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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
Obama:Change We Can Make Believe In (Part 1)
It seems to me that in the following Obama admits that he lied for votes in the primaries, and that it's okay, because as he notes, politicians always do that.
If he's just doing what politicians do, then how exactly is he changing anything?
Mr Obama recently hinted to Fortune magazine that his strong anti-free trade rhetoric during the primaries may not be reflected in his actual trade policy should he become president.
His remarks are a neat summation of the pressures and temptations that lead politicians to shift their positions during the process of running for office.
"Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified," he said.
"Politicians are always guilty of that, and I don't exempt myself."
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Ten Lepers and Thankfulness
I taught a lesson tonight in VBS based on the ten lepers of Luke 17: 11-19.
Honestly though, I think trying to analyze the story in those terms isn't most effective. I think we're better off looking at the story in light of the fact that there were ten opportunities for Jesus to be thanked, and only one opportunity was seized.
For instance, how many of us can honestly reflect on the recent past and ten things we've been blessed with and say that we've thanked God for all ten? I can't. Maybe it's more than one, but it's a far cry from ten.
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"I think that when most of us hear this story, we have a tendency to think about whether or not we would have gone back and thanked Jesus, and that most of us would like to believe that we might have. I'm a stats guy though, and I think when we're honest with ourselves, we know that we probably would have behaved as the other nine.14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
Honestly though, I think trying to analyze the story in those terms isn't most effective. I think we're better off looking at the story in light of the fact that there were ten opportunities for Jesus to be thanked, and only one opportunity was seized.
For instance, how many of us can honestly reflect on the recent past and ten things we've been blessed with and say that we've thanked God for all ten? I can't. Maybe it's more than one, but it's a far cry from ten.
Friday, May 30, 2008
We Are Not The Center of the World (Acts 1:8)
I just heard something that I found very insightful, and it struck me as insightful because I've been thinking about Acts 1:8 all wrong.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Now, like many of my brothers and sisters here in America, I have always interpreted this passage to mean that we had a job to go forth and evangelize the world so that "the ends of the earth" can have a chance to hear the Gospel.
Here's the thing though. We are the "ends of the earth". The problem I've had, and perhaps many of you have had as well, is that I read that passage and wrongly ascribe to myself the position of being in the middle. That's wrong. The point of origin is not America. The point of origin is the Middle East. And from that frame of reference, WE are then the "ends of the earth."
This is not to say that we should stop going forth and spreading the Gospel, or that we shouldn't support our missionaries. No, not at all. I just had an insight that there is perhaps more work already accomplished in bringing the Gospel to the world than I thought that there was.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Now, like many of my brothers and sisters here in America, I have always interpreted this passage to mean that we had a job to go forth and evangelize the world so that "the ends of the earth" can have a chance to hear the Gospel.
Here's the thing though. We are the "ends of the earth". The problem I've had, and perhaps many of you have had as well, is that I read that passage and wrongly ascribe to myself the position of being in the middle. That's wrong. The point of origin is not America. The point of origin is the Middle East. And from that frame of reference, WE are then the "ends of the earth."
This is not to say that we should stop going forth and spreading the Gospel, or that we shouldn't support our missionaries. No, not at all. I just had an insight that there is perhaps more work already accomplished in bringing the Gospel to the world than I thought that there was.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Voddie Baucham - Birth Rates in the Industrialized World (The Muslimification of the World..or at least France)
So,
Today I'm listening to more from Voddie Baucham. In case you haven't noticed, I really like the guy. ;)
Anyway, he just said something that I wanted to share and let you chew on.
The birth rate in America is now below the replacement rate. The birth rate is now 1.8, and the replacement rate is 2.1. Also, a birth rate of 2.1 is not healthy, it just means that a culture is not dying. And we have one of the highest birth rates amongst industrialized nations.
And here is where it got interesting for me.
In France, the birth rate is about 1.5 nationally. But the birth rate amongst Muslims in France is 6.0. Baucham says that France will be a Muslim country in 2 generations.
What do you think the implications of that are?
I don't know how accurate his information is, but I doubt it's fiction.
I found the talk I'm listening to today on this page. I'm listening to part 1 of "Marriage in the Beginning - Marriage by Design.
Today I'm listening to more from Voddie Baucham. In case you haven't noticed, I really like the guy. ;)
Anyway, he just said something that I wanted to share and let you chew on.
