I just finished watching a mini-series on the Kennedy Family that primarily follows John but encompasses all the major events from his Dad and later his brother Bobby.Kennedy family was flawed in many ways and great in other ways. At the end I started to reflect on what kind of a legacy they left behind.then I began to think on my own families legacy.
My Grandparents are from the greatest generation and just so happen to be the greatest grandparents any grandson could have. They are creating a legacy for me to follow in that I am honored and humbled to have in front of me. They have a marriage of almost 61 years and have followed God in there everyday life just as simple followers of Jesus. My granddad served in WWII and is even a greater hero for playing catch with me in the front yard. While even in his 60s and 70s still crouching down in a catchers stance while I pitched him the ball on a warm Saturday afternoon. My grandma no matter how her health was still wanting to do our Laundry. My Grandad after the service worked the same job and retired and made very smart decisions with his money and has blessed our entire family because of his work and ability to honorably handle money.
I want to continue their legacy that they are still creating.
My mom and dad have been married for almost 30 years this November. My Mom and dad both have their masters. My dad has even changed careers many times and gotten more education to work in teaching. My mom has taught for over 30 years in elementary age groups and I have always heard from her students that she was one of their best teachers. I remember fun family vacations to the beach or the mountains and always knew I had security in their marriage and in their love. My mom would pray with me almost every night when I was little or read me Bible stories before bed. My dad would read devotionals before dinner and showed me how to appreciate Christmas lights when I was just ready to get home.They were at all my Baseball games and football games. I still enjoy discussions with my Dad on what I should do in ministry or even is trying to attain an Masters. I want to continue their legacy they are still creating.
So what I kind of legacy do I want to leave ? Pretty much everything above sums up what I wish and hope to become one day. I want to accomplish my masters to leave behind the value of a education. It will be in Bible which the world may say is myth or even churches say is unnecessary to teach the Gospel but I accomplish that to leave behind a legacy of not following the crowd or getting something the world would value.I want have the kind of marriage of both my grandparents and my parents combined that my future children can have peace in know me and Danyel Love each other. I want to raise kids rooted in Love, prayer and the Bible, giving them an example on how to live and when they ask why sharing with them cause Jesus first Loved us and that's why we follow him.
I want to leave a legacy.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
My End of the World Prediction.....
How would we live if God truly told us the day " the world was going to end"? Maybe there is a reason God does not want us to know ? People are always searching for codes, mathematical equations or signs in their Alphabets cereal for Jesus's return. Jesus said only father knows the day and the hour. Jesus was not going to tell the men on earth he was closet too for those three years ,who would eventually die for him, why would he tell us? Could we handle that kind of information?
When Jesus was about to leave Earth his apostles who still did not understand everything ask Acts16 "Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They had missed the point that Jesus was not going to establish a physical Kingdom on Earth and overthrow the Romans ( which the Messiah according to Jews was suppose to do.)I think many people are still looking into the sky or waiting for a physical kingdom.
Many people have missed the point its not about taking Revelation one way or the other Interpreting the signs that will reveal when Jesus return or even being afraid. For the Kingdom of God is here and now. People are so afraid of missing Jesus second return but what about missing the Jesus on the side of the road or in front of them ?
I have simplified my view of Eschatology: Jesus will come back,Live for the Kingdom here , now and the future. It does not matter if there is a "rapture" or interpretations of when the end of the world happens.
I hope that I will be a "virgin with lamp oil" waiting for the bridegroom return but I think our focus must always be finding Jesus and the Kingdom here on earth first and in the hearts of those who do not know they have freedom and a community that accepts them.
When Jesus was about to leave Earth his apostles who still did not understand everything ask Acts16 "Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They had missed the point that Jesus was not going to establish a physical Kingdom on Earth and overthrow the Romans ( which the Messiah according to Jews was suppose to do.)I think many people are still looking into the sky or waiting for a physical kingdom.
Many people have missed the point its not about taking Revelation one way or the other Interpreting the signs that will reveal when Jesus return or even being afraid. For the Kingdom of God is here and now. People are so afraid of missing Jesus second return but what about missing the Jesus on the side of the road or in front of them ?
I have simplified my view of Eschatology: Jesus will come back,Live for the Kingdom here , now and the future. It does not matter if there is a "rapture" or interpretations of when the end of the world happens.
I hope that I will be a "virgin with lamp oil" waiting for the bridegroom return but I think our focus must always be finding Jesus and the Kingdom here on earth first and in the hearts of those who do not know they have freedom and a community that accepts them.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Denominations
Its hard to imagine "The Church" with out thinking, what kind of church ? Do they believe this way or do they do things like that ? Are they high church or contemporary? No one can remember a time or really get a true sense of what it was like without the presence of denominations .
When people start talking about their church they go to they mention Church of Christ , Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Non- Denominational , Assemblies of God , or the countless others that are out there. It comes loaded with what that person has heard , saw someone else experience or heard of some pop or rock star who is far away from any resemblance of morality whose dad was a preacher of that denomination.
Then the debate comes up if denominations are good or bad? Some say they are good cause everyone is different . Some say they are bad cause they divide what is not meant to be divided. It does not really matter, because we have to wrestle with them.
