"Scrooge" - Act 1, Scene 2

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 40 Part 2

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 40

WHO'S WHO?

The Baby was born in a manger, which is a feeding trough for an animal in the barn.  That's one reason why you see animals in this picture.  The man holding the torch would be Joseph.  This guy was engaged to the women next to him.  Earlier, (about nine months earlier) an angel came to the girl and said she would have a child, not from a man but it would be of the Holy Spirit. (Thus being called "God with us").

Joseph probably didn't believe her at first (ya think).  An angel came and told him the good news and Joseph kept her and took her to Bethlehem and that is where they are in this picture.

The young girl is Mary and is the mother of the baby, duh.  There is a lot of history in the family line that you can check out in Matthew chapter one.  It is awesome how God brought this into reality.

Oh yeah the baby...His name is Jesus (which means savior).  It was predicted hundreds of years prior in the book of Issiah and others.  It's okay to be a spoiler here Jesus came to die on the cross to pay for sin and die sacrificially in our place . It's hard to grasp at first but when you do? you know it. and you discover that there's more to Jesus than Christmas.  You can go to the back of the book and see what happens, because the story is not over yet.

This is all good news. Christmas, Good Friday and Easter are celebrations of Christ's miraculous life, death and resurrection.
 If you haven't yet, pray then read Luke chapter 2, the letter to Colossians, Philippians and Ephesians, all fairly short.  Have a Merry Christmas!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son that whoever BELEIVES in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The Bride Church Band - My Victory (cover)

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 37

The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Luke 15:1-10

Faithful Stewards in Uncertain Times - Luke 16:10-18

The Parable of the Unjust Steward - Luke 16:1-9

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 32:1-7 You are my hiding place!

Now is the time!

  

   We often wonder when God is going to use us, saying: "I'm waiting on God."  I have voiced that as well.  When I sit down in the Word of God and spend time in prayer, I discover He's been waiting on me!  Some have asked:  "Where is the God of Elijah?"  While He may be asking; "Where are the Elijah's and Esther's of God?"

   Time is of the essence. The Church must be intentional, focused and urgent in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in multiple venues.   It is also with urgency, that the message be received, applied and shared by those listening. When it comes to the Great Commission or the Great Commandments, so many can just take it or leave it. Let this gospel not end with us.  Thank God others spoke to us about our eternal destiny.  Now for some reason it is no longer important, or is it we have lost that first love for God and a lack of concern for others?

The culture around us has lost it's ever loving mind!  So more the need, of the Gospel message and us being a people of prayer.  The conscience of society is burning away at jet speed and are quick to blitz the globe with their mindless, godless message.  We must be people of effort, blood, sweat and tears!

IF NOT NOW WHEN?

IF NOT US WHO?

TICK, TICK TICK, GOES THE CLOCK OF THIS WORLD.  LET US WORK WHILE IT IS STILL DAY!

EPHESIANS 2:8-10,  ROMANS 10:14

WE ARE HIS AMBASSADORS!

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 30

What is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Luke 14:15-24

The same mind

It would be cool if the themes of this year in our families, friends and churches were "Harmony" and "Unity" being in the same mind and one accord.

Maybe it's easier said than done.  That kind of walk takes dependance on God while standing on His Word and not our emotions.  Prayerfully reading the Word brings change from selfishness to; Loving God with all our hearts and our neighbor as we love our self.   

The pastor has been given a Godly direction and vision.  We have the choice of being a part of that or moving on, rather than causing distraction, drama and division.    

Pride asks;  "What have you done for me lately?" Life and relationship is not a one way street.  That paradigm brings drama and those around the person putting out fires and in time looking the other way when they are approaching.

With that said, if we are all in relationship and community, there has to be a realization that we are all at different levels/places in life or even maturity. Diversity is a blessing not a curse. Interests are different, personalities will require compromise and grace on the part of everyone.

Let's pray that in the church and Christian homes the Fruit of the Spirit maybe evident and we have, (as in the book of Acts) "All things common."

READ ROMANS 12 & 13.

Three Ways you and your Church can help your community.

                                           

We have a community of people and business located around the church I attend. Our goal is that God receives the glory and worship He deserves. We are to go, with bread for life and The "Bread of Life."

  Here are three ways we as a community of disciples of Christ can practically, engage the community around us.  Ther

e are more. Some may depend upon seasons of weather.

  1.  CROSS THE STREET-  Along with saying "Come and See" a great idea is to "Go and Tell."  It is something we all can work on, as we pray for boldness, to talk to someone washing their car or knocking on the door and ask "How can we pray for you" and "What are your needs"?  We can pray and/or be the answer to prayer or even guide them to someone who can.  It may sound different but you can walk and merely talk to the resident/business neighbors of the Church without any agenda other than to meet them, letting them know you mean them no harm.  We then can realize an open door to tell the good news of Jesus Christ.

  2.  PIGGYBACK-  One awesome idea is to come along side another church or non profit organization that has community services already in place.  Resources of all kinds or volunteer workers are needed at food pantries, clothes for shelters or monetary donations for local and global missions coming from your small groups or entire church. Churches I have been a part of, worked with men/women shelters, Boys and Girls club and Salvation Army as well as senior adult campuses.

