Here's a clip of the Sons of Thunder at New Minas Baptist in the Annapolis Valley. We joined Chelsea Nisbett and The Cusack Boys in concert to help celebrate the expansion of CJLU (88.3 FM) in the valley. What a great night!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Brothers (thoughts from an only child)
Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Crazy long in fact and that's not cool. We'll have to get more guys helping out and posting soon.
Lots has happened since the last post. The band has had a few gigs, lots of practices, lots of prayers, ups and downs. In the end, we always recognize that we are blessed.
I wanted to share an observation with you. It may seem silly but I think it is important because as men, we simply don't share this information.
On July 22nd the band played at Long Lake Camp, I thought it was one of our best sets. I felt really comfortable and as always, I feed off the encouragement I get from the guys and they were as encouraging and fun to jam with as ever.
Shortly after though I went to Ontario to join up with my family that was already there on vacation. What I've noticed over the last two weeks of really being out of contact with my Christian Brothers is that I miss them and I need them.
I know that they are always there for me and I'm not in a place right now where I need them to carry me or help me with a specific problem. I just miss my boys and the fellowship that we have. As men, sometimes we are just "too cool" to say that. We don't need anybody right? Come on.
These are my brothers and I guess it never really hit me until this past week just how large a part of my life they are. It's an amazing thing, to have a group of friends like this, it truly is. We don't talk on the phone everyday, we don't email back and forth all the time or even see each other much outside of band/church goings on BUT, they are close by if I ever need them and there is so much comfort in that. As men, we need to accept the fact that we cannot do everything, we need to lean on people, we need brothers. Even just knowing that they are there IF you need them can be what it takes to get you through whatever it is you're going through.
My point is that we need to stop thinking it's un-cool to be a man and need your friends or miss your friends.
To my Sons of Thunder Brothers, I missed you and thank God everyday that you are in my life.
David
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Rock n' Talk
I think each Church has the same problem. A lack of men. Now some people would jokingly say that's not a problem at all but in reality it's a very big problem.
As men we set an example for our sons, our daughters, our wives and others. We may not think we do and maybe we don't want to, but let's face it we do. When I look around my Church, it saddens me to see just how many wives arrive without their husbands, how many sons and daughters arrive without their fathers. The men of the Church are a dying breed I'm afraid.
I used to be one of those. I used to not want anyone to know that I went to Church. There were many many years where I didn't go to Church and I know all too well how after a few short weeks of not going, just how easy it is to stop going. The problem with that is, if I don't go, who am I to ask my kids to go. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Do you? If our kids don't go, then how long will it be before the Church itself begins to die?
In an attempt to demonstrate to the men of various communities that Church isn't filled with non-stop preaching, stories of doom and gloom and being told we can do no right, the Sons of Thunder are hoping to start a Rock n' Talk series.
Catchy isn't it?
Our hope is to show the men who don't attend Church services with their wives or kids that there are many ways you can worship the Lord. For the SOT, one of those ways is to Rock. We crank it up and sing Praises to Jesus Christ and it is an awesome feeling. We truly believe it is also very pleasing to the Lord and that makes it so much better. No we don't get to play every Sunday, and that's not a bad thing but my point is that during the course of an 1 hour Church service, there is more to it than many think. Music, prayer, message, scripture and fellowship. There is something for everyone.
Our plan is to put on a number of concerts that have a few breaks in them for testimony, maybe a verse or two and a chance to talk with others about God. No pressure, no sales pitch, just a good time with (we hope) good music.
Recently I have felt a strong pull, the Lord is telling me to share my story and that's what I want to do. It's nothing fancy, nobody is going to turn it into a movie or anything but of course that's not the point. We all long for acceptance and if each of us in the band can share with a group of men our story then there is a very good chance that someone else may have a similar story and realize they are not alone. We are a success story because we are saved. Each one of the SOT have come to the Lord and we are saved and that is how we measure our success.
We hope to have more information soon as our plans are put in place but in the meantime, tell us what you think. Help us reach out and help bring others to Christ.
As men we set an example for our sons, our daughters, our wives and others. We may not think we do and maybe we don't want to, but let's face it we do. When I look around my Church, it saddens me to see just how many wives arrive without their husbands, how many sons and daughters arrive without their fathers. The men of the Church are a dying breed I'm afraid.
