IronMen, do you remember the baby (Kanyon) that we prayed about 1 year ago. He was a cousin of Paige's and he struggled so very much the first months of his life. He had a beautiful twin sister that died early on and he kept on fighting.
NOW HE IS A YEAR OLD!!! Don't tell me that God doesn't work miracles!
This little one is a prefect example. Check out this family's blog. The mom is asking anyone that wants to to leave Kanyon a message on his birthday so that she can print them out for is baby book. Last i checked, he had 96 comments! Wow. This story is one that will forever change you and your heart!
http://www.thephillipsphamily.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Romans 1:11-12
"I want very much to see you and give you some spiritual gift to make your faith stronger. I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith that we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you." ERV
What a great attitude! I would only hope that we would have some level of this attitude that Paul had. He understood that we are all in this together; we all want the same goal: To bring as many as we can to the Kingdom!
We else is there? When we come together, do we come to serve or to be served?
As IronMen, I pray that we can have an attitude of service and an attitude of helping each other draw closer to the Lord. May we have a heart to bring more and more with us to the Kingdom.
What a great attitude! I would only hope that we would have some level of this attitude that Paul had. He understood that we are all in this together; we all want the same goal: To bring as many as we can to the Kingdom!
We else is there? When we come together, do we come to serve or to be served?
As IronMen, I pray that we can have an attitude of service and an attitude of helping each other draw closer to the Lord. May we have a heart to bring more and more with us to the Kingdom.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Understatement!!! Joshua 10:14
What an understatement! Joshua 10:14 says this: "Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!" Well I guess so. Look at verse 11:
"As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites."
Then check out verse 12-13:
"On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the prescence of Israel: O sun stand still over Gibeon, O moon over the Valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day!"
I believe it is an understatement to say that the Lord was fighting for the Israelites that day. What an amazing reminder of the power of our Lord!
Does he only fight for the Israelites? Does he fight equally as much for you and me?
He is constantly battling for our souls. Who knows was spiritual battles are going on at all times. This is so reassuring that we serve the one and only God, the God of the universe. As if we needed more proof!
Now, I just wish that I could take a lesson from the faith journey that Joshua has been on throughout his journey and live a life symbolic of the power of my Lord and Saviour.
STP
"As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites."
Then check out verse 12-13:
"On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the prescence of Israel: O sun stand still over Gibeon, O moon over the Valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day!"
I believe it is an understatement to say that the Lord was fighting for the Israelites that day. What an amazing reminder of the power of our Lord!
Does he only fight for the Israelites? Does he fight equally as much for you and me?
He is constantly battling for our souls. Who knows was spiritual battles are going on at all times. This is so reassuring that we serve the one and only God, the God of the universe. As if we needed more proof!
Now, I just wish that I could take a lesson from the faith journey that Joshua has been on throughout his journey and live a life symbolic of the power of my Lord and Saviour.
STP
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Nehemiah 5 ... IM EDGE Discussion 3 6 08
Wow, what an amazing chapter! This chapter did not seem like anything special when I started reading it, but wow it is great. Praise God for that, he always delivers.
The basis of the chapter is the internal opposition that Nehemiah encounters while finishing the wall. All the opposition up to this point has been external and now it turns internal.
QUESTION: Which is more difficult to handle, internal or external problems?
QUESTION: What causes internal problems?
Well, i think the internal is more difficult to handle for many reasons. Let's take this to our lives and apply this to our situations. I know if there is a problem between Paige and I, it is much more significant and difficult than if there is a problem with someone that I don't have much of a relationship with. Internal stuggles have much more at stake than external struggles, normally.
What caused this internal struggle? Famine in the land had a lot to do with it, the King's taxes were high and they were charging each other interest when they sold things to their fellow Jew. This is where my interest peaked.
This does not sound like a bid deal in our world since we pay interest on just about everything we buy and we charge interest on most things we sell. However, Exodus 22:25 states: "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interst." The people in Jerusalem at this time were needy and their fellow brothers were taking advantage of them, so much so that some of them were having to sell their children into slavery to get food.
The Jews at this time had forgot this mandate (Exodus 22:25) that God told his people from the very beginning. In chapter 8 we find out that they reinstituted the festival of booths, another thing they had fogotten. Chapter 8 says they had not celebrated this festival since the time of Joshua.
So my question is this: What internal struggles in our lives are a result of foundational principles that we have drifted away from?
When we have the internal struggles (either with self, wife, children, church, etc), are there some foundational principles that we need to reevalute that could answer the problem?
Do we often share things with our brothers expecting more in return or do we share without expecting? Do we give to get back?
Why did God give them this mandate in Exodus anyway?
Lend me your thoughts?
STP
The basis of the chapter is the internal opposition that Nehemiah encounters while finishing the wall. All the opposition up to this point has been external and now it turns internal.
QUESTION: Which is more difficult to handle, internal or external problems?
QUESTION: What causes internal problems?
Well, i think the internal is more difficult to handle for many reasons. Let's take this to our lives and apply this to our situations. I know if there is a problem between Paige and I, it is much more significant and difficult than if there is a problem with someone that I don't have much of a relationship with. Internal stuggles have much more at stake than external struggles, normally.
