If your lips would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care;
To whom you speak, of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.
Proverbs 18:20-21, "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction. Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life."
Your words are building blocks or stumbling blocks. Words destroy, so guard your tongue. Words can destroy marriages, kids and friendship. Words can destroy your faith, dreams and future. When you have nothing to say; say it. And, don’t speak unless you will improve the silence!
However, words build, so don't stay silent. Cold words freeze others, hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter. Kind words soothe, gentle words comfort, and encouraging words strengthen and heal the hearer. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” “I love you;” “Thank-you;” “I am proud of you;” “I really appreciate you;” “You’re great,” are powerful phrases that sould be used often. Learn to find specific qualities to compliment in others. Then, be liberal with your compliments. Proverbs 25:11, "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances."
I am making a commitment to use my words are building blocks not stumbling blocks.
Peace,
Stan
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sowing and Reaping
It seems that God is fond of gardens. He planted a garden in Eden, and put Adam there. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (CEV), “You are God’s garden...” 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ICB), “You are like a farm that belongs to God…”
Our lives are like a garden or a farm. Things are grown and harvested in a garden or a farm. All around us the wheat that was planted in the Fall has just been harvested. The corn and soybeans are growing. Hay is being harvested to feed cattle and horses next winter. The food we will eat today is the product of a farm or a ranch.
Seedtime and harvest affects much more than just food. This process affects our whole life. Nearly everything can be traced to this principle of sowing and reaping.The principle works this way: (1) a seed has the ability to reproduce or duplicate itself (2) the seed can only reproduce the attributes inherent to itself, e.g. apples can only produce apples, not pears (3) there is a multiplying effect when the seed is planted, e.g. a soybean seed produces a soybean plant, which produces dozens of new seeds. In other words, whatever is planted will grow and produce a harvest, usually more of the same. So, if I expect to get something different than the “same old, same old”, what must I do? {Plant different seeds!}
Just like other “laws” in the universe, e.g. gravity, reflection & motion, the law of sowing and reaping will not be violated. Once something is sown, a person should expect a harvest. According to this law, a person should not be surprised by the results he/she is getting in life! This works with money, relationships, and the level of peace and joy in my life.
THIS IS EXCITING! I have control over enough of the variables in my life to change my outcomes. I can adjust my attitudes, words, actions, spending habits, investments, etc. Galatians 6:7 - 10 (CEV) 7You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. 8If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. 9Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. 10We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.
Change your life. Change what you are planting.
Peace,
Stan
Our lives are like a garden or a farm. Things are grown and harvested in a garden or a farm. All around us the wheat that was planted in the Fall has just been harvested. The corn and soybeans are growing. Hay is being harvested to feed cattle and horses next winter. The food we will eat today is the product of a farm or a ranch.
Seedtime and harvest affects much more than just food. This process affects our whole life. Nearly everything can be traced to this principle of sowing and reaping.The principle works this way: (1) a seed has the ability to reproduce or duplicate itself (2) the seed can only reproduce the attributes inherent to itself, e.g. apples can only produce apples, not pears (3) there is a multiplying effect when the seed is planted, e.g. a soybean seed produces a soybean plant, which produces dozens of new seeds. In other words, whatever is planted will grow and produce a harvest, usually more of the same. So, if I expect to get something different than the “same old, same old”, what must I do? {Plant different seeds!}
Just like other “laws” in the universe, e.g. gravity, reflection & motion, the law of sowing and reaping will not be violated. Once something is sown, a person should expect a harvest. According to this law, a person should not be surprised by the results he/she is getting in life! This works with money, relationships, and the level of peace and joy in my life.
THIS IS EXCITING! I have control over enough of the variables in my life to change my outcomes. I can adjust my attitudes, words, actions, spending habits, investments, etc. Galatians 6:7 - 10 (CEV) 7You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. 8If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. 9Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. 10We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.
Change your life. Change what you are planting.
Peace,
Stan
Sunday, July 8, 2007
I am sitting here in Frisco, Colorado in the Rocky Mountains thinking about God. Psalms 24:1 declares, " The earth is the Lord’S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." How can a person sit a view God's beauty and not acknowledge the Creator?
I am a person who best heres from God out in His creation. The most significant things I have ever heard from God always came to me outdoors. When I need to clear my head and need direction, I go outside for a walk or a bike ride.
We are all different. I believe there is a place where everyone can find God. Where is your place?
Sure, this is a short post, but remeber that I am on vacation.
Peace,
Stan
I am a person who best heres from God out in His creation. The most significant things I have ever heard from God always came to me outdoors. When I need to clear my head and need direction, I go outside for a walk or a bike ride.
We are all different. I believe there is a place where everyone can find God. Where is your place?
Sure, this is a short post, but remeber that I am on vacation.
Peace,
Stan
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
God Ruled Man
In Genesis 28 Jacob had a dream in which he saw angels ascending and descending upon a ladder stretched from heaven to earth. He heard the voice of God speaking to him. Upon awakening Jacob named the place “Bethel”, meaning—“House of God.” There he made a vow to follow God, and pledged to return a tenth to God of all that God gave to him. Jacob tricked his brother and received the birthright that was due Esau. Then, Jacob outfoxed his father-in-law, who was quite a con himself. Jacob later returned to his own land a very wealthy man. The Lord truly had been with him. Figuratively he was living in Bethel.
