I just fell of my chair when i heard on the radio that there are 114,000 kids in the foster care program.... These kids need u
We are going to start the process tomorrow to get approved for Foster Care, we are still looking to adopt but we can foster for now. If you want to learn more contact me.
If you are in the process let me know and I will keep you in my prayers.
God Bless,
Peter
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Help needed
The Manatee Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team is getting a team ready to go to the tornado damage area and if anyone would like to go contact Tom Cole at 941-720-8485 e-mail disasterrelieftc@tampabay.rr.com or Jim Nichols at 941-518-4238 e-mail disasterreliefjn@aol.com.
Prayer of jabez
Have you ever heard of jabez? Well in Hebrew that means pain and for a mother to name her son pain is not a good thing. Can you imagine going through life being named pain. I thought Peter was bad.
He believed in the God of Moses who delivered the people and knew that he served a powerful God and he simply asked God to bless him indeed. Many times we do not have because we do not ask.
When wa the last time that you asked God to bless you?
He believed in the God of Moses who delivered the people and knew that he served a powerful God and he simply asked God to bless him indeed. Many times we do not have because we do not ask.
When wa the last time that you asked God to bless you?
New day
Today is a new day and we should live in the day. My father told me there are 2 days of the week that he never worried about. Yesterday and tomorrow because you can not change what you did yesterday and you do not know what is going to happen tomorrow so why worry. Make today the best day that it can be.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thank God and our Troops
Yesterday we celebrated our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died so that our sins would be forgiven and that we could have ever lasting life.
Today I was reminded of a story and in memory of the sacrifice that our God has made for us I wanted to share another story of a daily sacrifice that is being made for us.
An unnamed business man while traveling to Chicago on business, noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two
together.
After we boarded our flight, he turned to the sergeant, who had been
invited to sit in First Class, and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out he asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home
to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit him like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told him that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
He turned back to him, extended him his hand, and said, Thank you.
Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
'Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor
of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on
this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family..
I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door
to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We
will then turn off the seat belt sign..'
Without a sound, all went as requested. He noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane and his action made him realize how proud he was to be an American.
So here's a public 'Thank You' to our military Men and Women for what
you do so we can live the way we do.
The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things
better for you?' is..... 'We need your prayers and your support.'
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
Jesus died for your soul; the soldier for your freedom.
Today I was reminded of a story and in memory of the sacrifice that our God has made for us I wanted to share another story of a daily sacrifice that is being made for us.
An unnamed business man while traveling to Chicago on business, noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two
together.
After we boarded our flight, he turned to the sergeant, who had been
invited to sit in First Class, and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out he asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home
to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit him like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told him that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
He turned back to him, extended him his hand, and said, Thank you.
Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
'Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor
of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on
this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family..
I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door
to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We
will then turn off the seat belt sign..'
Without a sound, all went as requested. He noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane and his action made him realize how proud he was to be an American.
So here's a public 'Thank You' to our military Men and Women for what
you do so we can live the way we do.
The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things
better for you?' is..... 'We need your prayers and your support.'
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
Jesus died for your soul; the soldier for your freedom.
Great Morning
What a blessed Easter Weekend.... The Lord has Risen and we are forgiven... Today as I started my day I was reminded about the Prayer of Jabez and how he asked God to Expand his Tent and today I pray that you will be blessed abundantly.
Tomorrow night at Wildmen (Sarasota at Woodland Church St. Rd 70) we will be following up on the Forgiveness Message. Please join us at 7:00 for dinner and then a great time of fellowship.
Have a Blessed day,
Peter
Tomorrow night at Wildmen (Sarasota at Woodland Church St. Rd 70) we will be following up on the Forgiveness Message. Please join us at 7:00 for dinner and then a great time of fellowship.
Have a Blessed day,
Peter
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Courage
Hello men, the outline from last week's lesson on "Courage" is displayed below. The scriptures are so well worth reading and memorizing. The "Do Hard Things' quotations are from the 5th chapter of the book by the title shown above in quotation marks. Enjoy and take courage - He that is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
God bless, Billy
Strong Minds
COURAGE
Wikipedia: Courage (also bravery, fortitude, or intrepidity) is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
Key verse!