What caused this internal struggle? Famine in the land had a lot to do with it, the King's taxes were high and they were charging each other interest when they sold things to their fellow Jew. This is where my interest peaked.
This does not sound like a bid deal in our world since we pay interest on just about everything we buy and we charge interest on most things we sell. However, Exodus 22:25 states: "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interst." The people in Jerusalem at this time were needy and their fellow brothers were taking advantage of them, so much so that some of them were having to sell their children into slavery to get food.
The Jews at this time had forgot this mandate (Exodus 22:25) that God told his people from the very beginning. In chapter 8 we find out that they reinstituted the festival of booths, another thing they had fogotten. Chapter 8 says they had not celebrated this festival since the time of Joshua.
So my question is this: What internal struggles in our lives are a result of foundational principles that we have drifted away from?
When we have the internal struggles (either with self, wife, children, church, etc), are there some foundational principles that we need to reevalute that could answer the problem?
Do we often share things with our brothers expecting more in return or do we share without expecting? Do we give to get back?
Why did God give them this mandate in Exodus anyway?
Lend me your thoughts?
STP
Friday, February 29, 2008
Heaven's "Whoever" Policy... by Max Lucado
“. . . whoever believes in him shall not perish . . .”
Some years ago I took a copy of God’s “whoever” policy to California. I wanted to show it to my Uncle Billy. He’d been scheduled to visit my home, but bone cancer had thwarted his plans.
My uncle reminded me much of my father: squared like a blast furnace, ruddy as a leather basketball. They shared the same West Texas roots, penchant for cigars, and blue-collar work ethic. But I wasn’t sure if they shared the same faith. So after several planes, two shuttles, and a rental-car road trip, I reached Uncle Billy’s house only to learn he was back in the hospital. No visitors. Maybe tomorrow.
He felt better the next day. Good enough to come home. I went to see him. Cancer had taken its toll and his strength. The recliner entombed his body. He recognized me yet dozed as I chatted with his wife and friends. He scarcely opened his eyes. People came and went, and I began to wonder if I would have the chance to ask the question.
Finally the guests stepped out onto the lawn and left me alone with my uncle. I slid my chair next to his, took his skin-taut hand, and wasted no words. “Bill, are you ready to go to heaven?”
His eyes, for the first time, popped open. Saucer wide. His head lifted. Doubt laced his response: “I think I am.”
“Do you want to be sure?”
“Oh yes.”
Our brief talk ended with a prayer for grace. We both said “amen,” and I soon left. Uncle Billy died within days. Did he wake up in heaven? According to the parable of the eleventh hour workers, he did.
Some struggle with such a thought. A last-minute confessor receives the same grace as a lifetime servant? Doesn’t seem fair. The workers in the parable complained too. So the landowner, and God, explained the prerogative of ownership: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?” (v. Matt. 20:15 RSV).
Request grace with your dying breath, and God hears your prayer. Whoever means “whenever.”
And one more: whoever means “wherever.” Wherever you are, you’re not too far to come home.
From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Some years ago I took a copy of God’s “whoever” policy to California. I wanted to show it to my Uncle Billy. He’d been scheduled to visit my home, but bone cancer had thwarted his plans.
My uncle reminded me much of my father: squared like a blast furnace, ruddy as a leather basketball. They shared the same West Texas roots, penchant for cigars, and blue-collar work ethic. But I wasn’t sure if they shared the same faith. So after several planes, two shuttles, and a rental-car road trip, I reached Uncle Billy’s house only to learn he was back in the hospital. No visitors. Maybe tomorrow.
He felt better the next day. Good enough to come home. I went to see him. Cancer had taken its toll and his strength. The recliner entombed his body. He recognized me yet dozed as I chatted with his wife and friends. He scarcely opened his eyes. People came and went, and I began to wonder if I would have the chance to ask the question.
Finally the guests stepped out onto the lawn and left me alone with my uncle. I slid my chair next to his, took his skin-taut hand, and wasted no words. “Bill, are you ready to go to heaven?”
His eyes, for the first time, popped open. Saucer wide. His head lifted. Doubt laced his response: “I think I am.”
“Do you want to be sure?”
“Oh yes.”
Our brief talk ended with a prayer for grace. We both said “amen,” and I soon left. Uncle Billy died within days. Did he wake up in heaven? According to the parable of the eleventh hour workers, he did.
Some struggle with such a thought. A last-minute confessor receives the same grace as a lifetime servant? Doesn’t seem fair. The workers in the parable complained too. So the landowner, and God, explained the prerogative of ownership: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?” (v. Matt. 20:15 RSV).
Request grace with your dying breath, and God hears your prayer. Whoever means “whenever.”
And one more: whoever means “wherever.” Wherever you are, you’re not too far to come home.
From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
IM EDGE changed to Thursdays
IronMen EDGE has been moved to Thursdays till further notice. We would love to have you join us @ LCCOC on Thursday mornings @ 6:10am. Come and see what the Lord has in store for you.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
We need to Know!!!
Remember to let us know if you are going to attend the IM Golf Retreat on April 11-12 in Lyndale, TX (Garden Valley Golf Course). We MUST know by Feb. 15. That is two days away! Please contact me at stp@pmiair.com or 214-415-9568 or Ryan Merriman at 817-874-2836 or ryanmerriman2000@yahoo.com .
