I Am Thankful

For the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight, because she is home with me and not out with someone else.
For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out with someone else.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because it means she is at home, not on the streets.
For the taxes I pay, because it means I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.
For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

Deut. 8:7-10 “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.”
Deut. 8:18 “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.”
(This post is borrowed from an email. Unfortunately I do not know the author to give him the credit.)

D2S Survive Tour

This year’s conference was awesome, new and fresh! I am so glad Greg and Dare2Share had Derwin as one of the speakers/trainers. He did such a fine job at connecting with some of my kids. His life struggles were used by God to communicate to my teens that God is greater than our circumstances. Greg, I must admit I was happy when you tackled the issue of sexual purity. This generation needs to hear repeatedly what the Word of God say about sexual purity. Do not know why, but they seem to forget so quickly. Your approach was fresh and to the point. If girls will start approaching dressing up as worship, that would revolutionize this culture. If guys would start approaching looking at a girl as worship, that would transform the world.
The concert? Oh man… it was wild. We loved it! If I were to grade the Survive Conference, I would give it an A+.

Dare2Share Conference

In November, we look forward to Dare2Share conference. Our students love the opportunity to fellowship with other nine thousand Christian teens. However, Dare2Share conference is more than fellowship; it is a great opportunity to learn how to share the GOSPEL. Greg Stier and his ministry came up with one of the best ways to share the gospel.
Here it is:
God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)
Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3
Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. (Genesis 4 – Malachi 4)
Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)
Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)
Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Lately I have been meditating on a song by Point of Grace entitled, ‘How you live’. One of the lines I would like to share with you while thinking of Thanksgiving Day says, “…want what you have”. It is so easy to be discontent when you think you don’t have everything you want. It will also make us forget to be thankful for what we have. Getting to the point where we want what we have will make us happier people. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Talking About Hell on Halloween

Can’t handle scary movies! Every year around Halloween, I am very hesitant to watch TV. Wish there was a TV station that played something friendly for those of us who don’t like to be scared.
I believe Halloween gives us a great opportunity to talk about the ‘H’ word. Hell is a real place. There is nothing attractive about it. Yet, Jesus talked about Hell more than He talked about Heaven. It is obvious He wanted us to know that… ‘God’s justice demands a Hell’.
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

Pumpkin Carving

Few years ago, my wife Tracy and I decided to start a fall tradition for our family – pumpkin carving. This year was the second year we have done it. Growing up on a farm, I had plenty of opportunities to plant, raise, and harvest and sometimes carve pumpkins.
After we got home, Tracy washed and drew a nice smiley face on our newly purchased pumpkin. Then – this is my favorite part – I got out my power tools. It is amazing what perfect eyes you can carve with the power drill…
Do not throw away the pumpkin seeds; they are good. Therefore, we saved, washed and baked them at 350F. Remember to add some olive oil and seasoning salt, too.

Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox

Tonight is the first World Series game in Boston between the Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies. Radio hosts are talking about the game. Everyone is excited. Some believe the Rockies have better chances to win even though their payroll is substantially lower than the Red Sox payroll.
Ever since I knew the Rockies would go to the World Series, I wished they would play the Red Sox. Yes, I wished the Red Sox would come back and win against the Indians. Why? First, if you win you have to win BIG. Second, I would like to remind you of the story of David and Goliath. David’s fame got big overnight because he took out (with God’s help) a giant against no one believed he could win. In other words, Rockies will be better off if they win against the Red Sox than if they would have won against a ‘regular’ team. GO ROCKIES!!!

Globe of Blogs

Colorado Rockies are the NL Champions

Last night’s game was explosive. I’ve never seen such an excited crowd. Their fans love the Rockies. The 4th inning was the best of all. With two outs on the board, the Rockies managed to score 5 points. Matt Holiday’s home run sent the crowd into frenzy. We could almost touch the excitement. At that point, in time we all knew that Colorado Rockies were going to the 2007 World Series. What a great feeling! At the end of the game when interviewed, some of the players and club leadership mentioned the Name of God, praising Him. Character matters!!! Good job everyone! GO ROCKIES!!! To see pictures from the game, CLICK HERE.

Go Rockies!

Colorado Rockies played Arizona D-Backs 3 times and won all 3 games. If they win tonight, Monday, Oct 15, 2007, the Colorado Rockies will play in the 2007 World Series.

I am so excited! Colorado Rockies have done a tremendous job! Tonight my family and I have the chance to go see the Rockies pay again… Our hope is that tonight’s game will be the last game against the D-Backs.
I understand there are several Christians playing for the Rockies. God will honor those who honor Him.

Faith feeds on…what?

“Faith doesn’t live on answered prayers. Faith lives on the Word of God.” – Ron Dunn

See You At The Pole 2007

Fewer things are as touching as a group of students gathered for prayer early in the morning (7a.m.) at their school flagpole. On September 26, 2007 was “See You At The Pole”. I had the joy of visiting two schools that day, a middle school and a high school. At the middle school’s flagpole, I found two students. They were praying for the 996 students enrolled in their school. It really touched me. These two were brave enough to stand there and ask the God Almighty to transform their school, their peers and teachers.

At the high school, I found 22 students when I arrived there. Few others came later. What surprised me here was that 18 out of 22 were girls. “Where are the guys?”
As they conducted the meeting, I watched and listened. It was fascinating to see these students share feelings, read scriptures, sing, encourage one another and pray together. Know that God has some really special teens He set aside for Himself.
Once again, God confirmed to this youth pastor that investing yourself in teenagers is worth it.