Romans 12: 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Revelation 21: 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Romans 8: 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
2 Timothy 1: 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Joshua 1: 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Do Hard Things
“If we take a step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal for us, changes radically.” p.67
“We resist, delay, fight and scream –all to keep from leaving our cozy little routines. But there is a high cost for choosing comfort; without even realizing, we build an invisible fence around ourselves. Nothing challenging is allowed to enter – even if it has the potential to set us free.” P.67
…fence is nearly always built of fear – fear of weakness, discomfort, failure, humiliation. We’ve noticed something else too: you can’t live by fear and by faith at the same time.” P.69
1. God works through our weaknesses to accomplish big plans
Ø 2 Corinthians 10: 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Smith Wigglesworth – “ Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs only come out of great trials.”
2. Courage is not the absence of fear.
“Letting fear control your actions is a statement of distrust in the goodness of God” p.77
3. You can’t get to success without risking failure.
Unknown future – Known God
Corrie Ten Boom – “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God” p.84
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Update from Billy
Hello men, this is the men's ministry update for the week of 4/10/11.
Wildmen
We will have a special guest speaker tonight (Tuesday) that you will not want to miss. His teaching will help you learn of your true place with God and how to operate out of that lofty relationship. Join us at 7PM for dinner with praise, teaching and fellowship to follow.
REAL Men
Byron Coleman is leading the study this coming Thursday. We meet in the Forum from 6:20-7:30AM. Always a fascinating and fun time of learning, growth and meaningful relationships.
IRONMEN
WE are meeting this Thursday at the Proctor Road campus of Sarasota Baptist to continue our pursuit of being strong in our mind. We commit to loving our God with all of our mind, spirit and strength so we want to be strong in each of those areas. Join us as we explore the power that comes from ridding ourselves of the lies, wounds, agreements and everything else that holds us back from becoming what God intends us to be. We meet for dinner at 7PM.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS WEEK ONLY! We are meeting in the Chapel which is in the same building complex; just further from Proctor Road.
Woodland's Men's Night Out - next week
Next week, Woodland is hosting a special men's night out with special speaker, Bobby Petrocelli. Dinner is a catered BBQ meal that starts at 6:30PM. Tickets are $10PP and need to be bought in advance. You can buy them at Woodland this weekend or on gowoodland.com. Do not miss this!
Boot Camp - Risk- Adventure- Hope
The Boot Camp is being held at Dayspring from 9/22-25. You can hold your spot for a down payment of $50 now and if you pay the balance by 7/8, you get the lowest price of $225. Afterwards, the price becomes $275. Do not procrastinate. We expect a sell out!
God bless, Billy
Wildmen
We will have a special guest speaker tonight (Tuesday) that you will not want to miss. His teaching will help you learn of your true place with God and how to operate out of that lofty relationship. Join us at 7PM for dinner with praise, teaching and fellowship to follow.
REAL Men
Byron Coleman is leading the study this coming Thursday. We meet in the Forum from 6:20-7:30AM. Always a fascinating and fun time of learning, growth and meaningful relationships.
IRONMEN
WE are meeting this Thursday at the Proctor Road campus of Sarasota Baptist to continue our pursuit of being strong in our mind. We commit to loving our God with all of our mind, spirit and strength so we want to be strong in each of those areas. Join us as we explore the power that comes from ridding ourselves of the lies, wounds, agreements and everything else that holds us back from becoming what God intends us to be. We meet for dinner at 7PM.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS WEEK ONLY! We are meeting in the Chapel which is in the same building complex; just further from Proctor Road.
Woodland's Men's Night Out - next week
Next week, Woodland is hosting a special men's night out with special speaker, Bobby Petrocelli. Dinner is a catered BBQ meal that starts at 6:30PM. Tickets are $10PP and need to be bought in advance. You can buy them at Woodland this weekend or on gowoodland.com. Do not miss this!
Boot Camp - Risk- Adventure- Hope
The Boot Camp is being held at Dayspring from 9/22-25. You can hold your spot for a down payment of $50 now and if you pay the balance by 7/8, you get the lowest price of $225. Afterwards, the price becomes $275. Do not procrastinate. We expect a sell out!
God bless, Billy
Mary Anne/Cornerstone Campus Ministry/April news
Hi!
