We need to stay excited about going to heaven! Click on title to see a You-Tube from Alexandria La.
Yes, it has been around awhile. But I bring it up every once in awhile and rejoice! Because one of these days we will fly away!
I went to see one of our elders in a nursing home on Saturday and we had a great time of rejoicing when we began to talk about going to heaven! "Won't we have a time!"
I wept as we began to just rejoice and talk about the goodness of Jesus! My God is good! All the Time!
Thank you for stopping by today! It is my desire to share my thoughts and ideas to be encouraging and uplifting to you. So enjoy and feel free to leave your comment!
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
Truth About Abortion Laws
Psalm 139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Knowing that we are chosen by God. Knowing also that we are created to worship Jesus. How can we allow anyone to get involved with abortions. Now it is not only abortions but we have laws that even allow infanticide (which is the killing of babies).
I spend some time in the Maternity Ward of the hospital where I volunteer in Pastoral Care. I see the nurses and aides giving everything they know and expending all of their energy to bring a baby into this world . They are devastated along with the mom and dad when things go wrong and they do their best to make things as good as possible. But when I saw this video I was shocked and considered not doing anything. Then I thought I need to pass this on because people need to know.
I ran across this the other day and I was shocked that we have allowed laws to be passed that support not only abortion but infanticide. This You Tube is quite shocking so be prepared to listen to this lady who is a registered nurse that has went on record and testified to expose this dreadful practice in her place of work.
Actually an 'Inconvenient' Truth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo#
Please America, come to your senses. What are you thinking? How could this possibly be okay with you?
Something everyone should know in order to make a properly informed election decision.
Make sure you vote and make your voice heard in this election.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Knowing that we are chosen by God. Knowing also that we are created to worship Jesus. How can we allow anyone to get involved with abortions. Now it is not only abortions but we have laws that even allow infanticide (which is the killing of babies).
I spend some time in the Maternity Ward of the hospital where I volunteer in Pastoral Care. I see the nurses and aides giving everything they know and expending all of their energy to bring a baby into this world . They are devastated along with the mom and dad when things go wrong and they do their best to make things as good as possible. But when I saw this video I was shocked and considered not doing anything. Then I thought I need to pass this on because people need to know.
I ran across this the other day and I was shocked that we have allowed laws to be passed that support not only abortion but infanticide. This You Tube is quite shocking so be prepared to listen to this lady who is a registered nurse that has went on record and testified to expose this dreadful practice in her place of work.
Actually an 'Inconvenient' Truth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo#
Please America, come to your senses. What are you thinking? How could this possibly be okay with you?
Something everyone should know in order to make a properly informed election decision.
Make sure you vote and make your voice heard in this election.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Hanks Place for Breakfast!
Last Friday evening I told my wife that we were going to Hanks Place in Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania for breakfast on Saturday. I had heard that it was a great place to eat and that it was a quint little town.
I got up early and went to the hospital and checked on things then we took off for the day. So we plugged in a GPS gizmo and off we went on little two lane back roads for a 30 minute ride. The drive was gorgeous and the weather was just perfect.
The restaurant was very nicely done inside and out as you can see if you click on the title. The food was fabulous. I had fresh blue berry pancakes! Oh melt in your mouth!
I got up early and went to the hospital and checked on things then we took off for the day. So we plugged in a GPS gizmo and off we went on little two lane back roads for a 30 minute ride. The drive was gorgeous and the weather was just perfect.
The restaurant was very nicely done inside and out as you can see if you click on the title. The food was fabulous. I had fresh blue berry pancakes! Oh melt in your mouth!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Dealing with "LIFE"
I have been reading a friend's blog "Echoes from the Elms"(you can reach her blog from my sidebar), She has been writing regarding dealing with hurts and mistreatment's in life. She titled her posts "The Wonder of it All", and "Dear Anonymous". I encourage you to read these two posts and read the comments as well. It is awesome!
But strangely enough today I spoke to my dad (Dale Hopper)and we got into some of the same topic. I did not tell him what Sis Elms (he was her youth leader in Fresno Ca. where her dad was Pastor) had written but I want to share some of our thoughts with you.
Now remember my dad has over 50 years of leadership skills and training and counselling to draw from when he teaches a topic. He can remember tough situations where he had to help some that was hurt by others. Sometimes it is miscues that people get. Or maybe something that was said came out wrong or was misunderstood.
He brought out the fact that whatever the situation is we have to come clean with our brother or sister in the Lord. Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca(means to degrade someone or call them names), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
If we pray and remember that our brother or sister has a disagreement with us we need to go to them and try to mend the fence. You may not even be at fault. But as verse 23 & 24 says if they are upset with you go to them and reconcile. Then come back and pray. Could it be that if you have things that need to be cleared up that God will not hear your prayers until you try to make peace?
I did this with a Pastor in Houston in trying to reconcile a family. The Pastor called it offering them the olive branch. I went to them several times and they were hurt or bothered by things. At first the Pastor thought that maybe I was at fault but as we got involved we found out they were just uncomfortable with things and were just lashing out. Eventually things got worked out and I have seen them a couple of times since then and had good times of fellowship.
My wife and I have been in this situation more than once and in one case a minister that I had not seen in several years came and preached at the church we attended. While he was there he came and warned us against becoming bitter. He had no idea what was going on because we had not talked to him since his son graduated from the school we were principal of in Texas. That brings up another topic "bitterness".
In Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
We are told to follow peace and holiness with all men in order to see the Lord. The next verse mentions bitterness. It says to check ourselves diligently to be sure that we have no bitterness and that it could cause us to fail God. But it also says that if bitterness roots and springs up in you, not only will you be affected but many others will be affected as well.
Bitterness is like a cancer it will eat at you then spread to your family and friends and others. It has to be dealt with. You may not totally agree with a persons actions ways and etc.., but we do have to get along with each other.
