Are you in a tree?
Today I was challenged by the Word from Pastor Keshore Daroga from India...
As he was sharing the story a Zaccheaus....
Jesus came to town, Zaccheaus a sinner, wanted to see Jesus.... He was a short man, so he climbed a tree to see Jesus...
Jesus recognized him and called him by name... He said, "get out of that tree" Jesus said, "I am coming to your house today."
They story speaks to us in this way... We must desire to see Jesus... But are we stuck in our trees...?
The trees are a variety of things in our life... The tree of BOOZE, The tree of GREED, The tree of WHATEVER...
What is your tree? Get down...
He wants to be with you today!
Let God Arise
Have you ever noticed that Christians behave as if God is dead or helpless?
David writes in Psalm 68 "Let God Arise"
This Psalm says we must have faith, we must "Let God Arise..." So many times we put God in our little boxes, or we limit God to what is in our checking or savings account. We limit God and we limit what He wants to do in our lives.
We need to "Let God Arise!" The Psalm goes on to say, "and let our enemies be scattered." Our enemies come in many different shapes and sizes... Our enemy might be health issues, financial issues, a relationship problem, but whatever the enemy, when we "Let God Arise... our enemies are scattered" Our enemies melt like wax in the presence of the Lord... Our enemies blow away like smoke in the wind...
Today..... Who is your enemy? Stress, greed, health, money.... "LET GOD ARISE!"
Emily McHaffie
To look at her, you would never know that there was anything wrong. Emily is a typical girl who loves pink and purple, princesses, sunflowers, cooking and anything that involves mud in the great outdoors (in a dress, of course!). She has a zest for life and is a social butterfly among her friends.
At age 4, Emily was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of cancer that is very rare in children her age. We had gone in to have a mole removed on her inner knee. When the biopsy came back "atypical", it sent us on an unexpected journey. The next step was to do a lymph node biopsy to see if those same "atypical" cells had spread to other areas in her body. If not, we were done. There would be no other worries.
But the words we heard from the Oncologist were the words that no parent wants to hear... "Your daughter has cancer - melanoma." So after three surgeries (and lots of prayer), a PICC line was inserted and a year long series of treatments began. She would receive interferon five days a week through the PICC line the first month and then shots 3 days per week for the remaining 48 weeks.
Overwhelmed by all of the prayer support and emails we received literally from all over the world, we would know that it is God who has sustained us during this time. His strength is always perfect. And for whatever reason God has allowed us to go through this situation, we have watched as God has used Emily's cancer to promote healing and bring unity in other situations. It is amazing the strength that God gives to children who go through childhood illnesses.
One walk through the cancer ward at Children's Hospital and that is clear. We don't always understand why. We don't always have an explanation. God sees the big picture and we can be confident that He is working all things for the good.
The past few years has not always been easy. Things haven't always went right. It is hard to watch your little girl who doen't understand why all this is happening to her, struggle.
The summer of 2007, Emily was able to "make her wish" through the Make a Wish Foundation of Wisconsin! Her wish was to meet Cinderella and to see her former preschool teacher, Mr. Steve, a vacation to Disney World to make her wish come true! It couldn't have come at a better time! But then, God's timing is always perfect.
Each day is a new day we give back to God. Each breath is a gift He gives us. And the people He places around us are extra blessings. To take the advice from a dear saint who went home to be with Jesus, "Slow down. Relax. Don't worry. Enjoy life." It is amazing how often we fail to appreciate all that God has given us.
Please continue to pray for Emily. If you are going through a tough situation or know someone who is, know that God's grace is sufficient; His peace does pass all understanding; and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ever hope for or even imagine.
Just think of the possibilities!
Caleb Ryan McHaffie
Life! So simple, yet so complex.
Life! Amazing, yet sometimes disheartening.
Life! Sacred, yet sometimes misunderstood.
I witnessed one of the most remarkable miracles today. It was not turning water into wine, however that would be exciting to see. It was not a one million dollar check in my mailbox, but I would love to experience that as well. It was Life in the purest form. A pregnant mother, laboring to bring life into this world. A pregnant mother with the strength of of team of horses. A pregnant mom with a will stronger than solid steal. I witnessed a miracle.