The birth rate in America is now below the replacement rate. The birth rate is now 1.8, and the replacement rate is 2.1. Also, a birth rate of 2.1 is not healthy, it just means that a culture is not dying. And we have one of the highest birth rates amongst industrialized nations.
And here is where it got interesting for me.
In France, the birth rate is about 1.5 nationally. But the birth rate amongst Muslims in France is 6.0. Baucham says that France will be a Muslim country in 2 generations.
What do you think the implications of that are?
I don't know how accurate his information is, but I doubt it's fiction.
I found the talk I'm listening to today on this page. I'm listening to part 1 of "Marriage in the Beginning - Marriage by Design.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Baptized in the Jordan
This is a mass email I sent out today.
Hi,
I just got off the phone with my sister Sarah a little while ago. She was calling from Israel to tell me that she was baptized today in the Jordan River, and I wanted to share it with EVERYONE!! It was just a little more than 18 months ago I got down on my knees and prayed intently to God about Sarah. I had tried everything I could to try and have an impact on her life and nothing seemed to work. I told God how afraid I was for her future. I was sure she was headed for a life of misery. As far as I could see, her prospects included pregnancy, alcoholism, drug addiction or even death. I asked God what I should do, and I CLEARLY heard Him tell me to give her up to Him. It wasn't easy, but that was just what I did, and I am amazed...truly amazed...at the changes he has wrought in her life. He has repaid my faith so quickly, so fully, so abundantly....so perfectly...
I could tell you a ton of stories right now about the ways in which God has met this need, the amazing MIRACULOUS ways he has provided thousands of dollars...but instead, I'll just tell you this. Jesus Christ is my Savior, My Master and my King. I have never, ever even dreamed about being loved this perfectly. God has worked in my life, and continues to work in my life, with His perfect blessing and discipline to refine me and bring my life joy and peace. And now, Praise God, Sarah has allowed Him to work that way in her life as well.
There is no other way to live your life which will bring you anywhere near the fulfillment and happiness that living your life according to the Word of God will bring you. Nothing else will satisfy you the way that giving your life to God will satisfy you. It is what we are created for. Getting lost in what THIS life has to offer is folly. We spend a brief moment walking the face of the earth when compared to the eternity we will spend after this life, and the choices we make here will affect us for all eternity.
Jesus had this to say in Matthew 6:20 regarding trying to satisfy yourself with treasures on this earth versus the treasures to be found in Heaven:
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal
My grandfather used to ascribe to the belief that "He who dies with the most toys, wins", but that isn't true. He who dies with the most toys just leaves the most toys behind.
So today, I am thankful to God for His infinite patience with me. I'm thankful to a mother who kept telling me all of these same things I just shared with you even when I didn't want to hear them. Her words and actions continue to pay dividends not just in my life and Sarah's life, but in so many other lives as well. I can only aspire to be the selfless, faithful and obedient servant that she was.
Today I am also thankful to my church, my family and my friends, and most especially to everyone at Hume Lake who has allowed God to work the miracles that they do. All of you have lifted us up in prayer or pitched in to make this hope we had for Sarah last year into a reality, and you sincerely have my eternal gratitude.
You have stored up treasures in Heaven, but I hope the thought of the change that Sarah has undergone in such a short time, the thought that she was baptized in the very same body of water that Jesus was baptized, is half the treasure to your heart that it is to mine. Because my heart is full today. Our God is a faithful God, a loving God, and a perfect God.
Our God is God, and He keeps His promises.
If you would like to see the pictures and blogs from Sarah's trip you can find them here: http://joshuawilderness.org/news/
If you've got an older teen that is struggling with life, that maybe you don't have any idea what to do with next, I would advise you to check out the other areas of the site as well to find out more about the Joshua Wilderness Institute.
Finally, I've attached a picture of Sarah sitting under a tree studying her Bible in Israel. Who would have thought...
I've prayed for each of you today.
