The New Year

     We are about to enter the new year.  Are you ready to make this Year truly the year of the Lord?  So many times we have stated that this is the year of God.  We say it as if this unlike any other year, this will be different.  We come up with jingles and ryhmes to give it some uff.  Like 2007 is the year of heaven.  2008 in the Lord we celebrate and etc.  You get my drift.  So now we enter 2010 and we start this year just like any other year, placing on our checks 2009 because we forgot it is 2010.  LOL.  But really just like every year we should come up with and think of ways to improve ourselves especially our walk with Jesus Christ.  How can we draw closer and know Him more.  When you are thinking about that please remember one thing:  It is not a sprint but a Marathon.  2010 is 12 months long.  The best cooked meat is one that has been roasting and or broiling for a long time.  Allow God to make you tender for Him.  God bless you and Happy New Year.


 

Death Of Oral Roberts

Oral Roberts died today at the age of 91.  He was best known as the crying preacher who stated that god was going to kill him if he did not raise millions of dollars by a certain time.  I find it very funny and yet sad that when people think about Oral Roberts this is what they mention.  They don't mention the fact that he began a Bible University or Television Program or that through him God healed many.  All the good people do and the only thing humans remember is the bad and ugly. 
     That is why we are thankful that God in his love and mercy does nto see us like others do.  He sees the good and the love in us.  It is this that God sees and remembers in us.  I can only pray that when we die that all our faults and mishaps are placed aside and that people remember the good that we have done.  May our Legacy be that of blessings and fortune to humanity through Christ.

THIS IS THE SEASON - WATCH

     This season many people are getting sick.  They start getting sick not only physically but spiritually and mentally.  The sales, the emotions, the lonliness, the financial stress and struggles, these all become very difficult and people become very stressed.  Eventually everything going on creates a void and loss of the meaning of the season.  I never was a person who enjoyed all thehustle and busle of the Christmas season due to 2 things.  1)  Physical illness with many & 2)  the commercial aspect of the season. 
      This year I can only pray that people remember 2 things.  1)  Without CHRIST you can not have CHRISTmas.  & 2)  JESUS is the reason for the season.

Have a Merry CHRISTmas.


     

Today I viewed a video located below about Richard Dawkins calling Ray Comfort a serious and radical evangelist an idot because he refutes Darwinism.  At first it made me angry but then I realized that many people feel this way about Christians.  Jesus himself told us that if they called your master the prince of Devils what would they call you.  The scriptures also tell us that we are fools in the eyes of the world because of our faith in Christ.  I bet Moses was considered a fool for taking Israel out to the wilderness, or Abraham going to sacrifice his son, or David going to defeat a Giant, or Gideon Battling thousands with only 300 men.  Yet we know how all this ended.  The Promise, The Faith, The Victory.  So to all you fools and idots out there, GOD BLESS YOU for we know that God always has the last word.  
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/11/25/darwin.dawkins.evolution/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Dawkins&utm_content=harvestchristian%40cox.net&utm_campaign=Dawkins+Resorts+to+Name+Calling+%2F+Someone+Won+the+%2420%2C000

The Holy Spirit

When we think of the most vital part of our Christianity many people will refer to the word FAITH.  I believe thou that the most important part of Christianity is the HOLY SPIRIT.  If a person does not have theHoly Spirit living in them they can not living a Christian life.  Unfortunetly that is what we see in many people.  Their belief is head knowledge and not guided by the Holy Spirit.  If more Christians were filled by teh Holy Spirit we probably would not have the issues within the church or other so called Christians attacking other Christians.  So how do you know if you have the Holy Spirit living in you? The scriptures make it very clear in many parts:

1)  There is FRUIT.  You are actually doing something for God and I do not mean going to church.  You are witnessing.  When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?  I assure you if you have not told someone about Jesus or encouraged them to follow Jesus you do not have the Holy Spirit.  Many people will say that, they are shy.  Even if that is true, when you have the Holy Spirit you have boldness to speak and do the things for Christ.  In all the parables of Jesus when referring to the believers He makes one thing evident.  The TRUE BELIEVER reproduces.  Here is a just a couple of the parables: The Sower, The Talents, The Sheep & Goats, The Wise Steward, The Vine and many others. 

2)  There is CONVICTION.  When people think of what is right and wrong they may feel that they have a grasp of things.  The fact is thou many people may be doing wrong and not know it.  For example, unforgiveness is wrong with God but unforgiveness is permitted in the world.  Hatred is not against the law but with God it is.  So people may say, hey I am not doing anything wrong, meaning "I am not breaking the law" while in reality they are.  The Holy Spirit brings convictions to a person because the Holy Spirit teaches a person of a eternal law.  When you are convicted for doing something that maybe the laws of man don't find offensived but God does it is likely that it is the Holy Spirit.

     In short we see a vital walk and importance to following Jesus and only can be done through the Holy Spirit.



   

Persecution of Christians is a Reality - WAKE UP!

BY CHARLES COLSON...
Allow me to make a very direct statement. I believe it is time for the Church in this country to stand up for religious freedom.