I, the father, helpless, nervous, anxious, searching, needing/wanting-to-fix-this (but can't). I stood over her and I prayed a selfish prayer, that I would receive the strength of a mother. I knew in my heart that I would never understand this kind of unbridled passion, her strength came from a passion so deep and so strong that it could only come from a strength deep within, a strength that only could be given by her creator.
You would think that after going through this 4 previous times, I would "get use to it." Today, I wept as if I was a dad for the first time. The tears of amazement, joy, hope, love and so many more emotions I just savored the moment. I experienced life in the purest form.
I watched this little guy take his first breath, I cut the cord that tied him to mom, as he latched on to his mommy for his first sip of life. I realized again how precious LIFE really is. It is so amazing! God gave us life. God gave us our first breath. God gave us purpose.
Today I hope you realize that your first breath had purpose, a plan and you were birthed from a passion that is only found in a God given strength. Y9ur life matters. You matter. You!
Have a great day and enjoy every breath God gives you today. Your life is a miracle.
Thanks for reading my ramblings. I am tired, worn out and ready to go to sleep, but fatherhood calls again - as I go to the side of another child who has been throwing up off and on all evening.... Hmmmm.... Life!!!!
I did it!!!
Towards the end of summer, I realized I had a problem and I needed to deal with it. I was a pound or two near 300... Not a good sign of health! I had to admit that I was overweight and deal with it and do something about it. I started going to the YMCA daily for about a month and lost 15 pounds in about 2 weeks. I thought this was going to be easy.
I joined a class at the YMCA called Biggest Loser Bootcamp. I knew all my problems would be over by joining this class. I figured that with my current weight loss, I would lose another 20 to 25 pounds during the 6 week session.
Not the case!!! I lost one pound in 6 weeks. But more importantly I lost 2 inches, and the ability to finish my workouts, and I lost the fear of going into the free weight room. Last night for the first time in 10-15 years I actually ran one mile and finished. (I know for some of you that is no big deal) I finished something I never thought I could do. I, John McHaffie, ran one mile without stopping. It is amazing what you can do if you discipline yourself - mind, body and spirit.
Today, If you have the wrong attitude and say "there is no way I can finish" I believe if you dig deep you will find the strength to finish what you started.
Go for it!!! Run the race - Don't worry about winning, just finish strong!
Giving or Returning???
So many times you here pastors, leaders etc say "Let's take our morning tithes and offering." or we talk about "giving"our tithe to the Lord... I know most people mean well when saying such things. So, this is not a rebuke of the verbs you use... I just want to make a simple point to say...
"Everything belongs to the Lord." "EVERYTHING"
So, if everything belongs to the Lord, then how can I "give" a tithe. It already belongs to him anyway, so I believe it is safe to say that we "return" our tithes to the Lord, not give...
This is not a lesson in semantics, but a matter of the heart. When we "give/return" we give with a grateful heart!
So, however you want to say it... that is fine... but from what spirit are you giving/returning things to the Lord?
Image is not everything
Here are a group of young college guys, spending the summer in Florida working at youth camp during the week and playing hard on the weekends. Yeah - that's me the 2nd on the right with my bright yellow swimming trunks and my 6 foot board, Dude!!! This is about 1989 in the heat of the Florida summer.I am not a surfer, but yes I have tried to surf! Yes, I have a surf board in my hand, but I am not or was not a surfer. Yes, I am standing on a beach with other guys who were probably the same skill as me...
I looked the part, had the right equipment, I was at the right place, I had the image, but I did not have the skill.
Many people today are saying they are Christians. They have their Bibles, they go to the right place, they might even have Bible software on their computer... but they don't have the skill..
Discipleship is what Jesus has called us to do... "Go and make disciples!" People are lacking the skill of Christianity because the believers have left it up to the "organized church" to disciple.
My challenge for you today is for you to increase you skill, get into a small group, Wednesday night Bible study, Sunday School, home group... Whatever it takes to increase your skill and then YOU find someone you can disciple!
You will grow daily or die gradually!!!!
Habakkuk - do you question God?
- If olive oil is made from olives, what is baby oil made from?
- If I am driving down the highway at 60 mph and throw a cat out of the window, is that kitty litter?
- Why do I root for Wisconsin sports teams?
- On a more serious note: why was MY daughter diagnosed with cancer?
