torch bearer
bringing the light of Jesus to a dark world John 8:12

October 23, 2011 Teaching - God Restores Joel 3

10/23/2011 11:24:00 PM
Check out today's teaching at this link.  I didn't do any editing so bear with all the extras.  I believe it is what is called 'organic'.  Hope you are blessed.  http://www.4shared.com/file/gfuTLxHS/recording-20111023113247.htmlhttp://www.4shared.com/file/gfuTLxHS/recording-20111023113247.html
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Facebook and changes

9/21/2011 12:41:00 PM
Alright, I know I will sound pious and a bit self-righteous even, but here goes...

If we are really that concerned about the new Facebook changes I have to ask a few questions and make a few observations.  And I actually do want to hear your responses.  Good or bad.

Our collective American blood pressure has risen today to a new all time high.  More so than trying to watch the Seahawks actually win a game.  Facebook status updates have been abuzz about the new changes, and most of those updates have been on the hater side of things.  There is even picket signs going up on peoples walls and threats to just quit Facebook altogether.  There has been a slew of comments on each of those updates, each building on the last and working the masses into a frenzy.  Mr. Zuckerberg, lock your doors and double the guards.  You have pissed off the American people!

Now really people.  Most of you are adults (or so your lied about age says so) that are making these hater updates.  That's because the kids are still in school and haven't noticed yet.  I would dare say let's act like adults about this!  This is only Facebook after all, not real life!  Now, don't get me wrong, I love Facebook as much as the next person.  I use it for all kinds of reasons, from ministry to spying, from new friends to old.  But I am not about to get all tensed up over the changes.  I realize in my short adult years that there is more to raise my blood pressure over.  Like real problems.  Like real change.

Did you know that the national poverty level has risen around 10%  over the last 10 years?  Did you know that several million people, just in the USA, don't have an active relationship with Jesus Christ?  Did you know that there are kids in Kenya (and other places, I just love Kenya) that die by the thousands EVERYDAY just because they don't have the simple necessity of clean drinking water?  Did you know that in your very town/city there are people who don't know what true love is?  When was the last time you shared Jesus with someone?  Do you know your neighbors?  I could go on, but I'll stop with the "did you knows".

My point is this, we have so much to be about in life, and especially if you are a Follower of Jesus, that these Facebook changes should roll off us and really matter very little.  If we are this upset about these changes, no wonder there is Church division and family fights when needed change happens.

Change, for the sake of change is not always best, agreed.  However, the changes that we have noticed on Facebook today don't really count as life change.  They don't constitute getting mad and venting.  If you need to get made about something and want to help advocate change, look toward politics.  Look toward local town issues.  Look toward human life issues (abortion, health care, elderly care, etc.).  Look toward your neighbors well-being.  Look toward the little kid who needs a coat or help with school work.  Look, and please don't forget this one, toward your own family.  These are changes we should rally toward.

Please use your passion, and even anger, for the things that really matter in life.  For the changes of life that matter.  The change from the old self to the new self.  Get passionately angry about sin and the destruction it causes on a daily basis.  Use your anger and frustration wisely!

By the way, personally, I like the changes.

If you need you can unfriend me.  I believe that button is still in the same spot.
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Remembering

9/11/2011 12:58:00 AM

I have the privilege to speak at a 9-11 Memorial and Procession tomorrow here in Asotin.  I wanted to share what came from my heart.  May we always remember...

Our American lives were forever changed on that fall Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001.  Each of us have a story and memory of what we were doing that day.  Many of us were at work or school, while others of us were still heading there.  Maybe you were at home when you received the horrible news that 2 planes were flown into the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon, and still another that was stopped by its passengers before it could cause more damage. The shocking news that America was under attack.

Other American citizens were expecting a normal day of work as firefighters, EMS, or police officers in NYC.  At least as normal as these jobs allow.  Little did they know that their lives, as well as their families lives, would be devastated that day.  On that day 343 firefighters, 72 police officers and 42 EMS personnel didn’t come home from shift.  On that day they gave the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate act of heroism.  On that day they showed that the health and safety of others outweighed their own well-being.  


