Memorial Day or as it used to be called Decoration Day... When I was growing up and lived in West Virginia in the early 1960's there would be a group of about 25 that would go and decorate the graves in different cemetaries in the area... This year that group is still going but there will only be 3 of the original group going...Why??? I believe we have made Memorial Day into just another day where we have a"Huge Memorial Day Sale" come in and take advantage of this bargain....
What bargain did our soldiers get when they lost their lives??? Lives that were precious and valuable...We have our freedom because of these brave fallen heroes... Let us remember them today as we enjoy our families, food and most importantly our freedom!
In the book of Judges it reminds us what happens to our children and our children's children when we forget to remind and teach them life changing truths...
"After those people had died, their children grew up and did not know the LORD or what He had done for Israel. So they did what the LORD said was wrong, and they worshiped the baal idols. They quit following the LORD, the God of their ancestors who brought them outof te land of Egypt." Judges 2:10 - 12
In the verses following this passage it tells what the LORD did to the people of Israel for their neglect of Him.... It's not pretty...
Let us never forget to teach our children about Memorial Day and the truths of Jesus!
Prayer of the Day: Jesus bless the families who have lost loved ones over the years in battle to help keep our freedom.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday's "Thought"
Have you ever tried to start something? You get this great idea or you decide you want to begin to exercise...(yuk...) so you can be more healthy... to start something new or start a new habit... preferably a good habit it takes a little over 21 days to make the "new" thing or habit stick...
Does God want you to start something "new" with Him??? Or does He want you to re - start a habit you once had but now have lost....Daily Quiet Time...Attending Sunday School... Witnessing...
Whatever it is pray that God will help you overcome any obstacle you might have that keeps you from starting or re - starting that habit that will bring you closer to God!
Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to start something new with you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Does God want you to start something "new" with Him??? Or does He want you to re - start a habit you once had but now have lost....Daily Quiet Time...Attending Sunday School... Witnessing...
Whatever it is pray that God will help you overcome any obstacle you might have that keeps you from starting or re - starting that habit that will bring you closer to God!
Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to start something new with you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday's Wonderings
Wednesday is here and with it the end of the week is drawing nigh... I am looking forward to this weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day and remember those who have paved the way for us to be where we are today...
In keeping with that thought, remember there is one who paved the way for you and me to get to heaven and His name is Jesus...
Let's also remember Him this weekend and celebrate what He has done for us by attending the church of your choice and thanking Him for dying for us! (What a Savior!)
"And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died them and was raised again." II Corinthians 5:15
Prayer of the Day: Jesus thank you for all of those who have paved the way for us to be where we are today and most of all thank you for paving the way for us to get to heaven.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
In keeping with that thought, remember there is one who paved the way for you and me to get to heaven and His name is Jesus...
Let's also remember Him this weekend and celebrate what He has done for us by attending the church of your choice and thanking Him for dying for us! (What a Savior!)
"And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died them and was raised again." II Corinthians 5:15
Prayer of the Day: Jesus thank you for all of those who have paved the way for us to be where we are today and most of all thank you for paving the way for us to get to heaven.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday's Tidbits
Running a little late...The book of Acts is an interesting book in the Bible...My final for my Bible students is going to be over it... Acts 5 gives us an interesting account of Ananias and Sapphira and their great idea of giving money to the church... It was a "life" changing event...
They lost theirs and the church gained a great following which strengthened the church....
This story deals with what people's motives are in serving or giving to God... Ananias and Sapphira were looking for man's applause ... Ananias got his obligatory applause from the people and then dropped over dead...Sapphira was at Saks 5th Avenue Jerusalem getting her "applause" outfit and hat not knowing her husband had dropped dead with the same fate waiting for her when she arrives to receive her "applause"...Tough truth to learn... even in today's world.... Don't lie to God....
What happened to Ananias and Sapphira could happen to us....Scary thought isn't it????
Prayer of the day: God make my motives pure in every thing I do for you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
They lost theirs and the church gained a great following which strengthened the church....
This story deals with what people's motives are in serving or giving to God... Ananias and Sapphira were looking for man's applause ... Ananias got his obligatory applause from the people and then dropped over dead...Sapphira was at Saks 5th Avenue Jerusalem getting her "applause" outfit and hat not knowing her husband had dropped dead with the same fate waiting for her when she arrives to receive her "applause"...Tough truth to learn... even in today's world.... Don't lie to God....
What happened to Ananias and Sapphira could happen to us....Scary thought isn't it????