This is going to be a great outing and we would love to have all of you there!
STP, an IronMan
This is going to be a great outing and we would love to have all of you there!
STP, an IronMan
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
It's Going to be Okay... by Max Lucado
Bill Tucker was sixteen years old when his dad suffered a health crisis and consequently had to leave his business. Even after Mr. Tucker regained his health, the Tucker family struggled financially, barely getting by.
Mr. Tucker, an entrepreneurial sort, came up with an idea. He won the bid to reupholster the chairs at the local movie theater. This stunned his family. He had never stitched a seat. He didn’t even own a sewing apparatus. Still, he found someone to teach him the skill and located an industrial-strength machine. The family scraped together every cent they had to buy it. They drained savings accounts and dug coins out of the sofa. Finally, they had enough.
It was a fine day when Bill road with his dad to pick up the equipment. Bill remembers a jovial, hour-long trip discussing the bright horizons this new opportunity afforded them. They loaded the machine in the back of their truck and secured it right behind the cab. Mr. Tucker then invited his son to drive home. I’ll let Bill tell you what happened next:
“As we were driving along, we were excited, and I, like any sixteen-year-old driver, was probably not paying enough attention to my speed. Just as we were turning on the cloverleaf to get on the expressway, I will never ever, ever forget watching that sewing machine, which was already top-heavy, begin to tip. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. I saw it go over the side. I jumped out and ran around the back of the truck. As I rounded the corner, I saw our hope and our dream lying on its side in pieces. And then I saw my dad just looking. All of his risk and all of his endeavor and all of his struggling and all of his dream, all of his hope to take care of his family was lying there, shattered.
“You know what comes next don’t you? ‘Stupid, punk kid driving too fast, not paying attention, ruined the family by taking away our livelihood.’ But that’s not what he said. He looked right at me. ‘Oh, Bill, I am so sorry.’ And he walked over, put his arms around me, and said, ‘Son, this is going to be okay.’
God is whispering the same to you. Those are his arms you feel. Trust him. That is his voice you hear. Believe him. Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seem irreparable. But it’s going to be okay. How can you know? Because God so loved the world. If God can make a billion galaxies, can’t he make good out of our bad and sense out of our faltering lives? Of course he can. He is God.
From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Mr. Tucker, an entrepreneurial sort, came up with an idea. He won the bid to reupholster the chairs at the local movie theater. This stunned his family. He had never stitched a seat. He didn’t even own a sewing apparatus. Still, he found someone to teach him the skill and located an industrial-strength machine. The family scraped together every cent they had to buy it. They drained savings accounts and dug coins out of the sofa. Finally, they had enough.
It was a fine day when Bill road with his dad to pick up the equipment. Bill remembers a jovial, hour-long trip discussing the bright horizons this new opportunity afforded them. They loaded the machine in the back of their truck and secured it right behind the cab. Mr. Tucker then invited his son to drive home. I’ll let Bill tell you what happened next:
“As we were driving along, we were excited, and I, like any sixteen-year-old driver, was probably not paying enough attention to my speed. Just as we were turning on the cloverleaf to get on the expressway, I will never ever, ever forget watching that sewing machine, which was already top-heavy, begin to tip. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. I saw it go over the side. I jumped out and ran around the back of the truck. As I rounded the corner, I saw our hope and our dream lying on its side in pieces. And then I saw my dad just looking. All of his risk and all of his endeavor and all of his struggling and all of his dream, all of his hope to take care of his family was lying there, shattered.
“You know what comes next don’t you? ‘Stupid, punk kid driving too fast, not paying attention, ruined the family by taking away our livelihood.’ But that’s not what he said. He looked right at me. ‘Oh, Bill, I am so sorry.’ And he walked over, put his arms around me, and said, ‘Son, this is going to be okay.’
God is whispering the same to you. Those are his arms you feel. Trust him. That is his voice you hear. Believe him. Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seem irreparable. But it’s going to be okay. How can you know? Because God so loved the world. If God can make a billion galaxies, can’t he make good out of our bad and sense out of our faltering lives? Of course he can. He is God.
From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
IM Golf Retreat update
The date is set, April 11-12. We will be going to Garden Valley Golf Course in Tyler on Friday the 11th for a round of golf, spend the night there, and play again on Saturday morning the 12th. We will have some great fellowship time on Friday night. This is the second retreat of its kind and the last one was GREAT! The cost will be around $150 each player (this will be for two rounds of golf, room for one night and meals).
WE NEED CONFIRMATION FROM YOU THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND BY FEB. 15!!! Please contact Stacey or Ryan Merriman if you want to play and to turn in you money!
Stacey Pearson 214-415-9568 cell or stp@pearsonmechanical.com
Ryan Merriman 817-874-2836 cell or ryanmerriman2000@yahoo.com
This is going to be a great event! Please make plans to join us!
WE NEED CONFIRMATION FROM YOU THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND BY FEB. 15!!! Please contact Stacey or Ryan Merriman if you want to play and to turn in you money!
Stacey Pearson 214-415-9568 cell or stp@pearsonmechanical.com
Ryan Merriman 817-874-2836 cell or ryanmerriman2000@yahoo.com
This is going to be a great event! Please make plans to join us!
