In Joel 2:28-30 (kjv) we read, "...I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant that the Lord shall call."
The vast majority of people today do not watch religious programming on television, nor do they listen to it on the radio. They neither attend church regularly, nor even open a bible. They do not speak of Jesus to their kids, assuming that children will "pick that sort of thing up if they need it". They are embarrassed to be seen near a store-front preacher.
Many of these folks consider themselves to be Christians...
As the end draws closer, there will be further increases in those who prophesy, experience dreams and visions, and find they are compelled to take God's Word to the people.
There will also be an increase in those who spew out Satan's twisted viewpoint, in an effort to separate us from God. Some of these will be disguised to look like God's messengers.
It is important for us to remember that God loves us! He sent His Son to die in our place, for our crimes.
Satan does NOT love us! He hates us! We can go to heaven, he cannot! But, as much as he hates us, he hates God even more! By infecting us with sin, he can deny us to God, who wants us with Him.
Don't let "fitting in with the world" point you away from God. There is only one destination in that direction, and you don't want to go there! You MUST take everything to God, and compare it to His Word!
Please, I beg you, call on the Name of the Lord.
If you're reading this, then it isn't too late... yet...
Tell God you know you've sinned (We all have).
Know in your heart and soul that Jesus died for your wrongdoings. He took all the bad things ever done by everyone who ever lived, or ever will, upon Himself.
Go and do your part by telling others. If you don't tell them, who will?
Hope to see you in Paradise.
Mr Mike
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Out of the Mouths of Babes
Today, I was especially blessed to witness 2 baptisms. It is always an honor to be present at these events, as they are often the first public testimony presented by new Christians.
A bit later, a young boy raced past me. "Who was that?" I asked nobody in particular. A girl standing nearby said, "Oh, that's the boy whose mom just got "pastorized."
I haven't laughed so hard in years! "Pastorized!" I know she was just mentally combining "pasteurized" with "baptized," but the effect was incredible! Everyone close by laughed. All to whom I related the story later, at least chuckled.
Thank-you, God! I love this kid! What an incredibly sweet view of events! How much God must love us to entrust us with kids! Especially when you consider how often people don't live up to that trust. What a precious, precious gift they are! "Of such as these is the Kingdom of Heaven."
With this in mind, here is a little something, dedicated to His kids...
-----
When God made kids,
A bit later, a young boy raced past me. "Who was that?" I asked nobody in particular. A girl standing nearby said, "Oh, that's the boy whose mom just got "pastorized."
I haven't laughed so hard in years! "Pastorized!" I know she was just mentally combining "pasteurized" with "baptized," but the effect was incredible! Everyone close by laughed. All to whom I related the story later, at least chuckled.
Thank-you, God! I love this kid! What an incredibly sweet view of events! How much God must love us to entrust us with kids! Especially when you consider how often people don't live up to that trust. What a precious, precious gift they are! "Of such as these is the Kingdom of Heaven."
With this in mind, here is a little something, dedicated to His kids...
-----
God’s Little Lights
When God made kids,
He used His heart,
His love He gives them, from the start.
He made them small, and softly sweet,
and entrusted them to you and me.
The love they offer us each day,
We thank the Lord for, when we pray.
Smiles and hugs are signs, you see,
that show how God meant life to be.
So, when you’re reeling
from Satan’s bites,
they’re here to love you…
God’s Little Lights!
-----
Thanks, Father...
Mr Mike
Saturday, June 28, 2008
I Can't Wait to Meet the Apostles
Like many others, I confess to having difficulty understanding the lives of those who wrote the New Testament. My perception of Paul was that he was something of a firebrand who was turned by Jesus from an opponent into a supporter. I saw the apostles as just being average guys, with the odd hothead, skinflint and scoundrel thrown in, for good measure. Two thousand years was just too long of a gap for me to be able to identify easily with these biblical heroes.
Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ new series have been an incredible help in putting flesh on these old bones. The first book is "John’s Story," a plausible reenactment of John’s life from his own perspective. Book two, "Mark’s Story" does a similarly excellent job. I caution all to not treat these works as fact, merely as an aid to better understanding of the lives, times, and circumstances of those first Christians. I now find myself eagerly looking forward to meeting these early followers and evangelists, and thank them for a job well done.
Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ new series have been an incredible help in putting flesh on these old bones. The first book is "John’s Story," a plausible reenactment of John’s life from his own perspective. Book two, "Mark’s Story" does a similarly excellent job. I caution all to not treat these works as fact, merely as an aid to better understanding of the lives, times, and circumstances of those first Christians. I now find myself eagerly looking forward to meeting these early followers and evangelists, and thank them for a job well done.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Stuff, and more stuff!
The commandments tell us; "thou shall not covet" anything of our neighbor’s. In general, we feel rather secure about this directive because we’re able to convince ourselves we don’t want to take anything from our neighbors. We’d rather buy them for ourselves. But, what does "covet" really mean? My dictionary lists these definitions;
----------
1: to long for something belonging to another, and
2: to desire
----------
Hmmm, is buying our own stuff covered by the second definition? If we want it, we just go out and buy it, right? It’s only because we want it. Sounds a bit like "covet" to me.
I knew a man overseas, many years ago. He and his family, ran a Sari-Sari store, a half-walled hut wherein he bought, sold and bartered things for his community, sort of a 3rd world eBay. His wife washed his only good shirt and pants every night so he’d look his best the next day. None of the family even owned shoes…
By contrast, a friend in California once asked me to help him drive his car home, as he’d recently purchased another. The new car was parked in back of his house with 11 or 12 others he’d collected over the years. Stuff…
A friend has a room in her home walled with glass-fronted cabinets so she can display her collection of hundreds of teapots from around the world. Stuff…
Another has thousands of salt & pepper shaker sets stored in her home. Stuff…
I own a lot of old videos, a friend with whom I used to work has a collection of thousands of expensive tools he doesn’t use, a guy I know claims he has one of every game cartridge ever released and I once knew a man who’d turned one room in his home into a giant gun-safe to house and protect his collection of hundreds of old firearms… All stuff!
Where does it all end?
When will we ever have enough stuff?
Jesus once told a rich man to sell all he owned & give the money to the poor if he wanted to get to heaven. This really troubled the rich guy. Why? Because he was very much in love with all his stuff.
Why is it easier for a camel to go through the "eye of the needle" than for a rich man to get to heaven? Because it is easy to get so attached to stuff, that it replaces God as the item of greatest importance in your life. God has no intention of playing second-fiddle to our collections of stuff. Not only does He want to be FIRST in our lives and our hearts, He wants us to choose to put Him first, & He wants us to care enough for all his people to put their needs ahead of our desire for stuff.
Do I really need a TV in every room or is it more important for starving kids to have food to eat? Is my new "Halo IV" videogame more important than getting the Word to those oppressed under Islam? Can any new RV be more vital than getting inexpensive bible translations made for peoples not previously reached throughout the world? Does preventing the murder of unborn babies mean less than being seen in our fancy new clothes?
Will Jesus agree with our decisions in these matters? "WWJD" is more than just a slogan for t-shirts, you know.
All the stuff ever made doesn’t begin to match the value our Heavenly Father places on one more soul won over to Him. Folks, we all need to build up our treasure in heaven, where it counts (and lasts), not here on earth, where it is just so much more stuff!
See you soon, in Paradise!
Mr Mike
----------
1: to long for something belonging to another, and
2: to desire
----------
Hmmm, is buying our own stuff covered by the second definition? If we want it, we just go out and buy it, right? It’s only because we want it. Sounds a bit like "covet" to me.
I knew a man overseas, many years ago. He and his family, ran a Sari-Sari store, a half-walled hut wherein he bought, sold and bartered things for his community, sort of a 3rd world eBay. His wife washed his only good shirt and pants every night so he’d look his best the next day. None of the family even owned shoes…
By contrast, a friend in California once asked me to help him drive his car home, as he’d recently purchased another. The new car was parked in back of his house with 11 or 12 others he’d collected over the years. Stuff…
A friend has a room in her home walled with glass-fronted cabinets so she can display her collection of hundreds of teapots from around the world. Stuff…
Another has thousands of salt & pepper shaker sets stored in her home. Stuff…
I own a lot of old videos, a friend with whom I used to work has a collection of thousands of expensive tools he doesn’t use, a guy I know claims he has one of every game cartridge ever released and I once knew a man who’d turned one room in his home into a giant gun-safe to house and protect his collection of hundreds of old firearms… All stuff!
Where does it all end?
When will we ever have enough stuff?
Jesus once told a rich man to sell all he owned & give the money to the poor if he wanted to get to heaven. This really troubled the rich guy. Why? Because he was very much in love with all his stuff.