We had a great week at UF in Gainesville, 12 students surrendered their lives to Christ! Thank you so much for your prayers and support, you are truly making an eternal impact into the lives of many college students.
In personal news, Joel and I (who I wrote about last month) picked a date for our wedding: July 9th! We have been busy working out the details, and it has been fun sharing about wedding planning with all the young women I minister to. They are so excited to help and it is a great way for me to minister to them about waiting on the Lord to provide the right man at the right time.
Hope you are having a great month!
Mary Anne
We had a great week at UF in Gainesville, 12 students surrendered their lives to Christ! Thank you so much for your prayers and support, you are truly making an eternal impact into the lives of many college students.
In personal news, Joel and I (who I wrote about last month) picked a date for our wedding: July 9th! We have been busy working out the details, and it has been fun sharing about wedding planning with all the young women I minister to. They are so excited to help and it is a great way for me to minister to them about waiting on the Lord to provide the right man at the right time.
Hope you are having a great month!
Mary Anne
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Great Message today at Woodland
The message today was about Trust and for me that hits right at home. I know that for me to make it this month I need to put my trust in God and follow him. I am being challanged on every side but I know that he is with me. Taking that leep of faith is hard because as a man I want to do it myself and take the credit. The battle is TOO big for me to win and only with Gods help, love and guidence will I make it.
My friend sent this to me so I wanted to share it:
Ephesians 6 from “The Message Bible”
A Fight to the Finish
10 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.14 Truth, righteousness,15 peace,16 faith,17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon.18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
God is great and also so timly.
Peter
My friend sent this to me so I wanted to share it:
Ephesians 6 from “The Message Bible”
A Fight to the Finish
10 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.14 Truth, righteousness,15 peace,16 faith,17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon.18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
God is great and also so timly.
Peter
TGIF today
Friendship in the Pit
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, April 08 2011
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit." A time when no one can cheer you up and you wonder if there ever was or is a God. Have you ever had such times? Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low. The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). When we get so low that we despair of our belief, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after being so discouraged with life.
"I'm coming over," my friend said.
"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.
"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."
About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat in living room and my friend began to pray. I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen. After awhile my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"
"What verse is that?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said. "That is the verse He spoke to me."
I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."
We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much? That night I grew more in my love of my two friends, not to mention being brought out of the pit.
Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day? Are you there for your friend? Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, April 08 2011
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit." A time when no one can cheer you up and you wonder if there ever was or is a God. Have you ever had such times? Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low. The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). When we get so low that we despair of our belief, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after being so discouraged with life.
"I'm coming over," my friend said.
"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.
"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."
About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat in living room and my friend began to pray. I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen. After awhile my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"
"What verse is that?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said. "That is the verse He spoke to me."
I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."
We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much? That night I grew more in my love of my two friends, not to mention being brought out of the pit.
Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day? Are you there for your friend? Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Ephesians 6 from “The Message Bible”
Ephesians 6 from “The Message Bible”
A Fight to the Finish
10 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.14 Truth, righteousness,15 peace,16 faith,17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon.18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
A Fight to the Finish
10 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.14 Truth, righteousness,15 peace,16 faith,17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon.18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
TGIF today
Friendship in the Pit
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, April 08 2011
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit." A time when no one can cheer you up and you wonder if there ever was or is a God. Have you ever had such times? Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low. The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). When we get so low that we despair of our belief, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after being so discouraged with life.
"I'm coming over," my friend said.
"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.
"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."
About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat in living room and my friend began to pray. I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen. After awhile my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"
"What verse is that?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said. "That is the verse He spoke to me."
I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."
We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much? That night I grew more in my love of my two friends, not to mention being brought out of the pit.
Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day? Are you there for your friend? Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, April 08 2011
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit." A time when no one can cheer you up and you wonder if there ever was or is a God. Have you ever had such times? Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low. The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). When we get so low that we despair of our belief, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after being so discouraged with life.
"I'm coming over," my friend said.
"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.
"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."
About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat in living room and my friend began to pray. I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen. After awhile my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"
"What verse is that?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said. "That is the verse He spoke to me."
I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."
We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much? That night I grew more in my love of my two friends, not to mention being brought out of the pit.
Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day? Are you there for your friend? Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.