Prayer of the day: God make my motives pure in every thing I do for you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday's Musings
Today was my last chapel for the school year with my K3 - K4 classes and my K5 - 6th graders... It was a happy time as well as a sad time too... time marches on and waits for no one...
This was the last day I would ever share the love of Jesus with some of the children.... My prayer is that God will touch their lives and they will accept Him as their Savior if they have not already done so...
One never knows how long someone will be on this earth... that is why it is important to share the love of Jesus with everyone we come in contact....
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Good - Bye for now children! I hope I see you again in the fall! I love you!
Prayer of the day: Jesus help me tell others about you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
This was the last day I would ever share the love of Jesus with some of the children.... My prayer is that God will touch their lives and they will accept Him as their Savior if they have not already done so...
One never knows how long someone will be on this earth... that is why it is important to share the love of Jesus with everyone we come in contact....
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Good - Bye for now children! I hope I see you again in the fall! I love you!
Prayer of the day: Jesus help me tell others about you!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Thursday's "Thought"
Have you seen where Pakistan has banned Facebook and other internet sources due to the depiction of the prophet Muhammed and the freedom it allowed internet users to have in Pakistan....
Isn't it great that Jesus tells us, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32
When you have truth on your side it allows you to be free of worry about what other people are doing or saying about your beliefs....Truth allows others to have a differing point of view, because ultimately truth will prevail..
In the book of Acts, Gamaliel a prominent Pharisee told the the ruling council, "Leave these men alone, for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will die: But if it be of God, you will not stop it; or you will be fighting God Himself." Acts 5:38 - 39
Oh yea, We're still here!
Stand firm in your beliefs... God will win... We will win....Because we stand on the truth!
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to stand on the truth and not be afraid.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Isn't it great that Jesus tells us, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32
When you have truth on your side it allows you to be free of worry about what other people are doing or saying about your beliefs....Truth allows others to have a differing point of view, because ultimately truth will prevail..
In the book of Acts, Gamaliel a prominent Pharisee told the the ruling council, "Leave these men alone, for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will die: But if it be of God, you will not stop it; or you will be fighting God Himself." Acts 5:38 - 39
Oh yea, We're still here!
Stand firm in your beliefs... God will win... We will win....Because we stand on the truth!
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to stand on the truth and not be afraid.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday's Wonderings
Wow, there's only 10 days left in school...Where has the year gone??? Does it ever seem to you that time starts moving a lot faster the older you get...(Like this is something new) As time goes by we realize there are things in our life we are not going to accomplish that we had hoped... Going to a certain place ... making a certain amount of money...purchasing that car we had always dreamed of getting...
With this thought in mind I want you to think about what Christ wants you to accomplish during your life here on earth...Are there people He wants you to see... Are there people He wants you to tell about Him... Is there a place He might want you to visit?? Does He want you to grow closer to Him before you go to heaven???
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." II Corinthians 3:18
We can reflect the glory of the Lord by abiding in the presence of the Lord by praying and reading His Word.
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to abide in you so I can reflect your glory to those around me.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
With this thought in mind I want you to think about what Christ wants you to accomplish during your life here on earth...Are there people He wants you to see... Are there people He wants you to tell about Him... Is there a place He might want you to visit?? Does He want you to grow closer to Him before you go to heaven???
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." II Corinthians 3:18
We can reflect the glory of the Lord by abiding in the presence of the Lord by praying and reading His Word.
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to abide in you so I can reflect your glory to those around me.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday's Tidbits
Do you remember going to the grocery store to look for a cathode tube for your television?? When's the last time you saw a television repair shop in your community? When's the last time you saw a telephone booth?? What's Superman to do? What about a rotary phone??
When's the last time you had someone witness to you about Christ? Has anyone ever witnessed to you about Christ? I know everyone knows you're a Christian, right??? What about the chance meeting at the gas station? In the grocery store line? On vacation by the pool?
I have had the pleasure of four people witnessing to me on chance encounters over my lifetime... One, while I was playing pingpong in 1980 at Trident Technical College, The second was when I was at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas in 1992, The third and fourth were here in Summerville at the same gas station on two different occasions 2007 and 2009 at the Hot Spot gas station on College Park Road.....
A stretch I know from when was the last time you saw something we really no longer use...to when was the last time someone did a particular action to you that has eternal implications...
I believe these two are intertwined... Four times over my lifetime an individual cared enough about me to witness to me about the love of Christ... Something you do not see often... And I have a good idea there are some of you who have never been witnessed to before in a chance encounter....
My prayer is that you will take the opportunity and share the love of Christ with someone today and make it a day for them to remember!!!