Monday, January 21, 2008
On a Personal Note...
I try not to have to much personal things on this blog simply because I am the author of it. I try to make this blog about the IronMen as a whole and not my personal life blog.
However, I must share some person info now. I want to praise a wonderful woman, my wife Paige. She has just spent an entire week serving others with her time and efforts. We had my daughter Emaline's 2nd birthday parties (yes we had two, one for friend and one for family) this weekend and my wife did such a great job. She has spend the entire week and more preparing for these parties. On Saturday, we had Emailine's friends and their parents over to the house for a party and it was great! On Sunday, we had our families over to the house for another party and again, it was great! She has put so much effort into these events so that Emaline would have the best day possible. I know that she accomplished this goal!
She is so amazing to me for many reasons. She is so talented and creative (ie... "E" birthday cake, "E" cookies, etc)! She can make or do so many amazing things (ie... we had "E" parties for Emaline. What a great idea and what a great outcome!).
Paige has impecable character! I heard the other day on the radio that following the rules and doing what your are supposed to is a sign of character. Well, if you know Paige, you know that she will NOT break the rules on anything! Oftentimes I give her a hard time about it (ie.. turning right on red even when it says not too...) but I now realize that is a sign of her incredible character! Her richness runs so deep and she is so caring/compassionate. We have some amazing kidos and that goes directly to her and the great role model she is and the intentional time that she spends with them.
There is not a day that goes by that I am not amazed at the monumental blessing that I have in such an amazing woman to spend my life with. I could not handle life without her, no doubt!
I definitely "out kicked my coverage" in marrying Paige!!! I love you so much!
STP
However, I must share some person info now. I want to praise a wonderful woman, my wife Paige. She has just spent an entire week serving others with her time and efforts. We had my daughter Emaline's 2nd birthday parties (yes we had two, one for friend and one for family) this weekend and my wife did such a great job. She has spend the entire week and more preparing for these parties. On Saturday, we had Emailine's friends and their parents over to the house for a party and it was great! On Sunday, we had our families over to the house for another party and again, it was great! She has put so much effort into these events so that Emaline would have the best day possible. I know that she accomplished this goal!
She is so amazing to me for many reasons. She is so talented and creative (ie... "E" birthday cake, "E" cookies, etc)! She can make or do so many amazing things (ie... we had "E" parties for Emaline. What a great idea and what a great outcome!).
Paige has impecable character! I heard the other day on the radio that following the rules and doing what your are supposed to is a sign of character. Well, if you know Paige, you know that she will NOT break the rules on anything! Oftentimes I give her a hard time about it (ie.. turning right on red even when it says not too...) but I now realize that is a sign of her incredible character! Her richness runs so deep and she is so caring/compassionate. We have some amazing kidos and that goes directly to her and the great role model she is and the intentional time that she spends with them.
There is not a day that goes by that I am not amazed at the monumental blessing that I have in such an amazing woman to spend my life with. I could not handle life without her, no doubt!
I definitely "out kicked my coverage" in marrying Paige!!! I love you so much!
STP
Thursday, January 17, 2008
IM EDGE 1/15/08
We had a great discussion about Nehemiah on Tuesday! First, a little fun thanks to Joel:
Who is one of the only people we know that was smaller than Zacheus?
Knee-Hi-Miah (Nehemiah)! Ha, Ha!
Ok, now that we got the corny joke for the week out of the way, on to the guts.
Nehemiah is an amazing character. One interesting fact is that he was not a religious leader or prophet. He was a cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes and the first part of the book is Nehemiah's own person recollections of what happened.
As he worked for the King, he came to realize through a brother, that the Jewish remnant was in peril. The Jewish remnant was the people that were left after the Babylonians took over Jerusalem years earlier (around150 or so!).
Amazingly, Nehemiah get this news and he is extremely troubled and mourns, fasts and prays for "many days" (actually about 3 months!!!). It is really amazing that he has this reaction when the destruction happened so many year before. Joel explained that a good example would be if we were deeply troubled that President Lincoln died. Well, that happen many years ago and that does not affect us today. But, for Nehemiah, God turned his heart to this issue and he had compassion for his people.
What things in our lives is God leading us to? What are we going to do about it? Will we have a heart that is responsive to God's leadings?
Nehemiah was responsive to God's call and he did not worry about the obstacles that were in his way. He new that he had a divine job to do and he did it! The mark of a good leader is that leader knowing who is in control of the situation!
Stay Strong, PLD
STP, an IronMan
Who is one of the only people we know that was smaller than Zacheus?
Knee-Hi-Miah (Nehemiah)! Ha, Ha!
Ok, now that we got the corny joke for the week out of the way, on to the guts.
Nehemiah is an amazing character. One interesting fact is that he was not a religious leader or prophet. He was a cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes and the first part of the book is Nehemiah's own person recollections of what happened.
As he worked for the King, he came to realize through a brother, that the Jewish remnant was in peril. The Jewish remnant was the people that were left after the Babylonians took over Jerusalem years earlier (around150 or so!).
