Dream 9/19/09

Two island stand apart, an almost mirror image of one another. The ocean between them separates them by only a short distance. A small boat is fishing close to the far island, the one un-inhabited, a least by man. As the fishermen pull in their catch a sound behind them makes them quickly turn around (one looks like Keano Reeves). On a larger boat their are several men, official looking men who have hooked onto their boat and have thrown down two small floatation devises. The official says "I am sorry, but we have not sent a sacrifice to the island in a long time, we are afraid that if the beast is not appeased he will come and endanger life on our island". One of the two fishermen become deftly afraid and also angry at the same time. He has heard the monstrous noise of the beast and he knows that all others who have been sent as sacrifices have never returned. In his anger he explodes, "I will honor this choice, only because I have watched others sent to the island out of fear for my own safety, but I demand that I am allowed to pick up some provisions for myself! As he looks into the ocean he see three staffs floating on top. The one in the middle seems to be reaching to him , perhaps useful as weapon or protection device. He is taken to the home island, it is teeming with life and business. He enters a bait shop and gets a small pocket knife and some cans of food. Before he walks out, his anger at being removed from this place of safety results in him swinging the staff and smashing items in a glass display case.

He is now on the island. The two islands although nearly identical have very different meanings attached to them. The other island is his home, a place of comfort and reliability. It is safe and all he needs to live are at that island.
This island is known as the home of the beast.
Although no one has ever seen the beast they have heard the incredible roar and have feared that the beast would someday come and destroy their peaceful existence.

As he looks into a cave not far from shore he sees the remains of all who came before him. Out of fear they stayed in the cave eventually succumbing to the elements and or starvation. He hears the roar of the beast, but does not hesitate to venture and see. He will not die this way, in fear, waiting.
As he come around the hillside he sees the beast!
It is the incredible sound and energy of the waves crashing against massive rocks! There was never a real beast, only the fear of the unknown! Now this island is his to master and to prosper! All of this incredible opportunity and it is his only because he dared to face the unknown, the beast or lack thereof has now become his place of blessing...

Holy Spirit

The last few weeks we have been having a great time of worship and intersession at New Beginnings Church. It is supposed to be a bible study but the last two times we have had a great time in the Lord praying for one another. Paul talks allot about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the bible but especially that one might prophecy. When the Spirit moves the words of knowledge and the gifts begin to be used, a person is truly ministered to deep within their heart. Man if you have not received the Holy Spirits supernatural gifting please contend! God is moving and He wants you and I to be a part of that movement, time is short and getting shorter. Pray Hard!!!

God is able

When I start to think I have to change my circumstances by my own strength I usually end up farther away from my goal instead of closer to it. Getting in a hurry is such an easy thing to do, but man it can cost so much in time and effort as well as the mental taxation it takes whenever a setback occurs. I am waiting right now for something I believe the Lord promised but I know that it is in His time and not mine. The Lord prepares us to accomplish what He has set before us and if we will allow the time it takes to do the internal work we will enter the blessing with the competence that we need to sustain the Lords work. Waiting on the Lord. It's not easy but if you do, it will be well worth it!

Update

For the last three weeks I have had the honor to preach at the Congregational Church in American Falls. This was such an awesome experience because of the opportunity to submit to God and just allow Him to do what ever He wanted. It was the first time I have been able to teach a series and I pray it won't be the last. My series was titled "Capturing your Destiny". I pray that a few of the people did. I am so blessed to have so many people that pray for me and encourage me as I am able to step out and bring the Word of God. Our last Sunday was a great accumulation of our time, the congregation was close to twice what it was the first Sunday and God certainly honored the prayers that were lifted up. On the way there my wife and I talked about the manifest glory of the presents of God and how rare that is and how we hoped that He would show Himself in that way to this church. Well He did not let us down, my wife said that at times she had to ask herself who was preaching! Also she said that a couple of times she could see what looked to be a white cloud or mist to my side. Wow! A Glory Cloud!?! Anyway when we were finished and greeting the people at the door one young man said that his life would never be the same and several others said they were deeply moved and touched by God. How awesome when a man can be used to touch the soul of the people in this way. I thank you for your prayers and pray that many more of these supernatural opportunities come my way!
God Bless!!!

Love is the answer

Take a moment today and enjoy the love that God has for you. To not believe in Christ is just plain silly because He believes so much in you! You may have spiritual gifts that you are taking for granted or just not using and that is a shame. You are a special person, a gift from God to this world. If you surrender to Christ it is not going to be a bad thing, it will be the best thing! Gods love for you is so complete that even while you have your back turned to Him He is still working on ways to get your attention. Wow, the creator of all things wanting your love and attention. That's amazing, you are amazing and God loves you and wants you to get to know Him today. Just tell Him that you re ready, that you believe in Christ (you already do), and you want all the love and blessing He has for you. Easy, now just spend a little time each day talking to Him and reading out of His Word the Holy Bible. You best life is still to come.