I used to be one of those. I used to not want anyone to know that I went to Church. There were many many years where I didn't go to Church and I know all too well how after a few short weeks of not going, just how easy it is to stop going. The problem with that is, if I don't go, who am I to ask my kids to go. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Do you? If our kids don't go, then how long will it be before the Church itself begins to die?
In an attempt to demonstrate to the men of various communities that Church isn't filled with non-stop preaching, stories of doom and gloom and being told we can do no right, the Sons of Thunder are hoping to start a Rock n' Talk series.
Catchy isn't it?
Our hope is to show the men who don't attend Church services with their wives or kids that there are many ways you can worship the Lord. For the SOT, one of those ways is to Rock. We crank it up and sing Praises to Jesus Christ and it is an awesome feeling. We truly believe it is also very pleasing to the Lord and that makes it so much better. No we don't get to play every Sunday, and that's not a bad thing but my point is that during the course of an 1 hour Church service, there is more to it than many think. Music, prayer, message, scripture and fellowship. There is something for everyone.
Our plan is to put on a number of concerts that have a few breaks in them for testimony, maybe a verse or two and a chance to talk with others about God. No pressure, no sales pitch, just a good time with (we hope) good music.
Recently I have felt a strong pull, the Lord is telling me to share my story and that's what I want to do. It's nothing fancy, nobody is going to turn it into a movie or anything but of course that's not the point. We all long for acceptance and if each of us in the band can share with a group of men our story then there is a very good chance that someone else may have a similar story and realize they are not alone. We are a success story because we are saved. Each one of the SOT have come to the Lord and we are saved and that is how we measure our success.
We hope to have more information soon as our plans are put in place but in the meantime, tell us what you think. Help us reach out and help bring others to Christ.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lately and Upcoming
Lately, we've had a couple of really fun gigs including a loud youth Coffee House at our home church - Bridgewater Baptist. Lots of great stuff including a passionate talk from Pastor Dennis Nickerson, The Green Reflectors, Bridging The Gap, Chris & Jonny, Ali and her mandolin, Greg & Erica, our excellent friends at Open Bible Church, the mom and her two sons who cranked out a few tunes on guitar and drums and Bub's Puppets. And, of course, our colourful pastor Rev. Sarah Scott who emceed the whole affair.
SOT also played a full concert at Pleasantville Baptist at the end of February. Here's the set list:
There are a few things on the horizon including a "Kitchen Party" on March 8th at Bridgewater Baptist. We'll keep you posted.
SOT also played a full concert at Pleasantville Baptist at the end of February. Here's the set list:
There are a few things on the horizon including a "Kitchen Party" on March 8th at Bridgewater Baptist. We'll keep you posted.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Home
Today we remember our friend Dawn. God needs her in heaven and so today she went home. For us it is a sad day but for Dawn it is the beginning of another journey.
Take comfort my friends that there is no doubt that she is with the Lord. There is no question she is now where she wanted to be when her work on Earth was done. As tough as these times are, there should be some comfort knowing where she is. There is no guessing at that.
As we mourn the loss of our dear friend please let none of us forget John, Matt, Adam, Paige and Bailey in our prayers. Please, when you are done reading this, ask the Lord for his hand on the Collins family as well as all the people who prayed so hard for Dawn.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Call
Today I am asking for all your help. We have a brother who needs us. All of us and no matter how busy you are, everyone can space 1 minute.
I am asking everyone to take a moment and pray for our dear friend and brother John. John's wife is in need of a miracle and it just so happens that our Lord is in the miracle business. We will continue to pray for Dawn as I'm sure most of you who know them will but as we are all concerned about Dawn and desperate for her recovery, let's now forget that John needs strength too.
John is the kind of person who can put a smile on anyones face. He will tell you a story, entertain you and make you laugh. He's the kind of person that make you feel tired just watching him running around Town working as hard as anyone I have ever met.
These are hard times though and John needs us. We need to put a moment aside, ask God to help John, give him strength, hope and faith. We are all Sons of Thunder, in this together and when one brother is down we're all down.
So before you leave work or go to bed today, ask God to help Dawn AND John.