Especially over the course of the last few years, we have seen repeated efforts—in the courts, in state legislatures, in Congress, and on Pennsylvania Avenue—to erode what has been called the first freedom: religious liberty.
It isn’t hard to cite numerous cases where Christian organizations and individuals have been singled out and punished for adhering to their faith.
In New Jersey, a Methodist camp lost its tax exempt status for refusing to hold a same-sex civil union ceremony. In California, Christian doctors were successfully sued for refusing to offer in-vitro fertilization procedures for a lesbian couple. Catholic Charities in Boston had to shut down its adoption services because it was being forced by the state to place children with same-sex couples.
The current health care bill has no protections for religious medical personnel or health care providers who, by reason of conscience, refuse to participate in abortions. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is gathering momentum in Congress. The bill would require even Christian-owned enterprises with more than 15 employees to hire those who do not share their faith.
The list could go on and on.
So why is religious freedom such a concern to us as Christians? Freedom of religion is called the first freedom for a reason. Our founding fathers recognized that without freedom of conscience, no other freedom can be guaranteed.
Christians, in fact, are the greatest defenders of religious freedom and human liberty—not just for Christians, but for all people. Compare religious freedom in those countries with a Christian heritage to the state of religious freedom in Islamic nations, communist countries, and Buddhist and Hindu nations, and you will see my point.
The reason that Christians place such a high value on human freedom is that freedom itself is part of the creation account in the Bible. God made humans in His image. He gave us a free will to choose to love, follow, and obey Him, or to follow our own way.
That free will, given us before the Fall, is part of human nature itself.
Perhaps more than anything else, it was this understanding of individual freedom that turned me into the kind of patriot who would willingly give his life for his country. It was the words of the Declaration of Independence that inspired me to join the Marines: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
So this question of human freedom goes to the very heart of who we are as Christians and as Americans.
So this Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, a statement signed 125 evangelical, Orthodox, and Catholic leaders will be released—an historic declaration on life, the family, and religious freedom.
And please, today, go to http://www.colsoncenter.org/ to view my Two-Minute Warning video on religious freedom. We will have some great resources for you. Then Friday at noon, we will have for you the declaration itself—probably the most important document I’ve ever signed.
The Church needs to understand the urgency of the hour and do its duty.

Feeding The Homeless

A few of our brothers and sisters from the Fellowship went down this Morning and fed the Homeless.  It was a good day.  No confrontation and no obstacle.  The funny thing about this is there were abou 150 people and maybe 45 were homeless the rest were there foe worship.  What a great work.  We will continue praying for the churches in Phoenix.

-- Pastor Michael 

Living On Purpose

How many of us truly live on purpose?  Majority of the time we live our life doing things on accident.  We don't know half the time how we got where we are at, all we know is we sre here.  Living on purpose means that you make a CONSCIENCE effort and have a CONSCIENCE purpose in your life.  For example it is the person who gets up inthe morning and says "I WILL....." 
     Now let us direct that to God and say today, "I WILL...tell someone about Jesus.....Pray.....Read the Bible.....Help.." 
     Live on purpose for God. 

Neighborhood Preservation & Loving Your Neighbor

     A couple of days ago I was speaking to a friend of mine who moved into our neighborhood about 2 years ago.  I asked him how everything was going, since I had not spoken to him for awhile.  He told me he had an exciting adventure.  He ended up building a small shed on his property to hold his tools and various assundry and it turned out the one of the neighbors reported him for building the shed without a permit.  When the city came out it turn out to be a few square feet too big.  He was forced to renovate it.  He was very upset.  He was livid and could not understand how people could be so pety.  He was very angry and stated that he was now going to go around and make sure that everyone is compliant.  I advised him not to stoop to that level.   
     Is Neighborhood Preservation really supposed to be like that?  Are we now ratting and snitching on every neighbor who we feel is not in complaint?  The program which is to bring peace and conformity has and is only creating anomisity against neighbors.  Neighbors who are supposed to be loving and friendly have now become enforcement agencies and rat ships.  Telling on each other and ratting on each other.  I know that this person will never look at his neighbors the same again.  I could understand someone having a problem when their neighbor infringes on their property.  What happened to talking to your neighbor first.  His shed was not on anyones property.  It was not infringing on anyone.  People who are nosy are not a benefit to the neighborhood but rather a nusinance.  The program which was to protect property rights of others is now creating anger and hatred among neighbors.  It is so sad. 
     Resolution:  Despite the fact that many Christians want to hit back, I would advise you not to stoop to that level of scum.  I say scum with reservation.  God calls them worse.  As a matter of fact God calls those who cause discord among neighbors to be an ABOMINATION to HIM.  I would hate to be them on the day of judgement unless of course if they repent.  So just pray and watch what you do and remember what a person sows they will reap.  They are only reaping contentions and strife.  Vengence is mine says the Lord!     

Feeding the Homeless is a crime...

     On Novemebr 10th, 2009 the city of Phoenix and their anti-christian sentiments came up to the conclusion that if you are a church that you are not allowed to have ministries that cater to serving the poor.  Yes, you heard it right.  It is a crime and against city ordinance if you as a church feed the homeless. 
     I spoke to a few Pastors and ministers this week concerning this decision.  They pretty much felt that the City can KISS THEIR GRITS.  They felt that this decision is not only unconstituational but it is bias.  The fact is folks I AGREE.  We have all decided that if the city even thinks about enforcing such a rule like that, there will be a Class Action Lawsuit against them.  So pass this on.  If your church feels that it may be hindered now or in the future from doing the work of the Lord, as feeding the poor or homeless to let me know.  We already have churches on board ready to take action.  Victory outreach, Teen Challenge and the Dream Center are ministries dedicated to outreaches that reach out to the poor and needed.  Church on the Street and Phoenix First are also ministries and churches dedicated in serving the poor and homeless.  There is going to be a big fight that may end up bankrupting our city.  It is so sad that all the councilmen and women we have none who call themselves Christian are able to fight.  A cloud without water.  Thunder without rain.   

What Is A Revival?

