Nehemiah..the study of leadership

Well after much thought and prayer about what to share/teach on my blog I have settled on my favorite book of the Bible. I have read Nehemiah many, many times and I am always encouraged as I dig deeper and deeper into this book. There is so much truth for us to understand and apply.

I think that all of us have opportunites at some point in our lives to lead in one way or another. Maybe it is at: work, school, church, youth group, mens group, bible study, sports team, or in our family. I have read lots of books on leadership but I must say I have learned more from Nehemiah's example than from other sources.

Each day I am going to highlight a different characteristic of Nehemiah as we work through this book. If you are on this site and want to leave thoughts or feedback I would love to hear from you. Just click on the comments tab at the end of each blog entry and say what you would like. I would love to have your input.

See you tomorrow.

God's timing

Yesterday afternoon we met again with Susan, the lady who called me last week. She had some good news to share. She had taken the initiative and called our local detox and they were readmitting her this morning, Tuesday.

We did some basic counseling and she was able to express her greatest concerns. Outside of the emotional challenges and physical challenges she would be facing as she entered detox, her greatest need was for people to pray for her as she entered rehab. I assured her I would have people praying for her physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

This morning I was able to meet her at detox as she checked herself in. She had a tremendous peace that I had not seen in her our previous two meetings. I had printed out some scripture for her to take in with her that talked about God's peace, presence and love for her. I also shared the words found in Joshua to be "strong and courageous."

These next 72 hours are crucial for Susan. She is not allowed to make phone calls until that time to let others know how she is doing. It is her and God. This will be a defining moment in her life. Please join with me in praying for this prodigal daughter as she continues her journey to freedom and life.

Prodigal series conclusion Part 15

What does a prodigal look like? You and I.
How old are they? Any age.
What economic background do they come from? Rich, poor and in between.
What do their families look like? Christain and non Christian.
In other words we pass by prodigals every day.

I was talking with a lady yesterday about her daughter who is so far from God. She is searching for answers but looking in all the wrong places. My advice, love her unconditionally, just like the father.

I think the challenge for many of us, is to love the prodigal unconditionally and at the same time not condone the action. I may be wrong but I think that if we love the person the way we need to and live a life that honors God, the prodigal will know that their action is not condoned.

I feel like we need to consistently bring the prodigals before the Lord and let Him bring the conviction. Most often when we approach the prodigal and confront them with their action they do not feel conviction but condemnation. This is not our heart but it is what is felt.

I have a good friend who has consistently messed up for the four years I have known him. He has a heart to serve God and certainly good intentions. He has called me often over these years and I have tried to listen and offer advice as he asks for it. I may have had opinions about things over the years but unless he has asked for my input, I have not offered it. Instead I have tried to encourage him and listen.

Yesterday I was talking with him and he shared that he has drawn the line. He knows he needs to stop his destructive behavior and he is going to. No more running, no more pretending, just stopping.

He thanked me for my friendship over the years. He shared that he never felt condemned when we talked and that he knew he could always share what was going on in his life. I am excited for what God has been doing in his life and what wonderful things God has planned. Another prodigal is on his way home.

If you are praying for a prodigal in your life lets believe together for a miracle of God.

Tomorrow I am going to start a new series. I hope you will check it out.

Prodigal calling

It is amazing God and His timing. On Thursday morning just after my last posting on the Prodigal series I received a phone call. It was from a lady who had found the COI phone number in the phonebook and decided to call.
She has been dealing with addiction issues for over thirty years and was calling to find someone that could help. After a heartfelt talk we were able to meet with her yesterday. Myself and our youth pastors wife, Jerri, spent two hours ministering to this lady. She was so honest and she indicated she felt that she could safely share with us what was going on in her life and the extreme struggle with addiction.

She had so many questions for us, not only were we able to counsel with her but we were also able to answer many of her spiritual questions. She had made a decision for Christ three months ago but since that time had fallen deeper and deeper into despair and addiction. It was wonderful to share and pray with her. We will continue to meet with her and help to get her into a detox program and from there into a Christian recovery program.

I am not at liberty to share her name but please pray for her. The Lord knows who you are praying for.

A reason to celebrate Part 14

Have you ever been in a restaurant and out of nowhere the singing starts. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear_________, happy birthday to you." Usually when the singing starts we try to figure out whose birthday it is because we want to see who is being recognized. Those times often bring a smile to my face as I see joy in the people who have gathered to celebrate.

After the father dispelled the lie the son was believing it was now time to remind the son why the celebration was being held. It was because "this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found."