A funny irony is when someone wants to unite the church and remove denominations from the equation. They then run off and usually create a denomination. Then have some type of rules or expression that makes sure you know they are not a denomination.
So how do we deal with denominations ? And what do you if you are looking for a church but you have grown up only one type of denomination ? Well I have come up with principles that I live by and that have shaped my church experiences when I have had to transition from one place to the other .
1. Do they believe the basics ? -Jesus died and was resurrected. That because of Jesus's death sin is removed and the gap that separated us from God is no longer there when we confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Do they believe in Water Baptism?Communion at least once a month or every week if your lucky? Do they believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and active? Do they believe that they are meant to do Gods work where they are planted and out in the world ?
2. Worship- This is where the debate gets difficult but I have thought about it and people need to learn something. Worship flows out of the heart and if your heart is criticizing...... Maybe its not the drums are too load or the girl singing is pushing her note way to high and is way out of key. It should not matter (do not worry I have to let go of theses things too) what type of worship. A lot of times people want an emotional experience from the band and atmosphere and yes you can ! But can you have that same experience in the complete quiet with just your thoughts and God? Is their a communal and flowing of worship and Love from your heart?
Sometimes you must let go of your ideals of what you think a good worship service is and be more flexible. Examine your self and see if worship is flowing out of the heart. If so you can learn to be in any time of environment or style of church service and be able to come face to face with a Powerful and Loving God. Just get out of the way and let God be in control.
3. Leadership- Follow the leadership. This is always the hardest cause our current generations, including me, have a very tough time following leadership. We are skeptics. We want to look for reasons to rebel or why we should not humble our selves and follow them. I am not saying be blind to corruption or true heresy ( not your opinion but true anti biblical teachings). If you have true God given grounds , then go talk to them about it face to face, or even if you just want clarification or discussion. Do not start a revolt or just leave.But follow their lead and do what they say. But do not get caught up in what type of hierarchies or boards or deacons or elders etc. Is there Godly leadership? That is trying to live out the Gospel ? Then follow and get to know them , you may see their heart.
4. Fruit - This is the final and most important point .Matthew 7:16-20 talks about bearing good fruit and by that you will recognize them. Are they doing Kingdom work ? Taking care of orphans and widows ? Not rejecting anyone and loving sinners. You will reconize Gods workings by the fruit that anything is bearing.
Those are things that I believe if you can get a good understanding you can fit it most protestant denominations. Cause a lot of times what you grew up as is not where you end up for whatever reason. Also we must work together as one Church body to reach this world. In spirit and in truth, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
When people start talking about their church they go to they mention Church of Christ , Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Non- Denominational , Assemblies of God , or the countless others that are out there. It comes loaded with what that person has heard , saw someone else experience or heard of some pop or rock star who is far away from any resemblance of morality whose dad was a preacher of that denomination.
Then the debate comes up if denominations are good or bad? Some say they are good cause everyone is different . Some say they are bad cause they divide what is not meant to be divided. It does not really matter, because we have to wrestle with them.
A funny irony is when someone wants to unite the church and remove denominations from the equation. They then run off and usually create a denomination. Then have some type of rules or expression that makes sure you know they are not a denomination.
So how do we deal with denominations ? And what do you if you are looking for a church but you have grown up only one type of denomination ? Well I have come up with principles that I live by and that have shaped my church experiences when I have had to transition from one place to the other .
1. Do they believe the basics ? -Jesus died and was resurrected. That because of Jesus's death sin is removed and the gap that separated us from God is no longer there when we confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Do they believe in Water Baptism?Communion at least once a month or every week if your lucky? Do they believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and active? Do they believe that they are meant to do Gods work where they are planted and out in the world ?
2. Worship- This is where the debate gets difficult but I have thought about it and people need to learn something. Worship flows out of the heart and if your heart is criticizing...... Maybe its not the drums are too load or the girl singing is pushing her note way to high and is way out of key. It should not matter (do not worry I have to let go of theses things too) what type of worship. A lot of times people want an emotional experience from the band and atmosphere and yes you can ! But can you have that same experience in the complete quiet with just your thoughts and God? Is their a communal and flowing of worship and Love from your heart?
Sometimes you must let go of your ideals of what you think a good worship service is and be more flexible. Examine your self and see if worship is flowing out of the heart. If so you can learn to be in any time of environment or style of church service and be able to come face to face with a Powerful and Loving God. Just get out of the way and let God be in control.
3. Leadership- Follow the leadership. This is always the hardest cause our current generations, including me, have a very tough time following leadership. We are skeptics. We want to look for reasons to rebel or why we should not humble our selves and follow them. I am not saying be blind to corruption or true heresy ( not your opinion but true anti biblical teachings). If you have true God given grounds , then go talk to them about it face to face, or even if you just want clarification or discussion. Do not start a revolt or just leave.But follow their lead and do what they say. But do not get caught up in what type of hierarchies or boards or deacons or elders etc. Is there Godly leadership? That is trying to live out the Gospel ? Then follow and get to know them , you may see their heart.