     I am in the process of reading a book called, The World's Greatest Revivals.  I cannot tell you whether I am going to read it all the way but some of the material in there is not that bad.  This is why I thought I would like to talk about what makes a real revival.
      We have heard it all the time.  Come to our church, tent, home, event or whatso maybe because we are going to have a revival.  Have we taken this word and used so lightly.  Revival???  What is a Revival?  Is it a bunch of people excited for Jesus.  I believe a revival is something or event that has changed the church as a whole.  Pentecost.  That began and changed the church. Also Rome in 300 A.D.  the Bizantine Era.  Also the REFORMATION.  That is a revival.  The CRUSADES that is a revival.  A bad one but it still was one.  AZUSA was a revival.  The Revivals in England and So forth.  These are revivals that have changed the Church as a whole and thus have changed the world.  If we really look at these revivals we wil find one thing in common.  They were not based on the emotional hupla but rather on the deep theological issues of the church.  How we believe and what we believe in.  This is a true revival.  Not just full of emotions and shallow feelings.
      So when Pastors want to change the people of God maybe we should think about teaching them the truth rather than the emotion.  It is the spiritual truths that will change a people and nation.

  

WHY NOT HALLOWEEN?

A lot of people have asked why should Christians not celebrate Halloween?  Other than the obvious of all reasons:  Halloween represents evil.  Many of the costumes and props represent death, demons and ghouls.  It glorifies evil, horror and darkness.  This is not what Christians should be a part of.  We are to celebrate Life, God and Light.  No matter how we try to dress up Halloween to be harmless it is like putting lipstick on a pig.  O.K.  I will try the expression of lipstick on a Donkey.  Christians will try to come up with alternatives.  Why?  Why not just teach your people not celebrate this evila dn not to be a partaker of it?  Now here is the other reasons we do not celebrate Halloween other than the obvious:

 History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland. The Celtic people were very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it - such as by helping their over 300 gods to defeat their enemies in battle, or by imitating the gods in showing cleverness and cunning. Their two main feasts were Beltane at the beginning of summer (May 1), and Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished.  "During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs"
The Celtic priests who carried out the rituals in the open air were called Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, who generally performed their rituals by offering sacrifices, usually of crops and animals, but sometimes of humans, in order to placate the gods; ensuring that the sun would return after the winter; and frightening away evil spirits.  To the Celtics, the bonfire represented the sun and was used to aid the Druid in his fight with dark powers. The term bonfire comes from the words "bone fire," literally meaning the bones of sacrificed animals, sometimes human, were piled in a field with timber and set ablaze. All fires except those of the Druids were extinguished on Samhain and householders were levied a fee to relight their holy fire which burned at their altars. During the Festival of Samhain, fires would be lit which would burn all through the winter and sacrifices would be offered to the gods on the fires. This practice of burning humans was stopped around 1600, and an effigy was sometimes burned instead.

TRICK OR TREAT ANYONE?
Some trace the origins of present day "trick-or-treat" to Samhain, which was the supreme night of demonic jubilation. Spirits of the dead would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside, trying to return to the homes where they formerly lived. Frightened villagers tried to appease these wandering spirits by offering them gifts of fruit and nuts. They began the tradition of placing plates of the finest food and bits of treats that the household had to offer on their doorsteps, as gifts, to appease the hunger of the ghostly wanderers. If not placated, villagers feared that the spirits would kill their flocks or destroy their property.

So in a nutshell when Christians participate in Halloween they actually participate in demonic worship.  Yes, even if you are dressed as an angel.

When Laws Go Wrong!!

Lisa Snyder is the kind of neighbor everybody likes to have. Every school day, the Michigan mom welcomed neighborhood children into her home—kids whose mothers have to leave for work an hour before the school bus picks up the kids. Snyder didn’t charge anything—she just wanted to be a good neighbor.

But then someone reported Snyder to the authorities—and the state of Michigan told her to stop babysitting, or else. The Michigan Department of Human Services said if Snyder wanted to take care of unrelated kids in her home, she had to get a daycare license.

It’s an example of laws gone wild—too many regulations, and too little common sense.

And that’s not even the worst example. Last March an Indiana grandmother named Sally Harpold was arrested for buying two boxes of cold medicine in less than a week. That’s illegal, if the combined boxes contain more than three grams of pseudoephedrine. They did—which put Harpold in violation of state laws regulating methamphetamine, which can be made from pseudoephedrine.

Harpold—who was handcuffed and booked—wasn’t running a meth lab. She was buying medicine for her three sick grandchildren. But the local prosecutor was unapologetic. Harpold, she said, ought to have known the law.

That might be easier if there weren’t so many local, state, and federal laws to keep track of. While Harpold is catching up on her legal reading, maybe the prosecutor can take care of her sick grandchildren.

Happily, in Michigan, common sense prevailed. Governor Jennifer Granholm ordered the Department of Human Services to work with lawmakers to change the daycare law to protect people who are simply trying to be good neighbors.

Sally Harpold was not so fortunate. She had to go into an alternative punishment program, and pay attorney fees and court costs.

With cases like these, it’s no wonder Americans are growing increasingly distrustful of government—and of the growing numbers of laws and regulations that are making daily life, well, difficult!
Part of the problem is that we have lost the biblical view of the role of government, which is to preserve order, restrain evil, and promote justice. Government has no legitimate interest in slapping the helping hands of citizens like Lisa Snyder. Rather, government should promote neighborly charity! When it comes to helping a neighbor in trouble, government is not the answer. Good neighbors are.

The Reformers understood this, and called it “sphere sovereignty.” Each institution—family, church, and the private associations—knew their job.

