MINISTRY AND MOTIVATION MERGE

LABOR DAY

2011-09-04T20:49:00.003-04:00

Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time? Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!.

GET STRONG, BE STRONG AND STAY STRONG

2010-12-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you
and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

Labor Day!

2010-08-29T21:32:00.001-04:00

Can You Spare a Little CHANGE?

2010-07-28T02:34:00.001-04:00

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured (CHANGED) into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

To move forward we must change. In order to advance in life in any area change is necessary. How do we grow or progress? We must change! As our children grow up, they CHANGE! We document it, take pictures, and videos of each milestone. We MEASURE their physical growth, we journal their emotional and intellectual maturation. We EXPECT them to change. But as they reach adulthood our expectations degrease or completely cease.

Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting twittering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

A message from Ariel

2010-05-14T22:52:00.007-04:00

Hey guys!

I'm working as a counselor this summer at a camp called SpringHill, and I'm asking for your help (:

I'm apart of the IMPACT program, which works to provide scholarships for kids who want to come to camp but can't afford it. I'm asked to recruit people who are willing to donate, the amount doesn't matter because anything will help. (and i understand being a poor college student, so if that's you, little amounts can help too)

You should know the experience offered here isn't like any other, God does some really awesome things at this camp. Which I can say from experience, because I've attended as a camper since I was 8 years old. He works through college students like me, wonderful people like you, and other seriously great people who love these kids to create an environment where they can truly encounter a God who loves and adores them. If a life changing week is waiting for a kid this summer, nothing should stop them from experiencing it. So please help me in providing a way for these awesome kids to come have the experience that just might change their life.

Here's how it can work: respond by shooting me either a message on here or through my contact info below (try not to respond to this message) letting me know if you feel led to make a donation, along with some contact information (email, mailing address) and I'll get back to you with details (:

Thanks for letting me take some of your time! If you don't feel led to donate, that's totally okay! I just ask for your prayers for the summer and for these kids hearts to soften and allow God to work in them the way He intends to!

Thank you again!

Ariel Martin

Taylor University
236 West Reade Ave.
Upland, IN 46989
ariel_martin@taylor.edu

www.springhillcamps.com

MOUNTAIN MEN AND WOMEN

2010-03-25T15:33:00.005-04:00

Bring me men to match my mountains;
Bring me men to match my plains,-
Men with empires in their purpose,
And new eras in their brains.
Bring me men to match my prairies,
Men to match my inland seas,
Men whose thought shall pave a highway
UP to ampler destinies;
Pioneers to clear Thought's marshlands,
And to cleanse old Error's fen;
Bring me men to match my mountains-

Sam Walter Foss written for the Fourth of July 1894.

PERSPECTIVE

2010-03-16T23:43:00.001-04:00

Perspective does not change what we see, but simply how we see it. What do you see? Some one said to us recently, speaking of a particular situation, “I don’t know if we will succeed or fail, all we can do is just keep plugging along”. Now that’s one perspective, not a motivated one, not a positive one, but some one’s perspective none the less. Now I look at the exact same situation and I see opportunities to prosper, progress and succeed. Jesus said, ” If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes”. Our perspective on our future is many times determined or at least predisposed by our past. Our perspective about what is around us is largely determined by what is inside of us. Namely how we see ourselves is how we see our future. Remember what the Israelite spies said of the giants who occupied the promised land. Numbers 13:33 “We were like grasshoppers in our own site”. Now here is where perspective is the key to our success. The verse I just mentioned finishes by saying, “and so we were in their sight”. How we see ourselves is how others will see us. How others see us determines who we attract into our lives and how they react to us. WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE MIRROR OF YOUR SOUL, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

2010-02-18T23:40:00.001-05:00

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
—John 14:27

PLAN BIG!

