Good Friday, 2013. My daughter and I participated in our communities annual Cross walk. For those who don't know what a Cross walk is, let me explain a little. A group of people meet at the church where the good Friday service is going to take place about a half hour before the service. We have prayer and then take an actual wooden Cross and walk around the streets, neighborhood or wherever we can. We start at the church and then end up back at the church. Pretty cool, I think. This year was our third time participating. I wanted my daughter with me to remind her of what the day was all about. Not just another day off of school. That Good Friday actually means something.
This years walk started at FBC in Sycamore. A group of about twenty people or so had gathered on a beautiful Friday morning. The pastor said a prayer and then we got started. A couple of young men in the crowd volunteered to start carrying the Cross. We headed out of the parking lot and headed east towards downtown Sycamore. We went as far as the courthouse. When we got to the courthouse, I felt the strong urge to actually carry the cross for the first time. So I switched with the young man who was in front and the other person switched out also. So we started to go around the courthouse. When we got back to the orginal corner where we switched, we asked again if anyone would like to carry it. No one stepped forward. So on we continued.
Now the Cross isn't that big or heavy. But it is square and my shoulders are not. So after about a little over half way back, my shoulder started bothering me. I started thinking, "wow, this is getting heavy". Then I thought, "you sissy boy, Jesus carried His Cross how far after being almost scouraged to death, stop complaining and carry on."
The next day, I drove my car the same route to see how far we actually walked. It measured exactly 1.1 miles. So I was complaining about being uncomortable for exactly .6 miles. Wow!! Carrying the cross, feeling the weight and a little uncomfortableness was very humbling and sobering. I kept imagining Jesus and His walk with the Cross. He endured people hitting Him, spitting on Him, beating Him. We just had to make sure we didn't get hit by a car crossing the street. Quite the difference.
I look forward to next years walk already! If you ever get a chance to participate, you should. You will never be the same!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Taking a Stand!
The other night, our daughter was on facebook, checking things out. She came across a page that someone created entitled God. Not that bad, right? Well this person was posting about equality for gay marriages and also had the gay equal sign as their profile picture. That's not right.
So our daughter took a stand and posted on their wall about how marriage is supposed to be with one man and one woman, just like the Bible says. Someone commented back to her saying that Christians don't have a monopoly on God. Now mind you, the page was titled God. Not Alla, Buddha, Baal, or any of the Greek gods. It was titled God. Only Christians use the name God, and if using the name God, you would think that they would believe in what the Bible says. It is God's word by the way!
The attack on her began instantly. First against her faith and then it began to get personal. They attacked her physical appearance, they attacked her believing in the Bible. She had many, many, many negative posts about this. All she was doing was making a comment on what marriage is supposed to be. Not judging others about their choices of lifestyle. She has lost a few friends along the way over this, but that is a part of counting the cost of following Jesus.
Then my best friend in the whole world (well other than my wife) who is also our daughters youth pastor reminded us of this verse.
Matthew 5:9-11New Living Translation (NLT)
So our daughter took a stand and posted on their wall about how marriage is supposed to be with one man and one woman, just like the Bible says. Someone commented back to her saying that Christians don't have a monopoly on God. Now mind you, the page was titled God. Not Alla, Buddha, Baal, or any of the Greek gods. It was titled God. Only Christians use the name God, and if using the name God, you would think that they would believe in what the Bible says. It is God's word by the way!
The attack on her began instantly. First against her faith and then it began to get personal. They attacked her physical appearance, they attacked her believing in the Bible. She had many, many, many negative posts about this. All she was doing was making a comment on what marriage is supposed to be. Not judging others about their choices of lifestyle. She has lost a few friends along the way over this, but that is a part of counting the cost of following Jesus.
Then my best friend in the whole world (well other than my wife) who is also our daughters youth pastor reminded us of this verse.
Matthew 5:9-11New Living Translation (NLT)
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[a] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
I am proud of our daughter for taking a stand for what is true and right. She knows the truth and has heard the truth, both at church and at home.
John 15:18 New Living Translation (NLT)
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first."
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Being Prepared!
A co-worker and I were having a conversation at work the other day about how some of the most evil people to ever live could have the chance to go to heaven.