Why is it easier for a camel to go through the "eye of the needle" than for a rich man to get to heaven? Because it is easy to get so attached to stuff, that it replaces God as the item of greatest importance in your life. God has no intention of playing second-fiddle to our collections of stuff. Not only does He want to be FIRST in our lives and our hearts, He wants us to choose to put Him first, & He wants us to care enough for all his people to put their needs ahead of our desire for stuff.
Do I really need a TV in every room or is it more important for starving kids to have food to eat? Is my new "Halo IV" videogame more important than getting the Word to those oppressed under Islam? Can any new RV be more vital than getting inexpensive bible translations made for peoples not previously reached throughout the world? Does preventing the murder of unborn babies mean less than being seen in our fancy new clothes?
Will Jesus agree with our decisions in these matters? "WWJD" is more than just a slogan for t-shirts, you know.
All the stuff ever made doesn’t begin to match the value our Heavenly Father places on one more soul won over to Him. Folks, we all need to build up our treasure in heaven, where it counts (and lasts), not here on earth, where it is just so much more stuff!
See you soon, in Paradise!
Mr Mike
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
We are God's tools!
It is important to remember that we are but God's tools. He has had a plan for each of us from the very beginning. No tools can ever be as important as its Creator. We do His bidding, even when we are not aware of it...
And yet, He gave His Son for us, that we might live.
What a mighty God we serve!
"The Arrow" was just something I drew up about 15 years ago to remind myself to not be impressed with my own accomplishments, and to give all glory back to God, where it belongs.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Use YOUR Big Gun!
Sometimes I have problems when trying to witness to others. Yeah, I know, we all do. It happens like this: God sends an opportunity your way. You take a breath, get ready to speak, then you notice that there is something REALLY different here. Age, background, ethnicity, gender, maybe even monetary status. It happens to me, it happens to all of us. Out of the blue, you feel very uncertain. what are the right words to say to this person? God put this person here, the time is now… But, how to bridge the gap?
My memory is far from perfect. I can usually remember the gist of the bible’s message, but the exact wording… chapter and verse? Sometimes even which book, who wrote it and when, is temporarily gone. Stress of the moment and Satan running interference can do that to anyone. Add even a little bit of doubt or unwillingness to listen, on the part of the "prospect," and I find myself flopping around, like a fish out of water.
In truth, there are a LOT of people who do NOT want to hear God’s message. Some simply don’t want to believe. Then, too, there are those who hear what you’re saying, but, to them, it sounds like this, "I know someone who has a neighbor who thinks her friend’s son’s girlfriend heard that…etc, etc."
If you render testimony in a court of law, the judge has no tolerance for hearsay. All he wants is FACTS. Often, those you witness to feel the same way. They won’t hear you at all unless you tell them your own personal experience. There is a very persuasive aura that surrounds you when you speak of your own life's experience. This is your major weapon in your arsenal for getting through to those who doubt. They cannot ignore your testimony, because you know exactly what happened to you, and when, and how. Nothing you ever say will carry the same conviction!
A very good friend, a "baby-sister" in Christ, had been raising her children on her own. Needing money badly. she accepted a temporary job delivering phone books. One evening, at our bible study, she was in obvious pain. She'd wrenched her back from the day's labor, and was fearful she'd be unable to return to work the next day. Another good friend. a profound prayer warrior, took her aside and prayed intently, asking God to relieve her of pain so that she could continue to support her family. Immediately, the light dawned on her face. She went from person to person, telling each what had occurred.
God blessed her, both with a surcease from pain and an incredible testimony. No one, listening to her recounting of these events, could miss the aura of truth that surrounded her.
When you relate your own testimony, always lead with the truth of your life. Sure, we've messed up, we all have, BUT God saved us anyway. Above all, don’t worry so much about what to say, say what you know. A soldier going into battle wants the most powerful weapon he can carry. God has already armed you!
The world is Satan’s battleground, & you’re in God’s army, so...
My memory is far from perfect. I can usually remember the gist of the bible’s message, but the exact wording… chapter and verse? Sometimes even which book, who wrote it and when, is temporarily gone. Stress of the moment and Satan running interference can do that to anyone. Add even a little bit of doubt or unwillingness to listen, on the part of the "prospect," and I find myself flopping around, like a fish out of water.