Amazingly, Nehemiah get this news and he is extremely troubled and mourns, fasts and prays for "many days" (actually about 3 months!!!). It is really amazing that he has this reaction when the destruction happened so many year before. Joel explained that a good example would be if we were deeply troubled that President Lincoln died. Well, that happen many years ago and that does not affect us today. But, for Nehemiah, God turned his heart to this issue and he had compassion for his people.
What things in our lives is God leading us to? What are we going to do about it? Will we have a heart that is responsive to God's leadings?
Nehemiah was responsive to God's call and he did not worry about the obstacles that were in his way. He new that he had a divine job to do and he did it! The mark of a good leader is that leader knowing who is in control of the situation!
Stay Strong, PLD
STP, an IronMan
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Friend in High Places ... Max Lucado
God has put all things under the authority of Christ.(Eph. 1:22)
Christ is running the show. Right now. A leaf just fell from a tree in the Alps. Christ caused it to do so. A newborn baby in India inhaled for the first time. Jesus measured the breath. The migration of the belugas through the oceans? Christ dictates their itinerary. He is
the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Col. 1:15–16)
What a phenomenal list! Heavens and earth. Visible and invisible. Thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. No thing, place, or person omitted. The scale on the sea urchin. The hair on the elephant hide. The hurricane that wrecks the coast, the rain that nourishes the desert, the infant’s first heartbeat, the elderly person’s final breath—all can be traced back to the hand of Christ, the firstborn of creation.
Firstborn in Paul’s vernacular has nothing to do with birth order. Firstborn refers to order of rank. As one translation states: “He ranks higher than everything that has been made” (v. 15) Everything? Find an exception. Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever; Jesus rebukes it. A tax needs to be paid; Jesus pays it by sending first a coin and then a fisherman’s hook into the mouth of a fish. When five thousand stomachs growl, Jesus renders a boy’s basket a bottomless buffet. Jesus exudes authority. He bats an eyelash, and nature jumps. No one argues when, at the end of his earthly life, the God-man declares, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).
The Christ of the galaxies is the Christ of your Mondays. The Starmaker manages your travel schedule. Relax. You have a friend in high places. Does the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger worry about tight pickle-jar lids? Does the son of Nike founder Phil Knight sweat a broken shoestring? If the daughter of Bill Gates can’t turn on her computer, does she panic?
No. Nor should you.
From Next Door Savior
Christ is running the show. Right now. A leaf just fell from a tree in the Alps. Christ caused it to do so. A newborn baby in India inhaled for the first time. Jesus measured the breath. The migration of the belugas through the oceans? Christ dictates their itinerary. He is
the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Col. 1:15–16)
What a phenomenal list! Heavens and earth. Visible and invisible. Thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. No thing, place, or person omitted. The scale on the sea urchin. The hair on the elephant hide. The hurricane that wrecks the coast, the rain that nourishes the desert, the infant’s first heartbeat, the elderly person’s final breath—all can be traced back to the hand of Christ, the firstborn of creation.
Firstborn in Paul’s vernacular has nothing to do with birth order. Firstborn refers to order of rank. As one translation states: “He ranks higher than everything that has been made” (v. 15) Everything? Find an exception. Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever; Jesus rebukes it. A tax needs to be paid; Jesus pays it by sending first a coin and then a fisherman’s hook into the mouth of a fish. When five thousand stomachs growl, Jesus renders a boy’s basket a bottomless buffet. Jesus exudes authority. He bats an eyelash, and nature jumps. No one argues when, at the end of his earthly life, the God-man declares, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).
The Christ of the galaxies is the Christ of your Mondays. The Starmaker manages your travel schedule. Relax. You have a friend in high places. Does the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger worry about tight pickle-jar lids? Does the son of Nike founder Phil Knight sweat a broken shoestring? If the daughter of Bill Gates can’t turn on her computer, does she panic?
No. Nor should you.
From Next Door Savior
Thursday, January 03, 2008
2008 IronMen EDGE Resolutions
IronMen, hope all is well in your world. We will start the IM EDGE meeting on Tuesday mornings this next week. Please make a point to come and be a part of this great time. We meet at 6:10am at LCCOC.
We are embarking on a new year and new commitments. As we have been talking about at EDGE lately, we want to be more intentional in our walk with the Lord. So, I want you to consider commiting to a couple of things for the new year:
1. Spending at least 15 minutes each morning in quiet time with the Lord. (praying, reading, etc.)
2. Having meaningful prayer time with your wife at least 3 times a week.
3. Giving up one meal a week to spend that time with the Lord.
These 3 things are minimums, you can obviously do more, and hopefully we will. The goal would be to increase these or add to this list in 3 months or so.
This idea comes from Richard and the experience he had in Waco. We all agreed that his experience was incredible and we wanted to be a part of something like that. This would be a lesser version that we could start out with. Please come this next Tuesday and we can discuss this more and talk about other ideas of how we can be more intentional with the Lord in '08.
Stay Strong, PLD
We are embarking on a new year and new commitments. As we have been talking about at EDGE lately, we want to be more intentional in our walk with the Lord. So, I want you to consider commiting to a couple of things for the new year:
1. Spending at least 15 minutes each morning in quiet time with the Lord. (praying, reading, etc.)
2. Having meaningful prayer time with your wife at least 3 times a week.
3. Giving up one meal a week to spend that time with the Lord.
These 3 things are minimums, you can obviously do more, and hopefully we will. The goal would be to increase these or add to this list in 3 months or so.