Thanks for listening
Randy
--
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. - John 15:15
Hi,
I just got off the phone with my sister Sarah a little while ago. She was calling from Israel to tell me that she was baptized today in the Jordan River, and I wanted to share it with EVERYONE!! It was just a little more than 18 months ago I got down on my knees and prayed intently to God about Sarah. I had tried everything I could to try and have an impact on her life and nothing seemed to work. I told God how afraid I was for her future. I was sure she was headed for a life of misery. As far as I could see, her prospects included pregnancy, alcoholism, drug addiction or even death. I asked God what I should do, and I CLEARLY heard Him tell me to give her up to Him. It wasn't easy, but that was just what I did, and I am amazed...truly amazed...at the changes he has wrought in her life. He has repaid my faith so quickly, so fully, so abundantly....so perfectly...
I could tell you a ton of stories right now about the ways in which God has met this need, the amazing MIRACULOUS ways he has provided thousands of dollars...but instead, I'll just tell you this. Jesus Christ is my Savior, My Master and my King. I have never, ever even dreamed about being loved this perfectly. God has worked in my life, and continues to work in my life, with His perfect blessing and discipline to refine me and bring my life joy and peace. And now, Praise God, Sarah has allowed Him to work that way in her life as well.
There is no other way to live your life which will bring you anywhere near the fulfillment and happiness that living your life according to the Word of God will bring you. Nothing else will satisfy you the way that giving your life to God will satisfy you. It is what we are created for. Getting lost in what THIS life has to offer is folly. We spend a brief moment walking the face of the earth when compared to the eternity we will spend after this life, and the choices we make here will affect us for all eternity.
Jesus had this to say in Matthew 6:20 regarding trying to satisfy yourself with treasures on this earth versus the treasures to be found in Heaven:
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal
My grandfather used to ascribe to the belief that "He who dies with the most toys, wins", but that isn't true. He who dies with the most toys just leaves the most toys behind.
So today, I am thankful to God for His infinite patience with me. I'm thankful to a mother who kept telling me all of these same things I just shared with you even when I didn't want to hear them. Her words and actions continue to pay dividends not just in my life and Sarah's life, but in so many other lives as well. I can only aspire to be the selfless, faithful and obedient servant that she was.
Today I am also thankful to my church, my family and my friends, and most especially to everyone at Hume Lake who has allowed God to work the miracles that they do. All of you have lifted us up in prayer or pitched in to make this hope we had for Sarah last year into a reality, and you sincerely have my eternal gratitude.
You have stored up treasures in Heaven, but I hope the thought of the change that Sarah has undergone in such a short time, the thought that she was baptized in the very same body of water that Jesus was baptized, is half the treasure to your heart that it is to mine. Because my heart is full today. Our God is a faithful God, a loving God, and a perfect God.
Our God is God, and He keeps His promises.
If you would like to see the pictures and blogs from Sarah's trip you can find them here: http://joshuawilderness.org
If you've got an older teen that is struggling with life, that maybe you don't have any idea what to do with next, I would advise you to check out the other areas of the site as well to find out more about the Joshua Wilderness Institute.
Finally, I've attached a picture of Sarah sitting under a tree studying her Bible in Israel. Who would have thought...
I've prayed for each of you today.
Thanks for listening
Randy
--
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. - John 15:15
Monday, February 11, 2008
Laptop for Sale
We have a tuition payment for my sister Sarah at the Joshua Wilderness Institute due on 2/15 and I'm trying to raise funds by selling a laptop on ebay. If you're in the market for a good laptop at a reasonable price, please click here.
It's been a struggle paying for her tuition since we originally had to come up with the initial down payment of $4500, but God has been faithful and we trust He will be now as well.
The change in my sister has been nothing short of miraculous, and we want for her to be able to graduate with the rest of her class. It was just last year that I was gravely concerned for Sarah's safety and well-being, but God has been faithful to His promise to me to save her, and I will praise His name forever for the changes He has wrought in her life. For more about her, and from her, click here to read her blog.
By the way, if you don't need a laptop but would like to donate something towards Sarah's tuition, contact me and I'll let you know how you can make a donation for her tuition directly to Joshua.
It's been a struggle paying for her tuition since we originally had to come up with the initial down payment of $4500, but God has been faithful and we trust He will be now as well.
The change in my sister has been nothing short of miraculous, and we want for her to be able to graduate with the rest of her class. It was just last year that I was gravely concerned for Sarah's safety and well-being, but God has been faithful to His promise to me to save her, and I will praise His name forever for the changes He has wrought in her life. For more about her, and from her, click here to read her blog.
By the way, if you don't need a laptop but would like to donate something towards Sarah's tuition, contact me and I'll let you know how you can make a donation for her tuition directly to Joshua.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Email to Jesus
Father.