Protecting Yours

If you are a believer and you are pushing into the things of the Kingdom one thing you can expect is opposition from the enemy. Satan hates anyone who has given the Lord control of their life and is willing to do whatever is asked of them in order to fulfill their destiny. The work of the enemy can come in many shapes, If he cannot discourage you then he will go after those who are important in your life that do not have the same relationship and understanding of the Kingdom.
2 timothy 2:22-26 Amplified Bible (AMP)
22Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. 24And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. 25He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], 26And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.
This scripture lets us know that there will be difficult times, we must not fall into the temptation to fight and argue, but to allow the power of God to help us to live out our destiny! Go for it!
Great exploits await!!

POWER!!

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an essential in the walk of a Christian. The disciples were weak and waining until the event covered in the Book Of Acts Chapter two took place (Read it). You to can and must have this Power. Contend for this, pray with another believer that you know who is baptized in the Spirit, do not give up! Ask God to cleanse your heart and to FILL you with His Spirit. Great exploits await!!

Real Life Real Love

THE BRIDE WAS BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kirkpatrick held off cancer to celebrate the happiest day of her life
BY GEORGEA KOVANISFREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Katie Kirkpatrick gets some last-minute help. For her walk down the aisle, she left her oxygen tank at the back of the church with her wheelchair.The bridesmaids, eight in all, wore strapless black dresses that hadn't been the bride's first choice but were available on short notice and looked lovely nonetheless. The groomsmen wore sharp tuxedos. The parents and grandparents of the young couple at the altar looked proud and happy and maybe a little wistful.
The 400 or so people at the church to witness this quickly arranged exchange of vows cried not just because that's what people do at weddings, but because they didn't know how long this marriage might last. The bride, though brimming with happiness, was terribly ill.
Katie Kirkpatrick, 21, had chased away cancer once, only to have it return -- to clog her lungs and grab hold of her heart and try to pull her away from those she loved and those who loved her. Breathing was difficult now; she had to use oxygen. The pain in her back was so intense it broke through the morphine that was supposed to act as a shield. Her belly, legs and feet were swollen because her organs were shutting down and her body was retaining fluid.
People prayed for her, just as she prayed for strength and guidance and deliverance from the disease. They raised money to help pay medical expenses, and Katie did everything she could to help herself. She ate well. In the hospital for chemotherapy, she walked laps through the hallways and rode a stationary bike to stay strong. She took her medicine and vitamins and she never complained because she believed everything would be all right.
And that is why all these people came out on a cold Saturday in January, when the sun shone so brightly it made the snow sparkle like the crystal beading on Katie's wedding dress. They watched, awed, as she summoned all her strength and walked slowly, smiling, down the long aisle of the Church of Christ in Hazel Park on the arm of her father, who himself has cancer.
While some people might have considered this wedding to be a last act before cancer got the best of Katie, it wasn't that at all. She had hope and faith and when you have those things, when you have a glimmer of something in which to believe, there are no last acts.
She did not use oxygen during that walk; she left the big green tank at the back of the church with her wheelchair. She didn't want to look back at photos and be reminded of illness at the moment she pledged her love to Nick Godwin, the man who was devoted to her and the man with whom she would build a future. She knew she would get through cancer, she would beat it. And in the end, the very end, she did.
Katie Kirkpatrick grew up in Metamora, a small town full of horse farms and expensive subdivisions in Lapeer County, about 50 miles from Detroit. She graduated from Lapeer East High School, where she was co-valedictorian, a good athlete -- basketball and soccer -- and the homecoming queen. She was hugely popular. She belonged to a church choir. As a neighborhood baby-sitter, she often canceled her own plans to help out parents in a bind. She counted shopping as one of her hobbies and had a good eye for fashion; she helped family members pick out clothes and even on he morning of her wedding, when she was groggy from morphine, she complimented a friend's coat and asked if it was new. Last year, $30 at Marshall's, the friend said.
And Katie smiled.
It was a great smile. Friends said that when she smiled at them, they felt like the most important person in the universe. They liked that she listened to them. When they visited during her many hospitalizations, she always asked what they were up to, what they had received for Christmas, who they were dating. When they got scared about the cancer, she was the one who talked sense to them. Everything will be fine, she said.
Late at night, when she was too sick even to sleep, when the hospital bed in her girly pink and yellow bedroom at her parents' house couldn't be adjusted to comfort her, she read her Bible. While everyone else slept, it was her comfort and her companion.