Our Brother.
I am asking everyone to take a moment and pray for our dear friend and brother John. John's wife is in need of a miracle and it just so happens that our Lord is in the miracle business. We will continue to pray for Dawn as I'm sure most of you who know them will but as we are all concerned about Dawn and desperate for her recovery, let's now forget that John needs strength too.
John is the kind of person who can put a smile on anyones face. He will tell you a story, entertain you and make you laugh. He's the kind of person that make you feel tired just watching him running around Town working as hard as anyone I have ever met.
These are hard times though and John needs us. We need to put a moment aside, ask God to help John, give him strength, hope and faith. We are all Sons of Thunder, in this together and when one brother is down we're all down.
So before you leave work or go to bed today, ask God to help Dawn AND John.
Our Brother.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
To All
I just wanted to put this out there.
Anyone, everyone, no matter where you are from or what your beliefs may be, if you would like us to pray with you, for you or just need someone to talk to we are here. Leave a comment and we will be here for you.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Secret Santa Knew the Real Secret of Joy
Truth can be so annoying. If annoying truth was a Jeopardy category it might look like this…
“I’ll take Annoying Truths for $100, Alex.”This famous preacher said, “Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.”“Who is Billy Graham? I’ll take Annoying Truths for $200, Alex.”This missionary to India said, “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” “Who was Amy Carmichael, Alex. I am getting very uncomfortable with this topic so let’s take “Sins that make you worse than me for $100.”
Money is an uncomfortable topic for followers of Jesus. One anonymous writer noted that a lot of people are willing to give God the credit, but not too many are willing to give Him the cash. Twenty-nine years ago a man in Kansas City made a choice to give away the cash. It was a choice that changed his life and the lives of thousands more. For the next 27 years until his death, a man known only as Secret Santa roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In later years, Secret Santa handed out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. He anonymously gave out about $1.3 million. It was a long-held holiday mystery: Who is the Secret Santa? Before Christmas in 2006, weakened from chemotherapy and armed with a desire to pass on his belief in random kindness, Secret Santa decided it was time to reveal his identity.
“Santa” turned out to be Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit, Mo., who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service. While Stewart also gave money to other community causes in Kansas City and his home town of Bruce, Miss., he offered the simple gifts of cash because it's something people didn’t have to "beg for, get in line for, or apply for."
His story may be even more timely this Christmas season. Stewart’s epiphany happened just before Christmas in 1979. His circumstances were dire. For the second year in a row he had been fired just days before Christmas. He admits that he was wallowing in self-pity when he learned that giving returned an inexplicable joy. That simple discovery changed him, the entire city of Kansas City, and beyond. Let’s pick up the story as Stewart was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired once again. He describes that December day in his own words.
"It was cold and this car hop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,"' he said. He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change. "And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me."'
Larry Stewart was deeply touched. He decided to go to the bank that day and took out $200, then drove around looking for people who could use a lift. That was his "Christmas present to himself." He hit the streets each December every year after that Christmas. In January of 2007 Larry Stewart died died from complications caused by esophageal cancer. He was only fifty-eight years old.
Even after his passing his mission lives on. Stewart spoke often to community groups about his devotion to kindness and to inspire others to donate their time and money. "That's what we're here for," Stewart says, "to help other people out."
Larry Stewart learned the reality of money and possessions that was eloquently expressed by author Thomas Fuller. “Riches enlarge rather than satisfy appetites.”
As a follower of Christ I think Stewart has it half right when he notes that we are here to help other people out. The religious scholars asked Jesus what a purpose driven life should look like.
"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." (Matthew 22, The Message)
The truth is that when I love and trust God with all of my passion and intelligence I have the freedom to allow God to love others through me. During this Christmas season I am challenging you to join me in trying Larry Stewart’s experiment. Go buy yourself a gadget or outfit or bauble. Note the reading on your personal joy meter. Then go give money to a desperate Mom trying to make ends meet. Or give some cash to an elderly couple who can’t pay the heating bill. Deliver a Christmas gift to children who would not receive gifts any other way. Check your personal joy meter again. Then note which action has given you real joy. Was it acquiring more stuff or meeting real needs in the lives of others? Larry Stewart learned that lesson. And the world is a better place because of the revelation he experienced on a cold December day twenty-nine years ago.