In Catholic social teaching, it was called the principle of “subsidiarity,” recognizing that the interests of individuals are best served by the institution closest to them.

In both traditions, government should perform only those functions which can’t be performed by these “intermediate structures.”

But the other part of the “laws-gone-wild problem” is we ourselves. As the moral order of society breaks down, government—and its laws—step in to fill the void and to prevent chaos.

Indiana banned buying too much cold medicine because of the plague of methamphetamine. When we can no longer master our own cravings and inclinations to evil—in other words, when we can no longer govern ourselves—we invite government intervention. And grandmas like Sally Harpold get dragged off in handcuffs.

Time to wake up and apply biblical teachings to the role of government and the individual.

Like Sheep Lead To The Slaughter - So Also The Church

     Yesterday I received an email from a Neighborhood Association that was crying outrage against the fact that a Church was feeding the homeless on their property.  The purpose of this email was to have everyone come to this meeting and voice opposition against a Church feeding the homeless.  Sad fact is that is exactly what is going to happen.  The world will be there to state that church should not be allowed on their own property to feed the homeless or in fact have any food service outreach without the permission of the City.  Meanwhile the 1000's of people who attend worship every Sunday will be nestled in their homes on Thursday Night doing nothing because they will feel like it is not their business, I mean it is not their church that is being attacked so why be there.  The one thing they will failto understand is that a City-Wide Interpertation makes it applicable to everyone.  The church will be lead like a sheep to the slaughter, unless we truly learn to unite and become one as Christ prayed for us to be and as the scriptures demand us to be in 1 Corninthians 12.  The meeting will be held Tonight, Thursday October 22nd, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Burton Barr Library.  Let us as Christians come together and defend our religious rights and obligations before the Lord says to us, "I was hungry and you feed me not." 

In Christ.

The Life In Christ

Do you have a life in Christ or is Christ in your life?  The other day I was reading an article that spoke about being a Christian.  What makes a Christian?  Is it because someone goes to church?  Actually the article goes on to say that a Christian is someone who lives their life for Christ always.  I agree.  As some of you know, my wife and I have worship at my home.  We have people come to our home every week and worship Jesus Christ.  We have dedicated our lives to God, our home, our property and our family.  When I walk on my property, I feel as if I walked into the land of God.  Our Jerusalem!  When my family and friends come to worship I am grateful that God has granted us the ability to share in His blessings.  God has placed in our hearts to feed the poor, to help the needy, to minister the gospel to all in need.  I remember when we lived at our home in Waltann and worshipping in the living room every Sunday with our family and friends, how small it was but how wonderful it was.  Oh!  How good the Lord is!!!  I am a firm believer that when you are faithful in the least you will be faithful in the much.  God has granted us a larger property with more room.  Thank you Lord.  I say that to say this:
     I began my life in Christ giving Him everything.  There is never a line in my life that said, Christ here and others there.  It is and always has been Christ.  So it should be with you in your life.  Whether work, play, relationship, friends and no matter what Christ needs to be all and in all.  This is what it means to have a life In Christ and not just Christ in your life.  May God bless you in your walk with Him.

Our Trip - Results

     O.K.  here is what everyone is waiting for.  As some of you know last week we decided to go on a family trip to California.  We left after worship on Sunday and first stop was San Diego California.  But First we had to stop at the Sand Dunns off highway 8.  It was so neat.  My kids and I walked up the top of a huge sand dunn.  Let me say, that it really took your wind.  Sarah made it half way.  Anna didn't even start, Rachel made it to the top and Abby crawled her way to the top.  It was very steep.  We took a picture at the top.  That was nice, then off to San Diego again.  San Diego was beautiful.  We stayed at a Hotel and then in the morning we went to Sea Port Village.  I recommend this to anyone going to San Diego.  It is full of shops and attractions.  It is free to get in and there is a lot of neat things there.  One thing that my family and I decided to do was to rent a boat.  We rented a 8 passenger for a 5 passenger price.  We got a deal.  It had been a long time since I driven a boat but it all came back to me suddenly.  We went out to sea.  I had the kids in the boat and I was the driver and let me say it was fun.  It cost around $100.00 per hour.  Of course we went out for an hour.  Suzanne brought snacks, but we were having so much fun going so fast in the ocean that we failed to even have anything to eat.  We stopped by a pier where there were sea lions everywhere. We rode right up to them.  The kids had a ball.  of course not all.  Anna freaked out a little.  LOL.  That same day, we drove up to LA where we stayed at the Crowne Plaza.  It was nice.  Sauna, Jacuzzi, Pool, Spa, Gym and nice rooms.  We had a bell hop that after our tip refused to want to to help us anymore.  "I warned him."  I told him I got it, but he refused and said, no no sir, that is why we are here.  I said, no its OKAY.  He said, he got it.  Well, I only had a $1.00 in my pocket and that's what he got.  Sorry to all the bell hops.  : (    The following day, we went to Universal Studios.  It was raining so we then decided to just go ahead and head up to San Fransico.  It was a nice cool drive.  We got there at night and stayed at the Hilton.  Let me say, that the Hilton is overrated.  The next day we decided to tour all of San Fran.  We went to the island of Alcatraz.  It cost $79.00 for my whole family.  It was nice.  Alcatraz is remarkable.  How anyone could have survived it.  We took a boat load of pictures and had a great time.  We then walked fishermans wharf and pier 39 and 41 and of course ate fresh sea food and Clam Chowder out of a Sourdough Bowl.  YUM YUM!!  We drove the hills of San Fransico and let me say that it was stunning.  The Bridges at night were beautful.  The streets and city is remarkable.  Believe it or not we may have ran into one gay person there.  We saw more gays in LA then we did in San Fran.  Go figure..  My brother said, "That they probably knew that I was going to be there and they ran and hid." LOL.  That night we decided to stay at the Econolodge.  If you ever go to San Fran stay at the Econolodge in Oakland.  It was nice, Huge rooms, Patio Area, Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi and the service makes Hilton look like the dollar store to say the least.  The next day we toured China Town and then went back to LA.  Once in LA we stayed at the Crowne Plaza again for the rest of the nights.  The following day we went to Universal.  It was nice.  We have annual passes so let me say that we are veterans.  My kids and I know the place inside and out.  After Universal, out of a whim we decided to visit my aunt in Covina.  We were there for about 4 hours.  It was nice.  The kids had a ball then we drove back to the hotel where stayed for the last night and then in the morning headed back. 
     God is so good.  It seemed that everywhere we turned and everything we did God had his hand in it.  From turning off the right place to walking in at the right time, God was there.  Our trip was awesome and by the grace of God we had a ball.  Let me recommend that anyone go on a trip like this should try these features:  1)  Hotwire - Hotwire got us the Crowne Plaza a 4 star hotel for $59.00 per night.  Get a hotel by the airport you pay for parking which is about 10-15 per night but the hotel you get is exceptional.  2)  Ever in San Fran stay in Oakland.  oakland is only 10 minutes from San Fran.  Central to everything.  Stay at the Econolodge by the Airport.  Parking is Free, Free Breakfast, Wi-Fi and many more.  3)  Walk the piers in San Francisco.  Park at the Fishermans Wharf down at pier 41 and then walk the rest.  Parking is free for 3 hours.  4)  Check out Alcatraz.  The trip is worth it.  My family it was $79.00  4 and under are free.  5)  San Deigo, Don't stay at Good Nite Inn --- You get what you pay for.  6)  Rent a boat.  They are not that difficult to drive but it is worth the money.  The boat tours are like $30 for adults and $20 for kids.  They last 90 minutes.  Renting a boat is $100.00 but the fun is limitless.
     Thank you all for your prayers and I look.  Let me say, that California is nice to visit.  But I thank God I live in ARIZONA!!!!!!!  Thank you Jesus.  