2010-01-31T19:16:00.001-05:00

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons (daughters and granddaughters) are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

Redus Reunion

2010-01-02T22:54:00.001-05:00

Redus
Reunion

Memorial Day Weekend
May 29th & 30th, 2010

Connie - 618-795-0266
Laura - 812 322 6922

If there’s one thing we could all say about the Redus family, it’s that we all care & love one another. If one of our own is sick or hurt everyone comes together to support.
Memorial Day weekend, let's come together for a time of celebration and fun.
We are working on getting special pricing for a Hotel close by, the Oak Grove Inn. We’ll send more details as they come. Connie and Bobby are working on getting permission from the Sportsman's club to camp on the club’s property.
The building has 2 bathrooms, a kitchen (refrigerator, stove, microwave and sink) plenty of tables and chairs, 2 couches, TV and stereo. Outside is a lake, plenty of room for kids to play, swings and a slide, and a place to put up a volleyball net, .
Bobby said people can also fish if they bring poles.
Bring old photos/albums to share memories!!

Columbia Sportsman Club 202 Aa Rd. Columbia IL. 62236

The New Leaf

2009-12-31T20:47:00.003-05:00

The New Leaf

He came to my desk with quivering lip –
The lesson was done.
“Dear Teacher. I want a new leaf he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
I took the old leaf, stained and blotted
And gave him a new one, all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled;
“Do better now, my child!”

I went to the Throne with a quivering soul –
The old year was gone.
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?”
“I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted
And into my sad heart smiled:
“Do better now, my child!”

Author Unknown

PROGRESS AND CHANGE, CHANGE AND PROGRESS

2009-11-07T21:38:00.002-05:00

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured (CHANGED) into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

To move forward we must change. In order to advance in life in any area change is necessary. How do we grow or progress? We must change! As our children grow up, they CHANGE! We document it, take pictures, and videos of each milestone. We MEASURE their physical growth, we journal their emotional and intellectual maturation. We EXPECT them to change. But as they reach adulthood our expectations degrease or completely cease.
Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting tweetering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

Psalm of PROTECTION

2009-10-21T06:45:00.002-04:00

Psalm 91 (The Message)

1-13 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salv

2009-10-07T22:53:00.001-04:00

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I w...ill come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

2009-09-14T23:18:00.002-04:00

Why Not Us? Why Not Now?
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done.
--Charles Wesley
This morning I was on the treadmill at my gym when a young muscled up guy walked by me with an old worn and tattered tee-shirt on. Nothing unusual about that, the lettering on the back was faded and hard to read. Then I saw what it said. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW? I almost jumped off my treadmill. David asked his brothers, is there not a cause? Is there not a reason that we are here right now in this place in time. The scripture speaks of a time such as this. I ask you the question that has echoed in my ears all day. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

Labor day week end.

2009-09-07T00:23:00.004-04:00

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS

2009-08-04T10:45:00.001-04:00

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons (daughters and granddaughters) are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty." Think BIG.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

CHANGE -ariel martin

2009-07-22T09:34:00.002-04:00

As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If African Americans chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle does not seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

Romans 12: 1-2 Summerlovin

2009-07-04T09:51:00.002-04:00

"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"

2009-06-28T08:33:00.002-04:00

ps 91

1 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, 2 Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" 3 That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. 4 His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. 5 Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. 7 Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. 8 You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
9 Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, 10 Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. 11 He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. 12 If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. 13 You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. 14 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. 15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 16 I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"
The Message

DON'T QUIT!

2009-04-25T04:02:00.005-04:00

"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." -Winston Churchill"

Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown." -H. Ross Perot

My wife used to sing a song titled, Don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. I would follow her song with a message titled, The brink of disaster. Both are uniquely the same. Both the brink of a miracle and the brink of disaster can be the same place. It is our perspective that determines what takes place the moment after we come to this precise place.

Sometimes you have to RISK TO RECEIVE. You have to get out of the boat to walk on the water.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. - Ps 147 : 5
“But as for you, BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP, for your work will be rewarded."- 2 Chronicles 15: 7

Why Not Us? Why Not Now?

2009-04-17T05:35:00.001-04:00

JUST A THOUGHT TO PROVOKE THOUGHT-more to come

2009-04-16T09:29:00.002-04:00

"The government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Jefferson

GOOD ENOUGH TO REPUBLISH -Ariel Martin

2009-04-14T10:37:00.003-04:00

COME OUT OF TRADITION?