Katie's parents, David and Niki Kirkpatrick, work for the Lapeer Community Schools District, though her dad, a counselor and basketball coach, is on leave because he has cancer in his brain and her mother, a teacher, is on leave to care for her sick family. Neighbors and friends and church members help. They bring meals. They find housekeepers. They loan their cars and they provide rides because sometimes driving is just too much for Niki, her mind overcrowded with medication schedules, and vitamin smoothie recipes, and doctors' reports, and wedding plans.
She tried hard to keep everything together because she was the only one who knew everything -- what doctors thought about Katie's prognosis and David's prognosis. And for the most part, she kept that information to herself. She was their protector, their cheerleader. When Katie ate all of her breakfast -- scrambled eggs and toast -- Niki told her she'd done a good job. When David put a glass bowl of soup on the stove to heat, Niki took it away from him and showed him, again, that he needed to use a pot. There was no way she'd ever, ever risk hurting them by telling them exactly what the doctors thought. Or, even, exactly what she thought -- that it was possible neither her husband nor daughter would be around for a wedding if they waited too long to have one.
David Kirkpatrick, 52, has a loyal following of students and former students who like that he was always encouraging and positive and funny. He's all those things still, though his mind is a little scrambled from the tumor and he's often tired from radiation and chemotherapy. Not long ago, he looked at a glass of orange juice and called it tea. It's not unusual for him to bid a visitor goodnight three or four times in the matter of minutes because he forgets what he's said. When one of the groomsmen, one of David Kirkpatrick's former basketball players, saw him dance with Katie to "You Are So Beautiful" at the reception, he sobbed because he hated that two people he cared for so much were so sick.
Katie's best friend was her sister, Sara Nelms, who is 29, a stay-at-home mom married to a special education teacher, Kevin Nelms. They met while they were students at a Christian college in Arkansas. They have a 4-month-old, Jake, who is plump and cuddly and much loved. Once Niki told a stranger he was the bright spot in the family's life. A split-second later she corrected herself. The family, she said, has many bright spots. More than once Katie wondered aloud if the children she and Nick have will be as cute.
That was the thing about Katie, she could be exhausted and in great pain and yet she'd say something -- about having babies, or about being thrilled with the Calphalon pans someone had given as a wedding gift or the new apartment where she and Nick would live -- that made you wonder if she realized the extent of her illness. In Katie's eyes, there was always hope.
"Sometimes I forget that," Niki said. "Katie never forgets that. I think, 'How can she think that?' "Then I think, 'How can she not?' "
Nick Godwin, a 23-year-old Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy who wanted to be a cop since he was 2, is strong and athletic.
He has loved Katie since 11th grade. ("The first time they ever really talked to each other was at a basketball game," said Sandy Godwin, his mother. "I think she had him right there. You could tell by the look on his face.") They dated a bit but broke up when he went away to Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.
She was still in high school and wasn't interested in a long-distance relationship. "I always figured I'd go to college and I'd meet someone there," Katie said a few days before her wedding. "I wasn't a big believer in high school love."
Still, she and Nick remained friends, and on holidays and summer vacations, they spent time together and with each other's families. "He kept calling when he was in college. He just was consistently always there -- not in a bad way," Katie said. "She couldn't get rid of me," Nick said.
Katie, who won a basketball and academic scholarship to Rochester College, a Christian school in Rochester Hills, Mich., dated other guys.
When Nick sent Katie a Valentine's Day e-mail in February 2002, he decided it would be his last attempt at winning her heart. If he didn't hear back, he would move on. Instead, he received an e-mail from David Kirkpatrick that said Katie had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was in the hospital. Nick's sister called later and told him Katie's condition was more serious than anyone had originally thought. Nick got in his truck and drove home to see Katie. He couldn't explain it, but he needed to be with her. "Something about her made me feel differently than anybody else did," he said.
A few weeks later, Katie had surgery. After that, she had follow-up treatments. She lost some of her language skills; she had to learn to read again. But she was getting better. She was feeling healthy. There were no signs of cancer.
In March 2003, she realized that she might feel something more than friendship toward Nick, but she was concerned about his religious background. She was a devout Christian, had grown up in the Church of Christ. Nick hadn't grown up in a church. God is important to me, Katie told him. I can't consider a future with someone who doesn't feel the same way.
In the summer of 2003, Nick began studying the Bible with Katie and her dad.
In July, she told Nick she loved him.
In October he was baptized in Katie's church.
The same month, she learned the cancer had returned -- this time in and around her lungs.
