Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Discipling the Nation
As I sit on my back porch, admiring the majestic views of the rolling hills and distant mountains of the beautiful Sonora Desert, I wonder how we, disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, are failing to obey the Great Commission given to us to disciple the nation where we live.
When reading the newspapers, watching TV, checking Internet or talking and intermingling with other people, it is shocking to see so much blatant spiritual depravity and rebellion that has cropped up in what seems like just a short period of time.
As Christians we need to change our perspective and our attitude and get going to disciple and rebuild our country's godly foundations and beyond while we still have the freedom to do so. We need to review our role in self government, family government, church government, civil government, etc., as it relates to all spheres of human activities. Once we do this we can begin to develop a plan for the orderly restructuring of our society.
The job of the institutional church is to prepare and equip the saints (us) to go out into the world which is our field of service. Whatever our calling is (our work, profession, etc.), that is our ministry to disciple those around each one of us. This is where we are to be the salt of the earth and the light upon the hill. The Lord is interested in every activity of man. That means the individual, the family, the church, the civil government and our work. They are all excellent opportunities for discipleship.
We are the body of Christ and as such we are His instruments to establish the kingdom of God and His will on earth as it is in heaven. We are the Church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against us.....as long as it is His will that is being done and not our own. And if God be for us, who can be against us?
The Lord Jesus Christ says: Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest. John 4:35
What are we waiting for? Let's get started. Let's wear our armour of God and bear the most powerful weapon which is the Holy Word of God.
Biblical references: Matt. 28:18-20, James 4:17
When reading the newspapers, watching TV, checking Internet or talking and intermingling with other people, it is shocking to see so much blatant spiritual depravity and rebellion that has cropped up in what seems like just a short period of time.
As Christians we need to change our perspective and our attitude and get going to disciple and rebuild our country's godly foundations and beyond while we still have the freedom to do so. We need to review our role in self government, family government, church government, civil government, etc., as it relates to all spheres of human activities. Once we do this we can begin to develop a plan for the orderly restructuring of our society.
The job of the institutional church is to prepare and equip the saints (us) to go out into the world which is our field of service. Whatever our calling is (our work, profession, etc.), that is our ministry to disciple those around each one of us. This is where we are to be the salt of the earth and the light upon the hill. The Lord is interested in every activity of man. That means the individual, the family, the church, the civil government and our work. They are all excellent opportunities for discipleship.
We are the body of Christ and as such we are His instruments to establish the kingdom of God and His will on earth as it is in heaven. We are the Church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against us.....as long as it is His will that is being done and not our own. And if God be for us, who can be against us?
The Lord Jesus Christ says: Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest. John 4:35
What are we waiting for? Let's get started. Let's wear our armour of God and bear the most powerful weapon which is the Holy Word of God.
Biblical references: Matt. 28:18-20, James 4:17
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE IN 2008
From my good friend, Bob Merrick:
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to do what I should and not what I want today.'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you annot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25) Remember...."It Is...What It Is"
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to do what I should and not what I want today.'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you annot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25) Remember...."It Is...What It Is"
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Taking Your Pet to the Vet
When your pet is sick and you need to take him to see a veterinarian:
1. Be on time for your appointment.
2. If your pet bites or scratches, warn the veterinarian and his staff so they know how to approach him.
3. Be as specific about your pet's problem as possible. The information you provide can help greatly to reach an accurate diagnosis and on that basis the outcome of the indicated treatment will be more effective. For example:
c Did your pet's symptoms appear gradually or suddenly?
c Is he listless or in pain (acute, dull, etc.)? Has his temperament changed?
c Is he losing or gaining weight? Eating normally?
c Is he able to urinate? Is the urine clear, watery, dark yellow or bloody?
c Is he able to defecate? Diarrhea? What color? Does he strain?
c Is he vomiting?
c Is he limping?
c Does he have convulsions? How often?
c Can he see? hear? smell?
c Any discharge from eyes? nose? ears? etc.?
4. Take a pen and a note pad to clearly write down any follow-up instructions from the veterinarian and ask him/her to be clear and precise.
5. Follow the veterinarian's instructions as directed.
If in the course of the treatment at home you notice any adverse reaction or a major change other than improvement, notify your veterinarian right away.
6. If a re-check visit is necessary, follow up with it.
1. Be on time for your appointment.
2. If your pet bites or scratches, warn the veterinarian and his staff so they know how to approach him.
3. Be as specific about your pet's problem as possible. The information you provide can help greatly to reach an accurate diagnosis and on that basis the outcome of the indicated treatment will be more effective. For example:
c Did your pet's symptoms appear gradually or suddenly?
c Is he listless or in pain (acute, dull, etc.)? Has his temperament changed?
c Is he losing or gaining weight? Eating normally?
c Is he able to urinate? Is the urine clear, watery, dark yellow or bloody?
c Is he able to defecate? Diarrhea? What color? Does he strain?
c Is he vomiting?
c Is he limping?
c Does he have convulsions? How often?
c Can he see? hear? smell?
c Any discharge from eyes? nose? ears? etc.?
4. Take a pen and a note pad to clearly write down any follow-up instructions from the veterinarian and ask him/her to be clear and precise.
5. Follow the veterinarian's instructions as directed.
If in the course of the treatment at home you notice any adverse reaction or a major change other than improvement, notify your veterinarian right away.
6. If a re-check visit is necessary, follow up with it.
Monday, April 28, 2008
May 1st, 2008 The National Day of Prayer
Since its inception, this blessed nation has faced enemies, both from without and from within, endangering its security, its prosperity and its way of life. In response the citizens can tremble at the threats or they can take a stand and defend their country, not necessarily with weapons and bombs in open war, but by recognizing that our Sovereign God is in control. The people of this nation need to be shaken up to undergo a true revival, submitting themselves to Him, asking for His guidance, wisdom and intelligence just as our forefathers did at the founding of this nation.
The battle is the Lords and He will give our enemies into our hands. (I Samuel 17:47)
Our Lord is looking for individuals who will trust in Him, persist in prayer and not become discouraged or overwhelmed by circumstances.
This Thursday, May 1st, let each one of us pray fervently on our knees asking for the forgiveness of our sins and disobedience, to accept our repentance and to intercede on our behalf for our nation.
Let us ask our Almighty God to be America's strength and shield again as we face our enemies while we still have time. The Lord stands ready to help if we will humbly come before Him.
The Lord is my strength and shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. (Psalm 28:7)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
"Negative Thinking" The Real Problem
As we become established in our new country with a new society, diverse ethnicity, different language and unfamiliar culture, we think about the future and what is ahead for us and our family. We must be careful to not fall into negative thinking, pessimism and discouragement.
Our attitude about life and the future can cause physiological changes in our body, that if negative, will lead to failure, disease and even death.
To prevent failure from happening, we have to hold on to hope, focusing our eyes on Jesus.
The Lord is in control and He has a plan for each one of His children.
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Biblical References: Hebrew 9:28, Titus 2:11-13
Our attitude about life and the future can cause physiological changes in our body, that if negative, will lead to failure, disease and even death.
To prevent failure from happening, we have to hold on to hope, focusing our eyes on Jesus.
The Lord is in control and He has a plan for each one of His children.
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Biblical References: Hebrew 9:28, Titus 2:11-13
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