Halloween Day Project

This is my Halloween day project. I started out with two boards glued together. I sanded them and then cut them out on my c&c router machine at work. Then I routed them around the edges to add some fancyness to them. The oak ones I stained next but the walnut ones I went with a natural finish. Next I took them to the spray shop and gave them some coats of spray lacquer.

Then I took them home and skrewed them together as straight as I could (which isn't that straight).

I didn't attach the deer skull but placed it on there for the idea of the end result. And walla. Dead deer head mounts.

Hanging On For The Ride

I think I must be losing my mind. The old me never would be doing the things I'm doing today. Serving God has brought me to new heights. It's made me bold (even if I'm a little scared inside), courageous and confident. I keep taking these small leaps of faith (that seem huge to me) into the unknown. I'm just trying to hang on and enjoy the ride that serving Christ Jesus brings. I could say this a million times over, I never would have imagined the things I'm doing today several years ago. Serving in a church, on staff, running web sites, doing power point for worship service, stepping in for a pastor to teach, was never in my plans for the future.

And now.....Just last night I signed up for a continuing education course at North Iowa Area Community College(NIACC). I registered for a Web Design class. I figured this would help out with making a new website for our church. I have Heather VanderPloeg to thank for informing me on this class. She brought this to my attention a little over a month ago and I kind of put in the back of my mind. I was stressed at the time with so many other things that the thought of going back to school and learning more things made my head want to explode. Funny thing, just a day or so after Heather sent me the link concerning this course I found a NIACC continuing education magazine sitting on my counter that had come in the mail. So the other day I was thinking of all this and thought that perhaps all this wasn't a
coincidence after all. Perhaps God has been trying to tell me something. Lately I haven't been feeling nearly as stressed as I had been. So I figured why not, lets go for another ride into the realm of the unknown. Regardless of the going back to school nightmares I used to have, God has been showing me that I can do what I put my mind to doing. I refuse to let doubt and fear tread my course through life anymore. I don't know what the rest of this ride looks like but I can say for sure that it is far from boring.

Prayer Notes #2

When you pray and commit your concerns to God, you become an awesome threat to the devils kingdom because he knows that you will not go down without a fight. The devil realizes that he is no longer fighting a mere man or woman, but instead one within you who is infinitely greater than he.

You will never receive the benefits of prayer by constantly giving up on the things of God. When you give up on God, you are ultimately giving up on yourself. For without Him, you are helpless to meet the real needs in your life and to fight the demonic attacks that come against you, as well as the distractions that seek to hinder your prayers.

If God says that He is going to do something, we must trust and believe that His Word will never fail.

Confidence leaves no room for doubt. God wants to answer your requests and cries. Continue to commune with Him, learn to know Him and His ways, obey His word, and watch how He works in your life!!!

Results of communing with the Father:

1. have oneness and unity with Him
2. receive spiritual strength
3. reflect God's light to others
4. receive God's guidance
5. learn to discern His voice for ourselves and for ministering to others

My Notes on Prayer #1

Faith must lead the way when it comes to prayer. Be expecting for results

The conduit between prayer and manifestation is faith.

When it seems as if God is not listening, faith must lead the way until the manifestation of what you have been praying for becomes a visible reality. This is why the devil plays tricks with our minds. To make us think that God does not care. Satan wants us to become so frustrated that we begin to doubt the Lord.

Matt. 6:8- Without a doubt, God is listening.

You have to take quality time with God and put Him first and if you will put God first, He will replenish you.

Never give up on God, because He will never give up on you. Hebrews 13:5-He will never forsake us.

He will enable you to mature in Him as you reach out to Him in prayer. That is why the devil uses whatever distractions that he possibly can to keep us from reaching out to God.

Prayer is a door opener. If we would only believe the Word of the Lord without wavering, we could experience the fulfillment of many of our hopes and dreams.

Standing In Awe

When was the last time you stood in amazement, in awe of God's creation. Often I think of how huge the universe is and how God keeps everything in motion. Just thinking of how complex everything is and how God holds all this knowledge of how everything works is a humbling thing to dwell on. It takes no effort on His part to keep the earth rotating on it's axis and no man can change that. I'm reminded that no problem of mine or anyone Else's is too big for our Father in Heaven. Our God is able and willing.

Welcome The New Blogger

Suzy Liddle is now blogging. Stop by and say hi and welcome her to the blogging community.

