Creation vs Evolution

This is not an endorsement of a candidate, instead it is one of the best answers to evolution vs creation I have heard in a long time.

PastorKennedy Retires from Pulpit

Dr. D. James Kennedy, one of the nation's most prominent Christian pastors and broadcasters, has retired from the pulpit of the Florida megachurch he founded nearly 50 years ago, his daughter announced Sunday.

Full story

Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!" - Beth Moore

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.

She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?"

Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is."
The friend said, "Well, who is she?"
"That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? "

"Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers,'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"

Youth Sunday

Our youth ministered today. The service was great! We are grateful to have the group that God has blessed us with.

"The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over."

-Aesop

It depends on your view

Three people were visiting and viewing the Grand Canyon -- an artist, a pastor and a cowboy. As they stood on the edge of that massive abyss, each one responded with a cry of exclamation. The artist said, "Ah, what a beautiful scene to paint!" The minister cried, "What a wonderful example of the handiwork of God!" The cowboy mused, "What a terrible place to lose a cow!"

23rd Psalm

Thanks for the link Deanna!

Silence - A little Used Spiritual Discipline

This morning in my reading I came across a devotion from Pastor Gregg Randall on the subject of silence. I had to share it with you.

Both Richard Foster and Dallas Willard write about silence and solitude as under used spiritual disciplines in their books. In Ezekiel 3:15, we can read about the prophet sitting down among the people to whom he was to minister and saying nothing for 7 days. We preachers like to talk. We are encouraged to talk. People expect us to have answers for their life difficulties. We believe we have the answers. It's hard to remain silent when God has called us, anointed us, and sent us out to be shepherds and watchmen.

Prior to Ezekiel's week of silence, he has experienced an incredible vision of God's glory and majesty. He sees, he hears, he tastes God's presence. Now the Spirit lifts him away and he goes and sits among the exiles who lived at Tel Abib, near the Kebar River and sits among them. Most of us would have just started telling everyone about that holy moment. Sometimes it good to just sit rather than being spontaneous.

It would do us well to rediscover the blessings of silence. After all, we live in a loud world, filled with noise and many voices. What can we learn from Ezekiel's silence?

1. The silence of grief. Ezekiel was grieved for his people. He was taking time to enter into their grief. He was placing himself in their suffering.

2. The silence of wonder. He was taking time to reflect on what God had revealed to him. He was astonished. He was taking some time to digest and comprehend the magnitude of what had just been revealed to him.

3. The silence of sympathy. We need to take time to weep with those who weep, to mourn with those who mourn, to hurt with those who hurt. We too often speak before having taken time to experience the other person's pain or suffering.

4. The silence of anticipation. As of yet, Ezekiel had not heard from God what he was to speak. What was the message he was to share? He knew he was called to the people. But what exactly was he to say? So he waits in silence.

More information on the earthquake in Peru

Link to the Church of God website

Debbie and I enjoyed having the Overseer and his wife, Bishop Wayne and Adana Pense in our home Saturday. I already knew I liked this guy, but figured out why, when I learned he loved boats also. I look forward to the church having them for a visit.

Earthquake impacts churches in Peru

Pastor Don Brock shares some information that he has learned from the recent earthquake in Peru. Pastor Brock reports:
Our churches and brothers and sisters in Peru have been affected by the earthquake. The following is the best information we have at this time.

The following message was received from national overseer Rafel Alvino.
· CERRO AZUL Church (Pastor: Carlos Alberto Dioses)
Pastor's and brothers' houses fell down, and others lost everything.
· CHINCHA Church (Pastor: FLOR DE MARIA SISNIEGAS)
Temple and Pastor's house fell down; lots of brothers lost their houses and they are sleeping on the street.
· CAÑETE Church (PASTOR HECTOR ARELLANO MEDINA)
Walls of the Temple are cracked but it didn't fall down.
· SAN CLEMENTE Church (Pisco) (PASTOR:LUCIO CESAR HUAMAN)
Pastor's and brothers' houses fell down, and others lost everything.
· SAN VICENTE CHURCH (PASTOR: CIRILO PONCE)
Some damages.
· SIERRA CHOCORO CHURCH.- We can't contact with our brothers there.
· ICA MISSION CHURCH.- We can't contact with our brothers there. We need your prayers.


Link to aditional news

A story from a friend

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old
farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough
first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an
hour of work, his electric drill quit and his
ancient one ton truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.. As
we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at
a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both
hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing
transformation.. His face was wreathed in smiles
and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a
kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the
tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked
him about what I had seen him do earlier.
Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I
can't help having troubles on the job, but one
thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the
house with my wife and the children... So I just
hang them up on the tree every night when I come
home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the
morning I pick them up again.' 'Funny thing is,'
he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick'em
up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember
hanging up the night before.'

Lifehouse "Everything"

This is a powerful video that my sister Sandy shared with me.

