Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veterans Day and I just wanted to take a moment to thank all the Military personel who are serving now, have served in the past or have given the greatest sacrifice their lives to defend our country.

I come from a long and proud line of veterans. My Dad's dad served in WWII in the U.S. Army as an Engineer, my Mom's Dad served in WWII in the U.S. Navy and my Father served proudly in Vietnam in the U.S. Marine Coprs. It was my dream from the time I was a young boy to serve in the Military and I am thankful for the time that I served. I hope you can pause for a few minutes at some point today and thank a veterans.

I am proud of everyone I served with and I continually proud of those who continue to serve, even in the midst of danger. You are in my thought and prayers. As a Veteran I can assure you that most of them give no second thought to the sacrifices they made. All of them would do it again all in the name of freedom and justice. What a great country to be a part of. God Bless America and the Veterans who have served her.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Congrats Fair Grove Eagles

Congratulations to the Fair Groe Eagles football team in their win last night at Mountain View Liberty. You can read more about it here This saturday at 1:30 the Eagles will be taking on the Lamar Tigers in Fair Grove. So everyone is invited to come out and watch the game. Go Eagles!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

One Life to Love

Saw them last year at Youth Quake. I love the words of this song. Makes me think of what we value the most. Often times it's not thinking about this idea. Hope you enjoy.

You are God Alone

I have been thinking alot lately about how we lok to keep God in a box. You know one that looks clean and neat, without any holes or problems. I think in some way we try to control God by making Him fit into our lives in a certain way. I

2 Samuel 7: 5-8 says, "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" '
8"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.

I think the reason these verses really stood out is because of the picture they display. Think about it. God has never dwelt or been limited to a house built by human hands. He doesn't work in our time schedule or in our ways. He is constantly at work whether we see Him or not. David's intentions were good, but it wasn't what God had planned. The temple guarantees God's presence but at the same time limits His freedom. Look how God addresses the situation. He says, "I have been moving," meaning He is at work. God is a God who will not be held in place by any religious agreement, He is free and cannot be controlled, bought or ordered around.

Think about this in light of today's culture and the ideas we have about God and a Church bulding. We often times think we go to Church to see or hear from God. However, God is freely moving and working in and among us, outside the walls of Church buildings. Why? Because He will not be controlled by man, and the Church is not a building but a movement of people who follow Christ.

Check out v. 8. Notice what God tells David. I took you from following the flock to be the leader. God took David from following to leading, and he wasn't limited or held back because He didn't have a building. David goes from following sheep to being the Shepherd of the Nation of Israel at this point. This brought to mind a song, "You Are God Alone," by Philips, Craig & Dean. Thought you might like to read the lyrics:

You are not a god Created by human hands
You are not a god Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

[chorus]You are God alone
From before time began You were on Your throne Your are God alone
And right now In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You're the only God Whose power none can contend
You're the only God Whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God And that's just the way it is

God please continue to protect, guard and comfort Shay in this time of physical struggle. Please touch his body to remove the infection and help his heart to start working as it should. We know you are the great healer and physician and ask for a miracle in this. You are God Alone.


Brian

Monday, November 2, 2009

The Power of Prayer

I hope this finds everyone doing well. I wanted to write just a quick blurb about prayer and then ask that you take advantage of this powerful weapon. Prov 15:8 says "the prayer of the upright pleases Him." James 5:15 says, "the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;" Please be praying for Shay Stallings today. Shay went in for surgery today at Children's hospital in Tulsa, OK for open heart surgery. It is going to be a long and difficult surgery but our God is able to strenghten him and heal him. You can follow along with a blog that was created specifically for Shay.

Here are some things to pray for specifically:

  • Pray for Shay's body to respond well to the surgery.
  • Pray that God will give the doctors the wisdom and sure hands to perform a great miracle on him.
  • Pray for Shay's family as they deal with this difficult time.
  • Pray for Shay's recovery and the tough road that lies ahead.

Please check out his blog and leave him an encouraging note just click on his name above and it will take you to his blog.

Faithfully praying,

Brian