Trying To Find My Witness

My workplace is a mission field of it's own. Everyone there knows that I'm different than them. There is something about me that just isn't right, not within their understanding. So they poke and prod trying to get me to act like them. Seeing how far they can push me until I push back. I will admit, at times, I feel like pushing back, OK, I feel like swinging on them and knocking all their teeth out to tell the truth.

I struggle sometimes knowing these people need Christ, not knowing what to say, not knowing how to present an understandable conversation that won't lead to conflict. Sometimes I will bring up a conversation about church or something funny that happened on the church van the night before. I guess I'm hoping that it will make them think a little about where they might stand with God. I don't think this really gets through to them. Today I heard a couple of guys talking about the continuous rain we have had. One said, "I'm going to build an ark", knowing I was right there. I sat there and didn't say a word. They know about the stories in the Bible, they know about Jesus but they don't know Jesus on a personal level like they should. It breaks my heart some days to hear the way they talk. I can hear them tease in the back of the shop, saying things in funny voices like, "Repent of your sins" and such. I wonder if they even have a clue as to the fact that they have rejected Jesus and what eternity means for them.

How do I get through to these people? Do I continue doing the right thing by working hard and not acting like them? Should I say something like, "Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back". I feel like I've placed my witness in my pocket yet I know our witness isn't something we pull out once in a while. It's something that radiates off of us. I want to see these people change so bad but wonder, can that happen without speaking of Jesus and what He wants to do in their lives? I pray for them and wait but there has to be more. How do you reach a lost generation that wants nothing to do with change?

Being Thankful

I like to try and keep a thankful heart before the Lord. No matter the circumstance I like to give praise to God. I will always be grateful to God for stepping into my life and delivering me from drug addiction, alcoholism, and just plain having a stinking bad attitude. This alone gives me something to always be thankful for. But....

....Even if I lost everything would I still be able to praise God with a thankful heart? Could I see past the loss of my job, my house, my Jeep, my health, loved ones and failed relationships? Would I see past all of that and still remember how faithful my Heavenly Father was on that night to come and rescue me from myself and the grip of satan? He did save my miserable soul from hell fire after all. I would like to answer these questions with 'YES' I would always give God honor where honor is due.

Could I be as strong as Job was? Even with a woman barking in my ear and friends telling me how horrible my circumstances are, could I be that strong? I think I could be, only if I keep seeking God and pushing into Him. Seeking and knowing God's heart leaves me with an inexpressible peace. Knowing for sure His Spirit is with me always gives me a thankful heart. No matter what I am to lose or gain I will always have God's sweet Spirit and I am thankful for that.

This And The Next

I'm finally starting to feel better after a week of a head cold. My weekend plans changed about five different times last week with a final decision to stay at home all weekend. I was looking forward to going to Indiana but that idea fell through. Then I was looking forward to going to Debuque, Ia and meeting my girlfriends parents but that fell through as well. Suzy and I went to Fort Custer Maze in Clear Lake. That was a lot more fun than I had anticipated. I did get to attend our Staff Appreciation on Sunday. That was a treat. I received many cards of gratitude along with a free all you can eat meal at Pizza Hut and a gift card to Applebee's. talk about score.

Next weekend we are having New Life Drama come to our church followed by our annual Fish Fry. I was asked to host the gentlemen at my house for Saturday night. I am in preperation for four male guests at my house this weekend. Also this Saturday night we will have our Young Adult Ministry bonfire. I am also taking on some extra side jobs after work during the week. There is plenty to keep me busy around here.

I'm Determined

• Devoted To Prayer
• Diligent To Study God's Word
• Dedicated To Doing The Will Of God
• Determined To Receive The Promise

Determination always wins out. If you are devoted to prayer, determined to study God's Word, and dedicated to God's will, you will receive all that God has promised you.

Another Good Word

Here is the word spoken to me and my girlfriend, Suzy, from last Saturday's Prophetic Conference. Mine was more or less a prayer over me and a short word and Suzy's was awesome. She got a good word straight from the Lord Himself.

Mine: Father I thank you in the name of Jesus. Bless this man to have the closest walk with you he has ever had. In the name of Jesus I see it on him and I thank you, you going to draw him close to you. He's going to shake of this hindering effect that tries to slow him down. I see it in the name of Jesus. I pray for my brother. He's gonna be a strong, holy Christian man, more than ever before and he's going to be a victor in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. I thank you that your going to work in his mind, his personality and in his walk with you. And your going to free him from these habits that bug him that he doesn't want anymore. Freedom will set upon him and he'll be able to be the Christian he really, really, really wants to be, in the name of Jesus.

