The Boy Who Changed the World

I was touched by this video when I saw it, and thought I would share it with you. Many of you may have seen or heard about this story in the past on TV, but I found this video very touching. Make sure you have some tissues at your disposal.



To follow the story of Eliot, check out the blog his parents kept during his life. You can find it here. For the latest news in this family's life, visit their new blog here. There is a surprise there you will want to see.

I pray that when faced with adversities in life, my view of God won't change based on the circumstance. May I keep in mind the verses from Isaiah 55:8 & 9..."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." His will is not something our finite minds can comprehend. I would ask you to lift a special prayer for the Mooney family today...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request that I can word on your behalf today!

What is our worship???

I was reading a post by my friend Dean Lusk at his site here. He was talking about the complaints of folks too often in churches. They range many different categories and schools of thought, but I was reminded of this video I saw a couple months ago. I wanted to share it with you.



I've been reading For the Tough Times by Max Lucado and last night in Chapter 3 it talked about magnifying the Lord. Do you know what that means? I'd never really thought about it much in depth before that, but according to Merriam-Webster, magnify means...1 to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect 2 a: to increase in significance : intensify b: exaggerate 3: to enlarge in fact or in appearance...Based on that definition, do we truly magnify God in our times of worship? Think on the verse from Psalms 34:3 today..."O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together."

What thoughts, ideas, or emotions did the video stir in your heart and mind? Are we more consumed with selfish fulfillment than we are in worshiping the Lord? Leave your thoughts...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

"Crazy Love" book review

Today, I wanted to take a few moments and relive the experience of the book "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan. For those of you who don't know where to get the book, you can find it here.

I had heard from many friends, worship leaders and ministers around Facebook, Twitter, and various other places about this book for quite some time before I finally ordered it. Now that I have completed the experience, I understand the fuss. This is not a book to be read if you are looking for a "pat on the back" if you are just "trying to get by" in your walk with the Lord. This is a book to "tell it like you need to hear it"!!!

Many times throughout the book, I found myself being attacked from all angles in how I have been showing the love of Christ to others. One of the really great features that I enjoyed with the book was the accompanying website content here. There are videos ranging from an introduction to the book, to Chapter introduction videos, and also illustration videos that give images to go along with the story.

There are a few illustrations that really jumped out in the study...one of a Holy God who is far beyond the comprehension of man, that is wanting a relationship with me (insert your name in place of me). Another, was Chapter 5 "Serving Leftovers to a Holy God"...I don't think that would need much more input from me, it hits particularly close to home, no matter who you are. Then, there is Chapter 8, entitled "Profile of the Obsessed" that also hit me hard, because if we are so obsessed with our HDTVs, iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, PCs, fast cars, big houses, or whatever it is in your life, shouldn't we be much more willing to show obsession about God to everyone we contact?

If you are wanting to be challenged in your life with God and want to get a bigger picture of Who He is and what you could be doing better to show His love to others, "Crazy Love" is a must read! Once again, you can pick it up here and you can find out more at the accompanying website here And, if that wasn't enough, there is also a DVD Study Resource available here.

Check it out, or let me know what "Crazy Love" meant when you read and studied it...

A question for you to respond to...

A friend of mine on Facebook was asking a question today, and I wanted to put it on here to see what kind of feedback would be received. Leave your answers as feedback, if you don't mind.

Here was her question...Why is religion such a powerful tool in creating and/or encouraging both harmony and hatred?

Thanks for making us think, Angie!

A historic day...

As I look back at the events that have come to pass, I wanted to give each of you a place to share your thoughts and hopes for the next 4 or possibly 8 years. We have just seen our first minority elected President of the United States. This is a day filled with pride for some, anguish for some, and some who just look at it as another day.

This is a bittersweet day for me...I am proud that our country can see beyond the boundaries of race when choosing a new leader. I may not particularly agree with the decision, but I know the One who is in control. May we be reminded of that daily!

During our January Bible Study of Exodus last night, we were brought to a great scripture that touches this well. It is in Exodus 9:16..."And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

As Bro. Elmer Whitehead shared last night, we shouldn't concern ourselves with the "why's" but rather remember that God causes things to happen in the world "that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

For that reason, I have chosen this verse for the memorization challenge of the week. When we struggle with issues and challenges in our lives, let's rely upon the Lord, Whose name shall be declared throughout all the earth!!!

Take a few moments to read over the verse again...pray that what you're going through will be used for His glory...and ask for the chance to share your trials, tribulations, and triumphs with others for the glory of the Lord!!!

Please take a couple minutes to leave your thoughts on the days events and, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Do you have a "Crazy Love" for God???

My wife and I have been reading through this book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan over the past week. I have been challenged and also feel led to share this video. If you haven't picked up the book, you can find even more info here...there are chapter introduction videos and countless other goodies to check out. Here is the introduction video from the book.



Let me know if you have read the book and what it meant to you...once we complete the book, I will be posting a review here, so check back for that...

But before I let you go, let's take one last look at our memory verse for the week from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I hope that it has spoken to you as it has me. Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Dive Deep!!!

I saw this video and thought it was a great illustration of our Bible studies. Our memory verse this week comes from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."



Let's not be afraid to "dive in deep" and learn what God has for us!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Studying to be approved...

As I start back into my collegiate studies, I have been thinking about how we are to learn not only to gain knowledge to be used to further our own personal goals, but also to be a better steward of what God has given us. That leads me to our memory verse for this week, found in 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

This week, in my Theology studies I've been reading about analyzing the Scriptures and their context to make the best broad statements (theologies) about my beliefs. When I look at the Amplified Bible's translation of this verse, it reminds me of that..."Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."