"Let your light shine before men" Matthew 6:16b
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to be the witness you want me to be!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
When's the last time you had someone witness to you about Christ? Has anyone ever witnessed to you about Christ? I know everyone knows you're a Christian, right??? What about the chance meeting at the gas station? In the grocery store line? On vacation by the pool?
I have had the pleasure of four people witnessing to me on chance encounters over my lifetime... One, while I was playing pingpong in 1980 at Trident Technical College, The second was when I was at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas in 1992, The third and fourth were here in Summerville at the same gas station on two different occasions 2007 and 2009 at the Hot Spot gas station on College Park Road.....
A stretch I know from when was the last time you saw something we really no longer use...to when was the last time someone did a particular action to you that has eternal implications...
I believe these two are intertwined... Four times over my lifetime an individual cared enough about me to witness to me about the love of Christ... Something you do not see often... And I have a good idea there are some of you who have never been witnessed to before in a chance encounter....
My prayer is that you will take the opportunity and share the love of Christ with someone today and make it a day for them to remember!!!
"Let your light shine before men" Matthew 6:16b
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to be the witness you want me to be!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday's Musings
"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart... Where? Down in my heart! Down in my heart! I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay......A children's song I know... But a song that should mean a lot to us as adults...
Where is your joy? In what do you find joy? These are important questions we need to ask ourselves... It can make a difference in our lives forever...
John 16:24 tell us: "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." We have to ask God for our "daily bread" and if you continue to look at the Lord's Prayer it goes on to say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." How is God's will done in heaven??? Willingly, I can tell you... You're not going to tell God that He has to wait for you to do something when you are in heaven... He's right there with you ... you're going to do it the moment you are asked... Why then do we tell God to wait while we are here on earth??? We don't believe He is in front of us... We do not "see" Him physically, so we tell Him to wait....
Joy then for us is hampered... Joy that God wants to see displayed among the people we come in contact...
Instead of "Let's get the lead out..." my hope is that we will say "Let's get the joy out!"
Prayer of the Day: Jesus please help me show your joy to everyone I come in contact with today!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Where is your joy? In what do you find joy? These are important questions we need to ask ourselves... It can make a difference in our lives forever...
John 16:24 tell us: "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." We have to ask God for our "daily bread" and if you continue to look at the Lord's Prayer it goes on to say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." How is God's will done in heaven??? Willingly, I can tell you... You're not going to tell God that He has to wait for you to do something when you are in heaven... He's right there with you ... you're going to do it the moment you are asked... Why then do we tell God to wait while we are here on earth??? We don't believe He is in front of us... We do not "see" Him physically, so we tell Him to wait....
Joy then for us is hampered... Joy that God wants to see displayed among the people we come in contact...
Instead of "Let's get the lead out..." my hope is that we will say "Let's get the joy out!"
Prayer of the Day: Jesus please help me show your joy to everyone I come in contact with today!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday's Fact
May 14, 1948 The nation of Israel was reborn....After an absence of over 2000 years Israel was voted back into being. What a celebration that must have been for the Jewish population around the world.
We too can be reborn... Jesus voted for us 2000 years ago by dying on a cross for our sins and all we have to do is accept His "vote" for us!
What a Savior!
"For God so loved the world the He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Prayer of the Day: Thank You Jesus for dying for me so that I could be reborn!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
We too can be reborn... Jesus voted for us 2000 years ago by dying on a cross for our sins and all we have to do is accept His "vote" for us!
What a Savior!
"For God so loved the world the He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Prayer of the Day: Thank You Jesus for dying for me so that I could be reborn!
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday's "Thought"
Summer begins June 21st... Can you believe it??? It was just Valentine's Day last week wasn't it? Or was it?
With Summer comes the expectation of new things, new opportunities, time to watch children grow and grass grow (ugh!) A time to even renew old acquaintances and make new ones!
Summer an exciting time even while working it's great to see things grow and stay green...
Let me invite you to be excited by the opportunities afforded you this summer, time to spend with your family and time to spend with God enjoying His wonderful creation.... Share His love with those you come in contact...
And at the end of the summer let us not say.... "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved." Jeremiah 8:20
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me this summer to see with Your eyes and not just my own.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
With Summer comes the expectation of new things, new opportunities, time to watch children grow and grass grow (ugh!) A time to even renew old acquaintances and make new ones!
Summer an exciting time even while working it's great to see things grow and stay green...
Let me invite you to be excited by the opportunities afforded you this summer, time to spend with your family and time to spend with God enjoying His wonderful creation.... Share His love with those you come in contact...