She went through more chemotherapy, and for a while, the cancer seemed under control. She went to work raising money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She spoke to business owners and civic groups and raised $28,000, earning an opportunity to travel to Austin, Texas, to meet and ride with champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.
Even though she had difficulty breathing, she managed to complete a 7.5-mile ride. It was the fall of 2004, and her cancer was spreading.
She and Nick had been engaged in March 2004. He proposed during a trip Up North. They'd already postponed their wedding so Katie could concentrate on getting well.
But by late December, what was the value in waiting? If Katie knew that getting married sooner might be the only way she would have a wedding, she didn't say.
"This is where we are," she said to her mother more than once.
"There's no sense looking back or what if or anything. This is where we are, this is what we're going to deal with and we're going to move forward."
The wedding was beautiful.
The church was full of pink roses and the lights had been dimmed to make it look more romantic than most churches do in the middle of the afternoon.
As Katie reached the end of the aisle and left her father's arm, Nick turned to her and whispered: I love you.
Their vows were simple and short.
They did not include "till death do us part" because the minister, Garth Pleasant, who has known Katie since she was a baby, doesn't use that phrase. Instead, he told them that marriage is a little bit of heaven on Earth and that love is unconditional.
After they kissed, they stood together with their foreheads touching for what seemed like the longest time. It was their moment; nothing else mattered except that they were together and they would always be together.
The reception was huge and photographers, a DJ and a videographer who had heard about Katie and had been touched volunteered their services.
People clinked silverware against their glasses, and the bride and groom kissed.
Then it was time for the slide show, showing Katie growing up. Nick growing up. Their life together. That's when people started crying again, and again when she and Nick danced, very slowly, to "I Live My Life for You."
Some of her friends from high school, people who loved her dearly, were reluctant to have their photographs taken with her. Katie was the same person she had always been, that's why they loved her. But did they want to remember her so small and weak, her arms the size of a child's?
When they saw her smile, they realized this was probably the happiest day of her life and they were honored to share in it. And they too smiled for the camera.
Where Katie got the energy to be such a beautiful, gracious bride, considering her deteriorating health, was a mystery.
Three days earlier, she and Nick -- who had worked all night on patrol -- were at McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint. She'd gone in for an intravenous treatment to reduce the amount of fluid she was retaining. Katie was especially groggy. Near the end of the treatment, she asked Nick to call her hospice nurse. But she wasn't available. Katie cried.
She called the nurse herself and said she'd discovered a lump near her neck earlier that morning. The nurse sent a doctor in to see Katie. He told her it appeared to be a swollen lymph node. He asked what kind of cancer she has -- it started in the choroid plexus, which is rare and usually strikes children under 5 -- and when she told him, he just raised his eyebrows.
Then he changed the subject and asked about the wedding.
She had wedding rehearsal on Thursday.
She tried to rest on Friday.
The day of the wedding, she was up at 6 a.m.
When she left the reception at 11:30 that night -- after she'd been serenaded by groomsmen and eaten wedding cake -- she was exhausted. Her face looked as white as her gown. As Nick wheeled her to the car, her small body surrounded by the fluff of her white dress, she looked like a snow princess floating through the air.
She looked happy.
Five days later, Katie died.
She and Nick had delayed their honeymoon -- a trip to the luxurious Royal Park Hotel in Rochester -- and gone to suburban Chicago to consult with a team of doctors. Once there, Katie's condition worsened. She wanted to come home. Her hospice nurse believes Katie knew she was going to die. "When you're dying, you know it," said Jaina Brooks, who had been working with Katie. "She got things done. That girl wanted to spread hope, and she did."
Katie's family had her flown to McLaren, and that is where her body -- which was so much weaker than her spirit -- gave up.
About 1,200 people attended her funeral, held in Rochester Hills at a church much larger than her own in Lake Orion. Rochester College canceled classes for the day so students could attend. Police officers directed traffic. People hugged Nick.
The funeral program included a reprint of the speech Katie gave when she graduated from high school:
"Life is a fragile chain of experiences held together by love. If there could be only one thing in life to learn, it would be to love.
"If only you can love enough, you will be the happiest and most powerful person in the world."
While it is tragic that someone should die, especially so young, it's difficult to see the story of Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin as a sad one.
She did not allow illness to make her weak, she did not allow it to change her relationship with her God or her family or her husband. She did not let sickness stop her from living, take away the hope or faith that made her believe she had a future. She had a lovely wedding and she had love and she gave love and love doesn't die.
And that is how Katie beat cancer.