Simon from Cyrene Carries Jesus' Cross
Simon from Cyrene Carries Jesus' Cross
by Max Lucado
“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus” (Mark 15:21)
Simon grumbles beneath his breath. His patience is as scarce as space on the Jerusalem streets. He’d hoped for a peaceful Passover. The city is anything but quiet. Simon prefers his open fields. And now, to top it off, the Roman guards are clearing the path for some who-knows-which-dignitary who’ll march his soldiers and strut his stallion past the people.
“There he is!”
Simon’s head and dozens of others turn. In an instant they know. This is no dignitary.
“It’s a crucifixion,” he hears someone whisper. Four soldiers. One criminal. Four spears. One cross. The inside corner of the cross saddles the convict’s shoulders. Its base drags in the dirt. Its top teeters in the air. The condemned man steadies the cross the best he can, but stumbles beneath its weight. He pushes himself to his feet and lurches forward before falling again. Simon can’t see the man’s face, only a head wreathed with thorny branches.
The sour-faced centurion grows more agitated with each diminishing step. He curses the criminal and the crowd.
“Hurry up!”
“Little hope of that,” Simon says to himself.
The cross-bearer stops in front of Simon and heaves for air. Simon winces at what he sees. The beam rubbing against an already raw back. Rivulets of crimson streaking the man’s face. His mouth hangs open, both out of pain and out of breath.
“His name is Jesus,” someone speaks softly.
“Move on!” commands the executioner.
But Jesus can’t. His body leans and feet try, but he can’t move. The beam begins to sway. Jesus tries to steady it, but can’t. Like a just-cut tree, the cross begins to topple toward the crowd. Everyone steps back, except the farmer. Simon instinctively extends his strong hands and catches the cross.
Jesus falls face-first in the dirt and stays there. Simon pushes the cross back on its side. The centurion looks at the exhausted Christ and the bulky bystander and needs only an instant to make the decision. He presses the flat of his spear on Simon’s shoulders.
“You! Take the cross!”
Simon dares to object, “Sir, I don’t even know the man!”
“I don’t care. Take up the cross.”
Simon growls, balances the timber against his shoulder, and steps out of the crowd onto the street, out of anonymity into history, and becomes the first in a line of millions who will take up the cross and follow Christ.
He did literally what God calls us to do figuratively: take up the cross and follow Jesus. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke. 9:23 CEV).
by Max Lucado
“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus” (Mark 15:21)
Simon grumbles beneath his breath. His patience is as scarce as space on the Jerusalem streets. He’d hoped for a peaceful Passover. The city is anything but quiet. Simon prefers his open fields. And now, to top it off, the Roman guards are clearing the path for some who-knows-which-dignitary who’ll march his soldiers and strut his stallion past the people.
“There he is!”
Simon’s head and dozens of others turn. In an instant they know. This is no dignitary.
“It’s a crucifixion,” he hears someone whisper. Four soldiers. One criminal. Four spears. One cross. The inside corner of the cross saddles the convict’s shoulders. Its base drags in the dirt. Its top teeters in the air. The condemned man steadies the cross the best he can, but stumbles beneath its weight. He pushes himself to his feet and lurches forward before falling again. Simon can’t see the man’s face, only a head wreathed with thorny branches.
The sour-faced centurion grows more agitated with each diminishing step. He curses the criminal and the crowd.
“Hurry up!”
“Little hope of that,” Simon says to himself.
The cross-bearer stops in front of Simon and heaves for air. Simon winces at what he sees. The beam rubbing against an already raw back. Rivulets of crimson streaking the man’s face. His mouth hangs open, both out of pain and out of breath.
“His name is Jesus,” someone speaks softly.
“Move on!” commands the executioner.
But Jesus can’t. His body leans and feet try, but he can’t move. The beam begins to sway. Jesus tries to steady it, but can’t. Like a just-cut tree, the cross begins to topple toward the crowd. Everyone steps back, except the farmer. Simon instinctively extends his strong hands and catches the cross.
Jesus falls face-first in the dirt and stays there. Simon pushes the cross back on its side. The centurion looks at the exhausted Christ and the bulky bystander and needs only an instant to make the decision. He presses the flat of his spear on Simon’s shoulders.
“You! Take the cross!”
Simon dares to object, “Sir, I don’t even know the man!”
“I don’t care. Take up the cross.”