When I was in Czech Republic as a missionary I had a moment that stands out that I will never forget. It wasn't that I saw a dead person come to life physically. I never saw a person who was physically lost get found (though I did witness many lost spiritually get found). What I did witness was a man who was blind physically who could now see by a miracle of God.

I remember Alex receiving his miracle of restored eyesight and the uncontainable joy he could not wait to share with his classmates at our MTS school. He was healed during a prayer time at about midnight and all of the other students were already asleep in the dorm. He asked permission to go and share what had happened right away. He ran across the parking lot into the building and exclaimed, "I can see, I can see"

As the other students woke up to Alex's excitement a celebration broke out. People had a hard time getting back to sleep. All of us were changed as we recognized the power of God. The next day we threw a celebration party and what a great time we had.

That is how I best understand the celebration that was held on behalf of the prodigal who had returned home to the Father. I feel that it is the same celebration that happens whenever a prodigal returns home, at least in the heavenly realm.

I may be wrong but I think we need to have celebrations when people come into a relationship with Christ. We need to get excited about seeing the lost come home. As important, is getting excited about going to share with those who are away from home. What if we were to throw a party each time a sinner came home. I think that the church could get pretty excited, or would they.

Sometimes we act more like the older brother and are not all that excited to welcome into our churches new believers or the prodigals. We don't know what to do with them. We don't know how to include them in the body. But we must!!!

Believing the lie Part 13

"My son, the father said, 'you are always with me and everything I have is yours.' (15.31) This is in contrast to the son saying "you never gave me anything."(5.29)

What a reminder for us. "Everything I have is yours." Christ has given it all to us. We just need to accept it. Love is mine. Peace is mine. Freedom is mine. Forgivness is mine. I have to believe it and receive it. If we know the truth,the truth will set us free.

Understanding the truth about God and his heart is essential. He is always with us. He never walks away from us. Why then do we believe the lies? What lies are we accepting as truth?

Here are some common lies we accept as truth: If we walk with God we will never go through trials. Lie!!! God doesn't care about me. Lie!!! I could never be forgiven for doing( you fill in the blank) Lie!!! Hell does not exist. Lie!!! All roads lead to God. Lie!!! If I am a good person and give to the poor I will go to heaven. Lie!!!

In reality there is truth. All people will go through trials. God does care. God does forgive us when we ask. Hell is real. There is one way to God, through Christ. A relationship with Christ and experiencing his forgiveness is the way to heaven.

We need to listen to the father and his Words. His Words are true!!! Don't believe the lies!!!

Heart of the other brother Part 12

I have been thinking about what to say about the older brother and there is certainly many things that can be said about him. Some would say he was bitter, angry, jealous, mean or self centered just to name a few. But has the son always been like this, I do not think so.

I choose to use another word to describe the son. Hurt.

Often when we look at other people and how they act or react we want to look at the action. I think it is much more important to look at what is happening under the surface that causes the reaction. What has caused the person to react in this way.

I think the older son offers some insight, especially if we really listen to what he says. He uses the word Look!(15.29), but I think he was really in his heart saying LISTEN! Here are his points: 1) I have been working hard for you
2) I never disobeyed you (I guess he is now though)
3) I don't feel like you've ever done anything special for me
4) I have not wasted everything
5) I deserve to be rewarded too.

I think the prodigals brother gets a bad rap, but isn't he reacting like most people do. I know of Christians who have expressed the same sentiments to God but maybe we just use different words. When we are hurt we react. In the heat of the moment we say things we wish we hadn't. The wonderful truth is that I can tell God exactly how I feel and He does not judge me for it. He would rather have me share than remain silent.

The reality is that God does listen to us. He hears what we say. He understands our frustration. He is forgiving. He does reward us for our faithfulness. He is patient with us.

ALIVE!!! Part 11

A good friend has shared with me that when he was in the drug culture he was always seeking a new high. He did everything he could to score the next hit so he could feel that euphoria. He says that if he knew years ago, the "high" he now experiences from a relationship with God, he would have saved himself much grief and heartache. What he thought was living in fact brought him death. Today he is ALIVE!!!

ALIVE!!! ALIVE!!!

The prodigal returns home and is welcomed by his father. He is given the royal treatment. He is loved, accepted and brought into a place of peace and safety. Then his father declares a feast because his son "who was once dead is now alive."

The same power that brought life to Christ after he died for us, is the same power that brings life into the prodigal. He asked for forgiveness and it was done. He was now alive.

