Thursday, January 22, 2009

God has a sense of humor

Earlier today I posted a Prayer Request and as I completed it I was reminded that the bible says that we are to love our enemy’s and pray for those that spitefully use us and as I exited out of the blog and my outlook came up the first email was a notification from Plaxo that tomorrow was my other x partners birthday. All I could do was laugh, as I ask for help with forgiveness towards them for what they have done to me, I am hit right in the face with an opportunity to do the right thing.

Yes, I did send him a happy birthday wish and within 2 minutes he responded with a thank you. God is great and he does have a sense of humor.

Financial Planning

Last night John, Marcel and I (Angie was packing for our trip today) attended a great seminar on Financial Planning for the Family. The speaker is Dennis Ramesy and the study is Awesome. If you are like us money is always a source of marital strife. He presents the material in a fun and enjoyable way and there is room in the class if you want to attend.

Harvest United Methodist Church, The moderator is Jacque 224 4426

Wednesday Night from 6:30 to 8:30

Prayer Request for 8:00 AM Saturday

Prayer Request

Dear Brothers,

On Saturday at 8:00 AM I will be meeting with my x partner that sole my company and a considerable amount of money. I know that what happened was all part of Gods plan and he has me at a place and on a path that he wants and is directing my steps. God has blessed me abundantly since this happened last April but I have been tested over the past weeks with unforgiveness and pride issues. It is like an old wound has been reopened.

There are still several unsolved issues with the situation including some pending litigation and I am praying that God helps me to fully release them and the situation. Please pray for me and my wife Angie that my meeting goes as God would intend it and that he uses this opportunity for me to witness and make him proud of me.

Please also Pray for Angie that we are in agreement and help her forgive my x partner for what she has done to our family.

Thanks

Peter

PS: Please put the date and time in your PDA so you wont forget.

Parental Online Protection?

Guys, my son is now online and I wanted to hear if anyone has a good program to put on the computer to prevent him from getting to sites that he should not be on.

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Stock Boy

Kurtis the Stock Boy and Brenda the Checkout Girl In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry-out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand, a distant smile caught his eye - the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly, she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought. Then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, celebrating Sunday's victory and preparing for the Super Bowl.

Kurt Warner quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI and has been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. As great as these accomplishments are, the most important thing he has ever done, according to Kurt himself, was to trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. When you check out his website, "First Things First" (based on Matthew 6:33), you will find the following testimony...

"I was raised in the church, so faith and God were part of my life, but for me it was just kind of there - there on Sundays and when I was going through a tough time. I always had God as a background, but I never truly accepted Jesus until I was about 25 years old. My arena league teammates, a pastor friend of mine, and my future wife were constantly asking questions about my beliefs, and I began to question where I was and whether I had really put my complete faith in God. Their questions led me to the Truth - that faith is about a relationship, and it's about Jesus. Up to that point, I had never really considered that I struggled for so long and so many things went against me. I was swimming upstream. When I finally gave my life over to God - it was then the joy and happiness came into my life. Now, I realize my role here on Earth is not to throw touchdown passes and win football games, although that is the position and the platform that I have been given. I realize my goal is to win as many people to Jesus as possible. I have an open-door policy, where I'm able to talk about what is most important to me, and obviously, God is #1."

Monday, January 19, 2009

Tests

Some of God's greatest tests are found in the workplace where we live every day: the employee who betrays our trust, the client who refuses to pay, the vendor who falls short of our expectations.

Each of these is a test from God to find out how we will respond.

What tests are being brought your way today?

His grace has been provided that we might pass the tests that He brings before us. Should we fail, we need not fear. His grace is sufficient for this as well. Ask God for the grace to walk with Him in whatever tests He has placed before you this day. He is able to accomplish what He wants for you.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Pray for our sisters

Today my friend called to me that his sister had a stroke, earlier today my mother called and told me that my sisters business was in trouble and she was probably going to have to file bankruptcy and tonight we spent some time with Angie’s sister and I could see the money stress in her eyes and voice.

Father God I pray special hedges of protection FOR ALL OF OUR sisters may you protect them during these tough times.

Forgiveness

Guys:

I have been dealing with a Pride and Un forgiveness issue this past week and today I woke up and started reading a book by TD Jakes and it was talking about forgiveness and about how if you have un forgiveness in your heart it will hinder your relationship and walk with God. I then went to my daily bible reading and this is what it said:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Bible in a Year

Guys:

I am not much of a bible scholar and get so much from other brothers who are and this year my goal is to spend more time in the Bible with God. Our Thursday Lunch Bible Study started a daily reading on a great web site. Check our www.Christianity.com it is an easy to use site and you can read the bible and track your progress.

