Birthday Wishes

Today is my wife, Debbie's birthday. I am so thankful to the Lord for the incredible gift she is in my life. She is the woman I most admire here is why:
1. First and foremost she loves the Lord Jesus Christ. He is #1 in her life.
2. She is very intelligent and competent on so many levels.
3. She is a great mom and role model to our two daughters, Bethany and Sarah.
4. I am proof that she is a great cook. I weighed in at 165 and had a 32 inch waist when we were married. Now....well add 57 lbs and 6 inches to the old waist line and that is the new me.
5. She is faithful. Faithful to the Lord, to me, her friends, family, face book, and work.
6. She is a great help in ministry. A good teacher and leader. Thanks for all the lives you touch. You are a blessing in my life and in the lives of so many others. I hope you have a blessed birthday!

Lessons from Leviticus

I just finished reading the book of Leviticus. Here are some take aways:
1. The Old Testament priests were like present day slaughter house operators. They were constantly required to facilitate the sacrificial offerings that were brought to the tent of meeting.
2. The fire on the altar had to be tended and kept from going out.
3. You did not approach God empty handed.
4. Aarons' sons tried to manufacture their own fire as a substitute for the fire of God. A very poor decision that cost them dearly. God took them out. You just don't mess around with the sacred things.
5. There is a distinction between the consequences of intentional and unintentional sins.
6. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
7. God keeps his covenant.
8. Sabbath rest was meant to be practiced.
9. There are special times and seasons when the whole nation assembled as a sacred assembly before God.
10. Jubilee! Everything is returned to it's owner. God had a system in place to remind the entire nation that everything belonged ultimately to God.
I cannot imagine trying to live under the Old Covenant. I am grateful that every thing we have is wrapped up in Jesus. He is the new and living way!

Transfer of Power

Transfer of Power has officially taken place today at the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. The ballot not bullets brought this to pass. It is at this moment that our democratic system shines brightest. I am proud to be an American citizen and hope for the best for our nation and it's future. I pray that our new president will rule with grace and humility. That he will seek the Lord for wisdom to lead our government during this very challenging time.
I would like to draw a parallel to every follower of Christ of how God has bestowed upon us a transfer of power. He has anointed us and given us power to live and do and be what He has called us to live and do and be. He is counting on all of us to seek the Lord and carry out His mission during our lifetime. If America is ever to return to greatness as God measures greatness, it will be because of our willingness to live our lives in service to others by the help and power of the Spirit of the living God.

Week end update

What i enjoyed most about last week:
1. Thinking I am going the wrong way in Mishawaka trying to find Bethel College, turning around and then driving around for an hour only to end up that the college was two blocks from where I turned around the first time. Thought it was a beautiful campus once we found it.

2. Funeral service on Saturday. Realize we must make the most of every day.

3. NFL Playoffs.

4. Saturday night prayer.

5. Sarah and Cain made dinner. Chicken alfredo was great!

6. Sunday worship service. Praying with people, sensing the presence of God. I love the ministry.

7. Jumbalaya- my wife is a great cook.

8. New Choir members.

encouragement

Years ago I listened to a message by Florence Littauer entitled Silver boxes. It was about the power of our words. It was taken from the text in Ephesians 4:29-32 expressing that no corrupt communication should come out of our mouths. She told the story of sharing that thought with children and asking what it means. A child spoke up and said that our words should be like gifts, like silver boxes with blue bows on it. You never know when a word of encouragement just might be the perfect gift to give someone. God has given us plenty of words of encouragement(as well as warning, correction, instruction etc.) in the Bible. Jesus is the living word! What a gift! This was brought to my mind by the encouraging comments I got today by Chris Smith on my blog today. Thanks bro... your words were a silver box to me today. Chris is the Youth Pastor at the Peoples Church in Oklahoma City, OK. http://www.peopleschurch.tv ( check out Chris's blog @ chrismith.blogspot.com and Pastor Cooper @ http://www.herbertcooper.com/

Random Photo and thought

I decided to venture into the blogger utilities to begin learning how to use more features. I chose this picture of our daughter Sarah and her boyfriend, Cain Bowen as my first uploaded picture. Cain is a student at HSE in Fishers, IN while Sarah is at NCU in Minneapolis. Can anyone say, "long-distance relationship" I have to give them credit they are managing well. Both growing in their love of the Lord Jesus and I think each other also. A bit scary for Debbie and I. We are still trying to figure out when our baby grew up??

God's Masterpiece

I finished reading Genesis and Matthew. Four days, two books of the Bible read. The word of God is powerful, challenging and faith building. I really do believe God made everything including me. I am made in his image with creative power. I don't always feel very creative, but when I think about the Lord who created everything including me, I feel my faith level rise and that there is hope for me. God made me with a computer processor(brain that I think sometimes runs too slow)a stereo sound system(that doesn't work quite as well as it used too) a camera(eyes) in which images of His creative beauty are downloaded onto the hard drive of my stored memory. A pump that keeps blood flowing through my body by beating over 36 million times in a year and has done so for 51 plus years. "In the beginning God created...
and it was very good." Have you thanked Him for that lately? Everyone of us are a unique masterpiece of His.