To All My Democrat / Liberal / Progressive Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
To My Republican / Conservative / Moral Majority Friends:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Reflection can be a Powerful Tool
One very important aspect of your walk with Christ should be the willingness to stop and to look at things that maybe few have bothered to look at and reflect upon. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful tool that can be used to motivate us in our daily walk.
Look around you. Focus on the little (and big) things…
The gift of Love that God has given each and everyone of us.
For His sacrifice and for being saved.
His ability and promise to renew EVERYDAY!
Our wonderful significant other!
The beautiful coast where we live.
Living in the greatest country God ever created (and getting to live in the great state of Texas to boot!).
Freedom to worship without the fear of being persecuted.
Our unique talents.
Bay Area Fellowship.
Our Home Team.
Our health (despite McDonald's, Taco Bell, La Playa...etc).
Our parents, who gave us birth (and who opted not to take it away…you know who you are!!).
Our grandparents for spoiling us.
For our children (even when they don't get along).
Our fellow believers.
The freedom afforded by our military.
Our great school district and the teachers who have a heart for teaching our children.
The education we have received.
Our toys (and yes, adults have toys also!)
Friends who are always there for support or just to listen to you.
Great relationships.
Every sunrise and every sun set.
Great food we are provided.
Clean drinking water (something that over a billion people living on this earth does not have).
Technology (although I understand this can be a curse sometimes…thanks myspace).
Our finance ministry (OK, our J.O.B.s)
The roof over our heads.
The bed in which I sleep.
The anticipation of cooler weather.
The knowledge that God is working in the backgrounds in our lives.
Our pets, who love us no matter how much attention they are given.
Living in a free country (this may be a repeat…a great repeat).
The healing rain.
His unwavering love for us.
Look around you. Focus on the little (and big) things…
The gift of Love that God has given each and everyone of us.
For His sacrifice and for being saved.
His ability and promise to renew EVERYDAY!
Our wonderful significant other!
The beautiful coast where we live.
Living in the greatest country God ever created (and getting to live in the great state of Texas to boot!).
Freedom to worship without the fear of being persecuted.
Our unique talents.
Bay Area Fellowship.
Our Home Team.
Our health (despite McDonald's, Taco Bell, La Playa...etc).
Our parents, who gave us birth (and who opted not to take it away…you know who you are!!).
Our grandparents for spoiling us.
For our children (even when they don't get along).
Our fellow believers.
The freedom afforded by our military.
Our great school district and the teachers who have a heart for teaching our children.
The education we have received.
Our toys (and yes, adults have toys also!)
Friends who are always there for support or just to listen to you.
Great relationships.
Every sunrise and every sun set.
Great food we are provided.
Clean drinking water (something that over a billion people living on this earth does not have).
Technology (although I understand this can be a curse sometimes…thanks myspace).
Our finance ministry (OK, our J.O.B.s)
The roof over our heads.
The bed in which I sleep.
The anticipation of cooler weather.
The knowledge that God is working in the backgrounds in our lives.
Our pets, who love us no matter how much attention they are given.
Living in a free country (this may be a repeat…a great repeat).
The healing rain.
His unwavering love for us.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Story Received from a Friend
One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me.
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".
He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others."
He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful.."
"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you...
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!
Have a great day! The Sun is shining!
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me.
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".
He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others."
He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful.."
"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you...
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!
Have a great day! The Sun is shining!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Better Things to do on the Net
You jump onto your computer at work or at the house to look up the latest web site you heard about, you Twitter, you FaceBook, you check e-mail, and the next thing you know, BAM! Where did the last hour (or two or three) go? Well, we are not going to tell you how to save time surfing the net, and for that matter, you might end up spending more time...but maybe more constructively.
We have created a new forum (discussion area) on the internet for people who might be interested in Christian e-ministry. Our initial target participation group are members of Bay Area Fellowship (all campuses). If you would like to be involved in keeping up with what is going on in the lives of your fellow brothers and sisters, please join in the discussions by going to this link (Don't forget to bookmark).
There is a small application to complete, then once approved, you will be ready to start sharing your comments and your praise! This forum, unlike others on the net, will be monitored for content. Rated G!
Please be aware this is a brand new start up, so please contribute! Don't be shy!
If you like what you see, please share the site with your family and friends that attend BAF.
We have created a new forum (discussion area) on the internet for people who might be interested in Christian e-ministry. Our initial target participation group are members of Bay Area Fellowship (all campuses). If you would like to be involved in keeping up with what is going on in the lives of your fellow brothers and sisters, please join in the discussions by going to this link (Don't forget to bookmark).
There is a small application to complete, then once approved, you will be ready to start sharing your comments and your praise! This forum, unlike others on the net, will be monitored for content. Rated G!
