It's never too late to start over.

The higher you fly, the smaller your problems become

I like to look at Biblical history and then make a life application from it. Today I want to look at a figure that has intrigued since I was a child. The man called Samson. It can be found in the Bible - Judges chapters 13 through 16. 

If any of my pastoral friends want to use these points, feel free - I think that this will preach :)

Instead of putting the 4 chapters in my Blog, I invite you to read them at home. Here is the link in a very easy to read version - New Living Translation - of the Bible. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges%2013%20-%2016&version=NLT As you are reading, look for these points below. Then you can expound on them and create your own dynamics.

What can we learn from Samson's life?

1. Great strength in one area of life does not make up for great weaknesses in other areas.

2. God's presence does not overwhelm a person's will

3. God can use a person of faith in spite of his or her mistakes.

4. Sampson's story teaches us that it is never too late to start over.

5. No matter what we have done in the past, today is not too late for us to put our complete trust in God.

Have a great day friends!

My son and the Special Olympics

Hundreds of athletes !

As many of you know, my son was diagnosed a few years ago with autism. He's a special kid to me. He struggles with communicating, he struggles with comprehension...he does very well in athletics. He's is funny, humorous, and sometimes a little trying on my patience...that's OK though – all kids have that effect on parents.

Today I had the pleasure of seeing my son compete in the Special Olympics. I had never seen an event like this. This was different, this was fun. You see, I was very competitive in every sport I participated in. I had a goal, to win. I would train, I would focus, I would get in the zone...then my goal was to deliver – most times I did. And when I didn't, I felt bad. I felt as if I failed both myself and my team members. Today, watching my son – I was so proud.

When we got to the track, there were several hundred athletes, and several hundred helpers. The goal was to compete...and to have fun. I looked around, and tears came to my eyes. Fortunately for me I had my sun glasses on. I didn't want to be a spectacle. As I looked around I saw children hugging, cheering each other on, and a ton of smiling faces....they were actually having fun.

My son and his helper for the day.

I looked all over for my son...hundreds of people walking around and I had to find my son. He was going to compete in a few minutes and I didn't want to miss it. Then I saw him, walking with his helper about 75 meters away. I walked his way and waved, then he saw me. The joy I had as he ran over to give me a hug - `Daddy, daddy, you came to see me!` he shouted. He gave me a hug and then ran back to his helper, he had to get ready for the softball throw.

I positioned myself at the end of the throwing area. I needed to get a nice picture of him. Finally it was his turn.

My son throwing

He wound up and let the ball go – All I remember thinking was,”nice throw buddy” After about 10 minutes, it was time to announce the ribbons. My son did well - 1^st place. He ran over and gave me another hug. 

The thing was, I couldn't care if he got first, or finished last...he did his best. Yep, I'm proud of my son – and of all the other athletes that demonstrated sportsmanship in a way that I've never seen before. We could all learn from their example.

May 21, 2011 - Rapture...Oct 21, 2011 End of the World....NOT !!!

False Prophetic Van driving around the area

Last week, I saw an interesting van parked at McDonald's. The entire van was covered in warnings. “The World is going to end on Oct 21, 2011, The Rapture is going to occur On May 21, 2011” At first I thought, “What in the world?” Then I took out my camera and got a couple of pictures. (See above & below) 

False prophetic van @ McDonald's

Then my heart started to break...more deception, more lies, more smearing of Christianity. You see, I've heard this before. I've seen first hand how people take advantage of others at time of weakness. They are predators, they are con-artists, false prophets and lairs. I know that as you are reading this, some will agree with me, some will disagree with me and some will just laugh me off.

Christianity right now is so segmented and I don't want to open up the debate of pre, mid, post tribulation rapture. And I know of others that don't believe that there will be a rapture. I do not doubt your sincerity of your beliefs on which position you take. I just think that so much focus is given to the subjective parts of the Bible instead of the objective parts of the Bible. In other words, many people put major focus on the minor parts of Christianity instead of putting the major focus on the majors of Christianity.

What do I mean by major parts of Christianity – The Nicene Creed is a good place to start.

"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic (the word catholic means universal) and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN."

To sum it up – On May 21 the rapture will NOT happen....On October 21 the world will NOT end. I suggest that you do what Jesus said though...it is found in Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Have a great day friends. :)

Ever wonder how your prayers get answered?

You are never alone...even though you may feel like it

I've always been intrigued by prayer. I've often heard that the answer to prayer is either "yes, no, or wait" I want to dig a little deeper on those answers. 

I want to look at it as this. Answers to prayer may be grouped into the following...

• Sometimes immediately.
   Isaiah 65:24  I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
  Daniel 9:21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
  Luke 18:7-8 So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!

   
• Sometimes after delay.
  
   Daniel 10:12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.
   
• Sometimes differently from our desire.
   2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
   
• Beyond expectation.
   Jeremiah 33:2-3 This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
  Ephesians 3:14-20 ¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

   ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

  
  

  There are many ways that God answers prayers...and sometimes His answer is not what we want or desire. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 

  I often find myself wondering what is the big picture? Often I pray asking for His Will to be done, then I wonder what His will is. I can remember several month back I was at a men's retreat and the evangelist that was there came over to me and said, "Tim, stop focusing on God's divine plan...that is for Him to know, not you. Do what you are doing now and stop always praying for God's will and actually learn to receive what He has for you."

  You see that really spoke to me. I was searching for God's will so much, that I was actually taking for granted the blessings that the Lord was giving me. In other words - I couldn't see the forest for the trees - I am missing the BIG picture. 

  This is a unique BLOG entry for me...pointed at me - I sometimes just need to write my thoughts out....then I can actually think more clearly. If this does help you though - Blessings to you !!!