Thanksgiving

On Thursday, November 26th, we will celebrate our national day of thanksgiving.  Most in our country mistakenly believe that the holiday centers around the pilgrims giving thanks to the Native American peoples who helped them through a harsh winter.  The truth is the pilgrims gave thanks to God for His blessings and for the help He guide their way through the Native American peoples.

The purpose of this post is to give you an oppoortuntiy to openly give thanks for the blessings you have.  Please share them with others in a comment.  I am not concerned with your religious or non-religious beliefs.  I am more interested in learning what you are thankful for.

I am thankful first of all that God has provided a way for me to be forgiven for my sins, which I believe comes through my faith in Jesus Christ.  I have been blessed me with many talents and gifts.  I have a wonderful wife, a terrific daughter, two talented sons and four of the greatest grandchildren.  I am thankful for the opportunity to live my dream as I grow through serving others.

I look forward to hearing what you are thankful for.

REAL Men RoCK Men's Group

Over two years ago my best friend, Doug Walton, and I started a small group called, "REAL Men RoCK".  When Doug died several months later I struggled to keep it going but I believe I did and moved it in a different direction.  One of the goals from the beginning was to get men to develop closer personal relationships with other men.  Many of the men who attend on a regular basis have done exactly that.  On Thursday, November 19th, we are going to have our last meeting and here is what I shared:

We looked at Philippians 1: 3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

 7-8 It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

When Doug and I began this group called REAL Men RoCK we had a vision of a group of men growing in our relationships as we studied the word of God. I am so thankful for what God has done through the Holy Spirit over the past two years.

Here are some things I am thankful for regarding the men who have been in this group.

Ken, I appreciate the Determination and Positive Attitude you have displayed as you have journeyed through the employment struggles.

Brian, I am thankful for the Dream that God has given you to serve the hungry.

Chuck, I am encouraged by your Desire to keep moving forward in overcoming.

Brad, I have enjoyed watching a Leader being developed who has a desire to serve others.

Rick, I am enjoying being part of the Dream that God has placed in your heart. I am glad you are taking the risk to pursue it.

Doug, I have enjoyed serving with a Real Servant Leader.

Neal, I thank you for your desire to bring Prayer into everything we do. Your Heart for others stirs me to action.

Mark, I appreciate your willingness to Risk coming to a group where you did not know anyone. That desire for Male friendship is a desire many men would like to have but fear.

Charles, Even though you only came to one meeting I believe you represent the results that Doug and I had hoped for.

Rob, I miss what God was doing in our midst. You are an important part of the growth I experienced the past three years.

I am so thankful that God connected me up with Doug Walton. He challenged me in many ways and always gave me something to think about. God used him to show me a faith that I was looking for. Each of you men have been used by God to move me forward as a Christian man and I am thankful for having had the honor of leading the group you choose to join.

One of the things I encouraged you to do is to develop closer relationships with each other and several of you have done that. I must admit I failed to be as faithful in doing what I preached. Sure my job kept me from having much free time but if something is important to you, you will find a way to do it. I apologize for not being a better leader in that aspect.

Mark Warner, Senior Pastor at Vineyard Church, taught us in VLI that when a wine skin no longer holds wine it is time to replace it. Our Thursday evening group since moving from the Vineyard has began to appear to be just that type of wine skin with attendance down to two or three each week. I believe it has served its purpose and now must be replaced with something better for each of you. After tonight, REAL Men RoCK, will no longer meet on Thursday evenings. I terminate it with sadness but also with the joy that I have received over the past two years. I can honestly say that I love each of you as a brother and that I look forward to continuing our friendship but maybe through one on one meeting. I intend to keep Thursday evenings open for opportunities to meet with you in a more personal way.

I want to thank each of you for trusting me with your dreams, your fears and your wounds.

Some of my favorite Blogs

With this post I want to share some blog of some of my friends or that I follow.  Please pay them a visit and give them a shout.

The Shepherd's Garden

http://shepherdsgarden.wordpress.com/

I have known Rick Duggan for about two years and he has a Passion to help people through Hoop Gardening. 

Rick's Blog  

http://ricksblog-rick.blogspot.com/

I have known Dick Mann for about 27 years and when I was homeless he took me in.  He has been a Spiritual example for me for many years.

Body Kare by Karen

http://www.bodykarebykaren.com/

I have known Karen for about 12 years and have grown to appreciate her insights on Healthy Eating.

Jason the Bald Guy   http://jasonthebaldguy.com/

I have known Jason since he moved up to our area from Louisiana after hurricane Katrina and I love his Outlook on life.

Nutrition Coach Karen

http://nutritioncoachkaren.blogspot.com/

This is the same Karen as above and this is her Nutrition website.

Caribbean Shulamite 

http://caribbeanshulamite.blogspot.com/

I do not personally know the Caribbean Shulamite but have read her blog and she has read mine. We share in the belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior. She has been an encourager of mine for the past year.

Each of these blogs offer a unique perspective on life and some great ideas on how to improve your life.  Each of the authors are fulfilling their dream and their calling through sharing on their blog.  I believe you will find what they share on their blog to be a blessing.

I not only have them as my friends but I value their input into my life.  