Please be aware this is a brand new start up, so please contribute! Don't be shy!
If you like what you see, please share the site with your family and friends that attend BAF.
Monday, June 22, 2009
What Sets Us Apart
My beautiful bride got on me the other day for not posting to our blog in quite a while. Been very busy. Anyway, nothing serious comes to mind as far as a legitimate topic to discuss, so I decided on a little humor.
Our sense of humor is among the things that sets us apart from animals. If we are truly made in the Lord's image, then obviously He has a sense of humor. The bible say to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and to "come before His presence with praise and gladness of heart." Sounds like laughter to me.
Please keep in mind I said "a little" humor (from the Web)....
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else
was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the
Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of
the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a
Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land.
Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all
in one Accord.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to
why he no longer lived in Eden ?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant
lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.
PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make
coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . . ... "He-brews"
Our sense of humor is among the things that sets us apart from animals. If we are truly made in the Lord's image, then obviously He has a sense of humor. The bible say to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and to "come before His presence with praise and gladness of heart." Sounds like laughter to me.
Please keep in mind I said "a little" humor (from the Web)....
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else
was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the
Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of
the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a
Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land.
Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all
in one Accord.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to
why he no longer lived in Eden ?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant
lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.
PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make
coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . . ... "He-brews"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
God's Glue
It is not uncommon for sermons and other Christian devotional/inspirational messages to use scientific concepts. But this information my beautiful bride Ann shared with me is absolutely awesome. It is laminin glycoprotine. Wow!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
Hey guys....
Stock market down, down, down. Oil prices down and gas at the pumps up? Higher taxes, layoffs, cutting back, every day stress, distractions. No need to fear. Keep your eyes and hearts on the big picture and everything will be fine.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Teaching Children To Pray While Teaching Love And Patience
Ran across this great short article...
Teaching children to pray is very important. The purpose of prayer is to help your child develop a relationship with the Lord. Teaching your child how to develop love and patience helps them better understand the nature of God. Here are some tips to help you.
Praying should be out loud. Your child may not readily understand what praying is. To help try replacing the word "pray" with the word "talk." Encourage them to talk with God. It is said of men of old that they walked and talked with God.
Teaching your children love and patience is important when they are learning to pray. These two virtues when practiced keep our hearts soft and teachable. The prophet Samuel was able hear the still small voice of the Lord because his heart was teachable.
Part of praying is asking the Lord for the things we want and need. When we teach children what love is we help them feel positive and hopeful about their future. Their prayers will be more uplifting and from the heart.
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. When children are little they may not understand the word "love" but they certainly understand the emotion. You have been there for them from the beginning and you can share with them how God has been there for both of you from the beginning.
We all have learned patience when we pray because as we have grown older we have accepted that God does not immediately answer our prayers. A child, however, has not yet learned this. Therefore, we need to teach them patience.
Our children can learn to be patient when we set them a good example. When I look at the times I become impatient I see an opportunity to teach my children. When I am driving for example, I do not have to be the first guy there. You can share with your children that this is patient. You are willing to wait a little longer to arrive at your destination just like you are willing to wait on the Lord.
When we teach our children to pray we also need to teach them about love and patience. God is love and will always answer our prayers. We must be patient though and be willing to wait for him to answer us.
Teaching children to pray is very important. The purpose of prayer is to help your child develop a relationship with the Lord. Teaching your child how to develop love and patience helps them better understand the nature of God. Here are some tips to help you.
Praying should be out loud. Your child may not readily understand what praying is. To help try replacing the word "pray" with the word "talk." Encourage them to talk with God. It is said of men of old that they walked and talked with God.
Teaching your children love and patience is important when they are learning to pray. These two virtues when practiced keep our hearts soft and teachable. The prophet Samuel was able hear the still small voice of the Lord because his heart was teachable.
Part of praying is asking the Lord for the things we want and need. When we teach children what love is we help them feel positive and hopeful about their future. Their prayers will be more uplifting and from the heart.
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. When children are little they may not understand the word "love" but they certainly understand the emotion. You have been there for them from the beginning and you can share with them how God has been there for both of you from the beginning.
We all have learned patience when we pray because as we have grown older we have accepted that God does not immediately answer our prayers. A child, however, has not yet learned this. Therefore, we need to teach them patience.
Our children can learn to be patient when we set them a good example. When I look at the times I become impatient I see an opportunity to teach my children. When I am driving for example, I do not have to be the first guy there. You can share with your children that this is patient. You are willing to wait a little longer to arrive at your destination just like you are willing to wait on the Lord.
When we teach our children to pray we also need to teach them about love and patience. God is love and will always answer our prayers. We must be patient though and be willing to wait for him to answer us.
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