PHOTO LINK:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=2034537&id=1031397604&ref=mf

Layaway Vs. Deposit

     Have you ever had anything on Layaway?  You take it up to a counter where you slowly place a payment on it and then it is yours.  Have you ever placed a deposit on something?  You choose what you want and then you place a deposit on it.  The deposit states that it is yours and that you are going to take it.
     2 Corinthians 1:21-22  States that God has placed an earnest deposit on us.  He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and paid the deposit.  When Christ returns he will take what is His.  That is you and me.  Praise God for that.  You see Jesus did not put us on Layaway.  Layaway means that we do not actually belong to Him but rather he is slowly paying us off.  The deposit means that God has paid the price for us.  That price is the cross of Christ.  Thank God for His love.  He has assured us that He is there for us and that evidence is the Holy Spirit.

FOR PROFIT???

      Have you ever heard the saying, "Your going to shoot yourself in the foot."  This is exactly what is happening in the churches these days.  They are shooting each other in the foot.  Today I received an email from a ministry who was asking me to buy buttons.  The buttons were $130.00 for 250 of them so that we can get the message out.  That is 52 cents each.  Are you kidding me??  Why so much?  Why do people have to make a profit to help other people get the word of God out?  People need to remember this is not what the church is?  The church is a place where Christians preach the gospel without making a profit from each other.  The only people allowed to live off the people of God were the priest and ministers of God and they lived through the tithes and offerings.  This has been God's plan all along.  Now, we have people selling books, CD's, Buttons and so forth for outragous prices.  I can get 250 buttons that say, "I love the world." for $.08 cents each.
      People need to re-examine thier ministry and purpose in life.  The only thing I can say, "I thank God that I have a job."  May we hold the example of the apostle Paul who said I would rather work with my hands so that the gospel does not become a burden to anyone.  AMEN TO THAT,

Change is Emminent

     The fact is people do not like change.  Good change or bad change people just don't like change.  Yet the change is emminent.  Something is going to change.  Neighborhoods change, work changes, processes change, money changes, prices change, many things change in this world.  We know that President Obama is currently trying to change a lot of things, Our Health Care, Our Tax Liabilities, Our School Days and much more.  There is no doubt that the Democrats who have long waited for this majority moment is comming in like a strom to change a lot of things.  Then there are people who are shocked and are constantly resisting any change.  Even if we need it.
      We need to be careful that we do not fall into the same catagory as the Pharisees who felt like Jesus was making too many changes too fast.  I in no way am trying to compare what Jesus is doing with Obama but rather that, I believe that we can become a Pharisee by resisting even good change. 
      When God makes changes in your life how do you react?  Sometimes changes need to be made to better us.  So remember to really analyze the changes and ask yourself whether this is really good or not.  Then and only then should you come up with an opinion.  Remember this, sometimes God uses your enemies to make changes in your life.  I know in my life that without my enemies we would not have had what we have.  It was due to God using them that made us move strong and stand stronger and aquire what we got.  All things work together for Good to those who love God! 