I feel like the son was dead emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. His life away from the father had caused him to live a life that was just an existance, it was not really living.

Many people complain about Christianity because it has so many "rules". They say I just want my freedom. Isn't it sad that so many want their freedom but it leads to bondage and death. Those who turn to Christ and what He desires for us actually find freedom and life.

Grace... Part 10

The son has practiced the words, remember in (v. 18) he has rehearsed what he is going to say: "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son: make me like one of your hired hands."

Now the time has come and he stands before his father and here are his words (v. 21): "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." He was not even able to get all the words out before his father has a different plan. It is not to make him like one of the hired hands, but to restore him as His son.

That is grace!!! Grace treats us in a way that we do not deserve to be treated. Grace is God offering us forgiveness even when we do not deserve it. Grace is hard to understand fully but wonderful to receive.

I believe that there are many people who feel that if they are going to start a relationship with Christ that they need to get "all cleaned up" first. Others who have had a relationship with Christ and walked away from Him feel that way as well. They need to understand grace and the heart of the Father. He accepts them just the way they are. He loves them. He wants them to come home first and then they can get cleaned up.

It is God's work to clean people up and make them aware of what they need to work on. It is our work to show people how to return to the Father. They will find peace and rest when they meet Grace.

The compassionate father Part 9

"While he(the son) was a long way off his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

WOW!!! Is this really how our heavenly Father feels about us? Does he really have unconditional love? The answer is yes and yes!!!

Here is a son that took his inheritance, blew it all, had not made any effort to contact his father and yet he is welcomed home. In fact he is received with open arms before he even makes it all the way home.

I think there are times when we will welcome the prodigal home if they show obvious remorse for their actions, if they prove they have changed completely, if they guarantee they will never hurt us again, if they repay us for all the hurt they have caused us. Thank goodness this is not the heart of the heavenly Father.

What is the definition of compassion? Compassion is a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering.

As family or friends of prodigals we need to have that sense of shared suffering. One of the challenges prodigals feel is that they are all alone and no one can understand their broken heart, no one will help them work their way through the process of healing, and that they will not be forgiven. As Christians we have the privilege of listening, loving and leading people back to fellowship with Christ and families.

It is very encouraging to me to now that my heavenly father is so compassionate towards his children. He never stops loving those who serve Him and even those who don't. He wants that close relationship for all His creation. If you are the prodigal, God loves you!!! His message is "Come home, you are welcome here."

Self dialogue Part 8

After our family had returned from Czech Republic, I had a real struggle. I was torn between being in Canada and wanting to return to Czech to finish off some ministry commitments I had made. For a month, I would toss back and forth whether or not I was to return to Czech.

This battle raged in my mind and my heart for that month. My family thought I should stay home, and they were right, though I was unsure. I ended up booking a flight to Prague via Montreal. As the day approached for me to fly to Czech I became more insecure about going and had a mental battle brewing. One time of the day I knew what I needed to do and the next I was unsure.

Saturday came and I found myself on the flight to Montreal. As I was taxiing down the runway I knew I was making the wrong decision. I tried to find a peace that would allow me to contine on my way to Prague, but I could not find that peace. Whenever I thought about returning home I had peace,whenever my thoughts turned to following my own desires I was confused and unsettled. I finally made the decision to land in Montreal and then get the first flight home. I needed to do the right thing.

I can tell you that even after making the right decision my thoughts turned to questions like: What will the people in Czech think? What will my leaders think? Am I going to look weak by doing this? How could I be so stupid as to get on the flight to start with? Why didn't I listen to my family? and on it went. But in the midst of the questions at least I had peace.

I think the prodigal son had that inner dialogue as well. You know the wheel that keeps spinning in our heads that speaks to us. The dialogue we often do not share with others. I think for the prodigal son there must have been times on his long journey home where he rehearsed over and over what he would say, whether he would be accepted back, what people would say, and what if people knew how he wasted everything and so on.

For prodigals to return home to the father they need to understand that they will not be harassed, condemned, belittled or mocked. They need to be loved, accepted, encouraged and understood. After all they are humans just like you and I. We all make mistakes, we all have choices we wish we could change and we are all in need of being loved, accepted and welcomed home.

Coming to his senses Part 7

Have you ever been sound asleep and then the alarm wakes you from a deep sleep? You shake your head and can't believe that it is time to wake up and get moving. I remember being in a hotel room while I was in the gulf coast and had a wakeup call for 4:00 am in order to catch my flight. I had so many things going through my head as I tried to go to sleep. I wanted to fall asleep but it was tough. Then it seemed I had just fallen asleep when the wake up call came from the hotel operator.

