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?

Why Women Live Longer

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!

The whole McHaffie family

Why Women Live Longer

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!!

"If your gospel isn't touching others, it hasn't touched you."

~ Curry R. Blake

"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...."