Go to them and offer the olive branch of peace then get on with living for God. I have done this and they have not "accepted" the olive branch. But then 5 years later they came to me weeping and asking forgiveness. They paid a high price because they no longer had their two kids with them.
But I have seen many times when things got sorted out how that God was able to bless and lifetime friendships were formed.
A little dispute or misunderstanding will not me from going to heaven! I want to make everything right so I can hear the King Of Kings say, "thou good and faithful servant, enter into my joys". One of these days it will be worth it all, when I see Jesus!
But strangely enough today I spoke to my dad (Dale Hopper)and we got into some of the same topic. I did not tell him what Sis Elms (he was her youth leader in Fresno Ca. where her dad was Pastor) had written but I want to share some of our thoughts with you.
Now remember my dad has over 50 years of leadership skills and training and counselling to draw from when he teaches a topic. He can remember tough situations where he had to help some that was hurt by others. Sometimes it is miscues that people get. Or maybe something that was said came out wrong or was misunderstood.
He brought out the fact that whatever the situation is we have to come clean with our brother or sister in the Lord. Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca(means to degrade someone or call them names), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
If we pray and remember that our brother or sister has a disagreement with us we need to go to them and try to mend the fence. You may not even be at fault. But as verse 23 & 24 says if they are upset with you go to them and reconcile. Then come back and pray. Could it be that if you have things that need to be cleared up that God will not hear your prayers until you try to make peace?
I did this with a Pastor in Houston in trying to reconcile a family. The Pastor called it offering them the olive branch. I went to them several times and they were hurt or bothered by things. At first the Pastor thought that maybe I was at fault but as we got involved we found out they were just uncomfortable with things and were just lashing out. Eventually things got worked out and I have seen them a couple of times since then and had good times of fellowship.
My wife and I have been in this situation more than once and in one case a minister that I had not seen in several years came and preached at the church we attended. While he was there he came and warned us against becoming bitter. He had no idea what was going on because we had not talked to him since his son graduated from the school we were principal of in Texas. That brings up another topic "bitterness".
In Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
We are told to follow peace and holiness with all men in order to see the Lord. The next verse mentions bitterness. It says to check ourselves diligently to be sure that we have no bitterness and that it could cause us to fail God. But it also says that if bitterness roots and springs up in you, not only will you be affected but many others will be affected as well.
Bitterness is like a cancer it will eat at you then spread to your family and friends and others. It has to be dealt with. You may not totally agree with a persons actions ways and etc.., but we do have to get along with each other.
Go to them and offer the olive branch of peace then get on with living for God. I have done this and they have not "accepted" the olive branch. But then 5 years later they came to me weeping and asking forgiveness. They paid a high price because they no longer had their two kids with them.
But I have seen many times when things got sorted out how that God was able to bless and lifetime friendships were formed.
A little dispute or misunderstanding will not me from going to heaven! I want to make everything right so I can hear the King Of Kings say, "thou good and faithful servant, enter into my joys". One of these days it will be worth it all, when I see Jesus!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
God is good!
I had a great meeting yesterday with the Director of Volunteer Services at the hospital. She was amazed at what all happened on Sunday(as noted in last blog). She was also a little surprised when I told her about the doctor that is over pediatrics asking for chapel services.
She was very supportive and will do a little ground work to find the best time frame to have two services a week one in the morning and one in the evening. The results will be discussed in a meeting in September.
She told me I have got to be gone in 15 minutes then 45 minutes later she said oh I have got to go! But she took the time to explain another area that she would like for me to get involved with to help out the hospital staff. So keep praying for God's will and open doors in this area of ministry!
She was very supportive and will do a little ground work to find the best time frame to have two services a week one in the morning and one in the evening. The results will be discussed in a meeting in September.
She told me I have got to be gone in 15 minutes then 45 minutes later she said oh I have got to go! But she took the time to explain another area that she would like for me to get involved with to help out the hospital staff. So keep praying for God's will and open doors in this area of ministry!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I wish you enough!
This came to me via email so I thought I would share it with you! So many people read this and we have become reacquainted with some long lost friends! So enjoy as I am praying for you today!
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'.
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'.
Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'.
She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE...
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'.
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'.
Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'.
She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE...
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I Remember Prayer Meetings IV...
Our times of prayer with the youth here in North East, Maryland, were very powerful. In fact so powerful that we could not let it stay in the church. So we took prayer to the streets.
We had prayer journeys. We actually went and prayed for each Jr. High and Sr. High school in our county. It was an awesome time not only for our youth to get together and spend time together. But the time spent was definitely quality time!
We prayed for the students to overcome drugs and alcohol addictions. We prayed that they would overcome depressions and other mental problems that tend to plague our youth. We also prayed for the staff and teachers at each school. We prayed for peace at school and that they could have a good learning environment.
This was at a time when we were having a lot of school incidents across our country but we never had any shootings or bomb threats while others were having a lot of troubles in this area.
We went to one school during our Wednesday Night Youth Service and we all got out (about 30) and scattered around the building to pray. After a few minutes a Vice Principal walked out and he asked me what was happening. I explained that our young people were praying for all the school students and teachers in the county and he thanked me and asked me to come as often as we liked to pray!
One particular Saturday we gathered at church to do a prayer journey to pray for all the Middle and Sr. High schools in our county. By this time we had acclimated our youth and staff about how to pray and what to pray etc… After about the third school out of eight or more that we prayed for that day Gods’ Spirit began to move.
I will never forget going to Oxford High School and there was a game out in the field and a crowd was at the game but the school area was empty. Our youth got out and spread out and began to pray!! I remember they were lying on their faces at the doors weeping and crying out to God for the souls of the students and staff! Then came a time of spontaneous rejoicing and we had a great time! We also had a hard time getting them to load up they were just caught away in the spirit of God!