I have struggled with this since day one of being a Christian. I still can't wrap my head around it completely.
Charles Manson murdered several people, but yet on his death bed, he could accept Christ and be able to enter heaven. Adolf Hitler killed thousands of Jewish people, but all he would have had to do is accept Jesus and go to heaven. The same with John Wayne Gacy and so many others. I still have a hard time believing this. These cold blooded killers could accept Jesus and be able to go to heaven.
As the conversation continued, I stated that if all this were true, then what's the sense of living a good Godly life. If all you have to do is accept Jesus right before you die, then what is the purpose of living a holy life. Then she made the most profound statement about this. She said "what if you never get the chance to get right with Jesus before you die." What if you are living a sinful life and are far apart from God and then die instantly in a automobile accident. You don't have the chance to get right with God. So the way that you live your life matters. How close you live to God matters!
This reminded me of the Ten Bridesmaids from Matthew 25.
Matthew 25
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
So all of this tells me to be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. To live a good, clean, holy life. To live close to God and be right with Him! Never stray to far from Him or His commands!
ARE YOU RIGHT WITH GOD??
I have struggled with this since day one of being a Christian. I still can't wrap my head around it completely.
Charles Manson murdered several people, but yet on his death bed, he could accept Christ and be able to enter heaven. Adolf Hitler killed thousands of Jewish people, but all he would have had to do is accept Jesus and go to heaven. The same with John Wayne Gacy and so many others. I still have a hard time believing this. These cold blooded killers could accept Jesus and be able to go to heaven.
As the conversation continued, I stated that if all this were true, then what's the sense of living a good Godly life. If all you have to do is accept Jesus right before you die, then what is the purpose of living a holy life. Then she made the most profound statement about this. She said "what if you never get the chance to get right with Jesus before you die." What if you are living a sinful life and are far apart from God and then die instantly in a automobile accident. You don't have the chance to get right with God. So the way that you live your life matters. How close you live to God matters!
This reminded me of the Ten Bridesmaids from Matthew 25.
Matthew 25
New Living Translation (NLT)
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
So all of this tells me to be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. To live a good, clean, holy life. To live close to God and be right with Him! Never stray to far from Him or His commands!
ARE YOU RIGHT WITH GOD??
Thursday, January 10, 2013
God's provision, Again!
Feburary 6th, 2012, started a new, full time (temporary) job in Sycamore. It would be working first shift for $10.00/hr. Far less money than I made at my last job and still less than even unemployment. I (we) had prayed for a full time job(check) that was local (check), first shift (check), that paid more than unemployment. Fortunately everything worked out except for the money part. I had to take the job because my umemployment was running out. $10.00/hr is better than 0.00/hr.
Fast forward to May 2012. I was summoned to the office of my supervisor, and was informed that I would be getting a thirty cent raise on my next paycheck. Praise the LORD! Here I thought that I had really been stinking up the place, but my boss saw it differently. I keep quoting this Bible verse to myself,
Colossians 3:23
Fast forward to May 2012. I was summoned to the office of my supervisor, and was informed that I would be getting a thirty cent raise on my next paycheck. Praise the LORD! Here I thought that I had really been stinking up the place, but my boss saw it differently. I keep quoting this Bible verse to myself,
Colossians 3:23
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Fast forward to October 2012. I accepted a full time position with the company. No more temporary in my job title. With the new full time position came a raise, a $2.50 raise. So now I am making $12.50/hr. Hallejuah. Praise the LORD! So a twenty five percent raise in eight months time. Thank You Jesus!
Now, Janurary 2013 rolls around. I just recieved another thirty cent raise and a week of vacation. Wow! Really? Praise the LORD and thank You Jesus. I have recieved a $2.80 raise in less than a year and gained a weeks vacation. This is unheard of. Just goes to show, put Jesus first even at work, and good things will happen. I praise and thank God all day, everyday while I am at work. He is so good to me and my family!
Fast forward to October 2012. I accepted a full time position with the company. No more temporary in my job title. With the new full time position came a raise, a $2.50 raise. So now I am making $12.50/hr. Hallejuah. Praise the LORD! So a twenty five percent raise in eight months time. Thank You Jesus!