And at the end of the summer let us not say.... "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved." Jeremiah 8:20
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me this summer to see with Your eyes and not just my own.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday's Wonderings
Didja' ever wonder what it was like to be at the Passover Feast with Jesus and have Jesus get up and prepare to wash the disciple's feet?
Why did one of the disciples not wash the feet of the others?
Why did they feel it was beneath them to wash feet?
"Now that I , your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14
Whose "feet" have you "washed" lately?
Do you feel it is beneath you to "wash feet"?
What is the "foot washing" you are uncomfortable in doing?
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to get over the uncomfortableness of doing your will in the world today.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Why did one of the disciples not wash the feet of the others?
Why did they feel it was beneath them to wash feet?
"Now that I , your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14
Whose "feet" have you "washed" lately?
Do you feel it is beneath you to "wash feet"?
What is the "foot washing" you are uncomfortable in doing?
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to get over the uncomfortableness of doing your will in the world today.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday's Tidbits
"What's in your wallet?" A catch - phrase for an advertiser that would make one think to be successful and happy no matter what type of circumstance you're in, you need their card....
That's how man thinks...
God says, "What's in your heart?"
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:10
So, "What's in your wallet?" or "What's in your heart?" The choice is yours???
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to purify my heart.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
That's how man thinks...
God says, "What's in your heart?"
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:10
So, "What's in your wallet?" or "What's in your heart?" The choice is yours???
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to purify my heart.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday's Fun Fact
Did you know a duck's quack does not echo???
No one knows why...
Did you know what you say can echo for a looong time???
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26
Oh, Be carefup little mouth what you say....
Prayer of the Day: "Jesus help me to keep my tongue in check."
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
No one knows why...
Did you know what you say can echo for a looong time???
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26
Oh, Be carefup little mouth what you say....
Prayer of the Day: "Jesus help me to keep my tongue in check."
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday's Wonderings
When is enough? Enough? When one eats at a food bar: How many trips back are enough to get your money's worth...
It's the same with faith.. When is enough? Enough? Does this sound strange??? We put faith in all sorts of things each day without a second thought... Chairs, Lights, Starting the car, Garage door openers, iPhones, internet...
When will we put that kind of faith in Jesus... Without a second thought... We will hear Jesus say to us, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Luke 7:9
With this kind of faith great things will be done!
What great things does Jesus want you to do today! Tomorrow? Next week?
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to have the faith you want me to have.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
It's the same with faith.. When is enough? Enough? Does this sound strange??? We put faith in all sorts of things each day without a second thought... Chairs, Lights, Starting the car, Garage door openers, iPhones, internet...
When will we put that kind of faith in Jesus... Without a second thought... We will hear Jesus say to us, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Luke 7:9
With this kind of faith great things will be done!
What great things does Jesus want you to do today! Tomorrow? Next week?
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to have the faith you want me to have.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday's Tidbits
Have you ever wondered? No I mean really wondered.... Wondered why we're here? Wondered if it's going to rain today? Wondered what's it all about? Wondered is this all there is? Wondered when this is going to end?
Is your life like a ship adrift and driven by a gale... No guiding light no port in sight no rudder or sail...
Will you allow Jesus to become the pilot of your life and guide you where you need to go so you can stop the wondering and the wandering!
"I am the way the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to allow you to be the pilot of my life.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Is your life like a ship adrift and driven by a gale... No guiding light no port in sight no rudder or sail...
Will you allow Jesus to become the pilot of your life and guide you where you need to go so you can stop the wondering and the wandering!
"I am the way the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to allow you to be the pilot of my life.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday's Musings
What a God! We've all struggled with keeping the joy in our walk with Jesus but this does not have to be the norm. we can choose to accept His stength and power...
Back when I was a youth... (A loooong time ago) We sang Psalm 19: 7-10 in our youth group with Tony Groves and Woody Butler leading us.. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Psalm 19: 7 - 10
Want to know peace and joy in your walk with the LORD.. Meditate and learn His word!
"For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two - edged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrew 4:12
Want to know Joy and Peace
begin to KNOW God's Word!
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to meditate on your Word that I might hide it in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
Back when I was a youth... (A loooong time ago) We sang Psalm 19: 7-10 in our youth group with Tony Groves and Woody Butler leading us.. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Psalm 19: 7 - 10
Want to know peace and joy in your walk with the LORD.. Meditate and learn His word!
"For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two - edged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrew 4:12
Want to know Joy and Peace
begin to KNOW God's Word!
Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to meditate on your Word that I might hide it in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Keep Lookin' Up!
Brian
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