Simon growls, balances the timber against his shoulder, and steps out of the crowd onto the street, out of anonymity into history, and becomes the first in a line of millions who will take up the cross and follow Christ.
He did literally what God calls us to do figuratively: take up the cross and follow Jesus. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke. 9:23 CEV).
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Are you looking for a change?
It is hard to explain what happens at a Boot Camp but what I can tell you is that it is a life changing experience. To spend a few days with a group of men that all love God and want a closer relationship with him is something that is hard to describe. For me it has changed my life and I am a better man because of it. The friends I have made and the support and encouragement they have provided me is something that cannot be measured.
In September of this year we will be hosting a Boot Camp here in Florida and you are invited to come join us for this live altering experience.
If you are looking for change click here to learn more.
In September of this year we will be hosting a Boot Camp here in Florida and you are invited to come join us for this live altering experience.
If you are looking for change click here to learn more.
Mens Night in Sarasota
MEN’s NIGHT
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 with guest Bobby Petrocelli
$10 – Purchase tickets HERE (must purchase in advance)
BBQ starts serving at 6:15pm, Main Program at 7:00pm
Dinner, High Energy Praise and Worship with Wildmen Band, Fellowship, and a Great Message.
Bobby has shared his dramatic story and principles with millions around the world. Funny, frank, but a man who came through one of the toughest life situations imaginable, by the grace of God.
For all men and their friends – join us for this night of fellowship (BBQ ribs & chicken), high energy worship, and to hear how just “10 Seconds” and the power of decision changed Bobby’s life forever, and can change yours.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 with guest Bobby Petrocelli
$10 – Purchase tickets HERE (must purchase in advance)
BBQ starts serving at 6:15pm, Main Program at 7:00pm
Dinner, High Energy Praise and Worship with Wildmen Band, Fellowship, and a Great Message.
Bobby has shared his dramatic story and principles with millions around the world. Funny, frank, but a man who came through one of the toughest life situations imaginable, by the grace of God.
For all men and their friends – join us for this night of fellowship (BBQ ribs & chicken), high energy worship, and to hear how just “10 Seconds” and the power of decision changed Bobby’s life forever, and can change yours.
HOw are you using your time?
An excerpt from
Simple Truths of Life
by Linda Ellis
I've learned that watches and clocks
may someday stand still...
but the time that they measure?
It never will!
960 Minutes. According to my calculations and my current schedule, that's how many minutes, approximately, averaged, that I spend awake out of the 1,440 minutes contained within each "day." Therefore, I strongly consider each of them to be MY minutes and they belong to no one but me. I, alone, have the choice where and with whom I choose to share my minutes and what situations or emotions are (or aren't) worthy of utilizing these precious commodities.
When applicable, I find myself repeating the phrase: "Choose how you use." Just as you ask yourself before making a purchase, "Is this really worth my money?" ask yourself before engaging in negativity or criticism, "Is this really worth my minutes?" Before you start worrying about something that may never materialize, ask yourself, "Is it worthy of my minutes?"
Today, we watch how we would spend 960 dollars more carefully than how we would spend the same amount of minutes, our daily ration of time, though the latter is far more precious to behold and should be budgeted with the utmost attention to detail. Instead, often we'll spend our 960 minutes as though they were recyclable or in endless supply.
When you lay your head down tonight and preview in your mind how you spent your allotted 960 minutes, which words will best describe the answer? Did you share your minutes with contentment, laughter and joy or did you choose to share too much of this finite resource today with anger, resentfulness and aggravation?
A good example of my new thought process was played out the other day in the parking lot of my local grocery store. A woman (dialing her cell phone) ignored a stop sign and pulled directly in front of my car. With a dexterity that would have made Mario Andretti envious, I swerved and somehow missed hitting her SUV. Afterwards, however, when she should have chosen to express gratitude, I turned and noticed her hand gestures, which unmistakably and vehemently expressed sentiments quite the opposite. My blood pressure rose rapidly, but through gritted teeth, I repeated to myself silently, "Choose how you use...choose how you use."
I chose to continue to drive forward, unresponsive to her actions. I'm not going to fib and say I didn't spend five or ten minutes in anger or distress over the incident because I certainly did. However, I then let it go. I let go. I did not let it fester and eat up more minutes than it should have. The situation simply wasn't worthy of using up my minutes.