Have a great week,

Peter

Thursday, January 15, 2009

"Role Doing"

If you were cast in a play you would assume a role and act it out by role-playing. Like the segment we witnessed the other night at our meeting, most of the examples referenced displayed stories of hero's and villains. He pointed out how we were in a "real life" "epic-journey" of our own.
What a remarkable find for me personally to obtain, as I am always looking for fresh, cutting-edge material suitable for reaching others. Anything to spark a conversation or to pull a question from an individual in regards to dialogue about God is a treasured asset. I was moved by John Eldredge as he delivered a mood. I believe we do gravitate to those stories as part of a natural longing masterfully placed within by our Creator. The battle between good and evil is understood by all walks of life and entertaining when viewed by an audience. We admire the stars playing different roles and identify ourselves with certain characters.
When it comes to our lives, we also have roles. Artistically molded and fabricated by the Almighty, we are here to fulfill a particular role. We are "role-doers," if obedient, we will absorb His Holy Spirit and take our place on the battle-field. I think our roles are ever- changing, in order to carry out the predetermined task we need to listen to the Director and get the script. Or Him and the Bible...
Will you tear-down a temple, fight a huge war though your armies are reduced by two thirds, walk a desert to a dead end, or pick up a small stone and place it in a simple sling to defeat a giant? He may ask you to, maybe He already has... Love to you my brothers in the Cross, Michael...

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Pray with your wife

Did you know that the Divorce rate in the county is 52% for non believers and 50% for church going believers, kind of hard to understand????? Did you know that the Divorce rate for couples that pray together is 4%.....

I share this with you because many of us are struggling and financial strain can destroy a marriage. It is hard to humble ourselves and open ourselves to pray with our wives, yet we have no problem being transparent on Tuesday night.

This morning I went to my wife and asked her to pray for me because of the challenges I am facing and her response to me relative to the situation was TOTALLY unexpected. She said let it go, there is nothing you can do get so why keep fighting and hanging onto it.

My point is that God has given us our wives and not only do we have to be the leaders of the household but also turn to them in Prayer. It is not an easy thing to do but God can surprise you with the results as he did me.

Draw Close to God

Last night was a great night, our group spoke about Laminin which is the Key Component of the Human Body, and it is the building block that keeps our cells and bodies together. What hit me was that when scientist looked at it under an electron microscope it is in the shape of the Cross.

I have been under attack this week and the enemy has opened an old wound and my weakness "my pride" I have been praying about letting this go and today opened up my email and this was in it and wanted to share it with you all.

Move On!TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os HillmanWednesday, January 14 2009...

"Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on." - Exodus 14:15
Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 600,000, to a dead end in the desert. The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh's pursuing army was the Red Sea. This was after ten plagues God had inflicted on Pharaoh to motivate him to free the Israelites. Finally, Pharaoh had freed Moses and the people, and they left Egypt. They thought they were home free. "Freedom at last," they said. But God did a strange thing. He directed Moses to take a route that led to the Red Sea, instead of the northern route around the Red Sea. God explained that He didn't want them fighting the enemies they would have encountered on this route. But still, there was the issue of the Red Sea.

They finally arrived at the Red Sea, and the people were wondering where they would go from there. News hit the camp: Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was coming after them with his army. Panic set in. The defenseless Israelites cried out, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Ex. 14:11b-12)

God sometimes brings each of us to a "Red Sea" in our life. It may be a work problem that can't be solved. It may be a marriage that seems to be failing. It may be a debilitating disease. Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: "Keep moving." The Red Sea was before them, yet God was angered at Moses and told him to "Keep moving."

"But Lord, the Red Sea is before me." "Keep moving." When we live by sight, we act on what we see. God sets this stage in dramatic fashion. God is into the dramatic. There is no way out without God here. That is just the way He wants it. No one will get glory except God.

A friend once admonished me when I was in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, "You must not withdraw from being proactive in your faith just because of this trial that you are in. God's hand is on your life. There are too many who are depending on you to fulfill the purposes God has in your life. Keep moving! Keep investing yourself in others." I didn't feel like it. I was in too much pain. But I did it anyway. God met me at the point of my greatest need once I decided simply to be obedient. Getting past myself by investing myself in others helped heal the pain. There is great healing when we look past our own problems and seek to invest ourselves in others for the sake of Christ. This is when our own Red Seas become parted. We begin to walk to freedom. But we will never experience the miracle of the Red Sea in our lives if we don't first "Keep moving."

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Prayer Request

On Friday we found out that a good friend has Very Serious Cancer, Her name is Erilda and she has a 14 year old daughter and things do not look good. They are all believers and she has previously survived Breast Cancer and knows that only God can cure her and I am asking that you include her and her family in your prayers.

Thanks