They lived out the very words of the Fireman’s Prayer:


When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
Before it's too late,
Or some older person
from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
To guard my neighbor
And protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife

There were words once spoken in an ancient time that still hold the same power and truth today.  The words of Jesus recorded in John 15:12, 13 say this, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

We are here today to give honor to those who laid down their life not only for their friends, but for those they did not know.  Our tears, our actions and our words stand in such small comparison to the ultimate act of friendship that these heroes showed us that day.  We, the American public, give honor where honor is due, even though it cannot fully express our gratitude to those heroes.  We are proud of those rescue workers from that day.

We also salute our men and women who serve us today in the LC Valley.  Who faithfully do a job that many are not able to do.  To those who view other’s lives as more important than their own, we say thank you.

Lt. John B. Putnam Jr., a USAF pilot who was shot down and killed in 1944 at the age of 23, once said, “Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it”.  As much as we are here to honor those who gave so much that day, and to those who continue to give, we are also called to look into the future.  We are challenged today to not live in the fear of the past, but to be propelled into a better future by these very events.  That day taught us not to be taken prisoner by other’s choices, but to be overcomers in the face of adversity. To find courage in the face of fear.  There are those who have found a source of courage and those who still live in a place of fear.  Let us resolve today, to be a people not overcome with fear, but a people who will overcome fear with courage.  A people who, as the Apostle Paul said, will not be overcome with evil, but will overcome evil with good.  Using the good of forgiveness to overcome the past and to live in a bright future.  The good of forgiveness even to a people who seemingly don’t deserve it. Let us be the people that nations strive to be like and the people that our future generations will speak highly of.

So today, we honor those who gave everything on September 11, 2001 by saying thank you not only in words but in action and resolve.  We honor you by being the generations that will never forget your sacrifice, continually give you honor, and live in a future that you have helped pave for us.  We say thank you, and we will never forget!

Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, we are here today in reflection on an event that is so solemn and so life changing.  We are here to remember those who gave their life so that others would have life.  Our hearts beat heavy for the loved ones left to grieve and our prayers are to You today that You would bring them comfort and peace.  Teach us, the remaining ones, how to respond with courage while standing in the face of fear.  Teach us, O LORD, how to forgive those who have done heinous deeds to us.  To forgive them just as you have forgiven us.   Let us learn from those who responded with many acts of courage so valiantly that day.  May our actions today bring honor to those who gave all on September 11th.  May we walk as a nation and as a people who have learned from those before us, so that our future may be bright in You.  We pray protection over those men and women who continually put themselves in harm’s way each day.  May your hand be upon them and upon their families.  We ask these things today in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.
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Furthering your Education

8/31/2011 09:01:00 AM

School's back in session!

Depending on the age you are, these words invoke different responses. Anywhere from a gag response to dancing in the streets and thanking Jesus! No matter our response, the truth is another school year has begun. Teachers, books, friends, bullies, smells of the mystery meat for lunch, the flavor of pastes as it crosses over your tongue. Ok, maybe not the last one. Students, of whatever age, go to school for one reason (or at least you should) and that is to learn. To grow mentally. The old saying goes "You never are too old to learn something." Hopefully this year our students will exceed even the teachers expectations in learning.

As I dropped off my kids for their first day of public school today (yes, we have homeschooled them until high school and now we have put them into public school) I got to thinking. You know, I hope that what they learn will not just stay within those walls of brick and mortar. I trust that what they learn will stay with them and continue to be the foundation pieces they use to build an even better education throughout life. To go and spend all that time behind a desk and not actually use it for later in life is such a waste. Maybe that's why my dad would say when I was screwing around with homework, "I buy you books, send you to school and all you do is chew the covers off!" Our education is not just for now, and not just to graduate, it's to use later on in life. To build upon.

You know, the greatest education we can gain in life is from the Bible. Whether it is us reading it or if it is by someone (pastor/teacher) explaining it to us. We have such a treasure in our hands as we hold the words that God has spoken to us. A treasure that is not to be only used on Sunday mornings as we sit in the chair and listen to someone talk. An education that is squandered if we have our devotional/Bible time just so we can say we did it. A resource of growth that is wasted if we hear the words and never act on them. Our time with Jesus is a time that is to be put to use. Put into action. Used as a foundation for later, as well as for now.

