogs, plus the bone bindy keeps chewing on.

The list of things that add up to ten pounds can go on forever, I'm just glad that I'm finally on a roll. An unbuttered, wheat roll, but a roll none the less.
I'm also in the market for another back to use for sermon in the sack. It needs to be made of some kind of cloth and have either a clasp or a draw string. So if you see one out at the store, or you have one collecting dust, let me know!! It's about time the frog bag retires.


Thats it for now, God Bless

From our relaxation department

I've had a lot going this past week. From emergency room visits, doctor's offices and filling in for pastor, I'm exhausted.
But I've found that sometimes when I'm trying to relax I'm doing the exact opposite.
Notice how in this picture no one is making a facial expression they will thank me for.



But I've found that those best moments are found when it's just me, some soft music, a good book or more preferably the Bible, and the Lord. Dr. Matt highly recomends some time of rest for everyone! GO!

1-23-08

Nehemiah prospers in the work
“A great many people have got a false idea about the church. They’ve got an idea that the church is a place to rest in…to get into a nicely cushioned pew, and contrivute to the charities, listen to the minister, and do their share to keep the church out of bankruptcy, is all they want. The idea of work for them-actual work in the church- never enters their minds.” In 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 Paul compares church members to parts of the body. We all have a job and a part in God’s plan for this church. But we must make sure that that work is done properly. We see that typified here in the third chapter of our study.
The pattern
A. Leaders
1. most of them Priests
2. More of them of the tribe of Levi
B. Specific Jobs
1. Not formulated for who can do what
No amount of training will make you a teacher if there are no pupils.
2. But what needs to be done
a. rocks and mud, its not the spot light
- it’s the way of it, sometimes you are up to your knees in dirt, other times you’re pulling rubber chickens out of frog covered sacks
b. Evangelism in your home, family and work
c. changing those lights
d. praying for those who are weak
We do the work that needs doing, this isn’t our 15 minutes of fame.
C. The materials
Some of the materials needed were right there on scene. To build this church we have all the materials we need. The Bible, soul winners, teachers and a God led pastor. Are we willing to do it the way God planned?
The people
A. Commitment
1. What’s worth venturing out on that limb?
2. Saying no to the devil’s IRS agent. Internal Restriction Service
3. Only being satisfied when the job is done.
B. Devotion
1. What rolls you out of bed in the morning?
2. What pulls on your heart strings enough to make you act.
3. Some wanted to do extra work

C. Some Refused to do any work at all vs5

The places
1. Sheep Gate-Without sacrifice there is no salvation, without the basics, no building
2. Fish Gate- Fishers of men, people are the building blocks
3. Old Gate- Old paths and old truths of God’s word, not searching for the new
4. Valley Gate- Humility
5. Dung Gate- Cleansing
6. Gate of the fountain- filling of the Holy Spirit
7. Water Gate- Word of God that cleanses
8. Horse Gate- denotes war, spiritual in our case.
9. East Gate- Speaks of the Lord’s Second coming
10. Miphkad Gate – Assembly, for them the place of the soldiers, for us up in Heaven.

1-16-08 Enjoy!

Nehemiah’s Preparation
It’s been a week since we last met for our study on Nehemiah. But in the context we’ve been gone for four months. For four months Nehemiah has been fasting, praying and mourning over his people and homeland.
I. Nehemiah and the wait
For four months he pleaded his case before the lord. No doubt something that would have taken a whole lot less time if they had a Home Depot card. But since it was God’s plan Hank in the renovation department just wouldn’t do it.
A. Waiting on God’s plan
1. Exodus 14:13
2. “When you wait on God you aren’t wasting your time you are investing it”
B. God will put the pieces together.
1. Timing
a. Nissan was the month of Abib in Hebrew it was switched over after the captivity. Our March and April.
b. The same month the Hebrews left Egypt. Nifty Huh?
c. And it was on this day that the opportunity sprung up from the ground.
II. Nehemiah and the king 1-8
A. Risk
1. Being sad in the kings presence is a big no no, especially if your job was to keep him safe. Any sign of discomfort, or agitation in the cupbearer could signal a death threat to the king. Nehemiah could have been jailed, tortured and then killed for his bad day.
Talk about taking your personal life to work with you.
2. But this monarch suddenly cared
3. This monarch offered.
B. Request
1. Carpe “Whatever the Latin word for chance is”
2. A quick prayer to God.
3. A request made so clearly
III. Nehemiah and the ruins 9-16
A. Heading towards the battle
1. A trick many Christians should learn
B. God gave above and beyond vs. 9
C. Opposition
1. The world around us will hate the idea of God’s work prospering. It annoys them.
D. Nehemiah, God and the walls
1. He told no one what he was there for. When planning to do something for the Lord it’s best to keep it between the two of you.
2. Walls broken, Gates burning.
3. Some places so bad he couldn’t get his animal through it. Do not be afraid to look at the damage. Its no fun to look at your bills, but you’d fall behind if you couldn’t see the damage.
IV. Nehemiah and the Jews 17-20
A. “You see the distress”
1. The two problems with groups like that
a. “We tried that before, it didn’t work, why try again?
b. “Done rock the boat, we don’t need change.”
More then likely this is why God had to bring someone from the outside in.
B. Lets build
1. God backs us
2. The Kings backs us
C. Tobiah and Sanballet
1. Standing in the way
2. Shoved out of the way.