Just a few days later one of the girls that was at the prayer journey she was asked to pray at the “Meet Me at the Flag Pole”. Her picture and a copy of her prayer were printed on the front page of the news paper.
Next time we write about prayer, we will write about taking our prayer to other communities!
We had prayer journeys. We actually went and prayed for each Jr. High and Sr. High school in our county. It was an awesome time not only for our youth to get together and spend time together. But the time spent was definitely quality time!
We prayed for the students to overcome drugs and alcohol addictions. We prayed that they would overcome depressions and other mental problems that tend to plague our youth. We also prayed for the staff and teachers at each school. We prayed for peace at school and that they could have a good learning environment.
This was at a time when we were having a lot of school incidents across our country but we never had any shootings or bomb threats while others were having a lot of troubles in this area.
We went to one school during our Wednesday Night Youth Service and we all got out (about 30) and scattered around the building to pray. After a few minutes a Vice Principal walked out and he asked me what was happening. I explained that our young people were praying for all the school students and teachers in the county and he thanked me and asked me to come as often as we liked to pray!
One particular Saturday we gathered at church to do a prayer journey to pray for all the Middle and Sr. High schools in our county. By this time we had acclimated our youth and staff about how to pray and what to pray etc… After about the third school out of eight or more that we prayed for that day Gods’ Spirit began to move.
I will never forget going to Oxford High School and there was a game out in the field and a crowd was at the game but the school area was empty. Our youth got out and spread out and began to pray!! I remember they were lying on their faces at the doors weeping and crying out to God for the souls of the students and staff! Then came a time of spontaneous rejoicing and we had a great time! We also had a hard time getting them to load up they were just caught away in the spirit of God!
Just a few days later one of the girls that was at the prayer journey she was asked to pray at the “Meet Me at the Flag Pole”. Her picture and a copy of her prayer were printed on the front page of the news paper.
Next time we write about prayer, we will write about taking our prayer to other communities!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
5 Reasons Not to Mess with Kids!
(1)
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing.
She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
(2)
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy, the oldest of a family, answered, "Thou shall not kill."
(3)
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor'."
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."
(4)
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position, the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet ain't empty."
(5)
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing.
She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
(2)
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy, the oldest of a family, answered, "Thou shall not kill."
(3)
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor'."
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."
(4)
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position, the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet ain't empty."
(5)
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Jesus Gives Second Chances Part III
The Greatest miracle God robed him-self in flesh and lived and died so that he could save you and me from sin. He can take a life wrecked by sin and make it beautiful!! With God all things are possible!!
Let us look at Peter in the Bible in case some one is thinking that can’t really happen!
Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matthew 10 Matthew listed Peter first among the Disciples
Matthew 14 Peter walked on the water
Matthew 16:16 Peter received the Revelation of Christ "He said Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God".
Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock or revelation I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Later Jesus was talking about his crucifixion- Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Matthew 16:23 4 verses later after Praising Peter, Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 18:21 Peter made mistakes but he accepted God’s forgiving power and came back to find out more!! Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Matthew 26:35 Peter said unto him, though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Matthew 26:37 Jesus took Peter to Gethsemane to pray
Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Matthew 26:69 Peter’s denial of Christ, 3 times- Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee, Peter denied it with a curse Verse 75: And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
He was human and sometimes we make commitments that we don’t keep, but God is faithful and just to forgive all we have to do is ask and believe in Him. After we ask for forgiveness, then by faith simply begin to worship Him and he will fill you and refill you with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance!!
Acts 1:15 Peter was in the upper room with the 120
Acts 2:14 Peter preached the first message of Pentecost- But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and your children and to all those afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call!!
Peter’s Miracles
Acts 3:1 Peter and John pray for the lame man at the gate of the Temple
Acts 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Peter went from a fisherman to a fisher of men.
Let us look at Peter in the Bible in case some one is thinking that can’t really happen!
Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matthew 10 Matthew listed Peter first among the Disciples
Matthew 14 Peter walked on the water
Matthew 16:16 Peter received the Revelation of Christ "He said Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God".
Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock or revelation I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Later Jesus was talking about his crucifixion- Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Matthew 16:23 4 verses later after Praising Peter, Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 18:21 Peter made mistakes but he accepted God’s forgiving power and came back to find out more!! Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Matthew 26:35 Peter said unto him, though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Matthew 26:37 Jesus took Peter to Gethsemane to pray
Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Matthew 26:69 Peter’s denial of Christ, 3 times- Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee, Peter denied it with a curse Verse 75: And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
He was human and sometimes we make commitments that we don’t keep, but God is faithful and just to forgive all we have to do is ask and believe in Him. After we ask for forgiveness, then by faith simply begin to worship Him and he will fill you and refill you with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance!!
Acts 1:15 Peter was in the upper room with the 120
Acts 2:14 Peter preached the first message of Pentecost- But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and your children and to all those afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call!!
Peter’s Miracles
Acts 3:1 Peter and John pray for the lame man at the gate of the Temple
Acts 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Peter went from a fisherman to a fisher of men.
Friday, March 07, 2008
I Remember Prayer Meetings III
After we had spent some time teaching on prayer and giving the young people here in North East, MD opportunities to pray in our Youth Services on Wednesday night. We really began to have a break through in prayer. Our services were often punctuated with exuberant praise and worship from the youth group.
This led to more teaching and some directed prayer to encourage the young people not to be satisfied with just crying and having God touch them. But we pushed them to pray for specific needs and situations they were aware of in the lives. We had them to voice their requests so we could pray a united prayer with them. Then when the need was met we had some fantastic testimonies coming from our young people. Theses testimonies simply increased our faith and we prayed on.