This idea comes from Richard and the experience he had in Waco. We all agreed that his experience was incredible and we wanted to be a part of something like that. This would be a lesser version that we could start out with. Please come this next Tuesday and we can discuss this more and talk about other ideas of how we can be more intentional with the Lord in '08.
Stay Strong, PLD
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Awaited One... by Max Lucado
We were a wreath of Light around the stable, a necklace of diamonds around the structure. Every angel had been called from his post for the coming, even Michael. None doubted God would, but none knew how He could, fulfill his promise.
I’ve heated the water!”
“No need to yell, Joseph I hear you fine.”
Mary would have heard had Joseph whispered. The stable was even smaller than Joseph had imagined but the innkeeper was right- it was clean. I started to clear out the sheep and cow, but Michael stopped me. “The Father wants all of creation to witness the moment.”
Mary cried out and gripped Joseph’s arm with one hand and a feed trough with the other. The thrust in her abdomen lifted her back, and she leaned forward.
“Is it time?” Joseph asked.
She shot back a glance, and he had his answer.
Within moments the Awaited One was born. I was privileged to have a position close to the couple, only a step behind Michael. We both gazed into the wrinkled face of the infant. Joseph had placed hay in a feed trough, giving Jesus his first bed.
All of God was in the infant. Light encircled His face and radiated from His tiny hands. The very glory I had witnessed in His throne room now burst through His skin.
I felt we should sing but did not know what. We had no song. We had no verse. We had never seen the sight of God in a baby. When God had made a star, our words had roared. When He had delivered His servants, our tongues had flown with praise. Before His throne, our songs never ended. But what do you sing to God in a feed trough?
In that moment a wonderful thing happened. As we looked at the baby Jesus, the darkness lifted. Not the darkness of the night, but the darkness of the mystery. Heaven’s enlightenment engulfed the legions.
Our minds were filled with the Truth we had never before known. We became aware for the first time of the Father’s plan to rescue those who bear His name.
From An Angel's Story (originally published as Cosmic Christmas) Copyright (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002, 2004) Max Lucado
I’ve heated the water!”
“No need to yell, Joseph I hear you fine.”
Mary would have heard had Joseph whispered. The stable was even smaller than Joseph had imagined but the innkeeper was right- it was clean. I started to clear out the sheep and cow, but Michael stopped me. “The Father wants all of creation to witness the moment.”
Mary cried out and gripped Joseph’s arm with one hand and a feed trough with the other. The thrust in her abdomen lifted her back, and she leaned forward.
“Is it time?” Joseph asked.
She shot back a glance, and he had his answer.
Within moments the Awaited One was born. I was privileged to have a position close to the couple, only a step behind Michael. We both gazed into the wrinkled face of the infant. Joseph had placed hay in a feed trough, giving Jesus his first bed.
All of God was in the infant. Light encircled His face and radiated from His tiny hands. The very glory I had witnessed in His throne room now burst through His skin.
I felt we should sing but did not know what. We had no song. We had no verse. We had never seen the sight of God in a baby. When God had made a star, our words had roared. When He had delivered His servants, our tongues had flown with praise. Before His throne, our songs never ended. But what do you sing to God in a feed trough?
In that moment a wonderful thing happened. As we looked at the baby Jesus, the darkness lifted. Not the darkness of the night, but the darkness of the mystery. Heaven’s enlightenment engulfed the legions.
Our minds were filled with the Truth we had never before known. We became aware for the first time of the Father’s plan to rescue those who bear His name.
From An Angel's Story (originally published as Cosmic Christmas) Copyright (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002, 2004) Max Lucado
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Campout was GREAT!!!
We had a great weekend at the campout in Morgan Mill, TX at Bent Tree Ranch. I have been told more than once that this was our best campout yet! It was possible because so many IronMen helped organize and participated. We had about 35 total people, 10 or of those were kids and they might have had the best time of all!
We shared with each other what it means to be an IronMan, how we can be better about leading our families, about our natural instincts and roles as men, and we learned about leadership from Joshua. I sure hope at least one of these discussions was beneficial for all those that attended.
Special thanks to Lane and Ryan for helping coordinate the food and drinks for the weekend. Thanks to Joel for sharing with us and helping me coordinate the spiritual side of things. Jim, we sure appreicate your generocity in letting us take over the ranch for a couple of days. It could not have been done without you guys!
We also got to ride horses, learn to rope from Bennie Peek (pro team roper), have quiet time in the woods, play football and roast marshmellows. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was finally getting to have a bonfire. The fire was awesome and we all enjoyed it!
Thanks to Alan Phillips for taking pictures (we will post them soon); Ken Boggs, Jeff Rackley and Bob McKinnon for preparing breakfast and lunch! Special thanks to our IM Comedian
Thanks to all IronMen that were in anyway involved. We look forward to next year's campout!
Stay Strong, PLD.
STP, an IronMan
We shared with each other what it means to be an IronMan, how we can be better about leading our families, about our natural instincts and roles as men, and we learned about leadership from Joshua. I sure hope at least one of these discussions was beneficial for all those that attended.