New Teacher for Pioneers?? (probally not)

;-)

We got back last night from our family reunion in Mississippi. This is the first one we have had in, maybe 10-15 years (maybe longer) The top picture is all the first cousins that were able to be there this year, the second is dad and his brothers and sisters, and the last is me in the car of my dreams. While this one has been sold, one day I will own a 1972 Chevy SS....yes one day........

I came across another great article on coaching in Ministry Today. It says in part:

At the heart of good coaching is relationship. Coaching goes beyond surface interactions and connects with people on a deep level while providing guidance on issues that matter to them. For the most part, coaches are not experts. They are simply caring, competent individuals who come alongside others and offer support, encouragement and accountability for growth.

A good coach enables others to discern what God is saying. It's not as though coaches never give advice—they simply understand that real transformation occurs through meaningful relationships, experiences and spiritual discernment. Coaching relationships are extraordinary, life-changing partnerships.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is using the coaching movement as a tool to reshape the 21st century church. When it comes to approaching postmodern society, the coaching model gets it right by nurturing the creativity of individuals rather than conforming them to a one-size-fits-all Christianity.

Full Article

Gideon to speak Sunday

The Church at North Little Rock have been a faithful partner with the Gideons for several years. This Sunday we have had a speaker from the ministry of the Gideons coming to share. I always enjoy their stories about how lives have not only been touched but changed by simply reading and believing the Word of God.

Gideon's web site

Update on the Youth Camp offering from Sunday

Our $800.00 goal to purchase the tile for the kitchen and dinning area for the lodge was met!(almost to the penny) What is remarkable is that I forgot to tell the church what the goal was, we just received the offering and the need was met. WOW. A special thank you goes to Nate Rich, who upon hearing of the need donated an additional 1000 sq ft of tile and then made the trip to lay it also!

Yep, thats an ambulance on its side

One of our units was hit while running through an intersection. Witnesses agree that our light was green. We flipped it back over, towed it back to our shop where it started and drove in under its own power. Both crew members were shook up but fine.

Everything you want in life has a price connected to it.
There's a price to pay if you want to make things better;
a price to pay for just leaving things as they are,
a price for everything.

Nature cannot be tricked or cheated.
She will give up to you the object of your struggles
only after you have paid her price.

Success cannot be coaxed or bribed.
Pay the price for success and it will be yours.
The universe is run with far too tight a rein for luck to interfere.

Fortune sells her wares, she never gives them up freely.
In one form or another, you'll pay for her favors,
or you'll go away empty handed.

Success is the child of drudgery and perseverance.
There is no success at bargain basement prices.
The highway to success is a toll road.

Carrot, Egg, or Coffee

This story has been around for a while, but always worth the repeat:

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 asked, "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, a breakup, 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.

May we all be COFFEE BEANS.

I ran across the web site of an old friend of ours, David Baroni. Many of you may remember him singing at some of the church's conventions etc.. I thought you might like to see his site.


Link to web site

Survey: Christians Worldwide Too Busy for God

Christians worldwide are simply becoming too busy for God, a newly released five-year study revealed.

In data collected from over 20,000 Christians with ages ranging from 15 to 88 across 139 countries, The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that on average, more than 4 in 10 Christians around the world say they "often" or "always" rush from task to task.

The busy life was found to be a distraction from God among Christians around the globe.




Link to article

Jesus was an avid boater

I read over a Pastor's Blog who happens to be a boater also. He had some interesting thoughts on the subject. Here is a sermon out line on the idea:

Introduction
- Jesus was an avid boater. He spent a great deal of time near the Sea of Galilee. Boats were used for travel, transportation of goods, and livelihood (fishing).

- My boating world is for pleasure. I have learned some valuable life lessons through my boating experience.

Talking Points
1. Boating requires preparation - Luke 5:1-3

2. Boating requires launching. Be sure your drain plug is in - Luke 5:4-5

3. Expect the unexpected when boating. Keep your life preserver nearby – Mark 4:35-41

- Unknown currents (drifting) – Hebrews 2:1
- Unforeseen (hidden) surprises – Matthew 14:22. Think Titanic. Quote: “life below the waterline” – Gordon McDonald
- Storms (wind and waves) – Matthew 14:23-27. Know the signs – Matthew 16:1-4
- Breakdown (failure) – Matthew 14:28-32. Quote: “The only time you fail is the last time you try.” - unknown

4. Boating is fulfilling – John 10:10

- Boating is fun in spite of the surprises and cost. So is life! – Luke 5:6-11.
- Serving Christ only will lead to fulfillment in life.

An old story that is still a great one

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing. Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of
Mildred's house... walked home. .. and left it there all night!!!

We went to camp yesterday to get Bailey for her cheer camp. I understand that camp had gone well, I look forward to an update from Tom and Stephanie. While I was there I took some pictures of the floor in the kitchen of the lodge. The NLR Church will be receiving an offering Sunday to buy the tile for the kitchen and dining area of the lodge. The camp is an extension of the ministry of this local church. Please pray about your giving for Sunday.