Questions???? Life Questions..... "God, why?"
A little lesson we can learn from the Prophet Habakkuk is this: Life does not always make sense. God does not always make sense.
Is it ok to question God?
So, what do we do when God does not make sense?
1. We wrestle with God, but we must embrace him... He will never let go..
2. We wait.... and wait... wait... and wait some more
3. We worship! We realize he is on the throne and is full control of all situations.
Grab a cup of coffee, find a quiet place, open your Bible to Habakkuk and read these words of hope.
Worship Him.... wait on Him.... but you might have to wrestle with him first...
Grateful or Ungrateful
Recently there was an email floating around cyberspace from either David Letterman or Jay Leno. This email did not pan out with www.snopes.com, but the truth in this email was so convicting.
I am so blessed!
I have bad hair days *laughing*, grumpy days and struggles just like everyone else, but for the most part I have everything I need.
Take the following words to heart as you read through them!
- 69% of the USA is not satisfied with our current White House administration.
- 2/3 of Americans are not happy and want change.... So, what are they so unhappy about?
- Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours per day, 7 days per week?
- Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter
- Could our unhappiness be from 94% of the country has jobs
- You can walk in a grocery store at any time
- You can drive your car from coast to coast without using a passport
- Clean hotels
- Thousands of restaurants
- When there is an emergency, EMT's show up within minutes and either drive you or fly you to a very clean and modern hospital
- 70% of Americans own there own home
- If your house catches on fire, the firemen will be there within minutes to save your house and belongings.
- If a prowler comes in your home... the police when notified will respond to protect you.
- All of our religious and social freedoms
The fact is... we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the US, yet it's citizens have so much opinion on how it should be ran.
We are the most blessed people in the world, but all we do is complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about our country and government. Why don't we thank God for our many blessings and do something good for mankind.
So, turn off your tv, burn your Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day.
With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one ene to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorists attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?
I would personally like to thank Craig R. Smith (whoever you are) for this insightful wisdom!
So, may God bless America.... Oh yeah, he already has!
America and the Economy
The best advise I have found on dealing with the American economy was given several years ago by a great man named William Bradbury. He took a great truth and put these words to music and this song has become a source of strength for a host of people. Read the lyrics of this great hymn and be encouraged.
1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I in then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
AMERICA, GOD CALLS TO THEE, HE WANTS YOU TO BE TRULY FREE. SO BUILD YOUR FAITH UPON HIS SON, AND LIVE FOR HIM, SEE VICTORY WON!!
"What?" Pastor John said, "Stop serving?.."
YES! Yes indeed! This past Sunday as I parked at John 14:1-4 and we began to look at the scenic views of these verses of scripture, we all noticed a depth in Jesus' words that were completely and utterly life changing! He said He was coming back for his bride!
Is the Bride ready? Why are you serving? What are you doing to prepare for the Groom? I said to "stop serving" if you are serving to have a position in the church, if you are looking for man's approval, if you are serving for any reason other than "preparing yourself for the Groom" then stop! God is not impressed with how much money we give or how many hours we serve! He is looking at our heart. This is a heart issue! My hopes are that we serve as unto the Groom, we serve to prepare the way of the Lord, we occupy until He comes! So, when we are serving in AWANA, Men's or Women's ministry, youth, office, or any other place... Do it for Him! Not the church, not a pastor, not for a program, but as unto the Lord, our soon and coming King! "People get ready, Jesus is coming, Soon we'll be going home...."
I dare you to pray this prayer!
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. - A Franciscans Prayer
I wanna be Kawass when I grow up!
It was three years ago, July 11th, my birthday.
I asked my kids where they wanted to eat.. My oldest son Joshua wanted to go to Denny's! (tuesday's are free) We were having a great time and then it was time to go... I paid, the rest of my family went to the restroom and I wandered outside to see hundreds of police cars, motorcycles cops, and SUV's!
My first thought maybe a plane had crashed, we were right next to Mitchel International Airport in Milwaukee. Then quickly, it was obvious someone important was near... I was so excited! "What a great birthday!" I thought to myself. Then, there he was, he rolled down his window and waved at the 15-20 people standing on the side of the road, President George W. Bush! He waved at me (well everyone standing there). I stood there in awe, I saw the President of the United States.