Luke 15:17 talks about a wake up call for the son. It says 'When he came to his senses..." I know that there comes a time in our life where we can do the same things day in and day out, we just go through the motions and then we have a wake up call. Sometimes we have the "lightbulb" moment where we can see things from a new perspective. Sometimes someone says something to us which catches us off guard.

Often like the prodigal son, a person realizes their desperate need and asks oneself some serious questions and they realize the gravity of their situation. He makes the statement:" How many of my fathers hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!"
I think there are other ways prodigals make their statement. Maybe it goes something like this: Why did I smoke that first joint?... Why did I take that first drink?... Didn't he say he loved me?... I didn't think my wife would ever find out about my affair!... I can't believe I was so stupid to trust her!... I didn't think she would get pregnant!... or you can fill in the statement.

At times life jolts people out of their fantasy world and into the reality world. They have to come to that place of realizing the desperateness of their situation. They can't keep running. They need to understand they are in need. They need to find a place of rest. They need to be able to get back on their feet. The need love and acceptance. And that is what the son is hoping to find as he sets out on the long journey home. Do you know any people who are in any these situations? Are we part of the solution?

Tomorrow I am going to speculate on what that journey home might have been like.

A deep longing in the heart Part 6

Deion Sanders wins the Super Bowl. Later that week he buys a $275,000 Lamborghini to celebrate, yet he is still not happy. Here is what he says in his testimony, "I hadn't even driven a mile before I realized, No, Thats not it. Thats not what I'm looking for. Its got to be something else, I'm so hungry."

Deion then goes on to share that he knew the Lord was calling him. He tried running from God. He tried everything, parties, women, buying expensive things. But he had no peace, no joy just emptiness inside. His conclusion was, " I could see that nothing could possibly satisfy the hunger that was deep inside of me." Deion then made a decision to follow Christ.

Doesn't this sound like the prodigal son. In Luke 15:15 we see the son in great need. He went and hired himself out and he ended up going to feed pigs. This was the ultimate low for a Jew. To go and work with the worst of the unclean animals. Isn't this human nature to turn to many other things before returning to the Father. I think we all know people who have tried everything they can think of before heading home.

Luke 15:16 says that "the prodigal had a longing in his stomach to eat the pods that pigs were given but no one gave him anything." I think the son was hungry, but not just for physical food. I believe that he had a hunger deep inside of him. The reality was that even if he could have eaten a couple of pods it would have been a temporary fix. The "bandaid over the bullet hole." He would not have been satisfied. There was to be only one answer that would work. Return home to the Father.

The more I work with people I see that they try to fill that empty, lonely place in their lives with things other than God. We could all make a list of some of those things. I feel if people really were to be open and talk about that deep hunger that is within, their needs would include some of the following: love, joy, peace, hope and forgiveness.

Let us continue to try and understand the heart of the prodigal and help the prodigals to make their way home. They will receive, love, joy, peace, hope and forgiveness from the heavenly father. Will they receive it from us or will they feel condemnation?

Now I have it...now I don't Part 5

The son got what he asked for. His inheritance was given to him because of the generosity of the Father. Off the son goes. He is really going to live now. No more rules. No more hard work. It is time to party and live it up. It is time to really live. At least that is what he had in mind in his short sited view. Luke 5:13

There are times when people want to get far away from God, their parents, responsibilty, the guidance of others and just do their own thing. That is what this son did. He set off for a distant country. Out of sight, out of mind...or so he thought. But we know he never left the mind of the father.

He was having the time of his life..for a while. He had all he needed to do his thing...for a while. He was the life of the party...for a while. He was the man...or was he.

We are not sure how long he was able to sustain this lifestyle but eventually reality set in. Luke 5:14 tells us about the famine, the money was long gone, and he was in need. I think the son had some questions he was asking himself: Where were all the friends I had partied with? Where were the girls who I had been sleeping with? Where has all my money gone? How could I have had so much and now I have so little? How am I going to make it?

I think all of us who have wandered away from God have had lots of questions go through our mind. Often those questions lead to self condemnation, guilt, fear and hopelessness.

Maybe we need to understand that we are human and that there truly is hope and peace and forgiveness. Even when everything is gone and all has been stripped away, God is still there. He is wanting to hear from us. He wants us to tell him exactly how we feel. His heart breaks for his lost children, even more than our earthly fathers.