At times we had tongues and interpretations and God moved in a mighty way. The services and messages were geared to stir us up to a closer walk with God. They also reminded us how much we need to pray until we see results. Far too many people simply pray and then that is it.
They really don’t see results because they really are not concerned enough. But when we look at the scriptures and see that we are responsible to “our world” to share the “good news”. We realize that we need God to help us and lead us on a daily basis.
This type of teaching and preaching helped to lead the youth into intercessory prayer. There were a lot of services when the youth were scattered all over the fellowship hall where we have youth service and they would be weeping and travailing for the souls of their friends and others to find God. Some times this would go on for over an hour after the message was finished.
I have seen a lot of times when the service for the adults in the main auditorium was over and the parents would come and look in to see what their young person was doing only to find them prostrate on the floor travailing and talking in tongues.
This began to happen even on Sunday Services in the main auditorium. Our youth were so desperate to stay in touch with God they simply stayed in the altar until they got what they felt they needed from God. This had a marvelous effect on the church family because the youth actually brought the Spirit of God to bear in the services. It was an exciting time! This led to more outreach efforts that were quite exciting which we will share later! Keep praying!! Prayer works!!
This led to more teaching and some directed prayer to encourage the young people not to be satisfied with just crying and having God touch them. But we pushed them to pray for specific needs and situations they were aware of in the lives. We had them to voice their requests so we could pray a united prayer with them. Then when the need was met we had some fantastic testimonies coming from our young people. Theses testimonies simply increased our faith and we prayed on.
At times we had tongues and interpretations and God moved in a mighty way. The services and messages were geared to stir us up to a closer walk with God. They also reminded us how much we need to pray until we see results. Far too many people simply pray and then that is it.
They really don’t see results because they really are not concerned enough. But when we look at the scriptures and see that we are responsible to “our world” to share the “good news”. We realize that we need God to help us and lead us on a daily basis.
This type of teaching and preaching helped to lead the youth into intercessory prayer. There were a lot of services when the youth were scattered all over the fellowship hall where we have youth service and they would be weeping and travailing for the souls of their friends and others to find God. Some times this would go on for over an hour after the message was finished.
I have seen a lot of times when the service for the adults in the main auditorium was over and the parents would come and look in to see what their young person was doing only to find them prostrate on the floor travailing and talking in tongues.
This began to happen even on Sunday Services in the main auditorium. Our youth were so desperate to stay in touch with God they simply stayed in the altar until they got what they felt they needed from God. This had a marvelous effect on the church family because the youth actually brought the Spirit of God to bear in the services. It was an exciting time! This led to more outreach efforts that were quite exciting which we will share later! Keep praying!! Prayer works!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Jesus Gives Second Chances ... Part II
Let me tell you about Billy- His sister came to me and said Kevin if you can help him the family would appreciate it. I OK'd it with Pastor O. R. Fauss and we accepted the challenge. He was 16 when he came to our church school in Houston.
He was on his way to Juvenile Rehab School for his alcohol dependency and truancy. We worked with him and got him up to speed in school. He was our pitcher for our baseball team and throwing around 90 mph in High School.
He got baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. I later learned that he had married a girl in the church and had children . Then I heard that Billy the outcast of a young teenager was now the Bus Minister over the Bus Captains for the church. He became very involved in Sunday School in the district. Then the other day he called to wish me Happy New Year and he owns a very successful plumbing business in Houston.
The Greatest miracle God robed him-self in flesh and lived and died so that he could save you and me from sin. He can take a life wrecked by sin and make it beautiful!! With God all things are possible!!
I have an awesome update coming up on my volunteer work! It is amazing what God is doing in such a short time! I told the church a little about it last night and we rejoiced and worshipped God!
He was on his way to Juvenile Rehab School for his alcohol dependency and truancy. We worked with him and got him up to speed in school. He was our pitcher for our baseball team and throwing around 90 mph in High School.
He got baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. I later learned that he had married a girl in the church and had children . Then I heard that Billy the outcast of a young teenager was now the Bus Minister over the Bus Captains for the church. He became very involved in Sunday School in the district. Then the other day he called to wish me Happy New Year and he owns a very successful plumbing business in Houston.
The Greatest miracle God robed him-self in flesh and lived and died so that he could save you and me from sin. He can take a life wrecked by sin and make it beautiful!! With God all things are possible!!
I have an awesome update coming up on my volunteer work! It is amazing what God is doing in such a short time! I told the church a little about it last night and we rejoiced and worshipped God!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Jesus Gives Second Chances! Part I
Paul caught a glimpse of accepting God’s grace and power when he said in Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!!
Let me tell you about Robert. I picked him up one Sunday morning to bring him to church. I think he was one of those that actually lived under a bridge in the city. When the sprinklers came on to water the grass he and others had rigged up a tarp in which they could step in and take a shower.
He at one time was married had wife, kids, home & engineering degree but drugs and alcohol destroyed it all. He had lived on the streets for 5 years. His mind was fried from the abuse of sin. After 3 weeks one Sunday morning I prayed him through to the Holy Ghost!
That’s not all, a few months later he came and said he really wanted to come with me to the prison ministry on Sunday afternoon. But he couldn’t. He said I have a rap sheet as long as my arm from what I did to support my habits. I told him to pray about it and a few months later he told me that he had applied for entrance to the jail system and that he had been approved!! He said I don’t know what happened to my rap sheet but my record is clean!!
We are talking about miracles here today!!!! God is still in the miracle working business! Robert got a job working as a janitor at Stanford University in the Nuclear Research area. Before long he was taking his breaks in the break room and began to talk about some of the research, with the engineers and help them to solve their questions.
It wasn’t long before he came to me and said Hey Bro. Hopper I got a job at Stanford! I said you have been there awhile he said O but now I am an engineer! He said God has gradually restored my mind!!