There is a funny word in the Greek, Kawass - The simple translation is "one who prepares the way, one who fills in the holes, makes the path straight." Like all of the motorcycle cops going before the President of the United States.
John the Baptist was the Kawass for Jesus! He prepared the way for Christ!
Today maybe you can be the Kawass for someone who is struggling with life and help prepare the way for them to know and understand Christ! Maybe they have sin ruts, or piles of garbage in their life, roadblocks to keep them from Christ. It is your job to go before to help prepare the way for Christ to work in their life.
Life is Fun!
Life is fun!
As we watch the news, or hear the grumblings of others we can sometimes get caught up in the negative perceptions in life. But life for the most part is fun and has simple levels of excitement.
I do not consider myself to be great at anything. I am not a skilled techy, or a skilled mechanic, my athletic skills are humorous, I am not a fix-it-man, even in ministry I do not consider myself to be a great speaker, deep thinker, or an academic...
At best I am just average! At best! But I love to have fun. Jesus said that "all of the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.. Love God with everything.. Love each other as you love yourself." As I look at the picture in this post... I am just having fun! The kids are having fun! I beleive God is smiling on us and He too is having fun.
Let's make life simple... Love God with all you got, love those around you as you love yourself... Make someone laugh today, say a kind word, be positive - even when it seems "normal" to be negative. Have a great day!
Life is Fun! (if you want it to be)
Waiting & Twisting
I am not a big fan of waiting... Waiting on food or a waiter! Waiting in a waiting room! Waiting for my wife to "put her shoes on!" Waiting for my kids to get get off the computer! Waiting for my birthday or Christmas! Let's face it, waiting is absolutely not a favorite American pass time.
In Isaiah 40:31 the scripture says, "They that WAIT upon the Lord, will renew their strength."
Is God calling me to be miserable? No, waiting has everything to do with calming our anxious hearts, continuing on our path in obedience, placing our confidence in God.
The word WAIT, can be translated HOPE! "To gather, twist, or bind together, to stretch towards, to long for, to expect" OK, OK, this is one weird definition!
So, look up at the picture... do you see the prayer shawl? That is known a the tallit. Do you see the fringes... the tassels... they are called the tzitit.... They would spend hours working on, mending... hoping, waiting (twisting, binding, stretching) in God's presence making/repairing the tzitzit.. They would twist, bind, worship for their hope and trust was in God.
For you today... Waiting on the Lord is not the same English word as "a waiting room" but God is calling to you wait/worship/praise/hope in his presence. Faith is the substance of things HOPED for.... Spend some time with Him today as you put your HOPE in Christ and He will renew your strength!
Happy Twisting!
6960 is the Strongs # for wait. For further study also look at :
- Psalm 25
- Numbers 15:38-41
Kids
As I write this blog - my kids are running through my house as if they were on some kind of sugar high. This is my day! My day off! My hopes at this moment are simply to drink coffee and watch Olympic high lights. My hopes and plans are not panning out this morning due to the overwhelming amount of boyish energy in my house. Emily, my only girl - she is serving the family this morning by letting me know everything that her brothers are doing wrong. (What a gift!) As I felt my tempuature rising when I could not see or hear the much awaited Olympic highligts... I stopped and listened, watched them.... The over whelming feeling of "boy, I am so lucky..." came over me. I am so blessed with the children I have running freely though my house, even at the expense of not hearing or seeing something I have been waiting 4 years to see. The next time I see the summer olympics, my kids (for the most part) might not want to run freely through the house, but they will be asking me for money so they can go to the mall with their friends... Serving God and serving my family is the most wonderful experience anyone could ever hope for. My prayer for the day, that I am the example of Christ to them, even when the Olymics are on tv. Enjoy your family today! Kids are great (even when they are loud)! Enjoy whatever stage of life they are in today, for the next Summer Olmpics they will be 4 years older!