In truth, there are a LOT of people who do NOT want to hear God’s message. Some simply don’t want to believe. Then, too, there are those who hear what you’re saying, but, to them, it sounds like this, "I know someone who has a neighbor who thinks her friend’s son’s girlfriend heard that…etc, etc."
If you render testimony in a court of law, the judge has no tolerance for hearsay. All he wants is FACTS. Often, those you witness to feel the same way. They won’t hear you at all unless you tell them your own personal experience. There is a very persuasive aura that surrounds you when you speak of your own life's experience. This is your major weapon in your arsenal for getting through to those who doubt. They cannot ignore your testimony, because you know exactly what happened to you, and when, and how. Nothing you ever say will carry the same conviction!
A very good friend, a "baby-sister" in Christ, had been raising her children on her own. Needing money badly. she accepted a temporary job delivering phone books. One evening, at our bible study, she was in obvious pain. She'd wrenched her back from the day's labor, and was fearful she'd be unable to return to work the next day. Another good friend. a profound prayer warrior, took her aside and prayed intently, asking God to relieve her of pain so that she could continue to support her family. Immediately, the light dawned on her face. She went from person to person, telling each what had occurred.
God blessed her, both with a surcease from pain and an incredible testimony. No one, listening to her recounting of these events, could miss the aura of truth that surrounded her.
When you relate your own testimony, always lead with the truth of your life. Sure, we've messed up, we all have, BUT God saved us anyway. Above all, don’t worry so much about what to say, say what you know. A soldier going into battle wants the most powerful weapon he can carry. God has already armed you!
The world is Satan’s battleground, & you’re in God’s army, so...
Use YOUR Big Gun!
Mr Mike
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Tool or Jewel?
Sometimes life stinks. You try your best to do what is right, you mostly stay out of trouble, you haven't broken any laws, but, once in a while, life clobbers you hard. Maybe your family came down on you when you didn't deserve it. Your best friend's been cutting you down real bad for no reason. The girl or guy you've been interested in couldn't care less about how you feel. You get the feeling that life is out to pound you into the ground. You're burning up inside, and every day it gets worse! Why? Why is this happening to you? It isn't fair! It can't be right!
The process whereby gold and silver are refined involves repeated melting at high temperatures, burning away the impurities, so that these precious metals are ready for the manufacture of jewelry.
But, what if you don't need jewels. Let's say what you really need is a tool. It doesn't really matter if what you need is a hammer or a chisel, a sewing machine, a saw blade, a roller to make sheet metal for car-bodies or a press to shape cell-phone batteries... what you NEED is a TOOL! You can't make most tools out of gold or silver, these metals are just too soft.
Some tools can be made out of iron (which is harder), but really good tools have to be made out of steel. Steel is made from iron, and the refining process for iron is similar to that of gold or silver.
But to make steel, tool-grade steel, the temperature is a lot hotter. After the iron has been refined, you actually have to add impurities to the liquid metal, let it cool slightly, press it into long bars, fold it over onto itself, and then pound it together. After a slight cooling, you take it back, almost to the liquid state and repeat this process, sometimes thousands of times. Over and over, tremendous heat, fantastic pressure, exposure to contaminants, and constant pounding. Finally, the metal has big chunks cut away, and THEN its stamped under thousands of tons of pressure. All this, just to make a steel tool.
Nobody makes jewelry out of iron or steel, and people just don't need tools made of gold or silver, & God doesn't much use jewels to spread His word. He needs tools... us. He needs us to be tough enough to stand up to life's abuse, to accept His guidance, to do His work. In other words, to be His tools!
So remember, when you get dealt a nasty hand, when it all seems like it is too much for one person to bear, when you are burning up inside at the injustice of it all, remember... God needs TOOLS to spread His word.
So... ARE YOU a TOOL? or just a jewel?
The process whereby gold and silver are refined involves repeated melting at high temperatures, burning away the impurities, so that these precious metals are ready for the manufacture of jewelry.
But, what if you don't need jewels. Let's say what you really need is a tool. It doesn't really matter if what you need is a hammer or a chisel, a sewing machine, a saw blade, a roller to make sheet metal for car-bodies or a press to shape cell-phone batteries... what you NEED is a TOOL! You can't make most tools out of gold or silver, these metals are just too soft.
Some tools can be made out of iron (which is harder), but really good tools have to be made out of steel. Steel is made from iron, and the refining process for iron is similar to that of gold or silver.