I say use your minutes wisely; don't let others dictate how you spend them. This is not to say you should quit your job today, but just remember than your minutes are completely non-refundable; you can't buy more, you can't borrow someone else's and you can't get them back once they are gone.
If only the rules stated that when we reach 90 years of age, we could simply write a letter to the "Life Customer Service Department" stating, "In 2008, I spend 10,950 minutes filled with aggravation and frustration. Since the customer is always right, I am officially requesting those misspent minutes be added back to my life's account. I will await your confirmation. Thank you."
I've often thought about the cell-phone company commercials where they say their calling plan is better than the competitor's plan because their minutes "roll over." Wouldn't it be wonderful if life worked that way; if we could only use the minutes of the day we'd like and let the others roll over into the next day, week or month? But we all know that life's "calling plan" doesn't offer rollover minutes and our only option is to use them or lose them.
Life has its moments and unfortunately, there are times when sadness and despair are inescapable. However, 30 minutes per day spend in avoidable discontent equates to more than one week per year from your life; seven days, which could have instead been lived...enjoyed...relished and celebrated. It's your choice.
Simple Truths of Life
by Linda Ellis
I've learned that watches and clocks
may someday stand still...
but the time that they measure?
It never will!
960 Minutes. According to my calculations and my current schedule, that's how many minutes, approximately, averaged, that I spend awake out of the 1,440 minutes contained within each "day." Therefore, I strongly consider each of them to be MY minutes and they belong to no one but me. I, alone, have the choice where and with whom I choose to share my minutes and what situations or emotions are (or aren't) worthy of utilizing these precious commodities.
When applicable, I find myself repeating the phrase: "Choose how you use." Just as you ask yourself before making a purchase, "Is this really worth my money?" ask yourself before engaging in negativity or criticism, "Is this really worth my minutes?" Before you start worrying about something that may never materialize, ask yourself, "Is it worthy of my minutes?"
Today, we watch how we would spend 960 dollars more carefully than how we would spend the same amount of minutes, our daily ration of time, though the latter is far more precious to behold and should be budgeted with the utmost attention to detail. Instead, often we'll spend our 960 minutes as though they were recyclable or in endless supply.
When you lay your head down tonight and preview in your mind how you spent your allotted 960 minutes, which words will best describe the answer? Did you share your minutes with contentment, laughter and joy or did you choose to share too much of this finite resource today with anger, resentfulness and aggravation?
A good example of my new thought process was played out the other day in the parking lot of my local grocery store. A woman (dialing her cell phone) ignored a stop sign and pulled directly in front of my car. With a dexterity that would have made Mario Andretti envious, I swerved and somehow missed hitting her SUV. Afterwards, however, when she should have chosen to express gratitude, I turned and noticed her hand gestures, which unmistakably and vehemently expressed sentiments quite the opposite. My blood pressure rose rapidly, but through gritted teeth, I repeated to myself silently, "Choose how you use...choose how you use."
I chose to continue to drive forward, unresponsive to her actions. I'm not going to fib and say I didn't spend five or ten minutes in anger or distress over the incident because I certainly did. However, I then let it go. I let go. I did not let it fester and eat up more minutes than it should have. The situation simply wasn't worthy of using up my minutes.
I say use your minutes wisely; don't let others dictate how you spend them. This is not to say you should quit your job today, but just remember than your minutes are completely non-refundable; you can't buy more, you can't borrow someone else's and you can't get them back once they are gone.
If only the rules stated that when we reach 90 years of age, we could simply write a letter to the "Life Customer Service Department" stating, "In 2008, I spend 10,950 minutes filled with aggravation and frustration. Since the customer is always right, I am officially requesting those misspent minutes be added back to my life's account. I will await your confirmation. Thank you."
I've often thought about the cell-phone company commercials where they say their calling plan is better than the competitor's plan because their minutes "roll over." Wouldn't it be wonderful if life worked that way; if we could only use the minutes of the day we'd like and let the others roll over into the next day, week or month? But we all know that life's "calling plan" doesn't offer rollover minutes and our only option is to use them or lose them.