We were never called to be students of the Word just so we could say we are students. Not even so we can say we graduated. And certainly not so we could just be proud of how much we know and keep it to ourselves. We are students of the Word of God so that we might grow as followers of Christ, and so that we might go and make disciples (other followers of Jesus) with what we have learned.

Our challenges for today are this:

Start learning if you aren't already. Spend time with Jesus (read the Bible, pray, listen, worship) so that you will grow. Need some help of where to start, try this great resource .

THEN

Go and tell someone what you learned today. Live it out in our actions, emotions, responses and motives. Use the words that God has given us to use. Use the words that we just learned today in our time with Jesus.

What are the challenges that you may face in using your 'education'?
How are you already doing it? I would love to hear how it's going!
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Thunder on the Snake River

8/29/2011 12:10:00 PM

One of my favorite things I get to do as a pastor is water baptism. Man, it doesn't get any better than seeing people who have made a commitment to Jesus in their heart take a bold step and publicly profess Jesus.

Yesterday we had water baptism in a very warm Snake River. How excited I was to be warm the whole time! There was a large crowd to witness what was going on, both from our church body as well as just people at the beach. We were blessed to have a jet boat race going on at the same time, so people from all over were there to watch boats do 100+ MPH up the river. Little did they know they were going to witness something even more powerful...4 people making a public confession of their faith in Jesus. Now that is a true meaning of Thunder on the Snake River!

Congratulations to those who were baptized yesterday. So very honored to be a part of this powerful moment in your life.

Do you remember your water baptism?
Do we go back and revisit it in your mind from time to time? We should!
Have you never been baptized and want to? Talk to me or your pastor. It is a great act of obedience in your walk with Jesus.
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Learning is from the birds

8/23/2011 08:26:00 AM
I was sitting outside and enjoying my Java and Jesus time, (some may call that their devotion time, but I just have to be different) when I noticed something interesting going on at the neighbors.

No, the cops weren't involved nor was there anything really news worthy, I just noticed a bunch of birds. Little birds. Little birds who were sitting on the roof one second and then they would disappear into the gutter the next. I watched this for a while and was trying to figure out what they were doing. They would carry on in this manner and then fly off. The whole group of them were involved in this behavior. It finally came to me, they were getting seeds and such out of the gutters! They were at the Golden Coral for birds. Smart little critters, not having to go far for their food. Taking it where they can get it. But then also not staying in the feeding trough but leaving it to go do their little birdie work...whatever that is.

I believe that as followers of Jesus we need to grab a lesson from these little feathered friends. A couple things I want to point out. One is that we don't need to go far for good spiritual feeding. We don't need to go far to find good solid teaching. Every town and city has a Bible based group of believers in it. We don't need to get caught up in the flare of the next greatest teacher or movement when we are blessed to have spiritual food close by. Don't miss out on what God is doing through the local body of Christ. In the same manner, we are blessed to have this thing we call the Bible at our disposal. We are not bound by just one person hearing from God and telling us what they think, we have the ability to open the Bible up daily and read and apply it to our lives. Don't leave the responsibility of being spiritually feed to your pastor. Serve some food up yourself.

Secondly, just as the birds didn't stay in the gutter eating their food and getting fat, we are not made to sit in our spiritual feeding trough and get spiritually fat. We are to be daily fed, but then daily exercising. Our weekly gathering time (don't forsake this time!), our Bible studies (individual or as a group are key to growth), our camps and conventions (you should always try to be a part of one a year) are not designed for us to just learn from them so that we might have more knowledge. Instead, they are for us to be feed so that we might go use what we have learned to effect the world around us. Just as my bird friends got fed so then they could use that energy to go do their work, that is what our "feeding" time is for.

Third. These little fellers knew they had a job. I don't know what it was, but they did. They didn't bother telling me what their job was and they didn't bother trying to do someone else's job. They seemed content in doing what they needed to do.