There are words to a song, "I Need You More" by Integrity Musci and Hosanna records which declare these words to God:
I need you more, more that yesterday, I need you more, more than words can say, I need you more than ever before, I need you now, I need you now."
Let this be your and my heartcry.

The heart of the Father Part 4

What is our heavenly Father like, what is His heart for His children? I think there are many things that can be said from this parable. I want to focus on a couple of characteristics I believe we can see.
Luke 5:12."He divided the property between them"... We do not know the full discussion that was had on the topic of giving the young son his "entitlement" but we can speculate on what that conversation was like. I feel I can do that because I can see from other scripture what God's heart is. Here are a couple of scriptures, John 3:17, "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world" and Luke 19:10, " For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."

I believe that the Father in this parable did not have a condemning spirit. He loved His son. He knew that his son was probably going to blow everything. He knew his son was demanding and self centered. He knew his son would make mistakes. He also knew that he could not dictate everything that his son would do and he needed to allow him to have a free will and the freedom to choose.

Would the son have ever felt he could return home if he knew he would be condemned for what he was about to do? Are we going to allow others to make mistakes and maybe blow everything in their lives? If they do are we going to be there to provide them with a safe place to land? These are not easy things to do but I feel it does represent the heart of God.

As Christians we are to be the hands and feet of Christ. That means we need to have the heart of God. That heart should include one of forgiveness. We should not have a condemning spirit or attitude. We need to be praying for those who are away from the Father and helping where possible to seek out those who are lost and help them find their way back home. Home to the Father's arms.

Tomorrow...desperate actions.

The heart of the son Part 3

"Father give me my share of the estate". These are the words that introduce us to the young son in Luke 15:11-12. He sounds like: a demanding person who thinks that he has a right to things; the world owes him something; and he wants it now.

I think all of us have had that mindset from time mto time. Many times I have heard people telling God that they have rights. They have the right to drive a fancy car, they have the right to blow hundreds of dollars at the local bar, they have the right to have an adulterous affair... and on and on it goes.

I recently talked with a young man who shared that when he turned nineteen, it was his chance to go out and really live. He was now old enough to legally drink and he went out and got plastered. He bought drinks for everyone and ran up a tremendous bill. He thought that was what he had been denied and now he was entitled to party. He wanted that freedom now. Freedom came with a cost.

When I was a teenager and then as a young adult I often thought that I knew more than my parents or others in authority over me. I did things others said were not in my best interest, but afterall I knew best. The truth is that I have discovered the following: "The older I get the more I know I don't know."

I am not sure if this properly describes the young son but I think I might be close. I think he may have become the kind of person others did not really want to be around. The kind of person that is focused on me and what I want. Those are sometimes the toughest people to love.

Can you identify with this person? Are you this person? How do you and I love the "prodigals" in our lives? How do our churches create and environment where the prodigals are loved and accepted?

I think the answer to those last two questions is provided when we consider the heart of the father. I will talk about that tomorrow.

Am I lost? Part 2

When I was a teenager about age 17 or so, I went to church one evening and the atmosphere was different. A phone call had just come in to the church which indicated that one of the children in our church, Sarah age 8, was lost in the woods about 20 miles from the city. They asked for anyone who could come and join the search party to do so.

When we arrived on the scene there were many people getting instruction on how to conduct the search. There were also skilled people who were part of search and rescue and a dive team to check in the lake. They did not leave any rock unturned. The search was very thorough and lasted through the night. Each time a search team arrived back at the base the story was the same. No trace of Sarah at all.

I remember the raw emotions of the family as they dealt with this tragedy. The fear, the sadness and the hurt. I also remember the love of the parents and the hope and expectancy that Sarah would be found.

Almost 24 hours after Sarah disappeared she was found by a search team along an old dirt path. She had made freinds with some of the animals overnight and they kept her calm. I remember hearing the rumors and then the truth that Sarah was indeed found.

Everyone had the question, "how did she get lost?' She became lost as she headed just into the woods to pick flowers for her grandparents. She got turned around and walked away from their home and walked deeper into the woods.

I think this may be the same way that we get spiritually lost. We have good intentions and then we find ourselves one step further away from where we know we need to be. We then continue to take more steps that lead us away from that place of safety and God's open arms.

As Christians we need to be a part of the "search committee". There are people who are lost and we can play a part in helping that person find their way home to the loving Father. It takes an investment on our part.

The prodigal (cat) son Part 1

Recently our pastor preached a month long series on the prodigal son. It was a great month to really think about this important part of scripture. To me it represents the heart of the message of the gospel, and the heart of Christ. It is the message I want to share with others.