Now, Janurary 2013 rolls around. I just recieved another thirty cent raise and a week of vacation. Wow! Really? Praise the LORD and thank You Jesus. I have recieved a $2.80 raise in less than a year and gained a weeks vacation. This is unheard of. Just goes to show, put Jesus first even at work, and good things will happen. I praise and thank God all day, everyday while I am at work. He is so good to me and my family!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Better Beginning
My wife and I were talking the other night about the start of the new year (2013). She stated that she hoped that this year would be better than last year. Who doesn't hope that the new year is better than the year before.
As we were talking I stated to her that we are off to a better beginning this year than last. She asked how.
Well first off, I have a full time job, compared to this time last year. Not only did I have a full time job, I recieved a twenty five percent pay raise before the end of the year. Not a bad way to start off a new year, right!
Second, my wife has a new and better paying job herself. She had to travel some distance the first few months of the new work, but at the end of the year, her drive was cut in half.
The start of 2013 also saw me as a certified pastor. In Janurary of 2012 I had just started my second year of ISOM. A full year later, I am certified. Praise the Lord!
Our daughter is a freshman in high school.
We've made some new friends, got in touch with some old ones and continued to build the ones that we already have.
God is so good to us. His provision is amazing. We are only eight days into the new year and we can already see what He is doing in our lives in 2013. I just pray that He continues to reveal to us, what He wants us to do, when and where.
As we were talking I stated to her that we are off to a better beginning this year than last. She asked how.
Well first off, I have a full time job, compared to this time last year. Not only did I have a full time job, I recieved a twenty five percent pay raise before the end of the year. Not a bad way to start off a new year, right!
Second, my wife has a new and better paying job herself. She had to travel some distance the first few months of the new work, but at the end of the year, her drive was cut in half.
The start of 2013 also saw me as a certified pastor. In Janurary of 2012 I had just started my second year of ISOM. A full year later, I am certified. Praise the Lord!
Our daughter is a freshman in high school.
We've made some new friends, got in touch with some old ones and continued to build the ones that we already have.
God is so good to us. His provision is amazing. We are only eight days into the new year and we can already see what He is doing in our lives in 2013. I just pray that He continues to reveal to us, what He wants us to do, when and where.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Reminiscing 2012
As I sit here on the last day of 2012, I reflect back on the past year and what God has done for me and my family.
January started off with my first ISOM class of the year. My "sophomore" year. Got to meet and hang out with a bunch of really awesome people.
Following that, my sister- in- law got married out in California. So my wife, daughter and myself along with all of her sisters flew out for the wedding. We were out there for a week. What a beautiful bride. What a beautiful wedding. I was asked to participate in the ceremony. I was honored to do so. My new nickname for the family in Cali is Keven from Fortuna.
Early in Feburary I started a new job. The first time I had to get up and go to work in almost two years. It was doing assembly work on a assembly line. Work that I had never done before. Needless to say, it was a learning experience.
March I celebrated my 45th time around the sun. That's all I'll say about that.
In April, I began with a friend of mine to start coaching both of our daughters softball team. This would be the last year, as they would be to old for park district next year.
May thru July didn't really do much. Coaching softball, going to ISOM, meetings and church events.Nothing really exciting. Although I did have an interview to get my ministry credentials in July.
In August, my family and I took a family vacation out to see Mount Rushmore. We stopped in Sioux Falls to visit my wifes Grandma for a couple of days. We have some friends that live in Fargo, ND, We decided to take a ride up there to visit them on our way home. On the way to Fargo, we stopped in De Smet, SD to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum and took a tour. My daughter is a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. Also in August, our daughter started her freshman year of high school.
October 11th, my wife and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Four years already, wow!
In November, I finally recieved my ministry credentials in the mail. I am a certified pastor now. Praise the Lord. God has been so good to me and my family.
Finally in December I took a trip with my mom, step-dad & nephew to South Carolina, to see my nephew graduate from college. We met my brother and his family down there. We were able to fly, while my brother had to drive. Praise the Lord my nephews graduation.
So now I am looking for an exciting 2013. I am excited to see what God has planned for me and my family! I hope that He has plans to use me in a mighty way! I am His, he can use me anyway He wants. My answer to Him is YES LORD!! God bless all of you!
