Good Stuff

I am so glad I watched this today! Also, 5 minutes into the video is what I meant to say last Wednesday when I spoke. :-) If you have any zeal for God at all you need to watch this. I will be posting this to the church blog as well.

Do You Know The Preamble For Your State?

I found these Preambles lying around. I must of had them for some time. I don't even know where they came from but it seemed interesting so I'll share some with you. I'll try and hit every state for my faith full followers of this blog.

• Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this constitution.
• Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
• Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
• Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."~William Penn~

If there is a particular states Preamble you would like to see just drop a comment and I will set you up.

And Now For Something Completely Different

The other day I went and looked out my window and this is what I saw. I saw a funny looking lamp pooping in my yard. It's one of those times that you rub your eyes and look again. Then you decide you should probably just go back to bed. I don't normally have lamp shades running around in my yard but it adds some interest to the day.

My Testimony And Message

I gave my first message tonight. I feel it could have gone better. But all in all it wasn't horrible. I wasn't very nervous until I stood up in front of everybody. It's hard to explain but its like there was a fog in my brain that clouded my thoughts. This is the same feeling that floods over me every single time I've stepped out of my comfort zone. I know it will go away in due time as I get used to it.

I started out my message letting everyone know I was doing this for the glory of the Lord. The Lord has put it on my heart to tell my message of repentance and deliverance. The Lord has told me that if I leave this undone and don't tell people what He's done in my life then He isn't getting the glory He deserves. Then I heard someone say to "leave nothing undone that might glorify God." That's pretty much when I decided I was suppose to do this.

I continued with some scripture about repentance. We broke the word 'repent' down into definition and covered some scripture in the Amplified version to clarify. I gave some examples of people I know that think they don't have to repent or change at all to be forgiven and get to heaven. And I said they're in deception because there is no forgiveness of sins without repentance. Then I had some scripture to back that up.

Then we moved on to weaknesses and how us Christians struggle with weakness as well. I talked about how we should not give in to our weaknesses. This is where satan will strike the hardest. If we give in to these things we will continue to struggle through out our lives. I discussed some different types of weaknesses that plague us (the body of Christ) that we sometimes don't see as sin or weakness. I talked a little on self-deception when we justify sin (weakness). I then gave another example of a man I know that is hiding pornography from his wife yet is willing to ignore it until she happens across it. He said he'll cross that bridge when he gets there. He is indulging in his weakness instead of repenting.

I gave an example of Judas who walked with Christ Jesus and indulged in his weakness and it led to his demise. Peter and Judas both sinned against the Lord yet Peter repented and forgave himself and found forgiveness. Also, I gave an example of Cain from the book of Genesis. He had a chance to repent and bring a better offering to the Lord. One from his heart if he would only change his mind and purpose. Cain let his covetness and jealousy dictate his moves instead. We are all given the chance to get things right.

The Final Finalization

I did it. I finally finalized my message that I'm giving tomorrow. Perhaps if there is a next time I could wait till the last minute then as well. I've had this message in my heart for about the last 3-4 weeks now. There isn't one part that God didn't help out with. It seems that every week I got fed something new that I could add. But sadly I had to pick and choose wisely what I would share in order to keep it in the time restraints. I find it much easier to come up with something to speak on when its something from your own personal experiences. It seems to flow more from the heart in those instances.

Even though I had it in my mind and my heart I felt it necessary to write it down in my own words. Almost word for word so that if I draw a blank in front of everyone I can just read it from my notes. I think this is the third time I've actually written it out. At first I just took notes with some scriptures in mind. Then put message in order with scriptures in order. And finally word for word what I want to share about my deliverance, repentance and our weaknesses.

I don't know how you pastors out there do this from week to week. There has to be a definite calling on your lives. I have even more respect for you preachers and teachers now. Well, if you don't hear from me tomorrow it's possible I died of embarrassment.

Fatherhood; An Ordained Job

Growing up without a father has kind of left me high and dry. When my pastor goes off about men not knowing how to do a woman's job. And a woman not being able to perform a man's job. I must say I totally agree. A woman can teach a boy nothing of what it means to be a man or in return a father. Only by fellowshipping with my Heavenly Father have I even got a small clue. this whole thing leaves me kind of aloof.

I'm not looking for any sympathy here, just something that was on my mind tonight. Hope everyone had a great Fathers Day!

Roots Of Faith

While driving through Southern Iowa this weekend I past by a tree that I go by every year. This tree is growing sideways. All its branches are pointing straight up but the main trunk of the tree is completely horizontal. This tree survived a huge storm in its past. A storm tried uprooting this tree years and years ago. What roots were left in the ground held on and life persisted.

In many ways I thought that's what the storms in our very lives today try doing to us. they try to uproot us from our faith. But like the mustard plant if our roots are strong nothing will be able to separate us from our faith in Christ. We will survive the storm as we place our faith in Christ Jesus.

"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3)

Would You Get Out Of That Boat...

I was doing my blog readings the other day and came across an interesting question over on Lead Me On. You can catch that post here. The question has rung in my head for a while now. "Are you comfortable?"

My answer to this question would be a resounding NO. I am absolutely not comfortable. It amazes me how God is continuously asking me to get out of the boat and walk on water with Him. These things that seem so impossible to me are coming to pass in Him. I believe that God is just answering my prayers in His own manner. I guess we should be careful for what we pray for and if you're sure of what you want from God...be specific. Either way we look at it, God is going to answer our prayers according to His Will and do things His way. Our job is just to believe and trust.