So, let's get fed today. Find a devotional that you can easily read and that has you reading scripture with it. If you need some direction in this, let me know. Then after our feast of Jesus' power, let's get out the door and get to work. The world is dependent on you and I to tell and show them who Jesus is. And please, let's not fight among ourselves over our jobs within the Body of Christ. Let's just get out there and BE THE CHURCH!

Remember, Church starts NOW!
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My God

8/18/2011 08:13:00 AM
I have a view of who God is. You have a view of who God is. Everyone has a view of who God is, even if they don't believe there is one. Each view may vary a bit from the other. Sometimes it's due to life circumstance.

Many years ago I was going through a rough time in life. My marriage was falling apart, I felt alone physically and spiritually, I was making life choices that were not God honoring. It was a mess! I went to a prayer meeting one night for the sole reason to get out of the house and not have to be around Amy. Get reason huh?

I was feeling alone and distant from God. Of course, it wasn't Him that had moved in our relationship, it was me. That night, a wonderful man of God showed me how close God still was to me and how much He loved me. The man never said a word, he just sat by me in my distress and placed his hand on my knee. As a loving father would to a wounded child when words cannot fix the pain. Through that gentle touch I saw a picture of who God is. He is a God who is close and faithful. Full of love for His children. Even when His children aren't close, faithful or even deserve love. He just wanted me back!

God is revealed in different ways to us throughout the Bible. He is the very Creator of heaven, earth and you. He is the same God that was then revealed to us as a precious baby in human form. He then is shown as a brilliant light of rainbow colors, flashes of lightening and rolls of thunder! (Revelation 4)

Maybe today you need the gentle touch of our God. Maybe you need to experience the strong right hand of our Warrior God. Maybe you just need to remember that He is near and not a distant God (one that wants a personal relationship with you). Wherever you may be in this, just remember... It is the same God. A God who is powerful, yet approachable. A God who wants relationship with you.
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Confessions of a Follower

8/17/2011 11:40:00 PM

Sometimes its really hard to know how (or if you even want) to praise God.

Ok, I know that is an odd thing for a follower of Christ to say, but we all have our tough days. Sometimes you just don't feel worthy. Or sometimes its because words are just so inadequate to describe our Creator and God. Whether because it's hard for me to praise God or to come up with the right words, I am so grateful for Psalmist (as well as the other authors of the Bible). There are times that all I can do is read something like this over and over:

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. (Psalm 95:1-7)

As I read this today, I came to the conclusion that no matter how I feel, I must praise God. If I am short of words, these can help.

Lord, I will praise you. As I do, I know the world around me will dim in comparison to You and your majesty! God, I love you!

Are you having a time of falling short on praising God adequately (or at all)?
Do these words from the Psalms help?
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Love is shown through a plate of waffles

6/02/2011 11:27:00 AM
My wife showed me one of the simplest yet greatest snapshots of who Jesus is today.

The day started like this...
Today is her only day off.
She woke up an hour and a half before me.
I woke up very late.

Needless to say, she wasn't real impressed by my morning behavior, and rightly so. I saw she was on the east side of miffed and so I quickly apologized and got busy on the work that I needed to do today. An hour later, she very sweetly comes out and hands me a plate full of waffles with syrup! Without saying anything, she serves me and shows me that she loves me.

I saw such a glimpse of Jesus in this act. How often do we do something that causes our Savior (or Saviour if you are in Canada) to shake his head and not be overly pleased with our behavior and actions. We call this sin. The right step for us to take is to repent and turn towards our faith in Jesus, to get back to work. Jesus then does this amazing thing, he forgives us and gently shows his love for us. Like Amy serving me waffles and showing me that she loved me even though I had wronged her, Jesus (to a much greater extent) does the same with us.

Two thoughts on this today: First, is there something you need to repent (ask for forgiveness) for today? Don't delay, ask Jesus for forgiveness right now. Second, do you need to show love to someone who has wronged you? Even if they may not have asked for forgiveness, you need to show them the love of Jesus today. How are you going to do that?