The Constant Struggle

     Last week a cousin of mine called me up and asked me if I was interested in a Beagle Puppy.  He stated it was full blood beagle and that someone gave it to him and since his family lives in a small condo he could not keep it.  I thought sure.  I mean a beagle usually run around $250-$800.00 and free is good.  Of course Freeonly becomes free for so long until you have to buy the food, crate, treats, shampoos and so forth.  Anyway to get to the point.  We are housetraining this puppy and let me say, during this time God is giving me patience.  One of the factors of house training a puppy is the fact that you have to constantly be watching the puppy and since we are crating the puppy we hve to take him outside every 3 hours to show him that you have to go outside and not inside or in the crate.  Let me just say, Thank God for Tile Floors.  If you do not watch after the dog he can not hold it and iwll make a mess in his cage.  So being consistant is important. 
     Living the Christian life is just like that.  You have to constantly think about your life, your speech, your attitude and then you have to practice it.  If you do not you will find that you will have a big mess.  Many peoples lives are a big mess because they refuse to tend or shall I say, place on a leash their life.  Their inner sin goes crazy and ends up messing everything up.  Let me say that the time you spend watching your life and reading and praying is much easier then having to clean up after you when you have not tended to it.
     Eventually, my puppy will grow and know what to do.  He will mature and through discipline he will make no messes or less messes.  This is also true to all those who live a disicplined life for God!!

The Credit Card of Sin

     A credit card can be a blessing or it can be a curse.  When people get a credit card they go and start to buy things.  They spend money and place it on the card racking their credit.  They bring the product home and it is very pleasurable.  They use it for a while and then after a while then that New Feeling wears away.  This usually happens way before the bill for the credit card comes in.  When the bill comes in they find that all that stuff they bought is very very expensive especially with the high interest rates, fees and so forth.  After a while many people just can't pay it anymore.  People go into debt and that which brought them joy for awhile is now threatening and harassing their lifestyle with creditors calling and demanding payments and threatening lawsuits.  The repo man comes and begins to take it all back.  Relationship are stressed and even in some cases broken. 
     There is a card like that which works spiritually.  People live their lives anyway they wish.  Drinking, Smoking, Fornicating, Adultery, Pornography, Jealousy, Anger, Wrath and so forth.  It seems pleasurable for a moment until the bill comes in.  Let me just say that the interest rates are very very high.  In some cases the interest rates includes a destroyed marriage, relationships broken and in some case death.  The Sin MASTERCARD is one Credit Card you do not want to use. 
     We had such a card at one time but Jesus Christ came and wiped away the debt and gave us a new start.  We thank God for his payment in full.  Now it is up to us to listen to His voice and make sure that every offer that comes to us to get a Credit Card is one we decline, even if it is pre-paid.  And believe me the offers will come!  By the way, when it comes to sin there is no such thing as a 0% intrest rate.  May Christ Keep You!  

Thank You For Your Prayers

     As many of you know ever since we bagan worshipping at my home we have been harassed, threatened and even accussed of doing things we did not do.  It can really make someone angry and even upset, but one thing I have learned is that the Words of God are so much greater than any emotion.  Jesus stated, "Forgive them for they know not what they do."  Here is Our Lord forgiving those who are crucifying and even mocking them.  These words have helped me to be able to keep a soft heart, compassion and consideration to those who are against us from worshipping at our home.  There is no one perfect.  Even myself.  Yeah I know that is a shock to some, but really, everyone has made mistakes.  One day the Lord will reveal all things to all people.  Yesterday in court I began thinking of my brothers and sisters in Christ who was in court for breaking the law.  Thier crime?  Preaching and Teaching the Gospel without a permit from their government.  The difference is....They faced death and I do not.  So death or no death I have learned and am learning to be strong and faithful even in times like this.  God has given my wife and I such a peace that we can truly count it all joy because we are in court, not because we are theives, or murderers or adulterers but because we are Christians worshipping God at our home and with a true heart that we have have love for those around us.   God Keep Us!

Coincidence or Godincidence

    What if God had a message for you and then not even 2 minutes later another person came and gave the same message?  Would it be a coincidence or a Godincidence?  So many people dismiss the messages that God gives because they believe this was just by coincidence.  God had warned the Babylonian Kings over and over again but they refused to listen.  Finally God gave them the message loud and clear by having Persia come in and invade and untimatly take over.  What will it take for our governament to realize that God is speaking and we are not just some right wing, conservative, fanitical, religious folk who are giving our opinion?  I guess God knows and they will have to find out.  I hope before it is too late!  May God bless our city, state, nation and country and open the eyes of our heart.

The Right To Worship

     Every morning I get up ready to begin my day.  I wake-up the kids, take a shower and get dressed ready to go to the office.  I begin by reading the scripture for the day, my devotionals and some study, then as fast as the day begins it ends.  From dealing with businesses throughout the United States to going to pick up the kids from school the work day is finished.  I get home where my home is the safe haven and I am the prince of the castle.  Of Course Jesus is the King.  The rest of the day I enjoy meeting with my friends, family and other brothers and sisters in Christ and occasionally a good movie.  Then I spend a couple of days during the week where my guest come to my home and worship with me as we celebrate the day the Lord has Made!  This is what it means to be a Christian who lives in America.  Protected to worship God in the privacy of your home with your family, friends and guests.  Is that against the law?  Should people who gather in their home under Christ be different than those who gather under superbowl, or new years, or Christmas.  I thank God that through his Provisions and Providence He forknew to place in the heart of our founding fathers the 1st Amendment!  Thank you Jesus. 

Jack Black Prays To The Devil At The Music Awards

     I just received a note today that Jack Black prayed to the Devil at the MTV music awards.  Looking at many of the comments on a Christian website, people were offended.  Why?  You have to be spiritually retarded not to know that Jack Black and many others in Hollywood worship Satan.  Have you seen this guys movies.  I am offended that Christians would watch the MTV music awards in the first place.  I am not at all shocked that Jack Black prayed to the devil.  As a matter of fact I expected it.  I did not watch the awards and personnally don't care for them but what I saw in a report was that many held hands and chanted with him the words.  Something good did come out of this.  Many Christians became very offended and stated that I will never watch MTV again.  PRAISE GOD!!  Thank you Lord for revealing to your children the truth.  Now I pray many will stand on that promise. 