Don't be fooled

Do not be fooled into thinking that in any way shape or form is there going to be a peaceful settlement from the liberals. They want your soul. The liberal mindset is as radical and as lethal as the most militant muslim. It is their way all the way. The liberal demos have started making legislation for hate crimes in speaking out against gay marriage or any other liberal agenda. Attempting to sit on the fence on this one is never going to solve anything because the libs want you to tear pages out of the WORD OF GOD and submit to their ideology. When Mrs. California answered the question that was brought to her on the subject of gay marriage her answer let the rest of us know just how far these demon possessed people are willing to go. Understand this IF YOUR VIEWS ARE CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD YOU ARE SERVING SATAN AND NOT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! You want a false god, a false hope so that your liberal values get accepted? That's fine but you will suffer in the long haul. Go ahead write your books about Christ being a myth and the Bible just being stories but soon enough you will wish you didn't

Power of God

Last Sunday I sat in church and the service itself was interesting to say the least. It was more of a free for all with anyone wanting to speak to have the floor. There was one young lady in particular that wanted to let the church know what was going on in her life. She had only been clean from drugs for a few weeks but was wanting to help a young girl to escape her current living conditions. Now I have no idea if this is going to work out but I do know that God was doing an incredible work in this young lady and the girl she had brought with her. Gods power of redemption is certain for those who believe. His power of transformation is incredible as well. What happens when we are confronted by old sin? Do we fall do we stay strong? Well the answer is..some do and some don't. Some struggle and then overcome and some just continue to struggle. What I am going to say now will certainly alienate me from some circles, and endure me to others. I believe what is missing in church and in Christianity right now is the manifest presents of the Holt Spirit. I, (and my wife and most of our closest friends) have had times of worship so awesome that we could feel, hear and taste the Holy Spirit. He is real, He is the third part of the Godhead and He is in desperate need in the life of Christians today that desire to truly do the work of God here on earth. We cannot be POWERFUL in Christ without the Holy Spirit. Pray today for a supernatural baptism in the Holy Spirit, contend for that and do not give up until you receive. Your life will NEVER be the same and you will walk in a power and anointing you have not experienced before!
God Bless you!
Mitch

Blessing!

Do you want to be blessed? Sure you do, who doesn't? Being blessed means we have to follow a certain set of principals that the world may not agree with. First be a giver, and give your best. I have had friends offer to give me stuff that was almost worthless just so they could make room for the newer version. Giving less than your best means you will receive less than the best you are hoping for. Second give without expecting anything in return. If you are giving just so that you will have someone indebted to you then the spirit of giving is wrong. Also if you are giving just for people to see what a great sport you are than again you missed the point and their hollow praise will be your reward. Third give with love. Be happy about giving, rejoice in the fact you have something to give. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. And last, if you do not follow Jesus Christ, well all the giving in the world will not impress God enough to give you the ultimate gift, salvation, eternal life. So be a good giver, start today! But most of all make sure you have received the best gift, the gift of Christ!
God Bless,
Mitch

United we stand

Tiger Woods received a special invitation to speak at the inauguration. His inviters were stunned, shocked when he did not deliver the message they expected. A brief read and you will understand why the media swept Woods' remarks under the rug with no further ado and why the liberal left of our American society was again displeased with Tiger. His speech was entitled:"You'll Never Walk Alone"
[text is word-for-word as posted on Tiger's web site] "I grew up in a military family - and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of the service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life; from every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home. Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely. I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it. In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man at whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: 'I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.' Just as they have stood tall for our country - we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families. Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Glee Club ..." ====Tiger Woods' 2-minute, 5-second tribute to the our nation's military was delivered January 18th at the Inaugural Celebration in Washington, DC! He had been subjected to intense pressure to attend and offer remarks. Especially so by liberals who have demeaned and criticized him for a decade for not joining their ranks. Yet, at the Lincoln Memorial, instead of paying homage to Barack Obama, Tiger paid tribute to our soldiers. Not once did Tiger mention Obama, the inauguration or the new administration. He had to understand expressing his love for America and appreciation for our military men and women would disappoint the national news media and the liberal left. But Tiger is his own man; his father taught him to be his own man. Somewhere over that cold, gray Washington sky, Colonel Earl Woods was smiling down on his beloved son. And there will be one more crying hug waiting for Tiger when the time comes he passes through heaven's gates into God's arms.
******
What? You did not previously know what Tiger said? You did not see a video clip of him speaking on a national television network, you did not see a photo of Tiger at the Lincoln Memorial offering his remarks, you did not read a story in the NY Times? His appearance at the Inaugural Celebration had been widely hailed and promoted in advance by the Obama inaugural organizers . . . yet January 18 when he came and spoke . . .

Oh, well.

RU Blessed?