The Bible said in Joel chapter 1 & 2 that he will restore the years that the locust and the canker worm has eaten away! He is still a miracle working God!! You want to hear the rest of the story!!
Robert and another brother went before the chief sheriff, judges and lawyers to get them to accept the ACTS program that our churches teach to help those with alcohol and drug problems.
After a couple of repeat meeting and sessions they had a question time and one of the judges asked them “How do we know that this program really works? Robert spoke up and asked her do you remember this case and the sentence was this many months or years in jail she said yes then he said do you remember this case and this sentence? She said yes, he asked her about several cases then he said I am the one that you sentenced. It was her second or third meeting that she had heard him explain the program and she didn’t recognize him!!
Hey when God changes you, you are changed!! A new creature in Christ!! Behold old things are passed away and all things become new! She burst out sobbing and ran from the room to collect her-self when she returned the program was passed to be used as a sentence tool for those in the county that needed help!!
What is the greatest miracle?? It is not creation, it is not healing. It is when one soul finds their way to an altar of repentance and is filled with the Holy Ghost! The Bible says the angels rejoice over one sinner that finds his way to repentance!!
Let me tell you about Robert. I picked him up one Sunday morning to bring him to church. I think he was one of those that actually lived under a bridge in the city. When the sprinklers came on to water the grass he and others had rigged up a tarp in which they could step in and take a shower.
He at one time was married had wife, kids, home & engineering degree but drugs and alcohol destroyed it all. He had lived on the streets for 5 years. His mind was fried from the abuse of sin. After 3 weeks one Sunday morning I prayed him through to the Holy Ghost!
That’s not all, a few months later he came and said he really wanted to come with me to the prison ministry on Sunday afternoon. But he couldn’t. He said I have a rap sheet as long as my arm from what I did to support my habits. I told him to pray about it and a few months later he told me that he had applied for entrance to the jail system and that he had been approved!! He said I don’t know what happened to my rap sheet but my record is clean!!
We are talking about miracles here today!!!! God is still in the miracle working business! Robert got a job working as a janitor at Stanford University in the Nuclear Research area. Before long he was taking his breaks in the break room and began to talk about some of the research, with the engineers and help them to solve their questions.
It wasn’t long before he came to me and said Hey Bro. Hopper I got a job at Stanford! I said you have been there awhile he said O but now I am an engineer! He said God has gradually restored my mind!!
The Bible said in Joel chapter 1 & 2 that he will restore the years that the locust and the canker worm has eaten away! He is still a miracle working God!! You want to hear the rest of the story!!
Robert and another brother went before the chief sheriff, judges and lawyers to get them to accept the ACTS program that our churches teach to help those with alcohol and drug problems.
After a couple of repeat meeting and sessions they had a question time and one of the judges asked them “How do we know that this program really works? Robert spoke up and asked her do you remember this case and the sentence was this many months or years in jail she said yes then he said do you remember this case and this sentence? She said yes, he asked her about several cases then he said I am the one that you sentenced. It was her second or third meeting that she had heard him explain the program and she didn’t recognize him!!
Hey when God changes you, you are changed!! A new creature in Christ!! Behold old things are passed away and all things become new! She burst out sobbing and ran from the room to collect her-self when she returned the program was passed to be used as a sentence tool for those in the county that needed help!!
What is the greatest miracle?? It is not creation, it is not healing. It is when one soul finds their way to an altar of repentance and is filled with the Holy Ghost! The Bible says the angels rejoice over one sinner that finds his way to repentance!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Lesson on Prayer and Fasting To Our Youth Group Dated 2003
I ran across this in my notes and thought I would share since it goes with what we have been discussing! It was used for a Saturday morning prayer meeting with our youth. I would encourage you to read some of my "Favorite Links For Great Reading" blogs because there are some awesome things happening across our great country. People are praying everywhere. They want an "old time revival"!
Things to Pray Against:
Rebellion - Going against what your parents and youth leaders tell you, because you feel like it.
Lying - Living a lie, act like you are a Christian at church but treat your family and others like you are the devil. No respect for your parents, teachers, elders etc...
Cheating - Telling your parents that you are done with your homework when you know that you need to work on a book report or another project. Or telling your quiz coach you have studied when you know that you didn’t review your old material like you were asked. White Lies?? No such thing!!
Deceitfulness - Doing and saying things that are not right and trying to hide your involvement or act like you are an innocent bystander, when you were the ringleader that started the problems.
Envy - Wishing that you were as good as someone else, to the extent that you start trying to do or say things behind their back to discredit them. “I’ll be glad when they learn to preach or sing”
Discord - Taking things out of context and repeating with our own added comments. “Maybe he meant...” or “She said this, which she probably meant...” Leave things alone a let God work it out!
Strife - If we involve ourselves in the above it can lead to friction (strife) and bigger problems. Which the bible refers to having a problem with our foundation and that God would bring it to light by trial (I Corinthians 3:11-21). We are also warned that we can devour ourselves and that those who involve will get their reward in time to come (Galatians 5: 14-21).
Things we need to pray for:
Lost souls - That we could hear the cry of their heart, and see the longing in their eyes to know God!
Open doors - A break through to minister in area schools, youth centers, half-way houses.
Revival - Through-out our church family. Not just among a few of the youth, but let it go to all the families in the church. ( I used actual examples here from some of our church folk) Pray someone through to the Holy Ghost at a nursing home and some one else at work and maybe one of the youth teaching a bible study at school.
Fasting, Why?
To overcome - Some things only happen as a result of prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21)
The need to call a fast - Joel 1:14 (Sanctify a fast)
Set a specific day - Jeremiah 36:6 (upon the fast day) We set Wed’ as fast day
How to and not to fast - Matthew 6:16-18 ( be not, but do & appear not)
What fasting makes you do - Psalms 35:13 ( I humbled myself)
The continuing command - I Corinthians 7:5 (give yourselves to fasting & prayer)
Paul fasted as example and with awesome results - II Corinthians 6:4-10 ( In fastings)
Jesus fasted with awesome results - John 4 ( one woman and a whole city saved!)