I don't know if this is your email or not. But I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your grace and mercy in my life. Thank you for waiting for me so patiently, and for being faithful to me even when I failed at being faithful to you. Thank you for knowing me so well, and for molding me into the person that I am today. Please LORD, keep molding me.
Thank you Jesus, for giving up all that it is to be God and coming down here and taking the form of the most defenseless and helpless of forms. Everything is yours, and so you have the right to everything, but you gave it all up, just to come here and show me how much I am loved.
Lord, I still fail you. I still stray and allow sin in my life. I am incapable of living this life that I want with all of my heart to live. I want to live for You Jesus, to show you how much you mean to me, how much I appreciate You, how much I appreciate you and all of Your ways...how much I love You. Thank You for being patient. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Please give me the strength to be better. Please refine me and my ways. Please discipline me when I need it, and please turn Your loving face upon me even when I don't deserve it.
Jesus, I am writing today because I am so overwhelmed at the ways in which You have blessed me even though I don't deserve it. Specifically Lord, today, I want to thank You for all that You have done in Sarah's life. You have worked a miracle in her, and I can hardly stand to think about it without tears filling my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please Lord, continue to work in her, and grow her, and refine her. She is becoming such a blessing to me, and all that I went through Lord, You are redeeming. I didn't think this was possible Lord, but I am seeing in so many ways how anything at all is possible for You.
Thank You Father for being my Father, and please help me as I begin my own road as a father. Help me Lord, because I will surely need it. Help me to be the man of God I want to be. Help me to be Your faithful and true servant. Father, You know me even better than I know me. Help me to trust You. Father, craft for me a life which satisfies me and fulfills me. Make for me a way that allows me to share with others how much I love You. Lord, please let me serve You in ways which I haven't even imagined. This life has been an incredible ride so far, all of it, and I want You to keep refining me so that I trust You completely to lead me where You want me to go. I trust You Lord. I trust You with everything. Help me to be consistent about it.
You are beautiful. You are magnificent. You are everything I ever wanted, and every day you are more and more what I don't deserve. Thank You for blessing me anyway.
I can't wait to be with You forever.
Love
Randy
I don't know if this is your email or not. But I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your grace and mercy in my life. Thank you for waiting for me so patiently, and for being faithful to me even when I failed at being faithful to you. Thank you for knowing me so well, and for molding me into the person that I am today. Please LORD, keep molding me.
Thank you Jesus, for giving up all that it is to be God and coming down here and taking the form of the most defenseless and helpless of forms. Everything is yours, and so you have the right to everything, but you gave it all up, just to come here and show me how much I am loved.
Lord, I still fail you. I still stray and allow sin in my life. I am incapable of living this life that I want with all of my heart to live. I want to live for You Jesus, to show you how much you mean to me, how much I appreciate You, how much I appreciate you and all of Your ways...how much I love You. Thank You for being patient. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Please give me the strength to be better. Please refine me and my ways. Please discipline me when I need it, and please turn Your loving face upon me even when I don't deserve it.
Jesus, I am writing today because I am so overwhelmed at the ways in which You have blessed me even though I don't deserve it. Specifically Lord, today, I want to thank You for all that You have done in Sarah's life. You have worked a miracle in her, and I can hardly stand to think about it without tears filling my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please Lord, continue to work in her, and grow her, and refine her. She is becoming such a blessing to me, and all that I went through Lord, You are redeeming. I didn't think this was possible Lord, but I am seeing in so many ways how anything at all is possible for You.
Thank You Father for being my Father, and please help me as I begin my own road as a father. Help me Lord, because I will surely need it. Help me to be the man of God I want to be. Help me to be Your faithful and true servant. Father, You know me even better than I know me. Help me to trust You. Father, craft for me a life which satisfies me and fulfills me. Make for me a way that allows me to share with others how much I love You. Lord, please let me serve You in ways which I haven't even imagined. This life has been an incredible ride so far, all of it, and I want You to keep refining me so that I trust You completely to lead me where You want me to go. I trust You Lord. I trust You with everything. Help me to be consistent about it.
You are beautiful. You are magnificent. You are everything I ever wanted, and every day you are more and more what I don't deserve. Thank You for blessing me anyway.
I can't wait to be with You forever.
Love
Randy
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