Pray about what you can give this Christmas. Remember that Larry Stewart started small. I pray that you will receive the kind of joy that drove the Kansas City “Secret Santa”. I pray that you will experience the chance to witness the surprised joy of a person receiving an unexpected and much needed gift. That is kind of like salvation given by grace, isn’t it? A gift of grace received only by faith. I unwrapped that gift almost forty years ago and it is still changing me today. That is the gift that Jesus brought to Bethlehem two millenia ago. And that is another gift we should be eager to share this Christmas season.
“I’ll take Annoying Truths for $100, Alex.”This famous preacher said, “Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.”“Who is Billy Graham? I’ll take Annoying Truths for $200, Alex.”This missionary to India said, “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” “Who was Amy Carmichael, Alex. I am getting very uncomfortable with this topic so let’s take “Sins that make you worse than me for $100.”
Money is an uncomfortable topic for followers of Jesus. One anonymous writer noted that a lot of people are willing to give God the credit, but not too many are willing to give Him the cash. Twenty-nine years ago a man in Kansas City made a choice to give away the cash. It was a choice that changed his life and the lives of thousands more. For the next 27 years until his death, a man known only as Secret Santa roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In later years, Secret Santa handed out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. He anonymously gave out about $1.3 million. It was a long-held holiday mystery: Who is the Secret Santa? Before Christmas in 2006, weakened from chemotherapy and armed with a desire to pass on his belief in random kindness, Secret Santa decided it was time to reveal his identity.
“Santa” turned out to be Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit, Mo., who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service. While Stewart also gave money to other community causes in Kansas City and his home town of Bruce, Miss., he offered the simple gifts of cash because it's something people didn’t have to "beg for, get in line for, or apply for."
His story may be even more timely this Christmas season. Stewart’s epiphany happened just before Christmas in 1979. His circumstances were dire. For the second year in a row he had been fired just days before Christmas. He admits that he was wallowing in self-pity when he learned that giving returned an inexplicable joy. That simple discovery changed him, the entire city of Kansas City, and beyond. Let’s pick up the story as Stewart was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired once again. He describes that December day in his own words.
"It was cold and this car hop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,"' he said. He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change. "And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me."'
Larry Stewart was deeply touched. He decided to go to the bank that day and took out $200, then drove around looking for people who could use a lift. That was his "Christmas present to himself." He hit the streets each December every year after that Christmas. In January of 2007 Larry Stewart died died from complications caused by esophageal cancer. He was only fifty-eight years old.
Even after his passing his mission lives on. Stewart spoke often to community groups about his devotion to kindness and to inspire others to donate their time and money. "That's what we're here for," Stewart says, "to help other people out."
Larry Stewart learned the reality of money and possessions that was eloquently expressed by author Thomas Fuller. “Riches enlarge rather than satisfy appetites.”
As a follower of Christ I think Stewart has it half right when he notes that we are here to help other people out. The religious scholars asked Jesus what a purpose driven life should look like.
"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." (Matthew 22, The Message)
The truth is that when I love and trust God with all of my passion and intelligence I have the freedom to allow God to love others through me. During this Christmas season I am challenging you to join me in trying Larry Stewart’s experiment. Go buy yourself a gadget or outfit or bauble. Note the reading on your personal joy meter. Then go give money to a desperate Mom trying to make ends meet. Or give some cash to an elderly couple who can’t pay the heating bill. Deliver a Christmas gift to children who would not receive gifts any other way. Check your personal joy meter again. Then note which action has given you real joy. Was it acquiring more stuff or meeting real needs in the lives of others? Larry Stewart learned that lesson. And the world is a better place because of the revelation he experienced on a cold December day twenty-nine years ago.
Pray about what you can give this Christmas. Remember that Larry Stewart started small. I pray that you will receive the kind of joy that drove the Kansas City “Secret Santa”. I pray that you will experience the chance to witness the surprised joy of a person receiving an unexpected and much needed gift. That is kind of like salvation given by grace, isn’t it? A gift of grace received only by faith. I unwrapped that gift almost forty years ago and it is still changing me today. That is the gift that Jesus brought to Bethlehem two millenia ago. And that is another gift we should be eager to share this Christmas season.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I'll be the first to admit I am not very good at praying. I don't mean that I can't get the words or thoughts put together to pray, I just don't do it often enough.