Prayer and Fasting can help us:
Break Generational problems - Mom & Dad an alcoholic, so I’m going to be an alcoholic. NO!! Mom & Dad talk down about the church, Pastor, and leadership so I’m going to. No!! Parents skip church for a ball game, party etc...
We want endtime Revival:
Book of Acts - If it can happen there then we should be seeing it here. We have seen it in the Philippines where hundreds were filled with the spirit, we need to see it here. If we can lift our hands there in the Philippines and in less than two minutes God fills 76 with the Holy Ghost( our youth group was there on a mission trip!). Then we can see it happen right here in Cecil County and in your schools and your work places!! We ought to have a youth service @ Cecil Community College in the auditorium that seats 450 !!
There is strength and unity when we pray and fast together!!
Some one said Prayer moves God and Fasting moves us!
Some one else said Fasting moves us so God can work through us!
Fasting actually helps us to bring our flesh (fleshly spirits and lusts) under control so God can trust us with a mighty move of his power!!
Things to Pray Against:
Rebellion - Going against what your parents and youth leaders tell you, because you feel like it.
Lying - Living a lie, act like you are a Christian at church but treat your family and others like you are the devil. No respect for your parents, teachers, elders etc...
Cheating - Telling your parents that you are done with your homework when you know that you need to work on a book report or another project. Or telling your quiz coach you have studied when you know that you didn’t review your old material like you were asked. White Lies?? No such thing!!
Deceitfulness - Doing and saying things that are not right and trying to hide your involvement or act like you are an innocent bystander, when you were the ringleader that started the problems.
Envy - Wishing that you were as good as someone else, to the extent that you start trying to do or say things behind their back to discredit them. “I’ll be glad when they learn to preach or sing”
Discord - Taking things out of context and repeating with our own added comments. “Maybe he meant...” or “She said this, which she probably meant...” Leave things alone a let God work it out!
Strife - If we involve ourselves in the above it can lead to friction (strife) and bigger problems. Which the bible refers to having a problem with our foundation and that God would bring it to light by trial (I Corinthians 3:11-21). We are also warned that we can devour ourselves and that those who involve will get their reward in time to come (Galatians 5: 14-21).
Things we need to pray for:
Lost souls - That we could hear the cry of their heart, and see the longing in their eyes to know God!
Open doors - A break through to minister in area schools, youth centers, half-way houses.
Revival - Through-out our church family. Not just among a few of the youth, but let it go to all the families in the church. ( I used actual examples here from some of our church folk) Pray someone through to the Holy Ghost at a nursing home and some one else at work and maybe one of the youth teaching a bible study at school.
Fasting, Why?
To overcome - Some things only happen as a result of prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21)
The need to call a fast - Joel 1:14 (Sanctify a fast)
Set a specific day - Jeremiah 36:6 (upon the fast day) We set Wed’ as fast day
How to and not to fast - Matthew 6:16-18 ( be not, but do & appear not)
What fasting makes you do - Psalms 35:13 ( I humbled myself)
The continuing command - I Corinthians 7:5 (give yourselves to fasting & prayer)
Paul fasted as example and with awesome results - II Corinthians 6:4-10 ( In fastings)
Jesus fasted with awesome results - John 4 ( one woman and a whole city saved!)
Prayer and Fasting can help us:
Break Generational problems - Mom & Dad an alcoholic, so I’m going to be an alcoholic. NO!! Mom & Dad talk down about the church, Pastor, and leadership so I’m going to. No!! Parents skip church for a ball game, party etc...
We want endtime Revival:
Book of Acts - If it can happen there then we should be seeing it here. We have seen it in the Philippines where hundreds were filled with the spirit, we need to see it here. If we can lift our hands there in the Philippines and in less than two minutes God fills 76 with the Holy Ghost( our youth group was there on a mission trip!). Then we can see it happen right here in Cecil County and in your schools and your work places!! We ought to have a youth service @ Cecil Community College in the auditorium that seats 450 !!
There is strength and unity when we pray and fast together!!
Some one said Prayer moves God and Fasting moves us!
Some one else said Fasting moves us so God can work through us!
Fasting actually helps us to bring our flesh (fleshly spirits and lusts) under control so God can trust us with a mighty move of his power!!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
I Remember Prayer Meetings Part II ...
I Remember Prayer Meetings Part II…
I have received a lot of interest via comments a quite a few emails from my post on “I remember Prayer Meetings Part I…” So I will write on this subject and include my thoughts on prayer meetings that we had here in North East MD.
When I came here I was not involved with the youth group “officially”. Though I had been on the District Youth Board in California and had been involved with the youth at The First Church in San Jose Ca. Pastored by Rev. Jim Shoemake at the time.
But as always I still had a burden for the youth. Praying and fasting youth is the foundation for revival in many of our churches. Plus this gives them a solid foundation to build on in reaching out to the lost. If their mind is on prayer and fasting then it will not be on the temptations that the world throws at them every minute.
I set up a scheduled time after awhile that I would go to the church and pray. Then I told others that I had been praying at the church on Saturday nights for several weeks. They suspected something because the Spirit was moving and we were praying several through to victory in the services. So they asked what’s-up? I told them come join me at prayer.
Later after I stepped down from the NJ/DE District Youth Board, Pastor Wayne Trout put me in as the Youth Pastor here at Truth & Life Center in North East MD.
From there God began to move in a mighty way. Several of those at the prayer meetings are now pastors or pastor’s wives. Some back slid later, then came back to God and are doing great in the church today.