Its better to have a lion in charge of 50 deer then it is to have a deer in charge of 50 lions.

Things that make me crazy.

1.Shows that make debauchery look like social norm
2. The Miss America Pageant, or any pageant for that matter.
3. Shows about pageants
4. Makeover shows
5. Any remodeling show that isnt Monster House, honestly that Dinosaur House looked awesome. Why'd they cancel it anyway.
6. Any show where a homosexual tells me how to live.
7. The Oprah
8. Pretty much anything on TLC, if we could cancel the station, and put the whole lot of them in counseling, the world would be a better place.
9. American Idol, period
10. Men who wear makeup
11. Running out of Coke Zero
12. Going to work
13. Boys who look like girls.
14. Lists about what makes people crazy, What makes the writers think people care?
15. Being late, for anything except heavy lifting.

Just had to let that out.



Larry the Lamb Says:
If he struck a nerve, Whats the matter with you?

"It's impossible to take notes off of your preaching"

Here are the notes from my Wednesday night "Series on Nehemiah". They should be here for you every week. ENJOY!


Nehemiah’s prayer

Nehemiah 1:1
Somewhere mid November to mid December 444 b.c., Nehemiah was sitting successful in a job that many would give their right eyes for. As cup bearer he was given certain duties that seemed more like privileges then the former. When his brother shows up. And amidst the small talk the subject of home gets brought up.

I. The report
A. The people in reproach
1. Predators both animal and man
2. The joke of being open and bare
3. No protection from attackers.
B. The walls in ruin
1. As they had been for over a decade
2. The returning remnant still had not repaired them after 50 years.
God’s land, and His people were hurting.
II. The response
A. Selflessness
This was none of Nehemiah’s concern. He had a job, a position in the kings court, A prominent one. What was it of his business? Jerusalem was hundreds of miles away, and after all it wasn’t his fault that his ancestors had sinned. Why should he care, why should he be bothered by such news. But…
B. He Wept
1. A lot can be said about what makes someone laugh or weep. It tells of their character, if they easily laugh at the pain of others, or if they weep or whine in the face of minor discomforts. But Nehemiah had something to be sad about. God’s people were in danger, His work was as of yet undone.
2. When was the last time you wept at a mission report?
3. Rolled up your sleeves in the face of soul winning?
4. When was the last time you fell to your knees over a lost sinner?
C. He mourned
1. The Glory of Jerusalem
Could you imagine if this building were to be shattered torn apart, and the congregation scrambled. Picking up the pieces would be difficult. The memories would be overbearing. My pew, this is where the pastor would stand. This is the tub I was baptized in. I never knew Mr. Simonton, but I heard he made this, fixed this. The years of history that were lost in that defeat is terrifying. The streets David had walked, the buildings, the houses, all of them rich with the heritage God had sprung from Ole’ Abraham.
2. The relationship with God
They had both His love and His security. It all seemed to be lost as punishment for Israel’s wrong doing.
D. He fasted
E. He Cared.
Too often today the phrase “I don’t care” is equated with something that makes us sound cooler then what we are. In effect all we are doing is announcing to the world that we are closer to it then to God.
1. Have a dislocated heart.
2. Apathy is not a fashion statement
It was once said that the worst thing one human can have for another isn’t hatred its indifference.
3. Wax horse
III. The request
A. Honor Given
B. Business first
1.Humility
2. Repentance
a. Forgive us
b. May we never do it again.
C. Remember your promise !\
1. He was familiar with God’s word
2. It meant enough for him to rely on it.
3. He didn’t say fix it, he planned to do it himself.

“For I was the kings cup bearer” I always read that as though it was dawning on Nehemiah as something that could be brought to his advantage. He never mentioned sending someone else. He didn’t send money with a messenger, he had already made up his mind to step in and do the work. The church needs building my friends, souls are reaching the destination by the truck loads, how many of them did you do right by? How many of them had the gospel to reject I wonder? Our pastor shared a dream of owning that land back there. Our you behind him? Don’t say you agree, show me your knees, where they are marked from kneeling, show me your calloused knuckles, or your stained Bible that you’ve held in front of so many of your acquaintances. The Lord has given us much, lets not disappoint Him by letting His work fall to the wayside.

Happy New Year From Our Corner To Yours

The Question isnt where the bone came from, I'm wondering where she put the rest of the reindeer!