Today on Christian radio was the discussion of President Obamas recent trip to Georgetown
University, in which some of the religious symbols were covered in order for the platform to look the way he desired. Was it a deliberate attempt to distance himself from Christianity, or just an issue of ascetics? Responses were vehement from Christian leadership, "In 32 years of public ministry, I have never seen a President of the United States show such complete contempt and disrespect for faith. This action by the White House should appall and anger every American who cherishes sacred traditions...especially Christians.
"The fact that the Obama White House would ask a Catholic University to cover up a sacred symbol of Jesus to provide a better backdrop for his speech shows that President Obama has no understanding or respect for sacred expressions of faith.
"The image that the Obama team portrayed during the campaign of Mr. Obama being a man of deep faith, understanding and tolerance is now completely in tatters. It is stunning and shameful that anyone would ask a Christian institution to cover up a public expression of Jesus just so they could have a better background for a televised speech. This is not a person who respects or cherishes faith.
"What's next Mr. President, covering up the baby Jesus at Christmas events?"
The white house however stated that was not the intention and their official statement is:
The President appreciated the gracious hosts at Georgetown University where he delivered his speech on the state of the economy. Decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags, which is standard for many presidential events. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false."
Bottom line is that regardless of your stand on this issue it is a time for prayer like never before. Pray for our President our Country and the knowledge and understanding to do Gods will. Galatians 6:7 -8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. If you feel like you are blessed by God then BE a blessing to others, their is always going to be a political figure or other persons of power who are not doing what you make think of as God pleasing. But you can be that person, Be that Blessing today!!

Follow the Light

Being blessed by God is an amazing thing. The freedom to love and laugh and to see what is really important is awesome. The hand of God in my life is the most important gift I have or will ever receive. The bible says that God makes rain for those who love Him and for those who are indifferent. That means that if you are not following God with all your heart you can still expect some good things from a great God. That's good, (in this life) but what about the next? Jesus is the truth the way and the LIFE, that is life eternal. When you completely give God everything through Christ Jesus you can expect the enemy (yes I really do mean the devil and his demons) to start harassing you. The cool thing though is that God will use those tactics to make you stronger and more full of faith than you would have ever been before. And after you have been found faithful, the blessing is awesome. There will almost always be ups and downs in any christian walk but Gods amazing grace is what we will always be able to count on. The journey to faith is not always easy and it definitely will take effort to trust Gods will over anything you could hope or want. I can honestly say that everything I have ever desired from the Lord has come to pass. Not always how I envisioned it, but always better than I could have hoped. If you are unsure or struggling, won't you let Christ Jesus be the light to your pathway to freedom and joy? I am living proof that God can use mistakes to bring about an incredible future. If you are not living with Christ for God then you are living less than best. Repent today for not giving God total control of your life, live your best life right now!
Be Blessed,
Mitch

Looking Up

Jesus, He is the answer. If a country's top leader chooses dark over light what is the result for that country? If millions of dollars are given to aid abortion (murder of unborn children) and same sex marriage is made into law (even though Gods law is very direct on the matter) then just where is that country headed? This country is divided in two. The post modern (anything goes, its all good) and the morally bound (Gods Word says it so we follow). Now understand I'm not talking Old Testament here (stone em if they disobey) I'm talking New Testament Grace, and that Grace is the only thing that keeps this country going right now. Sodom and Gomorrah were almost spared even thought the sins of abortion and homosexuality were what the judgement was all about. Abraham asked God to spare the city if only a few good and right with God people could be found. They could not and the city was wasted. Who are the good and right? Are you? Am I? The bible say's no one is right in the sight of God, no one was perfect enough to be saved, until God sent His son, Jesus. And by accepting that sacrifice of Christs death on the cross, we were made right with God. Now how do you tell who was made right with God by Christ? Actions, faith in Gods word and fellowship with Jesus. I understand how it feels to some people that they must be the good because they feel like they are standing up for the gays and the women who want abortions so in that light they are actually doing right! Right? Wrong. Just because you think its right does not mean it is. If it feels right do it has destroyed billions of lives. I'm not perfect but because of the Cross I have a fighting chance to live forever in heaven. The bible states that the true believers in Christ are barley saved, what chance does the nonbeliever have? None. God is not a liberal, God is not a Conservative, He is not republican or democrat, He is ultimate and total. I mess up everyday, but because of Christ I have a place to get forgiven. If you think you are a believer but you have surrendered to this worlds post modern theology you are lost. Don't give up, pray. God wants to get you right, He wants all those caught in homosexuality to be healed and whole, he wants all the mothers of abortion to be healed and whole. I do not wish this country or its leaders to fail, I wish them to get connected to the greatest power in the universe, God through Christ Jesus. I can't preach or believe a liberal approach to Gods Word, its just not backed up by scripture. Judgment is though. Its time to look up, ask God what is true and right and by His amazing grace the truth shall set you free.
Love eternal,
Mitch