But the impact on the church was felt when the youth kept praying at the altar along time after the adults were finished. We just kept pushing and praying every night. Eventually the youth started helping to pray for the youth.
Then one night Pastor Trout mentioned the youth and that everyone could see the results of their praying. So he had the adults come forward for the youth to pray for them and God just blessed every one. The altar area filled up with adults wanting to get in on the revival.
It was awesome to see parents and grandparents come up so their young people could pray for them. Even now I weep when I remember the sights and sounds of revival!!
We continued the push for prayer and revival. The young people were comfortable in praying. We had prayer at all our activities whether it was a fun night or service night; for example most of the time after an activity we closed with a song and a prayer.
The result was that the visitors became very interested in what we were doing. They noticed that we considered God to be more than some one we went to worship on an occasional Sunday. The other positive result was that our youth grew very comfortable in praying in all situations or surroundings. This led to other things that I will explore in another post!
I have received a lot of interest via comments a quite a few emails from my post on “I remember Prayer Meetings Part I…” So I will write on this subject and include my thoughts on prayer meetings that we had here in North East MD.
When I came here I was not involved with the youth group “officially”. Though I had been on the District Youth Board in California and had been involved with the youth at The First Church in San Jose Ca. Pastored by Rev. Jim Shoemake at the time.
But as always I still had a burden for the youth. Praying and fasting youth is the foundation for revival in many of our churches. Plus this gives them a solid foundation to build on in reaching out to the lost. If their mind is on prayer and fasting then it will not be on the temptations that the world throws at them every minute.
I set up a scheduled time after awhile that I would go to the church and pray. Then I told others that I had been praying at the church on Saturday nights for several weeks. They suspected something because the Spirit was moving and we were praying several through to victory in the services. So they asked what’s-up? I told them come join me at prayer.
Later after I stepped down from the NJ/DE District Youth Board, Pastor Wayne Trout put me in as the Youth Pastor here at Truth & Life Center in North East MD.
From there God began to move in a mighty way. Several of those at the prayer meetings are now pastors or pastor’s wives. Some back slid later, then came back to God and are doing great in the church today.
But the impact on the church was felt when the youth kept praying at the altar along time after the adults were finished. We just kept pushing and praying every night. Eventually the youth started helping to pray for the youth.
Then one night Pastor Trout mentioned the youth and that everyone could see the results of their praying. So he had the adults come forward for the youth to pray for them and God just blessed every one. The altar area filled up with adults wanting to get in on the revival.
It was awesome to see parents and grandparents come up so their young people could pray for them. Even now I weep when I remember the sights and sounds of revival!!
We continued the push for prayer and revival. The young people were comfortable in praying. We had prayer at all our activities whether it was a fun night or service night; for example most of the time after an activity we closed with a song and a prayer.
The result was that the visitors became very interested in what we were doing. They noticed that we considered God to be more than some one we went to worship on an occasional Sunday. The other positive result was that our youth grew very comfortable in praying in all situations or surroundings. This led to other things that I will explore in another post!
Monday, February 04, 2008
NJ/DE Men's Retreat!
We had a great time this week end at the men's retreat. God moved in such a powerful way as the word was brought to us by Norman Paslay II. He is the Senior Pastor at the Calvary Church in Cincinnati Ohio. Of course he presented to us the toils of daily life and being a Godly man in this day and time. It was quite humorous at times but at the same time it made us search our hearts and realize that we could be and should be more like God even in the worst circumstances of life.
Then we heard David Hamilton from Mobile Al. He brought the "Old Testament Tabernacle" to life in today’s language. He has studied and taught on the Tabernacle for 17 years. This is his website: http://www.mishkanministries.org/ . He has built some awesome and very detailed replicas of the furniture and is now in the process of setting up a Tabernacle Museum in Mobile. He has focused on "Experiencing the Pattern of the Tabernacle" and it was an awesome time.
If your church has never experienced the teachings of Bro. Hamilton you owe it to your self and to your church. We wept and cried when we realized the importance of the ordinances and forms of the "Old Testament Tabernacle. We have had him at our local church numerous times and the people always want him to come back. He spent a lot of time bringing New Testament scriptures back to their Old Testament link. Now we understand why Jesus said what he did in the Gospels and why Paul wrote what he did in his epistles or John in the Book of Revelations. It was a great time of revelation in areas of holiness and separation.
Then we heard David Hamilton from Mobile Al. He brought the "Old Testament Tabernacle" to life in today’s language. He has studied and taught on the Tabernacle for 17 years. This is his website: http://www.mishkanministries.org/ . He has built some awesome and very detailed replicas of the furniture and is now in the process of setting up a Tabernacle Museum in Mobile. He has focused on "Experiencing the Pattern of the Tabernacle" and it was an awesome time.
If your church has never experienced the teachings of Bro. Hamilton you owe it to your self and to your church. We wept and cried when we realized the importance of the ordinances and forms of the "Old Testament Tabernacle. We have had him at our local church numerous times and the people always want him to come back. He spent a lot of time bringing New Testament scriptures back to their Old Testament link. Now we understand why Jesus said what he did in the Gospels and why Paul wrote what he did in his epistles or John in the Book of Revelations. It was a great time of revelation in areas of holiness and separation.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee...
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second, she placed eggs, and in the last, she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asks, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" She asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you; to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.
This is so true - may we all be COFFEE.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second, she placed eggs, and in the last, she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asks, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" She asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you; to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.
This is so true - may we all be COFFEE.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Miracles are Happening!
God still answers prayer!
That is what I heard when I called a brother in church yesterday. He has been out a lot lately with a cancerous tumor. He went in for surgery to remove it. The doctor told him that when they got him open that they could not find it.
The tumor that was on x-ray and had been confirmed as cancerous was gone! The brother said that prayer does work!! Miracles still happen today!