  3.  OFF CAMPUS AND INFINITY GROWTH GROUPS-    The best way for true  "community Development" is going in the area and having meetings, bible study in homes and apartments, library, motel conference room, beaches. It is one church with many locations. I mention infinity groups which are merely a segment of your city that will have the same interests and like others might not enter a church building but might meet on the Bike trail, cooking  recipes, Artists or Book club. All the above can share scripture prayer and worship and then take part in the similar interest.  It is us sharing the gospel leading others into discipleship.  They then share the gospel leading others into discipleship.

 I believe God is relational and seeks to have a relationship with people. He sends you and I into our own church's back yard and zip code being ambassadors speaking to others on His behalf.
What a great adventure we would have experiencing the purpose and power of God.

    Thank You.

Is it wrong to doubt or question God? Psalm 13

Is It Evil To Seek Signs And Miracles? Luke 11:29-30

We The Kingdom – God So Loved (Storybrooke Sessions)

CAIN - Great Things: Song Session

A Study in Psalms (Psalm 1)

“One God“ Ghost Ship (cover)

"The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ" Luke 9:28-36 The Bride Church (ful...

The Dark and the Light

Your Voice, His message.

It is always great to see the Christians from around the world that take a peek at each others blogs, pics and videos.  It is a great opportunity to be a blessing and to be blessed.

What unity.  Be encouraged that you are not alone.  God is always with you.  He continues to send others into your life.  Thank God we can find grace and mercy to help in time of need.

If you haven't posted or commented for awhile, or e mailed , even sent a text, Today is the day.  Some one wants/needs to have that communication.

Looking at the audience of this blog it was of course throughout the world.  You may know the same with your words.  We could never come in contact with as many, in our day to day.   He is sending your voice across the street and across the globe.

Keep on talkin' baby!

Christlike.

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk as He walked.”- 1John2:6
His life in us working, that our walk (the outward expression of the inner new life) becomes like His.  Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.”

Quickly you’re Christlike when:
* You abide in Him.
* You serve others
* Deny self
* Are not OF this world.
* You are Fulfilling our mission.

In this hour it should/can’t be business as usual.  Not just another phase or fad.  But faithful followers and disciples of Christ being Christlike!

Quarantined with the Slobz family. (sequel to Christmas with the Slobz family)

(To be read with an English accent)

"I have lost track. How long have we been quarantined together? Asked Antwerp.
"I haven't any idea." Shouted his wife Sally, as she wiped her mouth of the last piece of blueberry pie.
"Two weeks and seventy-three hours." My wife whispered to me in the kitchen.

"What's for lunch?" Ima asked.  She was finally growing bored. Her and Ura (her brother) had hid my antique glass chess pieces playing hide and seek, and were unable to find them anymore.

"I'm wondering if this is all a bloody hoax!" coughed Antwerp.  "If only Sally hadn't caught it from the pub and brought it here, but our two families wouldn't have had this quality time together."

"What did you say was for lunch?"
"I didn't say sally." My wife looked as if she was about to do something she would regret.
"How about chops and chips." I intervened.
"We had that yesterday." Both kids shouted, sounding like fingernails on a school chalk board.

It sounded as if the entire Manchester football team was quarantined with us. The sound was unbearable.  Antwerp was begging the children to let him play the video games (they had brought with them).  While Sally continuously bragged about their ability to stack my books from our shelves so neat and so so high.

My wife ran in the living room with a grin.  "It's over.  A nurse from the hospital just called and the time has expired.  Now you all can go back to the place you call home!"

The children began to whimper and cry. 

"Ima Slobz, pack up your things in your back pack and let's go!"
"I'll help you!" I said jumping into action.

"Bit of tough news" Antwerp came from outside.
"The car won't start and there is petrol all over your lawn. the man from the garage said they were under quarantine as well and it would be a week until they could take a look."

My wife and I went to the back garden and collapsed in the chairs by the water feature.

“Uncertainty, Unprecedented, and Unchanging “ Wednesday Night Prayer and...

Palm Sunday Full Service

THE BRIDE CHURCH

MICHIGAN CITY, IN.

 

TobyMac - Lights Shine Bright ft. Hollyn

The Bride Service - Book of Luke, Pt 14 - Aaron Podgorski

Due to online coronavirus this is an online worship.

2020

We look at the roller coaster of life with its, one year up, the next down.  Community is the plan, yet we spent the last six months alone.  Others have the experience of many around them, knowing loneliness in the crowd.

The plan is to accomplish New Years goals, only to find ourselves soon doubting and frustrated. It seems time waits for, or respects no one.

Now is the time to think like athletes and sports teams.  When asked of the past loss or the future championship game they reply, "We are only thinking about and focused on the next game."

Churches and individual Christians experience the roller coaster ride as well.  We look for the next big event that will cause us to have peace or our equilibrium to return.  Some feel a huge step like a baby or new career might bring new attention or fulfillment. When the next big event God has for you might be merely, taking one more small yet effective next step.

Paul wrote something like:  "I don't look back, but strain to reach the high calling."  Hebrews says to lay aside every weight and sin that would slow us down while running the race sat before us.

Strive, strain, reach and press on!  He will never leave you or forsake you. Have a great year.