Thank you Amy for showing the love of Jesus to me today and teaching me a very valuable lesson. You continue to amaze me.
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God's greatness

2/21/2011 09:23:00 AM

I had the privilege to hear Pastor Brent Kimball rock the Word if God yesterday at Inspire Church of the Skagit Valley. He spoke in the greatness of God. Like he said starting out...where do you start, where do you go from there, and how do you ever end when talking about the greatness if God. Psalms 145:3 says that His greatness no one can fathom.  So this is a big topic.

Pastor Brent used space as such an awesome illustration of God's vast greatness. How we know so little about so much. The fact of the enormity of space and that God spoke it into existence.  God's greatness!

It struck me, and sadly I may not be the only one this is true of, that I can totally believe God spoke all if that into existence and yet fail to trust Him for the everyday stuff in my life.

I realized yesterday that I have fallen into the horrible trap of thinking that God is just a distant God. Still all powerful and full of greatness, but just not for my needs.

I have repented of that sin.

So I see again today that "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable." Even in the smallness of my life and its decisions.

Where do you need to grasp His greatness in your life?

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Strange Obedience

2/09/2011 08:25:00 AM
Ever feel like God may ask you to do something that just doesn't really make sense? Something, that to us, may seem like it would go contrary to what would be best for His kingdom. What is our normal response to this request of strange obedience...yep, we go do what we think is best.

I started thinking this today after reading Mark 1:40-45. This leper comes up to Jesus and asks "If you will, you can make me clean." Jesus is moved with pity, stretches out his hand, touches and heals the man. Of course the man is excited. His life has just been given back to him. Not just his physical life but his social life. Lepers were not high on the social invite list. They had nothing and were viewed as nothing. Jesus restored everything to this guy.

Now we are faced with the strange obedience request. Jesus tells him to go and present himself to the priests and offer his cleansing as Moses commanded, as proof to the priests. Ok, that's not so odd.

But the part that Jesus said just prior to this is the interesting part. Jesus tells the man "See that you say nothing to anyone..."

"What? Seriously? Say nothing about what just happened? You just gave me back my life and You want me to say nothing about it? Jesus, I'm not sure that is really what you meant. I will be helping your cause if I tell people." Maybe these were the thoughts that were rolling around in his head. Maybe he was overrun by the excitement of what just happened and didn't hear what Jesus said not to do. Whatever the case was he went and told everyone and this really made troubles for Jesus.

Mark tells us that at this point Jesus could no longer openly enter a town. He had to stay out in desolate places. Sure, people still came to Him by the thousands and extraordinary things were done, but this man still did not walk in this request for strange obedience. God is still in charge and this didn't shock Him, but who knows how this may have changed history. Maybe there was just that one person who didn't make it out to the desolate places to see Jesus. Maybe they missed that face to face encounter with the very Son of God. Just because of one mans actions.

What are you being asked to do that looks like strange obedience? What is God asking of you that just doesn't seem to fit when we view it with our earthly minds?

Let's discuss this. I'd love to hear from you.

What could have happened had this man obeyed?

What is holding you back from strange obedience?

What may happen if you do or don't do this obedience?
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The revealing of Jesus

2/08/2011 11:02:00 AM

As we looked at Ephesians 3:8-13 on Sunday, we had a great group discussion. So much wisdom was presented and God was really working on our lives.


We were given two questions to talk about around our tables. "How does the church reveal Jesus? and How do I reveal Jesus?"


There was a lot said about how the church is revealing Jesus and much about how it isn't. Agreed, there is work to be done in how the church reveals Jesus, but I believe that all hope is not lost. We can become the church that Jesus envisioned when He created us. There were many practical ways given that we can be the church and reveal Jesus to the world. Giving of our time, loving people like no one else can, taking care of our neighbors and actually speaking the name of Jesus not just living the life.


But there was one answer that I really thought summed it up. It was said that the answer of the first question is truly answered by the second. As a whole, we will be ineffective if we are not individually revealing Jesus. It has to start with me and you as a person before we can expect to come together as a whole and really reveal Jesus to the world.


I want to hear your thoughts. Throw them in the comment section below.


How can the church reveal Jesus if the individual is not willing to reveal Jesus?

How can YOU reveal Jesus to the world?

How was Jesus revealed to you?

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Asotin, WA, United States
Follower of Jesus, husband, dad, and called to be His torch bearer to the world.

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