Most of us pray when we need help from God. "God please do this or God please help me with that". You know how it goes. What do you do when life is good? It is far too easy to take credit yourself for the good times and blame God for the bad ones.
Take a moment now if you can and thank the Lord for your life, your family your friends and Christ. It only takes 2 seconds to say thank you but those two words go a long way. Think of all the times you did something for someone and they didn't thank you. I bet you remembered that didn't you? By the same token you probably remembered if they did and that made you feel pretty good. Why is God any different?
With that I say Thank you God for everything, good and bad. It is Christ who shaped me, saved me and reserved a space for me in Heaven. Thank you.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
It's Been Too Long
I must apologize for the time between my contributions to the Blog. Between new jobs, studies and prepping for Municipal Elections I have neglected to post. Not to mention the issue with my parents that had all but consumed our summer but more on that another time.
The Lord will Provide. We've all heard that one before right?
"Sure He will", most people would say sarcastically. I am here to tell you brothers and sisters that He indeed will. Without writing a 5000 word essay on "How the Lord has provided this summer" I will try to explain.
There have been a number of occasions since I turned my life over to Christ where our family has wondered how we would weather certain "financial storms", especially the last few months during career changes for us both.
When Trina was ending most days at work crying from the stress, the Lord put a dear friend on my path who presented our family with a chance for me to work full-time and my wife to leave her job and stay at home with the kids (I was a stay-at-home Dad for 8 years).
When we were just about to make the switch, cutting our income almost in half, the Lord saw our need and let's just say, money arrived out of nowhere.
When we needed to re-think our "vehicle situation", He guided us to a solution that just couldn't have happened any other way.
To some, most maybe, it's coincidence. To me, to people who truly believe that the Lord is around us, watching us and helping us, there is no doubt His hand was there every step of the way.
Maybe for you it will be time that He gives you. Maybe it will be money, a friend, healing or simply love. Whatever it is that you need pray, ask for help. He knows what you need but wants to hear you call Him.
Remember A Field of Dreams? "If you build it, they will come"
To you I say, "If you need Him, He will come".
When the Praises go Up, The Blessings come down...
Always.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Fearless Living
“God wants you to have a blessed life. He wants you to reach farther than you have ever reached and to bless so many others” (Edward John).
by Edward John
“God wants you to have a blessed life. He wants you to reach farther than you have ever reached and to bless so many others” (Edward John).
by Edward John
It’s important to know that God wants you to succeed so you can live a rewarding and fulfilling life. On the other hand, you also need to be aware that the enemy wants you to fail. He does this by pulling you down and holding you back with fear.1) Here are some of the greatest fear factors that he uses to hinder you from reaching your destiny:
Fear of man
Fear of loneliness
Fear of failure
Fear of God
No one said it would be easy and no one promised us a ride on angel wings, but you and I can have the assurance that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to help us.2) According to the Bible, anyone who believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord has access to His resurrection power.3) Because the Holy Spirit resides within us, we can experience the energizing power of God to live life more abundantly.4)
Fear of Man
As soon as we think we’ve got to measure up to what others think, the fear of man kicks in. To overcome this snare, we need to be more concerned about what God thinks instead. For it’s His opinion that really counts. No matter what others think or say, we can place our trust in Him by standing upon His Word, upon His promises, and upon all the things that He has said. Of course, we should love and respect people, but we must honour God first.5) He should always be number one in our lives. When you place your trust in Him – rather than in another human being – the fear of man will be broken.
Fear of Loneliness
What a beautiful thing loneliness can be if you understand what God does in the midst of these times of solitude. Moses was out in the desert, all alone, when God appeared to him in a burning bush, announcing that he had been chosen to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.6) It was while confined in prison that God prepared Joseph to become one of the greatest rulers in history.7) David was out by himself in the pasture field caring for sheep when he was appointed by God – eventually becoming one of the most famous kings of the world.8) This leads us to Jesus Christ, the “King of kings and Lord of lords.”9) Often surrounded by people, Jesus would withdraw purposely and go to a quiet, solitary place.10) The “King of kings” knew that unless He spent these special moments alone with His Heavenly Father, He would never become all that He was destined to be.