This is a result of our increased prayer and fasting as a church body! I am sure God is doing similar works all around the world! Keep praying! Keep fasting! Keep PUSHing!!
That is what I heard when I called a brother in church yesterday. He has been out a lot lately with a cancerous tumor. He went in for surgery to remove it. The doctor told him that when they got him open that they could not find it.
The tumor that was on x-ray and had been confirmed as cancerous was gone! The brother said that prayer does work!! Miracles still happen today!
This is a result of our increased prayer and fasting as a church body! I am sure God is doing similar works all around the world! Keep praying! Keep fasting! Keep PUSHing!!
First Day of Volunteer Service!
Some may have noticed that I changed my header to include instructions on how to leave a comment. I constantly receive calls and emails from people that say they saw my blog or they read it everyday.
I ask them why they don’t leave a comment and their replies usually mention something along the line of I don’t know how. So that is why I tried to give them simple instructions. So bear with us as we move along in blog world! LOL!
Now on to today’s thoughts! Yesterday was my first day to volunteer at the hospital. I was supposed to be with someone that had been doing volunteer for over 10 years but he was sick and could not make it. So I went by myself and it was interesting. I was able to talk to several patients and to their families. Some asked me to pray with them and it was good.
I had left the hospital when I got a call to come back to ICU to help in a situation. When I arrived I called all the family in and had prayer with them. The staff was very thankful. I walked through a couple of times to check on them later and a friend had come to see them. She began to talk to me about God and how that knowing Jesus makes things a lot easier to handle! I said Amen! We talked for awhile and she just cried and we prayed in the hall. I invited her to church and she invited me to come by their church for prayer meeting. She goes to an Apostolic Church just a few blocks from the hospital.
When I was walking out of the hospital a family that started coming to church on our bus ministry was coming into the hospital. I asked them who they were going to see. They told me and asked me to go with them to the room I had just left. So we went up and I prayed with them as well.
The volunteer director was teasing me and said they don’t usually introduce someone to volunteer service in this fashion. She said it was a baptism by fire! LOL!! I told her after thirty years of being involved in ministry that I was OK!!
We never know why we are in a place at a particular time. But God does order our steps and I am so glad he does!
I ask them why they don’t leave a comment and their replies usually mention something along the line of I don’t know how. So that is why I tried to give them simple instructions. So bear with us as we move along in blog world! LOL!
Now on to today’s thoughts! Yesterday was my first day to volunteer at the hospital. I was supposed to be with someone that had been doing volunteer for over 10 years but he was sick and could not make it. So I went by myself and it was interesting. I was able to talk to several patients and to their families. Some asked me to pray with them and it was good.
I had left the hospital when I got a call to come back to ICU to help in a situation. When I arrived I called all the family in and had prayer with them. The staff was very thankful. I walked through a couple of times to check on them later and a friend had come to see them. She began to talk to me about God and how that knowing Jesus makes things a lot easier to handle! I said Amen! We talked for awhile and she just cried and we prayed in the hall. I invited her to church and she invited me to come by their church for prayer meeting. She goes to an Apostolic Church just a few blocks from the hospital.
When I was walking out of the hospital a family that started coming to church on our bus ministry was coming into the hospital. I asked them who they were going to see. They told me and asked me to go with them to the room I had just left. So we went up and I prayed with them as well.
The volunteer director was teasing me and said they don’t usually introduce someone to volunteer service in this fashion. She said it was a baptism by fire! LOL!! I told her after thirty years of being involved in ministry that I was OK!!
We never know why we are in a place at a particular time. But God does order our steps and I am so glad he does!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Great Services this Weekend!
We had great services yesterday! Bro. Chantry Dean was here for East Coast Youth Conference and stayed over to be with us. He preached great messages in both services. His voice was shot from working with the ECYC so he couldn’t sing but with God’s help hew was able to preach.
The church and visitors alike responded and came to the altar for a time of soul searching and refreshing. I saw people touched by God that have really been struggling with things in their life!
Of course we heard testimonies from the young people how God had touched them. In fact I saw evidence in their worship and how they treated their family that God had really done a work in their lives.
Bro. Tim Rutledge from Pentecostals of Alexandria preached the night services and he did an excellent job! He preached Saturday night that Jesus is the bread of life. He told the youth that we are to deliver the bread to the world. When they come to us they are not looking for a fancy show or games but they want to bread! It was awesome and the response from the young people was great!
He opened boxes of Twinkies and muffins and oatmeal cakes and all kinds of things. He began to throw them out to the youth of course it was quite an upheaval of youth trying to catch their favorite snack. After a few minutes he ran out of stuff but he told them that all those things were bread products. God is the bread of life. What ever they need God to be, he could be that in their lives. If they are lonely he would be their friend etc... It was a great weekend!
The church and visitors alike responded and came to the altar for a time of soul searching and refreshing. I saw people touched by God that have really been struggling with things in their life!
Of course we heard testimonies from the young people how God had touched them. In fact I saw evidence in their worship and how they treated their family that God had really done a work in their lives.
Bro. Tim Rutledge from Pentecostals of Alexandria preached the night services and he did an excellent job! He preached Saturday night that Jesus is the bread of life. He told the youth that we are to deliver the bread to the world. When they come to us they are not looking for a fancy show or games but they want to bread! It was awesome and the response from the young people was great!
He opened boxes of Twinkies and muffins and oatmeal cakes and all kinds of things. He began to throw them out to the youth of course it was quite an upheaval of youth trying to catch their favorite snack. After a few minutes he ran out of stuff but he told them that all those things were bread products. God is the bread of life. What ever they need God to be, he could be that in their lives. If they are lonely he would be their friend etc... It was a great weekend!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT............
Someone sent this to me so I thought I would share it with you!
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?" So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?" So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
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