Media & Faith

     This morning while watching CNN a broadcaster came out in one of the reports to report that the U.S. states that the Recession is over.  So she continued saying that a couple more times.  Then she showed a poll where 86% said Disagreed and 14% Agreed.
     When you come to think about it, it was the media that sort of started the scare in the first place.  Whatever they say to people, people act upon it.  So when the media speaks the people change.  So I guess we are out of a recession and if not we will be. 
     This is the same power God gives Christians in their life.  When you pray believe you will receive and so you shall.  Faith is stepping up to the plate when the world and circumstance have not, yet.  It is stating victory and trust in a God who is able to move and change all things.  To trust fully in a God who knows the heart of man.  That is Faith.  So today, put your faith in God and trust in him fully.  Let your words and heart proceed your results.  In Christ.

Pastor Michael

How should Christians treat each other?

With the upmost respect and hospitality.  Christians in America lack a crucial ingredient to Christianity, the spirit of Sacrifice.  Christians are to help other Christians not come against them.  Christians are to support other Christians not be on the side line watching.  Jesus says this is how they will know you are MY disciples because your love for one another.  One of these days, there will be a day, when God will judge this world and it will all begin in the house of God.  God will get rid of all those fake professor imposters and make his bride one without spot or blemish.  Until then may we search our hearts and may we be found in Him, through love for one another.

Halloween and Christians

     I have always had a view that Christians should not celebrate Halloween or even look like they celebrate it.  I know that there are people out there who say things like, "Oh come on it is all in fun."  I understand their point very clearly.  I remember as a child my mother used to dress us up and we used to go out and collect candy.  We never danced around the fire or did a chant around a pentagram, we just had fun.  So what is the deal and why are we so uptight about Halloween?
     When we did these things we were ignorant to Halloween and what it really means and how we should have acted.  Halloween promotes death and fear.  That is why when Halloween comes around horror movies are on television.  The masks and costumes are mostly darkening, scary and death.  Evil, death and fear are exalted during this holiday.  What are Christians supposed to do?  Should we participate in this?  Should make light of it?  What does the Bible say? 

Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather reprove them.

The word reprove means that we should rebuke it or hate it.  In other words don't participate in the deeds of darkness but rather stand up against it.   

Does dressing up and going to a church costume party during Halloween a reproving?  Does dressing up and going out to a halloween party and collecting candy because it is fun, reproving the works of darkness?  How are you standing against the deeds of darkness while you yourself are dressed up and going to a halloween party?  How are you standing against the works and deeds of darkness while you are handing out candy?  If a child dressed as a ghost , ghoul or vampire comes to your door and you give them candy, what is the message you are giving? 

This is a lot to think about so I will comment more on it later.  Meanwhile Christians need to stand against the works of darkness and show the light of God. 

Jim Pouillon - Pro-lifer Killed

     On September 11th, 2009 a prolifer named Jim Pouillon was shot and killed while holding an anti-abortion sign in front of a school on Friday morning.  A gun man walked up to him and shot him 3 times in the chest in front of all the children going to school.  Now here is the sick part.  NO news station except for FOX even mentioned it or were outraged by it.  When George Tiller who killed 1000's of babies was shot and killed people were outraged.  The media flew off the handle.  Even the President came out and said something about. 
     This goes to prove the world is sick and going to HELL.  How in Jesus Name did the people become so perverted and turn away from God?  May God bring His wrath upon the nation that rejoices when those who are called by his named are killed!  This nation and these people are sick.  People come against churches, they come against the people of God, they ignore those who are killed for His name, and they think they are fine and right in their own eyes.  God will bring vengence upon the world by His fire.  They will deserve every bit of Hell that God is bringing with Him.  If you are reading this and you have not repented for your sin.  You need to Repent.  You need to ask God to forgive you before He returns.   

http://news.aol.com/article/anti-abortion-activist-jim-pouillon/666862

Pastor Michael

The Busy Life

People get so busy doing nothing.  I mean when we think about it why are people working so hard to accomplish.  I have learned that whatever you are excited about now will soon diminish and what you are also sad about now will also diminish.  God has made life a balance so that we can always just focus on Him.  No matter what happens in life whether good or bad we need to rememebr that God is in control. 

God Bless You,

Pastor Michael Salman

Camping & New Audio

     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  This weekend after worship my family and I went camping.  It was very nice.  The weather was in the 80's and the low was about 50.  It was very nice.  Much better than last time we went.  Less Bugs and More Help!!  Pastor Toby and Sandy went along with us.  One of the funniest encounters occurred at 2 am in the morning.  I had to use the restroom which was about 100 feet away.  I tried to find the flashlight which was hidden somewhere but to no avail.  Since it was a full moon I thought I would make it without the flashlight.  I could not find my knife or pepper spray just in case something were to attack so I decide to take with me a Mashmallow Roaster, a clorox wipe to clean the seat and a lot of prayer.  When I got to the restroom I realized that once the door was shut it became pitch dark.  So I prayed even harder there was nothing there, in the toilet.  When concluding my trip I reached for the toilet paper.  Now, what I forgot was that I had the Mashmallow Roaster in my hand which is about 2 feet long.  While I reached for the toilet paper it snagged a plastic garbage bag that rustled and moved and let me just say I jumped so fast I would have made Michael Jordan look like an ameature.  To say the lest I then realized that I was the person responsible, finished quickly, washed my hands and with a slight bit faster walk made it back to the tent.  Now that was probably one of the closest encounters I had with wildlife.  When I think about this it makes me realize that many of the fears we have are self driven.  Fear that we have caused ourselves because we decide to take with us doubt.  Let go of doubt and hang on the promises of God and you will find that the fear you have will all go away.  If God be for us who can be against us!!!  More to come......There is a new audio sermon - Matthew 17.  Check it out!  You will be blessed.  The Grace of our Lord Be With You!    