World of Trouble

Man looking at the world from a Christian perspective looks bleak. I mean the Obamma administration is already trying to stop freedom of speech on the Christian networks I mean come on messing with freedom of speech just because Gods Word does not line up with your political agenda! Wow. The persecution of Christian on a world scale is worse than ever. More Christians are dieing for their faith than at any other time in history! It won't be long before allot of the freedoms we have taken for granted will be removed, and the funny thing is most people will just allow it to happen so that they are not seen as bigots or trouble makers. Hey I'm not the smartest man and I certainly don't have the answer for the economic crisis, but I do know who does, Jesus. He is and will always be the answer. I don't know what the current president is up to, and I really don't care. I do know that I care what God is up to. He tell us of the real home we have waiting and it's not here on earth. Hebrews Chapter 11: vs. 13-16 "All of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
That is the country that we should fight for and even die for, anything else is second best. I don't imagine Obamma is the worst president this country has ever seen or will ever see, It's just that when you compare him with the ultimate leader there is really no contest. I won't live and die for a country I know will someday perish, but I will live and die for the country eternal, heaven. The bible says that God loves us and prepares a place for us through Jesus Christ, won't you become part of that eternal family today?
"If your not willing to stand for something you will fall for anything"
God Bless,
Mitch

Rom 7: 21-25 ruready

21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Those who are in Christ can understand the futility of trying to do good works apart from Christ. The world is full of those who seek to be or do good without following the lead of the Master. Christ's rule may seem unfair to those who do not understand, but to those who know Him His rule is completely perfect. The bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God, what kind of faith? Well that's easy, faith in Christ. The bible teaches that only those who remain true to Christ will have a reward in heaven, so don't look toward any world leader of any particular political party to understand Gods will for your life. You are the only one who can learn that by time spent with the Savior, Christ Jesus. Life is short and we all want to do it right, but eternity is forever and doing that right is not measured on what we did, as much as who we followed. Are you following Christ? If not, as happy as you think you may be in this life a much longer existence will follow, are you ready? I hope so, if not pray to ask the Savior Christ Jesus into your life today. Get on track with your best life now, greatness awaits you!

Balance

Is Your Life Balanced?
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.Luke 2:52
A balanced life is characterized by order, peace, and wholeness. The various parts of life are as they should be and where they should be. Each part of the balanced life gets the right amount of time and effort at the right time. It’s not giving each part of life the same amount of time that makes life balanced; it’s giving each part the necessary allotment of time.The life of Jesus is an excellent model concerning balance. Throughout his life, Jesus was under constant pressure. Friend and enemy alike pursued him. Yet, when examining his life as recorded in Scripture, one sees that he never hurried, that he never had to play catch up, and that he was never taken by surprise. He managed time well, bringing it under control, because he knew the importance of balance. Jesus’ life was well rounded. He grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.Does your life reflect a balance? Do you make time for intellectual growth? If you are too busy to read a book or engage in study that stimulates the mind, you are too busy. Do you make time for physical health? Many people burn out because of improper personal maintenance. Don’t be another fatality on the emotional highway. Take care of your physical self. Do you make time for your relationship with God? Do you feel too busy for prayer, Bible study, meditation, or devotions? Psalms 46:10 can be translated, “Take time and know that I am God.” A popular hymn gives this advice: “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord . . . Take time to be holy, the world rushes on,” but do we do it? Do you make time for primary relationships? Is adequate time provided for your spouse, family, and friends?Only you can answer those questions honestly. And, only you can take the necessary steps to bring order, harmony, and balance back in your life. Start today.

Who loves ya baby!?!

Ever see the movie "A Knights Tale", with the late Heath Ledger? There is a scene that after he has been found out from faking his knighthood he is place in the racks. (ouch)! Even as he is being attacked with rotting food items thrown from the mob his friends step in to intercede. At that moment the king shows up, he says to the young impostor, "Your friends love you, if I knew nothing else about you, that would be enough". With that he is set free, officially knighted and wins the day! Last night I was watching American Idol (shut up I love that show)! Anyway there was a young man who came with a whole group of cheerleaders, two of whom did his introduction to the chagrin of Simon. Anyway the guy was O.K. but no Idol (and the judges let him know), but what was totally amazing is that instantly both the girls began weeping, no REALLY crying that the world did not love their friend the way they did. Man I admit it, I broke, tears fell from my face and I said to the guy (O.K. the T.V.), Man you got it! You have more than most of the Hollywood types will EVER have, you have love and you have real loyal friends. You have the best, the very, very best. We can hope for riches, fame whatever, but if you have loyalty in your life, people who would do anything for you, there is nothing better. Most of us could hope to have but one person in our life we could count on no matter what. This young man had a small army. The bible says that to have friends like that we must be a friend like that. Wow. Jesus wants to be a friend like that, if you"ll let Him he will be. Trust Him, talk to Him and ask Him to be your friend for eternity, He will. I don't have anyone crying over my problems here on earth, but I hope to be someone that will cry over yours.
I love you and hope to be a better friend this year.
Mitch