One final one A Community Chaplain

http://louisburgcommunitychaplain.blogspot.com/

I have known this guy for over 59 years and I must say he is my favorite blogger. Okay, so this last one is one of my blogs but I still appreciate what the guy has to say.

Vineyard Church, Overland Park, KS

While attending this church I found healing for many wounds I have suffered from life.  Through sound Biblical teaching and a leadership that focused on healing rather than condemning I experienced many breakthroughs.

New Life Church, Louisburg, KS

This is now my church home whether I have the honor to serve as Pastor of Life Groups and to oversee Men's Ministry. I am living my dream and fulfilling my calling through my blogs and through serving at New Life.  I encourage you to open up the gift in you and take the risk to pursue it.

Father, May each person who visits these blog today be blessed by the words they read. In the name, the authority and the power of Jesus Christ amen

Who Has Your Blind Side?

Every man has a blind side and he needs other men to cover it. For years I lived fearful of having male friends. Then I found a church where men had compassion and a couple of men covered my blind side. They did not try to fix me instead they showed me Christ. Men let the Holy Spirit do the fixing as you do the encouraging. 

Men! I encourage you to get some guys together and go watch the movie, "The Blind Side". Then stop by a StarBucks or even a bar and talk about what was stirred in you. Guys if yo don't get another guy to watch your blind side satan and his demons will sack you.

Veteran's Day 2009

I salute all of the men and women who have served or are serving in the United States military.
Never forget that your freedom is not free, someone paid a price for it.

America in Decline

The status of the United States ranks low around the world, over 10% unemployment, many more are under-employed, out of control government spending, government take-over of private business, and a proposed take-over of the entire health care system.  What is going on in the United States of America?  Why is the status of the United States in decline? It is very simple:

We have gone from a country with leaders who lead with these words, "In God We Trust" to a country with leaders who lead with these words, "In Government We Trust."  This is not only true in government but in many of the churches in America.

"We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and . . . from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come." - Samuel Adams

"Statesmen . . . may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand."

When a country begins to place it's trust in men, those who lead them, over trusting in God who created them, God will remove His favor on them and they will fall. 

Proverbs 16: 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

I believe we are watching this very thing taking place here in America. Unless we have leaders in government and in our churches who believe our government is under God we will experience a mighty fall.

To get our leaders to submit to God we must first submit ourselves to God and then ask Him to guide us as we elect leaders who will also submit to the God's will.

Are You a Dream Builder or A Dream Destroyer?

I am reading John Maxwell's book, "The Winning Attitude" and in chapter ten he talks about the results of having a negative atttiude.  One of the examples he points out is how Thomas Edison tried to persuade Henry Ford to abandon his work on the fledgling idea of a motor car. "It's a worthless idea." Edison, persistent in his own endeavors, told the young Ford. "Come and work for me and do something really worthwhile."  

Imagine if Ford would have listened to Edison there would be no Ford Motor Company that has provided and has made possible jobs for millions of people.

My questions for you to consider are:

1. Have you ever put down someone else's dream, calling it worthless?

2. Have you ever seen your dream as more worthy than the dream of your friend?

3. Have you ever felt jealousy because someone else is reaching for their dream as yours sits in the box of your heart?

I want to encourage you to take your dream out of the box and pursue it.  As you pursue your dream look for other people who are pursuing theirs.  Team up with them and encourage each other as you move forward.  If they are achieving their dream keep supporting them and you will get encouragement to continue to move on your dream.  Finally pray for their success and ask God to give you the courage to continue moving forward on yours.

I believe God is right now revealing your dream to you.  Allow Him to open up the possibilities and the excitement of doing something BIG for Him.  Please share your dream here so that I can pray for you and send messages of encouragement.

Your Checkbook, Your Calendar and Your WebSite Visits

Several years ago I heard a speaker say the following, "I can tell what your priorities are by looking at your checkbook and calendar.  I want to make a similar statement, "I can tell what and who you worship by your checkbook, your calendar and the websites you visit.

Think about that for a moment.  

I remember a time in my life when I spent most of my income and my time partying or in recreation.  I remember a time in my life when I would be embarrassed and ashamed to have you look at the sites I visited.

Now go review your checkbook, your calendar and the website you have visited.  What picture do you get of who or what you worship?   

Here is the good news: Jesus is able to cover every sin you and I have ever and will ever commit. Nothing can separate us from Christ. Romans 8:  31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

If what you found in your checkbook, your calendar and your internet surfing causes you distress I encourage you to lay each down before Jesus and surrender them to Him.  I promise you He will not focus on your sins but on your potential. 

Why Do You Worship?

Sunday we had a special guest speaker, Daniel Rric Groves.

He and his band played several worship songs and then Eric asked us a question that he has been asking at the various places he has been this year: "Why do you worship?"  I have to say that this service was one of the best worship experiences I have ever had.

I want to invite you to help me finish this post.  Click the comment button and share why you worship.  Over the past year I have had over 4,982 page views.  I want to celebrate by having my readers help me write the best post I have placed on this blog.  Right now as you listen to these worship songs pray about leaving a comment sharing why you worship.  By doing so I believe you will contribute to blessing someone who needs to read your comment.

I believe that worship is more than the songs we sing. I believe it involves our whole life and is expressed through our actions as well as through the songs we sing.

Thank you for your comment.  I look forward to being encouraged by what you share.