I have decided to try something new with my blog, in addition to my regular postings. I hope that it will be something that you and I can invite other people to read and help them on their journey.

Eleven days ago our cat, Chip, left home for what seems to be his fall time, "get away from home." I think it is the fourth time he as done this, twice in the spring and twice in the fall. But this time it seemed different. Usually he goes away for a week and then shows up at the door, hungry and tired. Give him a day or so and he is right back to normal. You know how cats are.

While he was away this time for his extended trip (he had never been gone this long) I wondered if he would ever come back. Now I am not a cat lover, but I will confess each morning I got up and looked on the back deck to see if Chip had come home. Every morning I looked I thought well maybe this will be the time he never comes back.

Well at 5:00 this morning my prayers were answered, not really!!! I woke to hear a cat crying outside. I turned on the light and there he was, Chip had made the journey home. After 11 days away, in walks Chip. Of course you know how it works the first thing Chip does is run and jump into my arms and purr. Uh... no... the first thing Chip does is head for the food dish and the water. I guess cats are alot like people sometimes.

Chip then spent the next 30 minutes running from his food to our room to purr and get some TLC. He was not sure what he should do now. I think he was so worn out from being on the run, that he was confused as to what he should do and how he should act.

We do have other cats and you can guess their reaction. They did exactly what the brother did in the story of the prodigal. They hissed at Chip, they tried to swat him. They were not excited that the prodigal had returned. It was quite the scene at 5:30 in the morning.

In some ways Chip's saga is like the prodigal son. He left and he came back, unsure how he should act and looking for a soft place to land. A place where he would be accepted back with open arms. This is the message of the prodigal son. It is certainly not one of judgement or accusation, it is one of grace.

The message I want to share over the next few posts is one of grace. Maybe no one will read it and it will just be me sharing some thoughts, but I believe it will help me to better understand the heart of my heavenly father. His arms are wide open.

Please invite others to check out my blog, maybe someone will benefit from it.

Blessed to be a missionary

Why am I involved in short term mission work and ministry? Here are two reasons and they come from kind words shared with me by email over the last week.

1. As a result of our trip to Canada, I have two students going into the ministry (missions) even neater than that, they are dating and feel God is preparing them to partner for life, as missionaries. Just thought you would like to know because they both claim that the mission trip to Canada is what opened their hearts to hear from God. (Billy, youth pastor from Mississippi)

2. I have been forever changed due to God working in my life during our Mission trip in Canada. Scott was a wonderful blessing to us and our youth group. (Marcie, adult sponsor from Virginia)

Not only do the teams impact the areas they minister, but I have the opportunity to directly impact the people coming to do ministry. It is a platform God has granted to me.

Amish response

Actions speak louder than words!!!Putting what we say and do in action is sometimes hard to do.

The Amish community has certainly been a shining light in the midst of their tragedy. They have represented the teaching of Christ through their example of forgiveness. I believe we can all learn something from their example.

I think as Christians we are guilty of unforgiveness from time to time. I think that it comes more naturally than offering forgiveness to others who have offended us.

If you watch the media or read stories on the internet you can see that revenge is more common than forgiveness. If you talk to people who have been hurt they often talk about hoping that person " gets what they deserve." But is this right? I don't think so.

Jesus set the example for us. He taught us to forgive. Period. Not when it is convenient. Not when we feel like it. Not if the other person apologizes first. Simply to forgive.

Let us examine our hearts and see if we have unforgiveness. If we do, lets follow the example of Christ, (and the Amish folks) and fogive those who have offended or hurt us.

Be a grace giver!!!!

High school shootings..God help us

I am so saddened by what I see happening in our schools, and how they have become a shooting ground for disillusioned teens as well as adults. This brothers and sisters is unacceptable. Our children should not be threatened in an environment of what should be safety and learning.
I have a couple of observations.

One is that we need to be praying for our schools and its students and staff. This is a battle that needs to be won. They may have tried to remove God and prayer from our schools but they cannot stop us from praying over our schools.

The killings and shootings in schools is much like terrorism and suicide bombers. How many people are living in fear to return and enter the doors of their school? How many parents live in fear to send their kids off to school each day? How many school teachers and administrators are concerned about their well being each day as they go to work to train the upcoming generations?

It seems like those who are doing the shootings are willing and often times eager to "go down during their selfish acts." Isn't this premeditated murder and self murder?

There are so many people in the world that need help. I know you and I cant do everything but we need to get involved.

God is good. He is the answer. We are His hands and feet!!!