Life has its moments and unfortunately, there are times when sadness and despair are inescapable. However, 30 minutes per day spend in avoidable discontent equates to more than one week per year from your life; seven days, which could have instead been lived...enjoyed...relished and celebrated. It's your choice.
Just back from Bootcamp
I just wanted to share with you a video from BootCamp. It was my third time out there and it was off the charts. We serve a Great God and having the opportunity to know him better has changed my life for the better. Below are some take aways that one of the guys shared and I wanted to pass them along:
WAH Take Homes:
-Sonship: The primary place where your life is assaulted is in sonship to the father (Eph 1:4-5). To know God as Father, to trust Him with our life, wife, children and everything else, is more critical than the healing of cancer (said by a man dying of melanoma and leukemia)
-I'm faking it and so are you!: Our sin and brokenness lead to posing, or the absence of security, the absence in knowing we have what it takes, beneath the posing is woundedness, we still need validation and deep healing to live in freedom. The worst thing is when your posing "works" for you. Freedom is available, now. Admit it, name it, ask Jesus to enter in.
-Addictions are never the issue, just a symptom or effort to numb the wound. We either (1) deny our wounding, (2) minimize it, or (3) embrace it as our identity.
-Walking it out: Our ministry comes out of what we live not out of what we know. Learn to live like a warrior, and learn your place in the story. When we deny the enemy/battle/evil we either blame God, ourself or someone else. God hasn't abandoned you, you are at war, start shooting!
-No single man can fill the role of father, when we see our dads as sons we can relinquish them from their fatherly duties and set them free. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, when the son is ready the father will appear. The father needs it as much as the son. God, I embrace sonship, father me today.
-Before going to my Beauty, I need to learn to not go the my Beauty. The bigger the poser, the more unhealed my heart, the more I am a disaster here. I choose God or I choose Eve, a man with genuine strength can walk away. If I give my beauty the power to validate me, I give her the power to invalidate me. This is the #1 thing for the enemy to take men out. Begin by taking it to God. Everytime I "take a peak" I give away part of my strength, everytime I resist I regain my strength...with that strength God will give you a kingdom! The best time to resist is in real time. A man's worst fear is failure, a woman's abandonment. I've yet to meet a woman who thinks she is beautiful.
-Resolve to be "all in" -- practice listening to the voice of God (start simple, "Father do you love me?"), take your restoration seriously, gather and lean on a band of brothers.
WAH Take Homes:
-Sonship: The primary place where your life is assaulted is in sonship to the father (Eph 1:4-5). To know God as Father, to trust Him with our life, wife, children and everything else, is more critical than the healing of cancer (said by a man dying of melanoma and leukemia)
-I'm faking it and so are you!: Our sin and brokenness lead to posing, or the absence of security, the absence in knowing we have what it takes, beneath the posing is woundedness, we still need validation and deep healing to live in freedom. The worst thing is when your posing "works" for you. Freedom is available, now. Admit it, name it, ask Jesus to enter in.
-Addictions are never the issue, just a symptom or effort to numb the wound. We either (1) deny our wounding, (2) minimize it, or (3) embrace it as our identity.
-Walking it out: Our ministry comes out of what we live not out of what we know. Learn to live like a warrior, and learn your place in the story. When we deny the enemy/battle/evil we either blame God, ourself or someone else. God hasn't abandoned you, you are at war, start shooting!
-No single man can fill the role of father, when we see our dads as sons we can relinquish them from their fatherly duties and set them free. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, when the son is ready the father will appear. The father needs it as much as the son. God, I embrace sonship, father me today.
-Before going to my Beauty, I need to learn to not go the my Beauty. The bigger the poser, the more unhealed my heart, the more I am a disaster here. I choose God or I choose Eve, a man with genuine strength can walk away. If I give my beauty the power to validate me, I give her the power to invalidate me. This is the #1 thing for the enemy to take men out. Begin by taking it to God. Everytime I "take a peak" I give away part of my strength, everytime I resist I regain my strength...with that strength God will give you a kingdom! The best time to resist is in real time. A man's worst fear is failure, a woman's abandonment. I've yet to meet a woman who thinks she is beautiful.
-Resolve to be "all in" -- practice listening to the voice of God (start simple, "Father do you love me?"), take your restoration seriously, gather and lean on a band of brothers.
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