So, for me to "put my best foot forward" in my walk with the Lord, shouldn't I be spending time learning what God is trying to teach me? If my time with God is there, my life will show it! The other point is that I must work at it...not try, not read and be done, but diligently work at it. It says a "workman that needeth not to be ashamed"...so, I must put forth the effort to learn. Sounds like school a bit, right?

Growing up, school was somewhat easy for me...I put forth very little effort and ended up with A's and B's. College is a bit more difficult. However, if I spend the time doing what is asked (read, listen, take notes) which does take some of "my" time, The results are grades that show it. If I am willing to put forth that type of effort for a degree, shouldn't my Bible study and prayer time have an even greater place? Shouldn't I be taking notes and learning the Scriptures, so that I need "not to be ashamed"?

The beginning of the verse says I should be "eager" and "doing my utmost"...am I eager to spend time reading, praying, studying, doing the work??? I would like to say "yes", but I can't always...

My final thought on this is if I am basing my life and walk with God on just the parts of the Bible that I like, wouldn't I be missing out on a lot. I must study the Bible completely, so I can truly understand, live, and be able to help others accurately or skillfully as the Amplified states.

Keep going over the verse for the week from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Pray that God will touch your heart with it's words...Don't stop there, let's truly push ourselves to study and work at it!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

What a slight change can do...

I saw this video shared on a blog that I frequent quite often, authored by Matt Tullos. You can check his blog here. This is performed by Young @ Heart Chorus....hope you enjoy the video as much as I did. It's more proof that if you change the presentation of song even just a little bit, the words can jump out that much more!!!

Am I hitting the mark???

Okay, I am still sulking a bit over the Sooners' loss last night in the BCS Championship. However, I am glad to see Florida's Tim Tebow get some of the spotlight, because of his steadfast walk and testimony for Christ. I found it quite amazing that announcers were touting his mission work and Christian walk last night during the game. So, hats off Gators for a great season!!!

Let's get things going today by looking at our week's memory verse found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

I look at the verse and then reflect upon what my life says in respect to following what it says. I fall so short in the grand scheme of things! Do I really think that I can pull off talking as if my walk is in perfect harmony with my calling? Am I truly striving to hit the mark daily? Not always...point blank!

But, does this mean that God loves me any less on the days I struggle? NO! The end of Hebrews 13:5 tells us plainly..."I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." It is in times that we struggle and are searching for "our" own answers that we should be practicing what Psalm 46:10 says..."Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

If I keep my eyes upon who He is, my life will be kept in the proper perspective...and pressing toward the high calling will be much less difficult, because my eyes are on Him and not me!

I came across a video at Sermonspice.com that shares the thought I am talking about in Psalm 46:10...check the video out here...

I pray that you have a great day...continue going over the memory verse for this week...ask for the chance to share it with someone else...pray that God will speak to you through it...feel free to share how this verse speaks to you by commenting below...

And, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Tonight's the night!!!

I know this isn't exactly the post you are used to if you have read this blog before. However, I am looking forward to this game with much anticipation and would like to see how many of you will venture a guess as to who will win the game? For those who don't follow college football, we are speaking of the BCS Championship between Oklahoma and Florida. Let your opinion be known. I will post comments made BEFORE and maybe a short time into the game. No trash talking, please. Just give your pick and a score if you'd like.

Are we accountable???

As I set off into the year 2009, my mind is staying on whether my outlook on the year is for personal gain, or if I am seeing the BIG picture of how God sees what is in store through me. I can sit back and dream of a new car, a PS3, XBox360, you name it...but those things are only gonna bring finite joys. The works that are done through the Lord will last forever and will provide "joy unspeakable and full of glory" as stated in 1 Peter 1:8.

Yes, it's easy to say that's what my mind is on, but everyday is a battle to keep focused. Here I am on the 6th of January, reminding myself to stay focused on God's call for the year...hmm, I would say that it will be an uphill climb to keep on track. But, one thing that helps is a sense of accountability. In the past, when failures came and went, the only concerns I had were on how I was affected. Now, there is a great number of people that I feel accountable to...some may say that adds an extra pressure, not me. Having an accountability keeps my eyes more focused on what I am doing, and why I am doing it.

Do you struggle with addictions, habits, or something that you feel you can't get away from? Wouldn't it be easier if you had someone to turn to when those tendencies come around? One of the things that can help an aching soul is having someone to share with. Maybe you feel uncomfortable sharing with a minister or deacon, elder, or whoever...maybe you can talk to your Sunday School teacher, or someone who has been through and survived what you're going through. The key is finding someone to be accountable to...someone who you can call when you need to. Maybe that can give each of us the victory to achieve what God has for us this year!!!

Let's take another look at our weekly memory verse, found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Keep repeating it to yourself...pray that God will use it to speak to you...and ask for the chance to share with someone...Challenge yourself!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Press toward the mark!!!

Since I have taken a few days off from the posting, I have been thinking of a new verse and how to challenge each other for the year that is upon us. Thinking along those lines, I came to the following verse, which will be our first memorization challenge for 2009. The verse is found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

As I thought on those words, I was reminded of a video I found at BluefishTV that talks about how we always strive to be the best for ourselves, but why aren't we striving to be the best for HIM???



If you've never visited BluefishTV, click on the comments under the post "Know the scriptures???". There you will find a promo code to get a FREE video for use in your church or small group.

Before winding up this post, let's take another look at this week's memory verse from Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Take the challenge fresh and new this year...pray that God will speak to you...pray that He will use you to share His message with those you come in contact with TODAY...

And, please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!