Suzy's: Father I thank you, bless your daughter. (tongues). A confidence shall leap in your heart about three matters of life that you need an answer on. You need surety, you need to know that you know that you know. That I need to do this or that in three different areas of your life and my daughter, I love you. You chase me, keep chasing me. You dig into me, I will make things clear for you because I don't want any repeat of pain in your life says the Lord. I want you to live in liberty and freedom and do good in my kingdom, in the name of Jesus. (tongues) in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I must say this was an awesome experience. Just happened to be our second date too. This night really helped us move in leaps and bounds in getting to know each others hearts, visions, and dreams. We each have our own ministry, calling from the Lord and together we have a ministry. It's a beautiful thing when you do it God's way.

The Golden Rule

I started reading in the book of Matthew not too long ago. I am enjoying so much of it and find it easy to read through. In chapter 7 I came across one verse that brought back many, many memories. This one verse is used in our world today. Of course the authority of Jesus has been taken out of it but it's still there. So many things in our culture today can be traced back to scripture. So many sayings out there are found in the bible. Interesting in how we take the authority of God out of things and it isn't quite as powerful anymore.

This verse brought me back to my childhood. In elementary school we first learned of the "Golden Rule". Treat others the same way you want to be treated. How much more impact would there be if we kept the "Golden Rule" with the authority of Jesus' name?

"In everything, therefore, treat people

the same way you want them to treat

you, for this is the Law and the Prophets".

Matt. 7:12

The Desires Of The Heart

Have you ever thought about what Psalm 37:4 means when it says "the desires of your heart"? I've been being blessed over and over again lately with God's favor. I took Suzy, my girlfriend, on a date to a prophetic church conference last Saturday night. Again, just like last time, I was called up front. He asked if Suzy was my woman and I said yes and she was called up too. We got blessed with a Word from God (more to come on that Word). The amazing thing is, besides the pastor of that church, me and her were the only ones to be prophesied over all night. I asked the Lord why in the world are you blessing me so much lately. I felt the Lord say, "So many people make Me a paragraph or a sentence in their life but you my son are making Me your story". It was tough to keep the floodgates shut after that. It's hard to explain the feeling of what is going on in my life. All I can say is that it's supernatural and divine.

It was because king David sought the Lord that God gave him the desires of his heart. Real joy comes not in getting what we want, but in wanting to be close to God. I can remember several times on several different subjects telling God I don't want this or that. I don't want it to happen like this. But every time I felt God whispering to me, "What if this is how I want it". I came to the realization that it doesn't matter what I want in particular but how God wants it in my life.

Where I Was Isn't Where I'm At

This picture kind of explains how I felt most of the day. I had that noxious feeling all day it seems. I figured a little lunch would make things better but that queasiness never left. Of course after getting out of work and going home I almost instantly felt better and now feel just fine.

This reminds me of how our comfort zones work. When we step out of our comfort zones into the realm of the unknown we are stricken with the butterflies. We don't know what to expect so we are on edge. You feel like the whole world has their eyes on you but in reality they don't really care. So many people won't move out of their comfort zones for these reasons and many other reasons I'm sure. But if you just do it, do it scared or how ever you want to state it, God will bless you. New doors will open, new friendships will develop, new opportunities will come. People seem to run back into their place of comfort and never really experience the real things of God.

I can't believe how God has changed me and opened up doors for me. If I never would have taken that first step of faith into the realm of the unknown I wouldn't be where I am today. I guess what I am saying is, trust God and just get out there and do it scared.

My Morning Song

Back around the time I was delivered from addiction I used to wake up in the morning with a new song in my heart. As Suzy and I hung out last night, I brought up the fact that I used to wake up with so much joy. I realized that I don't always wake up like this anymore. I guess waking up anywhere from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM everyday will do that to ya.

But this morning I woke up singing inside. And felt God speaking to me right away. I heard my heart sing "Greater things are yet to come" over and over, like the song "God of this city" by Chris Tomlin. Now if that weren't strange enough, I grabbed my Bible like I do every morning when rising and set off for down stairs. I always start the day out with a daily devotion and getting in the Word (& coffee of course). What struck me was my devotion of the morning was about expectancy. Expecting greater things from God. If you read here much you should of seen the post on the prophetic word spoken over me. I see God is fulfilling His word to me. He is telling me that even greater things are to come. He is blessing me and adding to me. GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!