God's Cares About The Little Things

As many of you know my family and I have been looking for a 12 passenger van for a long time.  We have shopped and shopped and finally by the grace of God we found one.  It is awesome.  God is so good.  It is a 12 passenger very very clean.  Runs great.  It comes with 1 year of Free Maintainance and backed by a very strong warranty.  We love it!  The best thing about it we got it for 1/2 of the price that you would regularly pay for one.  NO KIDDING!  Like "1/2" Like "half" Like "split in 2" Like "50% off."  The story is so funny that when we found it we thought for sure this was a gimmick, that when we went to see it I even brought with me my video camera just to capture any funny business.  When I got there, I could not believe my eyes.  It was one of my relatives, through marriage, that was selling it.  When I saw him, we laughed like crazy.  We start to talk about things and family that we totally forgot about the van.  I asked him what the deal was and he said, he just felt like he needed to sell it.  I told him Praise God.  Now here is the funny thing.  He posted it at 1:30 pm while my wife was on the internet.  She thought just by a fluke she would check and suddenly there it was at 1:30pm.  He later told my wife he knew that the Van was worth way more but he felt pressed to put it up at this price for some reason.  Oh it gets better.  About 1 week earlier I told my wife that if we saw a van for around this price we would buy it.  She said to me it was impossible, her exact words were "Yeah Right, only by God."  Well, there it was right before our eyes.  Thank you God!  LOL!!!!!!   

SWINE FLU H1N1 Vaccine

     Today I was watching television when I turned to CNN there was an informercial.  Now this informercial lasted for 1 hour.  In actuality it was not an informercial but it sure sounded like one.  This Doctor William Shafner came out and pushed the H1N1 vaccination like it was an informercial.  Let me say that the Drug companies are going to be very very rich.  Who started this swine flu?  Where did it come from?  Who says that the drug companies did not start this only to now sell this vaccine?  Now believe me I am not that much of a conspiracy theorist but there is something funny about this swine flu and especially with this H1N1 vaccination.
     Let me give you my advice.  Wash your hands after you come back from public.  Especially when you eat and after you use the restroom.  Pray over your food and your family and seek God's face for protection.  Take vitamin B complex.  Eat a spoon full of pure honey.  Take care of yourself.
     Don't get stuck in the hype and the fear that media will place on people for the sake of the drug companies.  Believe they are going to scare you to death.  For we do not have the spirit of fear but of power and love and of a sound mind.  God will bring all things to light and he will judge the heart of man.

God Made The Devil Pay!

I love a story about an old lady who would come out of her home every morning and Praise God. She had a neighbor who was an atheist and he would come out and yell at her that there was no God. One day this lady came out and started to pray out loud that she was out of food and needed food. The next morning when she opened her door, there on her porch was 4 bags of groceries. She bagan to praise God! All of a sudden her neighbor jumped out from the bushes and yelled, "Got ya, God didn't get those for you I did." The lady then bagan to praise God louder saying, "God you not only got me the groceries but you made the devil pay for them."

No devil on earth can beat God in the Chess of Life. God is already many moves ahead of them and us. We thank God that we are on the right side. Thank you Jesus.

Remember that when the enemy rises against you, God will ALWAYS make them pay and sometimes with interest. Praise God!

The Killers Within

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Last Night I was watching a documentary on Ted Bundy. Here is a man that escaped from prison 2 times and found himself committing the same crimes over and over again. A statement was made by him when he was caught for the last time. "He wanted to die"
When we think of men like Bundy or Hitler we become repulsed of how people can be so evil. The fact is there are evil people all over who have no sense of love, respect or peace. The bible says, "That there is none that seeks God no not one." Being a Christian these behaviours can almost make you as they are but thanks to the grace of god and His Holy Spirit we are contained in His presence. When someone says to me that people in general are good that statement can only be said because of God's Mercy. The fact is people are evil from birth. Imagine a child that is 18 months old who decides they want something you have. They are persistent. The fact is if that 18 month old child in his natural state had the strength of a man they would take what they want and leave you a bloody mess with no remorse. That is the nature of humanity. If it were left to some people in this world many of us would be dead. It is only by the Grace and Mercy of God are we alive. It is because of God we stand where we stand. Thanks be to God for his never ending love and his Holy Spirit that protects us and contains humanity. There will be a day thou when man will return to his brutal state and they will persecute those who believe in His Name. It is already happening now. Maranatha...Come Oh Lord Come. Please continue to pray for my family and for us reaching to the Lost. We know that Jesus Christ is King or all Kings.

RIDE the WAVE

It is always good to begin a day in prayer. Prayer allows the heart and life of a person to proceed in the future. At work today during training I was talking about having a pipeline of clients. That what you do today is for the future. Same with prayer. What you pray today allows God to do things for the future. Of course I say allows with reservation because God can do whatever he wants whenever he wants to. So pray and let that pipeline of prayer in your life bath you with blessings.

Praise God it was an awesome day today. God is so good. He is calling us to do his work. May we continue to be faithful.