Compromise

Have you ever heard the saying "If you don't stand for something then you will fall for anything"? I thank Christ I am a believer and have Gods amazing Word to direct my path. Those who embrace the post modern view of "anything goes" have no idea just how far that term may take them. Obama will have an openly gay minister saying the beginning prayer, the gay rights parade but will have bible believing speakers and singers as well. The liberal left hoped that by electing Obama they would once and for all win their battle to morally corrupt America. Obama seems to be in the middle, trying to please everybody. I just don't see how that will ever be possible. The bible is the lamp unto our feet, the way we should live and take direction. I understand many of these groups are wanting to have free reign. The truth is they are as much opposed to our way of life as we are to theirs. I remember when I was going to school at BSU, there was a letter pinned to the community board that was written by an angry gay man who vowed to never stop attempting to seduce, rape and molest any male or male child he could. That he would never stop until his way of believing was the only way. You may think you know gays who do not think that way but I promise the spirit (demon) that controls the soul of the perverse is ever bit the evil that wrote that letter. Perversion can manifest in many ways, homosexuality is only one. Perversion is the Word of God, twisted and torn so that it no longer holds the power to do what it was designed to do, make us Holy. When Gods Word is perverted the the perverse will rule. Read the Word, study it, and let it show you the truth. It is the only standard we can really count on.
God Bless America and the Word she was founded on..
Mitch

Where are the Hero's

Where have all the hero's gone? Are you a hero? What makes a hero? Well being a guy who grew up on comics, the hero was usually pretty easy to pick out. He was the do gooder, the one who stood up for the oppressed and weak, the picked on and the underprivileged. The hero knew to do right and he just did it, even if it meant taking a chance on personal injury. I know that there is allot of stuff going on in our lives right now. Bills, health, children, worries and more worries. So much of our time is spent focused on our issues and dilemmas that we hardly have time to try to be someones hero. I remember several years ago, I was living in Boise and had quit a very good job with coke. I really felt God was going to do something great in my life but at the time I felt like I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I was depressed and alone and I remember feeling like I should go down to the church I attended in Garden City, Community Christian Center. Even though I did not feel like being around anybody I went anyway. It was one of the best moves I ever made. Community Christian Center or CCC had a food bank and it was the night they served the public various groceries. I got out of myself and my own issues long enough to get to help load baskets, carry food and pray with those who were in need. Man I learned a great lesson that night, being a hero doesn't mean you have to get the bad guy. You just have to help the helpless the lonely the poor. Want to be a hero? Want to shine in the eyes of God? Be willing, be ready, and when the time comes, be a servant. I promise if you do these things, you will be somebodies hero.
Mitch

Praise Jesus!!

Last night I watched a football game that I had been waiting for. Texas vs. Ohio State. Ohio had been in the national championship game for the last two years and both time had been defeated rather soundly. Texas on the other hand had Heisman Trophy 2nd place finisher as QB and should have been in the championship game over Oklahoma who they beat earlier this season. Well the game did not disappoint, it went down to the last 16 seconds before Texas came from behind and scored the winning TD. As I was watching the game I was wondering who would God give favor to? Now I'm not saying that the Lord fixes football, but His purposes are ALWAYS manifested in EVERY circumstance. After the game was complete and the reporters started allowing the players to speak it became clear who had the favor. Colt McCoy blurted out "I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ". Others had been interviewed and even though they thanked God, it was in a very unobtrusive way. Thanking God without naming Him is giving a very generic term to the ultimate being in the universe. The bible makes it very clear that Jesus is Lord AND God. The way Colt glorified Christ I had not seen since Tim Tebows awesome 2007 Heisman acceptance speech.
God is looking right now to lift up those who will boldly glorify and exalt His name, The name Jesus Christ, The name EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS. You want promotion? You want Gods favor? Then exalt the name of Christ. Buy a t-shirt that says Jesus is Lord and wear that sucker till it falls apart! If something great happens, shout "Praise Jesus"! Exalt God and He WILL honor you!! Now again I said I don't know if God fixes football games, but I wouldn't bet against those who shout in the name of Jesus!
Be Blessed!
Mitch