4. Fruit - This is the final and most important point .Matthew 7:16-20 talks about bearing good fruit and by that you will recognize them. Are they doing Kingdom work ? Taking care of orphans and widows ? Not rejecting anyone and loving sinners. You will reconize Gods workings by the fruit that anything is bearing.
Those are things that I believe if you can get a good understanding you can fit it most protestant denominations. Cause a lot of times what you grew up as is not where you end up for whatever reason. Also we must work together as one Church body to reach this world. In spirit and in truth, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
Monday, March 21, 2011
4 Keys to Propering
I listened to Robert Morris's sermon from Sunday online at work today. It was:
4 Keys to Prospering ( Not Health and Wealth Gospel)
- Prospering meaning Pushed Forward
-Following Life of Joseph in Potiphers House
1. Practice Pressence of the Lord
2. Practice Obidence in the Lord
3.Key to Obedience is Faith
4. Hearing the Word
Thought it was a Good sermon. Look it up at www.gatewaypeople.com/sermons.
4 Keys to Prospering ( Not Health and Wealth Gospel)
- Prospering meaning Pushed Forward
-Following Life of Joseph in Potiphers House
1. Practice Pressence of the Lord
2. Practice Obidence in the Lord
3.Key to Obedience is Faith
4. Hearing the Word
Thought it was a Good sermon. Look it up at www.gatewaypeople.com/sermons.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Rob Bell's Love Wins
It makes good questions about our current concepts of apologetics and theology. It’s not really Universalists but it does get you thinking about how we sometimes send people to hell. Do we really know who goes and who doesn’t? And really how much does the bible speak on heaven in hell and what does it really mean when they do? It raises a lot of good thoughts and questions. And it’s not heresy.
Be careful when reading that you are not taking his talking about others thoughts as his answers. His actual thoughts are very short. He does a horrible Job of tearing through all this theology and apologetics without any footnotes or sources. He does use the Greek and Hebrew a lot but I think if you are tackling those topics he needs to make one copy with footnotes and research. Cause if I were to write a paper like that in school I would be given a 0 for plagiarism cause he makes no references. But it’s an overall decent book. It gets you thinking about the here and now and how is the Gospel being portrayed are we sharing the real Jesus or our version of Jesus.
Be careful when reading that you are not taking his talking about others thoughts as his answers. His actual thoughts are very short. He does a horrible Job of tearing through all this theology and apologetics without any footnotes or sources. He does use the Greek and Hebrew a lot but I think if you are tackling those topics he needs to make one copy with footnotes and research. Cause if I were to write a paper like that in school I would be given a 0 for plagiarism cause he makes no references. But it’s an overall decent book. It gets you thinking about the here and now and how is the Gospel being portrayed are we sharing the real Jesus or our version of Jesus.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Youth Ministry
So finally understand the concepts of why I was at Ft Sill and what God was trying to teach me through my not so fun job. I am going to go back in youth ministry and was never able to learn good admin skills that really help a youth minister stay on top. So after the last year and still being overwhelmed by a data entry accounting job dealing with business of church and the army, youth ministry business will be easy comparatively which will be a blessing and Supplement my other gifts.
When I decided to go back in the direction of ministry full time I have a greater peace even with in my current job and what I can learn and apply in youth ministry. Also God provided in an area of my beautiful wife who is the complete opposite in giftedness than me but has felt the call to ministry for a long time. We did not realize this until recently and now it’s amazing to step back and seen what God has done and is still doing over these last several years.
It most likely means in a year we will have to move to where ever the church that God will open the doors for us. I am trying to be open to wherever God is calling but trying to stay within the Texas Oklahoma area. But we will walk by faith and it will be a stretching time for Danyel because she has never had to leave home. I on the other hand have been a Nomad for the last 8 years. But we will trust in God that he will provide every need and open or shut every door.
When I decided to go back in the direction of ministry full time I have a greater peace even with in my current job and what I can learn and apply in youth ministry. Also God provided in an area of my beautiful wife who is the complete opposite in giftedness than me but has felt the call to ministry for a long time. We did not realize this until recently and now it’s amazing to step back and seen what God has done and is still doing over these last several years.
It most likely means in a year we will have to move to where ever the church that God will open the doors for us. I am trying to be open to wherever God is calling but trying to stay within the Texas Oklahoma area. But we will walk by faith and it will be a stretching time for Danyel because she has never had to leave home. I on the other hand have been a Nomad for the last 8 years. But we will trust in God that he will provide every need and open or shut every door.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Its been awhile...Things have changed since my last Post
Things that have changed:
*Not gonna stay in the army. I have one year left and getting out.
* Starting on my masters at Cameron University in Behavorial Science
* Bought a house
* Two new Dogs
* And the Most amazing , beautiful and talented Wife in the World.
Change is good : ) Praise Jesus !
*Not gonna stay in the army. I have one year left and getting out.
* Starting on my masters at Cameron University in Behavorial Science
* Bought a house
* Two new Dogs
* And the Most amazing , beautiful and talented Wife in the World.
Change is good : ) Praise Jesus !
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