2009-04-12T09:00:00.003-04:00

Jesus came to bring LIFE. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance" (to the full, till it [a]overflows). John 10:10 AMP

Ironically what is probably the most traditional Sunday in Christendom celebrates Jesus who came to abolish the religious man made traditions and to fulfill those God ordained.

May the Holy Spirit lead our Easter celebrations, so that they who come out of tradition will meet Jesus The Risen Christ and come out of tradition!!!!!

REVIVAL OR RESURRECTION?

2009-04-11T08:14:00.003-04:00

Jesus did not REVIVE he RESURRECTED. What's better than REVIVAL in the Church? How about the RESURRECTION of the CHURCH?

Revival is important for the church. Many churches are in need of it while many are experiencing it. Revival speaks to the health of the local Body of Believers as we see it. Resurrection which by definition means to "to bring back into use something that had been stopped or discarded" speaks to the relevancy and influence of The Church in and on our society. Resurrection brings a Church that is alive and vibrant to a place of influence in our world.

Ruined For Ordinary

2009-04-07T08:47:00.002-04:00

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3
The Message Bible says it this way:
This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming - it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time.

Once we catch site of the vision and we recognize what God has predestined for us,WE WILL BE RUINED FOR THE ORDINARY!!!

Doubt vs. Faith

2009-04-05T21:19:00.002-04:00

Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night. Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step. Faith soars on high. Doubt questions,'Who believes' Faith answers,'I'."
Author Unkown

READ THESE SCRIPTURES AND BE BLESSED!!!

2009-04-03T00:17:00.006-04:00

..."and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.Malachi 3
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-
Deuteronomy 11:26
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,
Exodus 23:25
"Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD
and is full of his blessing;
Deuteronomy 33:23

I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing.

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Deuteronomy 30:19
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours
Psalm 128

John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the Father's side, has made him known. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit-Galatians 3

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." Ps 35:27

Play Like A Champion Today- In The Words Of Lou Holtz

2009-03-28T07:31:00.003-04:00

"The word `champion' means you're the best - the very definition of it," "You're a bar above the rest. When you play that way, you're going to be the best and if you give your best, that's all you can ask of a person."
"Regardless of the won-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion,"
"But, I also asked my players that every time they hit that sign, to think about all the sacrifices your family has made; your teammates made in high school; the sacrifices your teachers have made; and you also think of the thousands of people who would love to be in your position. Just think about how fortunate we are.
"All of these thoughts should go through your mind when you hit that sign - `Play Like A Champion Today'." -Former Notre Dame Football Coach Lou Holtz

HUNGREY SHEEP

2009-03-26T06:27:00.002-04:00

-Ariel Martin

As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If all the blacks of America chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle doesn’t seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

PROGRESS AND CHANGE, CHANGE AND PROGRESS

2009-03-24T00:42:00.004-04:00

Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting tweetering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

FEAR THIS?

2008-11-14T13:12:00.006-05:00

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7

Now more than ever I need to remind my self that in spite of everything going on in the world that I am not to be fearful or timid. I have preached many times from verse seven, which exhorts us that we have not received the spirit of fear but of.... and I have preached many times from verse six which encourages us to stir up the gift of God that is in us.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Timothy 1:6

When the actions of these two verses are combined there is a special FEAR BUSTING synergy that is manifested!

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP

2008-10-19T21:59:00.008-04:00

"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." -Winston Churchill

"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown." -H. Ross Perot

My wife used to sing a song titled, don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. I would follow her song with a message titled, the brink of disaster. Both are uniquely the same. Both the brink of a miracle and the brink of disaster are the same place. It is our perspective that determines what takes place the moment after we come to this precise place.

Sometimes you have to RISK TO RECEIVE. You have to get out of the boat to walk on the water.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.Ps 147 : 5
“But as for you, BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP, for your work will be rewarded."2 Chronicles 15: 7

PEACE

2008-10-17T09:05:00.002-04:00

The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble; he takes care of those who turn to him. Nahum 1:7 - The Good News Bible

On Christ...I Stand!