"When I am afraid,

I will put my trust in You.

In God, whose word I

praise, in God I have put

my trust; I shall not be afraid." (Psalm 56:3-4)

It's shocking to me that so many people are happy with mere salvation. Doesn't anybody dream any more? Doesn't anybody have vision or passion? I'm not happy with mere salvation. I hunger and thirst after righteousness and will not rest until it comes in full. "God come to me or I'm coming to you!!!"

Bashing Photo Fun

It was a lovely day for some Bashing fun on the farm. We ran into some friends from church.


We had time for some dancing!

We plain just had a good time.

We made funny faces too.

We even took time to make new friends.

We discovered some new bands we like.

Then got their autographs!

I learned to never send a girl to buy a drink with five dollars. She will spend all five dollars!

Bash in the Barn

DecembeRadio and The Wedding brought it last night at Bash on the Farm. The show went on till 1:00 in the morning. The last band to play was The Wedding and they rocked the house, I mean barn.Check out The Wedding here. I am soon on my way to the second day of Bash on the Farm. I'm not sure who is all playing today but we have awesome weather today and I'm sure all 4 stages will be booked. Talk to ya later. enjoy this live performance of DecembeRadio which I got first hand of last night.

Defense Technique #18

• Remember that uncommon endurance defeats an uncommon enemy. God requires endurance. "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved," (Matthew 10:22).

Prayers For Katelyn

Sorry for the poor picture. But the little girl in the center is the one I'm requesting prayer for. Just before our Wednesday night service Katelyn fell and hit her face busting up her eye pretty badly. Last heard she has sight out of that eye but she has broken bones around her eye and there is blood in her brain. Her parents have to make the decision on whether she goes to Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota or the Children's Hospital in Iowa City. I'm not sure what they have come up with but please pray for her full recovery. Pray for God's anointing over her doctors. Pray for her parents Mark and Karie Jo. Thank you everyone.

The Count Down Begins

Defense Technique #17

• Never reveal your strategy against your enemy to those uncommitted to your case. "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards," (Proverbs 29:11).

Defense Technique #16

• Know that an uncommon enemy will require uncommon wisdom. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,...and it shall be given him," (James 1:5). "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies," (Psalm 119:98).

Defense Technique #15

• Expect to win every battle against your enemy. David did! "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand;....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel," (1 Samuel 17:46). "....the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits," (Daniel 11:32).

Favorite Camping Photos

I want to share some of my favorite pictures from our first annual Clubhouse boys camp out. Due to the weather we were unable to camp outside. We made refuge in the Youth Center to keep dry. We still had a blast and the rain didn't seem to damper any of the boys spirits. We were able to go out on a boat fishing, as well as have a camp fire with a wienie roast and smores. We were able to have target practice shooting a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Also we went on a hike where we had races. We had a contest with a points system for the entire time. At the end of our camp out we rewarded one boy with a new fishing pole and tackle for having the most points. Points were rewarded according to biggest fish, best shot, best behaved, and winner of the races.

I found out how much I love these little children. What a blessing to be a part of their lives. We had a blast and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Here we are flying across the lake last night with the wind blowing in our hair.I absolutely adore this little guy. He is so cute, I wanted to take him home.

In this picture I captured everyone doing the pee-pee dance. Apparently everyone had to go really bad. The bathrooms were a ways down the trail so.....

....We had a small pee break.

Again we had a blast. I can't wait until we can do this again. On second thought, I can wait at least one year. :-)

Defense Technique #14

• Enter every battle against your enemy for the purpose of bringing glory to God. "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts,....And all is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands," (1 Samuel 17:45, 47).

Defense Technique #13

• Never disclose Publicly the amount of any damage done by your enemy. "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards," (Proverbs 29:11).

Defense Technique #12

• Spend time in your secret place to obtain wisdom for conquering your enemy. "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord," (Psalm 27:5-6).

Defense Technique #11

• Use your greatest weapon, the Word of God, against your enemy. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God," (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus did (Luke 4).

Stepping Off Into The Unknown

Not too long ago I had my pastor and his wife over for lunch after church. Pastor mentioned if I had ever considered teaching a class on Wednesday night. I said no, not really. Well, maybe I thought of it but didn't dwell on it too long. The conversation never went past that. For fun I thought I would try throwing together a lesson just to see what it might look like. In my head it seems alright on average. I figured someday when I get the guts I will teach this lesson.

Yesterday we had our monthly staff meeting and at the end of the meeting the subject came up. Pastor is going away at the end of June for a National Convention. He needs someone to step up to the plate for Wednesday night. I heard a few whispers, Mike...Mike....before I new it I had people looking at me and I blurted out, I'll do it. Now it's official. June 24, I will give my testimony along with a message on true heart felt repentance. The funny thing is, along with this message I have another one in my heart to teach to the youth some time. I'll start with one foot in front of the other for now.

What have I gotten myself into? I'm nervous yet excited to see what God is doing here. I told the Lord, I can't do this, I might choke. The Lord said, so what if you do. You'll never know if you don't try. I'm going to do this boldly knowing who God says I am. I will do this in confidence in Him. He has called everyone to preach Jesus and His Word in some shape or form whether they realize it or not.