So don’t be afraid of loneliness and definitely don’t start complaining. Murmuring and complaining will just take you away from the presence of God. Rather, take time to enjoy being alone in His presence. Make this decision so you can move up to the next level and become all that He desires you to be. Remember, it’s important training ground.
Fear of Failure
We are all so afraid of failing, aren’t we? Yet, as humans, we’ve all made our share of mistakes.11) But it’s the attitude of our hearts that’s going to determine whether we’ve failed in the eyes of Almighty God.12) If your heart is geared toward pleasing Him, He is going to make sure every mistake you have ever made works together for good.13) He also promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”14) No matter what you do – as long as you abide by the Word of God – you will always succeed.15) So friend, don’t be afraid of failure. Rise up, become like a lion on the inside and say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”16)
Fear of God
Many people think that we need to be terribly afraid of God. Although the Bible does state that we are to have a reverential fear of Him,17) it is not to be confused with being frightfully scared. Rather it’s referring to our need to honour and respect Him as our Heavenly Father.18) The healthy boundaries He has set for us in His Word are not meant to make our lives boring or difficult, nor are they designed to make us fail. To the contrary, He lovingly gave them to us so we could avoid all the things that will sidetrack us from reaching our maximum potential.19) By walking according to His healthy boundaries, we’ll be able to abide in His love and peace.20) “God is love” – perfect love – and “perfect love casts out fear.”21)
Endnotes
1) 2 Timothy 1:7
2) John 14:26; 15:26
3) John 10:10
4) Acts 1:8
5) Matthew 22:37-39
6) Exodus 3
7) Genesis 39
8) 1 Samuel 16
9) Revelation 19:16
10) Matthew 14:23
11) Romans 3:23
12) 1 Samuel 16:7
13) Romans 8:28
14) Hebrews 13:5
15) Joshua 1:8
16) Philippians 4:13
17) Psalm 11:10
18) Malachi 1:6
19) Deuteronomy 5:33
20) Romans 2:10
21) 1 John 4:8,18
Born in Oslo, Norway, Edward John always excelled in sports as a youth, becoming one of the country’s top junior ski-jumpers and a promising professional soccer player. One day, while on the field, he heard a voice saying, “Are you going to run after Me like you run after that ball?” Edward knew it was a clear call from God, and decided to dedicate his life to Him. He has since become an exceptional artist, musician, author, TV host and speaker – touching audiences around the world with the Gospel.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Your Life is a Story: You Choose the Ending
Dim Capacity For Wings emailed this and I found it helpful and timely as it ties in with our recently completed EPIC study...
When prayer is our lifeline then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives.
by Margaret Gibbs
In his book, Know Your Story, Shape Your Future, Dan Allender, writes: "You are a story. You are not merely the possessor and teller of a number of stories; you are a well-written, intentional story that is authored by the greatest Writer of all time, and even before time and after time.”
Prayer is one of the primary themes in our story. We are impoverished if we regard prayer as a religious activity. When prayer is our lifeline - our spiritual breathing - then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives.
The power of prayer is best seen in our daily lives. Prayer changes and transforms us. Prayer is far more than asking and receiving, it is becoming. When we pray, we create our own prayer atmosphere by our thinking and attitudes. Our attitudes are shaped by our thoughts. Our thoughts form our prayers.
John Ortberg in his book, God Is Closer Than You Think, writes: “Being with God is something that takes place primarily in our thoughts, our mind. To experience the closeness of God, it means a revolution of the mind.” Back in my teen years, when I fought insecurity, acute shyness and a limited purpose, my praying came out of my own insecurity. I approached prayer with trepidation. I battled questions such as: “Does God care for me? What do I have to prove to God to be accepted? Would God just drop me if I didn’t reach a level of personal goodness?” In those days, I felt I wasn’t being embraced by God. I failed to understand what was recorded in His Word. He loved me with an everlasting love and would never leave me nor forsake me. He was embracing me and lovingly calling me into His presence but my own thinking created a disconnect between God and myself. I was in a self-inflicted prison and only Word-based prayer could set me free.