WWW.GOODSEARCH.COM
Great news!You can do a lot of good by just searching on the web. I know this blog is powered by Google (and I love Google) but, goodsearch.com will give money to charitable organizations. So go search something! Try it for a day or two and let me know what you think... Enter MY CHARITY - WEST LAYTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD.
www.goodsearch.com
Nothing's too hard for God
As you woke up today, what was the first thing on your mind? Did you start singing, "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day...." or truthfully did you pull the pillow over your face as you heard that annoying sound coming from your alarm clock, and try to hide from the reality that it was time to get up and start fresh, a new day!You are not alone when you dread going to work, school, or just getting up! I want to encourage you that you were made for a purpose, a purpose that is for today! Unless you get out of bed the world will not be blessed by the gift God has given this world through you. To make your dreams come true you have to wake up and get up and look up!
Smile, and remember! With God nothing is too difficult!
"This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Have you ever wondered where you belong in this world?
What is my purpose?
Who am I? or Who is God?
You are not alone - If you are seeking wisdom for your life, look no further than the Creator himself.
Sunday's are great at West Layton Assembly of God! Our theme for the day will be Serving God and Serving Others!
I would like to personally invite you to attend one of our services! Come, just as you are and find some answers for your life... You deserve it!
Sunday at 10am
Beautiful Feet!
How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news!Servant Leadership
There's a clever young guy named Somebody Else,
There's nothing this guy can't do.
He is busy from morning until late at night,
Just substituting for you.
You're asked to do this or you're asked to do that
And what is your reply?
Get Somebody Else to do that job,
He'll do it much better than I.
So much to do in this weary old world
So much and workers so few,
And Somebody Else, all weary and worn,
Is still substituting for you?
Kids' Theology
A pastor of a church in Milwaukee was busy one afternoon fixing the gutters on his house after a long-hard winter. A neighborhood boy stood by watching for a long time. Finally, the pastor asked the boy, "are you getting a hint on how to be a handy-man?" No, the boy said, "I'm just waiting to hear what a pastor says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."
Not just any 6 year old
To see her, she looks like any normal 6 year old. She loves dresses, pink, ponies and Cinderella. She loves to sing, jump, climb and also she can be a little bit on the "direct" side as she shares her concerns with her 3 brothers. (BTW - one more on the way)
Emily is a miracle in the making. She is busy right now conquering skin cancer. This coming August she will have her first major check up since finishing her treatments last October. To look at her, she seems healthy and active - but since she was 4 she has endured 4 major surgeries, lots of needles, picc lines, pokes, prods, blood draws and a lot of unwanted exposure.
She is doing Great! We are believing this "cancer" will be a thing of the past! I believe God is going to use this for his glory! He created her with a purpose, and she has already proved to be an overcomer.
This blog entry is to encourage you to not give up. Let a 6 year girl's fight with cancer give you the hope you need today to accomplish all God has called you to do.
If you lie....
- You will attract other liars into your life. Proverbs 17:4
- You will have a lack of understanding. Psalms 119:104
- You will never enjoy permanent results. Proverbs 12:19; 21:28
- You will end up in bondage. Galatians 2:4
- You will be punished. Proverbs 19:5
- You will become a fool. Proverbs 10:18
- Your lies will come back upon you Psalms 7:14-16
Love
1. LOVE is patient - am I?2. LOVE is kind - am I?
3. LOVE does not envy - do I?
4. LOVE does not boast - do I?
5. LOVE is not proud - am I?
6. LOVE is not rude - am I?
7. LOVE is not self-seeking - am I?
8. LOVE is not easily angered - am I?
9. LOVE keeps no records of wrong doing - do I?
10. LOVE does not like evil - do I?
11. LOVE rejoices over the truth - do I?
12. LOVE always protects - do I?
13. LOVE always trusts - do I?
14. LOVE always hopes - do I?
15. LOVE always perseveres - do I?
LOVE NEVER FAILS!!!!
10 Destiny Breakers
1. Complaining
3. Worry
4. Regret
5. Excuses
6. Traditions
7. Mistakes
8. Lying
9. Quiting
10. Unforgiving
Mistakes
Have you ever made a dumb decision? A mistake? Said the wrong thing? You are not alone in this, everyday people say, do and respond in ways, then wish they could rewind the clock. Sure, you have failed, but I believe that is a sign that God is not finished with you yet. He has a plan and purpose for your life.
Psalms 37 says that the steps of a righteous man is ordered of the Lord. So, you need to get back in the game and not give up.
Your life is a lot like a tea bag - Not worth much until you have gone in some hot water.
Have a great day! :)
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