Special thanks to Lane and Ryan for helping coordinate the food and drinks for the weekend. Thanks to Joel for sharing with us and helping me coordinate the spiritual side of things. Jim, we sure appreicate your generocity in letting us take over the ranch for a couple of days. It could not have been done without you guys!
We also got to ride horses, learn to rope from Bennie Peek (pro team roper), have quiet time in the woods, play football and roast marshmellows. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was finally getting to have a bonfire. The fire was awesome and we all enjoyed it!
Thanks to Alan Phillips for taking pictures (we will post them soon); Ken Boggs, Jeff Rackley and Bob McKinnon for preparing breakfast and lunch! Special thanks to our IM Comedian
Thanks to all IronMen that were in anyway involved. We look forward to next year's campout!
Stay Strong, PLD.
STP, an IronMan
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Journey ... Max Lucado
I drove the family to Grandma’s last night for Thanksgiving. Three hours into the six-hour trip, I realized that I was in a theology lab.
A day with a car full of kids will teach you a lot about God. Transporting a family from one city to another is closely akin to God transporting us from our home to his.
A journey is a journey, whether the destination be the Thanksgiving table or the heavenly one. Both demand patience, a good sense of direction, and a driver who knows that the feast at the end of the trip is worth the hassles in the midst of the trip.
For me, six hours on the road is a small price to pay for my mom’s strawberry cake. I don’t mind the drive because I know the reward. I have three decades of Thanksgivings under my belt, literally. As I drive, I can taste the turkey. Hear the dinner-table laughter. Smell the smoke from the fireplace.
I can endure the journey because I know the destiny.
For some of you, the journey has been long. Very long and stormy. In no way do I wish to minimize the difficulties that you have had to face along the way. Some of you have shouldered burdens that few of us could ever carry. You have bid farewell to life-long partners. You have been robbed of life-long dreams. You have been given bodies that can’t sustain your spirit. You have spouses who can’t tolerate your faith. You have bills that outnumber the paychecks and challenges that outweigh the strength.
And you are tired.
Let me encourage you with a parallel between your life’s journey and the one our family took last night.
It’s worth it.
As I write, the Thanksgiving meal is over. My legs are propped up on the hearth. My tablet is on my lap.
I have every intention of dozing off as soon as I finish this chapter.
The turkey has been attacked. The giblet gravy has been gobbled. The table is clear. The kids are napping. And the family is content.
As we sat around the table today, no one spoke of the long trip to get here. No one mentioned the requests I didn’t honor. No one grumbled about my foot being on the accelerator when their hearts were focused on the banana splits. No one complained about the late hour of arrival.
Yesterday’s challenges were lost in today’s joy.
God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.
Remember this: God may not do what you want, but he will do what is right … and best. He’s the Father of forward motion. Trust him. He will get you home. And the trials of the trip will be lost in the joys of the feast.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll close my eyes. I’m a bit tired from the journey, and it feels good to rest.
From In the Eye of the Storm Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1999) Max Lucado
A day with a car full of kids will teach you a lot about God. Transporting a family from one city to another is closely akin to God transporting us from our home to his.
A journey is a journey, whether the destination be the Thanksgiving table or the heavenly one. Both demand patience, a good sense of direction, and a driver who knows that the feast at the end of the trip is worth the hassles in the midst of the trip.
For me, six hours on the road is a small price to pay for my mom’s strawberry cake. I don’t mind the drive because I know the reward. I have three decades of Thanksgivings under my belt, literally. As I drive, I can taste the turkey. Hear the dinner-table laughter. Smell the smoke from the fireplace.
I can endure the journey because I know the destiny.
For some of you, the journey has been long. Very long and stormy. In no way do I wish to minimize the difficulties that you have had to face along the way. Some of you have shouldered burdens that few of us could ever carry. You have bid farewell to life-long partners. You have been robbed of life-long dreams. You have been given bodies that can’t sustain your spirit. You have spouses who can’t tolerate your faith. You have bills that outnumber the paychecks and challenges that outweigh the strength.
And you are tired.
Let me encourage you with a parallel between your life’s journey and the one our family took last night.
It’s worth it.
As I write, the Thanksgiving meal is over. My legs are propped up on the hearth. My tablet is on my lap.
I have every intention of dozing off as soon as I finish this chapter.
The turkey has been attacked. The giblet gravy has been gobbled. The table is clear. The kids are napping. And the family is content.
As we sat around the table today, no one spoke of the long trip to get here. No one mentioned the requests I didn’t honor. No one grumbled about my foot being on the accelerator when their hearts were focused on the banana splits. No one complained about the late hour of arrival.
Yesterday’s challenges were lost in today’s joy.
God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.
Remember this: God may not do what you want, but he will do what is right … and best. He’s the Father of forward motion. Trust him. He will get you home. And the trials of the trip will be lost in the joys of the feast.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll close my eyes. I’m a bit tired from the journey, and it feels good to rest.
From In the Eye of the Storm Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1999) Max Lucado
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Is Your Thermostat Broken?