How we view ourselves is the most revealing commentary on our theology and can be the greatest hindrance in prayer development. In later years I kept an extremely busy schedule and battled the Spirit’s gentle call to prayer. I resisted because my mind and heart were elsewhere. At one mid-week church prayer meeting, I had a wake-up call when, surrounded by incredible intercessors, I found myself writing out my "to do" list.
Multi-tasking and my demanding schedule pulled me farther from my heavenly Father. He seemed removed, unreachable. Only Word-based praying could transform my thinking and bring me into a place of spiritual hunger.
A personal crisis was the catalyst God used to call me to intercession. Emotionally drained, I turned to God’s Word. The book of Ephesians became like a stream of fresh water to my parched and weary soul. I studied and prayed Paul’s prison prayers – word by word and phrase by phrase – assimilating God’s truth into my spirit. My prayer time steadily increased until an hour in prayer seemed like mere minutes.
Prayer became an incubator for change. God’s Word came alive in my heart – my thinking was transformed! I finally saw God as able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine or think according to His power that is at work within us. I saw myself as chosen, called in partnership with God to fulfill His plans and purpose for my life. The plot of our stories could forever change if we prayed the Scriptures, allowing His truth to change our thoughts and attitudes, transforming our prayers by becoming a divine partnership – one page at a time.
Hope this helps...
When prayer is our lifeline then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives.
by Margaret Gibbs
In his book, Know Your Story, Shape Your Future, Dan Allender, writes: "You are a story. You are not merely the possessor and teller of a number of stories; you are a well-written, intentional story that is authored by the greatest Writer of all time, and even before time and after time.”
Prayer is one of the primary themes in our story. We are impoverished if we regard prayer as a religious activity. When prayer is our lifeline - our spiritual breathing - then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives.
The power of prayer is best seen in our daily lives. Prayer changes and transforms us. Prayer is far more than asking and receiving, it is becoming. When we pray, we create our own prayer atmosphere by our thinking and attitudes. Our attitudes are shaped by our thoughts. Our thoughts form our prayers.
John Ortberg in his book, God Is Closer Than You Think, writes: “Being with God is something that takes place primarily in our thoughts, our mind. To experience the closeness of God, it means a revolution of the mind.” Back in my teen years, when I fought insecurity, acute shyness and a limited purpose, my praying came out of my own insecurity. I approached prayer with trepidation. I battled questions such as: “Does God care for me? What do I have to prove to God to be accepted? Would God just drop me if I didn’t reach a level of personal goodness?” In those days, I felt I wasn’t being embraced by God. I failed to understand what was recorded in His Word. He loved me with an everlasting love and would never leave me nor forsake me. He was embracing me and lovingly calling me into His presence but my own thinking created a disconnect between God and myself. I was in a self-inflicted prison and only Word-based prayer could set me free.
How we view ourselves is the most revealing commentary on our theology and can be the greatest hindrance in prayer development. In later years I kept an extremely busy schedule and battled the Spirit’s gentle call to prayer. I resisted because my mind and heart were elsewhere. At one mid-week church prayer meeting, I had a wake-up call when, surrounded by incredible intercessors, I found myself writing out my "to do" list.
Multi-tasking and my demanding schedule pulled me farther from my heavenly Father. He seemed removed, unreachable. Only Word-based praying could transform my thinking and bring me into a place of spiritual hunger.
A personal crisis was the catalyst God used to call me to intercession. Emotionally drained, I turned to God’s Word. The book of Ephesians became like a stream of fresh water to my parched and weary soul. I studied and prayed Paul’s prison prayers – word by word and phrase by phrase – assimilating God’s truth into my spirit. My prayer time steadily increased until an hour in prayer seemed like mere minutes.
Prayer became an incubator for change. God’s Word came alive in my heart – my thinking was transformed! I finally saw God as able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine or think according to His power that is at work within us. I saw myself as chosen, called in partnership with God to fulfill His plans and purpose for my life. The plot of our stories could forever change if we prayed the Scriptures, allowing His truth to change our thoughts and attitudes, transforming our prayers by becoming a divine partnership – one page at a time.
Hope this helps...
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