But to make steel, tool-grade steel, the temperature is a lot hotter. After the iron has been refined, you actually have to add impurities to the liquid metal, let it cool slightly, press it into long bars, fold it over onto itself, and then pound it together. After a slight cooling, you take it back, almost to the liquid state and repeat this process, sometimes thousands of times. Over and over, tremendous heat, fantastic pressure, exposure to contaminants, and constant pounding. Finally, the metal has big chunks cut away, and THEN its stamped under thousands of tons of pressure. All this, just to make a steel tool.
Nobody makes jewelry out of iron or steel, and people just don't need tools made of gold or silver, & God doesn't much use jewels to spread His word. He needs tools... us. He needs us to be tough enough to stand up to life's abuse, to accept His guidance, to do His work. In other words, to be His tools!
So remember, when you get dealt a nasty hand, when it all seems like it is too much for one person to bear, when you are burning up inside at the injustice of it all, remember... God needs TOOLS to spread His word.
So... ARE YOU a TOOL? or just a jewel?
Friday, June 20, 2008
How did I get here?
I was raised in a church that was fairly repressive. Dissagreements were strongly discouraged. Questions were frowned upon, ask too many, and you were invited to leave. By the time I reached adulthood, I wanted out. I didn't want anything to do with organized religion or God.
As soon as I was old enough, I joined the military. There were some feelings of patriotism, but a lot was determination to "just do things my way." I wanted to get out on my own, and have fun.
A good friend set for himself the task of getting me back into God's grace. Brother, did I ever resist! Everything I'd ever experienced led me to believe that religion was phony, as were its practitioners. After more than a year of my buddy's attention, going with me everywhere I went, "arranging" for our travel past Christian servicemen's centers, "accidentally" running into powerful Christian speakers, and pointing out God's handiwork at every opportunity, I decided I'd had enough. I was going to end all this nonsense by faking my salvation! What an idea! He'd go bother someone else about this, and I'd be out having fun again.
Somehow, he saw through me. It really had me puzzled. The only good thing I did at that time, though, was to pray the first honest prayer of my life. I said, "God, I don't know how to believe in You. If You're really there, please help me to believe."
I don't think I actually expected results, yet belief did seem to start seeping in. About a month later, I asked God to forgive me for everything I'd done wrong, thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Son, and (to my surprise) felt compelled to tell others.
Have I ever failed since then? Yes, I'm a long way from perfect. I just get back up, apologize to God for my failings, and keep trying.
God forgives those of us who have sinned. He requires that we acknowledge our sins, believe that Jesus' death paid the price for our salvation, and spread the Word!
That's it! It is hard to admit that we sin, but once we are over that hurdle, the rest is easy!
Think about it. Pray about it. Act on it.
If God can save me, He can save anybody!
Hope to see you in Paradise!
Mr Mike
As soon as I was old enough, I joined the military. There were some feelings of patriotism, but a lot was determination to "just do things my way." I wanted to get out on my own, and have fun.
A good friend set for himself the task of getting me back into God's grace. Brother, did I ever resist! Everything I'd ever experienced led me to believe that religion was phony, as were its practitioners. After more than a year of my buddy's attention, going with me everywhere I went, "arranging" for our travel past Christian servicemen's centers, "accidentally" running into powerful Christian speakers, and pointing out God's handiwork at every opportunity, I decided I'd had enough. I was going to end all this nonsense by faking my salvation! What an idea! He'd go bother someone else about this, and I'd be out having fun again.
Somehow, he saw through me. It really had me puzzled. The only good thing I did at that time, though, was to pray the first honest prayer of my life. I said, "God, I don't know how to believe in You. If You're really there, please help me to believe."
I don't think I actually expected results, yet belief did seem to start seeping in. About a month later, I asked God to forgive me for everything I'd done wrong, thanked Him for the sacrifice of His Son, and (to my surprise) felt compelled to tell others.
Have I ever failed since then? Yes, I'm a long way from perfect. I just get back up, apologize to God for my failings, and keep trying.
God forgives those of us who have sinned. He requires that we acknowledge our sins, believe that Jesus' death paid the price for our salvation, and spread the Word!
That's it! It is hard to admit that we sin, but once we are over that hurdle, the rest is easy!
Think about it. Pray about it. Act on it.
If God can save me, He can save anybody!
Hope to see you in Paradise!
Mr Mike
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