Ironmen Edge 11/13/2007
Have you checked to see if your thermostat is working correctly? That may seem like the wrong question to ask your self when you woke up Tuesday morning, but it was the one posed to us yesterday morning by Joel. Ironmen Edge is fortunate enough that we do have two HVAC experts who study with us during this time, so they were able to walk the rest of us through how a thermostat is supposed to work. Joel also illustrated that women are a thermometer and that men are thermostats. Meaning that women, can tell the thermostat when things are getting overheated or too cold in our households and that the man of the household, or the thermostat, we have the ability change things to make the household live able again. Now, you may be asking yourself at this moment what in the world do you mean. What we really mean with this whole correlation is that as the man of the house we are to be leaders in our home and set the spiritual temperature of our home.
Let's look at Ephesians 5:23 "A husband is the head of of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church." 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He died to make the church holy. He used the telling of the Good News to make the church clean by washing it with water. Christ died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty." 5:28" And husbands should love their wives as the love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself, because no one ever hates his own body, but feeds and takes care of it."
As men we are the head or the leader of our household. We can change the climate of our spiritual households. As we talked about how all this works out in our on families we noticed that by being in tune with our wives we can function as a proper thermostat in unison with the thermometer. By paying attention to the thermometer we can sense when things are getting too hot or too cold. And that the best way to adjust our home temperature is through prayer. Che added to this with a prayer that his family has been praying and uses to set the temperature of his household. Psalm 89:11 - Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life." With this prayer they have been able to focus on the most important thing in this world and that is worshiping your name.
In summary, we found that we all have ways to adjust the temperature of our households and that if that means being prayerfully consistent, paying attention to our families needs, and placing our love, our faith, and all of our worship in Jesus name we are able to set the stage for family that is ready and willing to follow what ever God calls us to.
An Ironman,
Ryan
Have you checked to see if your thermostat is working correctly? That may seem like the wrong question to ask your self when you woke up Tuesday morning, but it was the one posed to us yesterday morning by Joel. Ironmen Edge is fortunate enough that we do have two HVAC experts who study with us during this time, so they were able to walk the rest of us through how a thermostat is supposed to work. Joel also illustrated that women are a thermometer and that men are thermostats. Meaning that women, can tell the thermostat when things are getting overheated or too cold in our households and that the man of the household, or the thermostat, we have the ability change things to make the household live able again. Now, you may be asking yourself at this moment what in the world do you mean. What we really mean with this whole correlation is that as the man of the house we are to be leaders in our home and set the spiritual temperature of our home.
Let's look at Ephesians 5:23 "A husband is the head of of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church." 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He died to make the church holy. He used the telling of the Good News to make the church clean by washing it with water. Christ died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty." 5:28" And husbands should love their wives as the love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself, because no one ever hates his own body, but feeds and takes care of it."
As men we are the head or the leader of our household. We can change the climate of our spiritual households. As we talked about how all this works out in our on families we noticed that by being in tune with our wives we can function as a proper thermostat in unison with the thermometer. By paying attention to the thermometer we can sense when things are getting too hot or too cold. And that the best way to adjust our home temperature is through prayer. Che added to this with a prayer that his family has been praying and uses to set the temperature of his household. Psalm 89:11 - Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life." With this prayer they have been able to focus on the most important thing in this world and that is worshiping your name.
In summary, we found that we all have ways to adjust the temperature of our households and that if that means being prayerfully consistent, paying attention to our families needs, and placing our love, our faith, and all of our worship in Jesus name we are able to set the stage for family that is ready and willing to follow what ever God calls us to.
An Ironman,
Ryan
Monday, November 12, 2007
Campout Instructions
IM Campout is right around the corner. We will meet at LCCOC at 5pm on Friday, Nov. 30. We will carpool to Bent Tree Ranch and we should arrive around 7pm. Dinner will be provided by Hard 8 BBQ as we arrive. Here are directions to BTR:
Take I-20 west from Fort Worth proceed thru Weatherford approximately 20 miles, exit south on highway 281, exit # 386, proceed south approximately 15 miles to Morgan Mill, at the Baptist Church turn west on 1188, go west 1 mile to the top of the hill, turn south on county road 132, proceed 2 miles to the ranch on the right side of 132, you will see the name of the ranch over the gate, the entry has white Austin stone columns.
Here is what you should bring:
1. Tent
2. Money for dinner (approximately $10- $15)
3. Bug spray
4. Bible
5. Games (cards, football, baseball and glove, etc)
PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING. I HAVE TO HAVE A NUMBER FOR DINNER! MY CELL 214-415-9568!
Kids are welcome if their father is present.
Please come and join us, we would love to have you!
Take I-20 west from Fort Worth proceed thru Weatherford approximately 20 miles, exit south on highway 281, exit # 386, proceed south approximately 15 miles to Morgan Mill, at the Baptist Church turn west on 1188, go west 1 mile to the top of the hill, turn south on county road 132, proceed 2 miles to the ranch on the right side of 132, you will see the name of the ranch over the gate, the entry has white Austin stone columns.
Here is what you should bring:
1. Tent
2. Money for dinner (approximately $10- $15)
3. Bug spray
4. Bible
5. Games (cards, football, baseball and glove, etc)
PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING. I HAVE TO HAVE A NUMBER FOR DINNER! MY CELL 214-415-9568!
Kids are welcome if their father is present.
Please come and join us, we would love to have you!
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