January started off with my first ISOM class of the year. My "sophomore" year. Got to meet and hang out with a bunch of really awesome people.
Following that, my sister- in- law got married out in California. So my wife, daughter and myself along with all of her sisters flew out for the wedding. We were out there for a week. What a beautiful bride. What a beautiful wedding. I was asked to participate in the ceremony. I was honored to do so. My new nickname for the family in Cali is Keven from Fortuna.
Early in Feburary I started a new job. The first time I had to get up and go to work in almost two years. It was doing assembly work on a assembly line. Work that I had never done before. Needless to say, it was a learning experience.
March I celebrated my 45th time around the sun. That's all I'll say about that.
In April, I began with a friend of mine to start coaching both of our daughters softball team. This would be the last year, as they would be to old for park district next year.
May thru July didn't really do much. Coaching softball, going to ISOM, meetings and church events.Nothing really exciting. Although I did have an interview to get my ministry credentials in July.
In August, my family and I took a family vacation out to see Mount Rushmore. We stopped in Sioux Falls to visit my wifes Grandma for a couple of days. We have some friends that live in Fargo, ND, We decided to take a ride up there to visit them on our way home. On the way to Fargo, we stopped in De Smet, SD to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum and took a tour. My daughter is a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. Also in August, our daughter started her freshman year of high school.
October 11th, my wife and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Four years already, wow!
In November, I finally recieved my ministry credentials in the mail. I am a certified pastor now. Praise the Lord. God has been so good to me and my family.
Finally in December I took a trip with my mom, step-dad & nephew to South Carolina, to see my nephew graduate from college. We met my brother and his family down there. We were able to fly, while my brother had to drive. Praise the Lord my nephews graduation.
So now I am looking for an exciting 2013. I am excited to see what God has planned for me and my family! I hope that He has plans to use me in a mighty way! I am His, he can use me anyway He wants. My answer to Him is YES LORD!! God bless all of you!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
Yes I know that it is the day after Christmas, but this still bothers me, just a little.
People keep on wanting to take God or Christ out of everything. They take Him out of the court room. They take Him out of the schools. They want to take Him off of our currency. The White House now refers to the Christmas trees as the holiday trees. Now they even want to take Christ out of Christmas. That's not right in my book. Actually none of it is right with me. We need Him more than ever, especially now in these times.
I went to a local resteraunt here in town to pick up a gift certificate for my nephew and his girlfriend for their Christmas present. I told the cashier how much I wanted on the card, she rang it up and then with a smile she said "Happy Holidays". I must tell you that this took place on Chirstmas Eve. I looked at her and smiled back and said "Merry Christmas". What I really wanted to say to her was, "what is today? That's right it's Christmas Eve. Not holiday eve. What is tomorrow? Ohhh, that's right, it's Christmas Day, not holiday day."
I can understand not wanting to offend anyone. Heaven forbid we offend the Muslims. Or the Aethiests, or the Jewish people, but the Christians, we are a different group.
I drove past a sign on one of our local churches that read. "Keep Christ in Christians all year round." Amen to that.
People keep on wanting to take God or Christ out of everything. They take Him out of the court room. They take Him out of the schools. They want to take Him off of our currency. The White House now refers to the Christmas trees as the holiday trees. Now they even want to take Christ out of Christmas. That's not right in my book. Actually none of it is right with me. We need Him more than ever, especially now in these times.
I went to a local resteraunt here in town to pick up a gift certificate for my nephew and his girlfriend for their Christmas present. I told the cashier how much I wanted on the card, she rang it up and then with a smile she said "Happy Holidays". I must tell you that this took place on Chirstmas Eve. I looked at her and smiled back and said "Merry Christmas". What I really wanted to say to her was, "what is today? That's right it's Christmas Eve. Not holiday eve. What is tomorrow? Ohhh, that's right, it's Christmas Day, not holiday day."
I can understand not wanting to offend anyone. Heaven forbid we offend the Muslims. Or the Aethiests, or the Jewish people, but the Christians, we are a different group.
I drove past a sign on one of our local churches that read. "Keep Christ in Christians all year round." Amen to that.
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