2008-10-08T10:47:00.004-04:00

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,I rest on His unchanging grace.In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,Support me in the whelming flood.When all around my soul gives way,He then is all my Hope and Stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,Oh may I then in Him be found.Dressed in His righteousness alone,Faultless to stand before the throne.

ARIEL'S SENIOR PICTURES

2008-10-06T13:03:00.004-04:00

GIVE ME FIVE

2008-10-06T02:35:00.002-04:00

LOVE?

2008-10-06T00:27:00.002-04:00

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

I Cor. 13:4-7 The Message

BLAKE THE FISH

2008-10-05T00:34:00.002-04:00

GO FOR IT!!!!

2008-09-28T10:07:00.001-04:00

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again. Because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat. -Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

2008-09-27T00:20:00.004-04:00

Why Not Us? Why Not Now?

Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done.

--Charles Wesley

This morning I was on the treadmill at my gym when a young muscled up guy walked by me with an old worn and tattered tee-shirt on. Nothing unusual about that, the lettering on the back was faded and hard to read. Then I saw what it said. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW? I almost jumped off my treadmill. David asked his brothers, is there not a cause? Is there not a reason that we are here right now in this place in time. The scripture speaks of a time such as this. I ask you the question that has echoed in my ears all day. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

GO CUBBIES

2008-09-24T23:41:00.003-04:00

BANK ON IT!

2008-09-22T08:46:00.002-04:00

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Matt. 6:19-21 The Message

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS

2008-09-19T10:26:00.001-04:00

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

2008-09-15T09:04:00.002-04:00

Progress and Change, Change and Progress .

“Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much.” Luke 19:8 (NLT)

To progress we must change. In order to advance in life in any area, whether spiritual or natural, change is the key. Why do people grow or progress. Progress only happens for those who are committed to make changes in their life.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle! We must be willing to pay the price for change.

OLD WEAPONS FOR NEW VICTORIES

2008-08-27T05:38:00.001-04:00

8 David asked Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword of any kind around here? I didn’t have a chance to grab my weapons. The king’s mission was urgent and I left in a hurry.” 9 The priest said, “The sword of Goliath, the Philistine you killed at Oak Valley - that’s here! It’s behind the Ephod wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it. There’s nothing else here.” 10 “Oh,” said David, “there’s no sword like that! Give it to me!” 11 When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, “Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances? Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!”I Samuel 21During a very difficult time in the life of King David, a low point, a time when his kingdom was essentially gone and his life was in jeopardy, David was facing a brand new battle! It was then that an old weapon was given to him. Actually it was given back to him. He had held it in his hand and had secured great victories with it in the past. But now he had a new battle to win and God had provided an old weapon to do it with.I for one won’t be stuck in the past, imprisoned by the memories of yesterday. Whether those memories are good and inspirational or if they are bad and depressing. Either way if we concentrate on yesterday, whether it’s sentimentality or regret, the outcome is the same. We sacrifice today on the alter of yesterday. We mortgage the hope of tomorrow to the memory of yesterday.But there are advantages of past victories and weapons or strategies that we have had success with and have since discarded. More than likely we were correct and should have discarded them when we did. That does not mean that the days of their usefulness are over. I am suggesting that in the middle of a new challenge, needing a new victory there very well could be an old weapon that you put away a long time ago. I challenge you to find it, let the memories of victory and the memorials to success flood your spirit. Stand up to the challenge knowing that your God is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

HUNGRY SHEEP

2008-08-23T13:56:00.005-04:00

-Ariel Martin

As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:

‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’

Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If all the blacks of America chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.
Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.
What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle doesn’t seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS

2008-08-22T15:21:00.003-04:00

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons (daughters and granddaughters) are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

Dance!!!

2008-08-22T14:14:00.000-04:00

Listen and watch, think about two things, David danced before the Lord with all his might and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Lets dance and laugh more than ever!

COME ON NOW, COME ON!

2008-08-21T09:44:00.001-04:00

Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time. Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!