Yet, it was God’s second intervention into Jacob’s life which is more profound. In Genesis 32 he wrestles with the Man of God all night. In the end he is broken, disjointed, but determined to know the Man. Jacob’s name, which means—“deceiver”, is changed into “Israel”, meaning—“prince with God”, or “God-ruled man”. Jacob named this place “Peniel”—“Face of God”, for there he met with God face to face. This is the essence of true worship, to seek the face of God, not His hand of blessing. Jacob served the Lord, and sought to be successful, and was blessed abundantly. Living in the house of God, Bethel, is a blessed and wonderful place.
The pursuit of natural and material success never truly satisfies any person. The ultimate pursuit of a one’s life is the face-to-face encounter with God. The pursuit of God Himself ultimately makes “all things” available to the worshipper. Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it will be done for you,” (John 15.7). Jesus also said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” (Matthew 6.33).
More than being a successful man, a wealthy man, I long to be a true worshipper, who seeks after the face of God, not only His hand of blessing. I desire to be known as Israel—a God-ruled man. I want to have the kind of encounter with God, where my old sinful nature is changed. I want people to see God in me. I want to be a real Christian—like Christ.
Yet, it was God’s second intervention into Jacob’s life which is more profound. In Genesis 32 he wrestles with the Man of God all night. In the end he is broken, disjointed, but determined to know the Man. Jacob’s name, which means—“deceiver”, is changed into “Israel”, meaning—“prince with God”, or “God-ruled man”. Jacob named this place “Peniel”—“Face of God”, for there he met with God face to face. This is the essence of true worship, to seek the face of God, not His hand of blessing. Jacob served the Lord, and sought to be successful, and was blessed abundantly. Living in the house of God, Bethel, is a blessed and wonderful place.
The pursuit of natural and material success never truly satisfies any person. The ultimate pursuit of a one’s life is the face-to-face encounter with God. The pursuit of God Himself ultimately makes “all things” available to the worshipper. Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it will be done for you,” (John 15.7). Jesus also said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” (Matthew 6.33).
More than being a successful man, a wealthy man, I long to be a true worshipper, who seeks after the face of God, not only His hand of blessing. I desire to be known as Israel—a God-ruled man. I want to have the kind of encounter with God, where my old sinful nature is changed. I want people to see God in me. I want to be a real Christian—like Christ.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Everybody's Doing It
I typed in “everybody’s doing it” into Yahoo. I found everything under the sun, from ring tones to yoga, to a Netflix ad and an article about how “everyone is going green” to real estate investing to an article about aging, and a blog about motorcycles and another about neck tattoos and bare waistlines. There is one thing that I know Everybody’s Doing—Everybody is Worshipping something or someone.
An examination of one’s checkbook and calendar will help reveal what one is worshipping. Most people’s homes are set up as a shrine in worship of television and movies. The central focus of the house is set toward entertainment. Most of us don't worship an idol in the traditional sense of bowing down before a statue of a god. Yet, we often submit our will and attention to other idols--money, possessions, pleasure, etc..
Worship of God is a total abandonment of me in complete acknowledgment and acquiescence to my Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus. It is a response of God’s Spirit in us back to Him, which takes our soul and body along for a ride. Revelation 4:11 (KJV) "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." You and I exist for God’s benefit, glory, purpose and delight.
Worship is more than music. Worship is a lifestyle. My whole life is about loving God and pleasing Him. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Our motive in everything we do is to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator. I can worship at work, at home, at play, doing whatever, and wherever, it I do it for the Lord's pleasure.
The heart of worship is surrender. Pride is doing it my way. C. S. Lewis wrote, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.” Surrender is the opposite of self-serving and demanding. Surrendered people are the ones God uses. Nothing is more powerful than a life surrendered to God. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, “The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender.”
In conclusion, consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the church at Rome, found in chapter 12 and verse 1 from The Message, "So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering." King James version reads, "...which is your reasonable service." Worshipping God with my life is reasonable. If God is God, then I must worship Him.
Everybody's doing it--worshipping. We might as well worship the best: God.
Peace,
Stan
An examination of one’s checkbook and calendar will help reveal what one is worshipping. Most people’s homes are set up as a shrine in worship of television and movies. The central focus of the house is set toward entertainment. Most of us don't worship an idol in the traditional sense of bowing down before a statue of a god. Yet, we often submit our will and attention to other idols--money, possessions, pleasure, etc..
Worship of God is a total abandonment of me in complete acknowledgment and acquiescence to my Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus. It is a response of God’s Spirit in us back to Him, which takes our soul and body along for a ride. Revelation 4:11 (KJV) "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." You and I exist for God’s benefit, glory, purpose and delight.
Worship is more than music. Worship is a lifestyle. My whole life is about loving God and pleasing Him. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Our motive in everything we do is to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator. I can worship at work, at home, at play, doing whatever, and wherever, it I do it for the Lord's pleasure.
The heart of worship is surrender. Pride is doing it my way. C. S. Lewis wrote, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.” Surrender is the opposite of self-serving and demanding. Surrendered people are the ones God uses. Nothing is more powerful than a life surrendered to God. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, “The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender.”
In conclusion, consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the church at Rome, found in chapter 12 and verse 1 from The Message, "So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering." King James version reads, "...which is your reasonable service." Worshipping God with my life is reasonable. If God is God, then I must worship Him.
Everybody's doing it--worshipping. We might as well worship the best: God.
Peace,
Stan
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Life or Death
On Sunday, our friend, Tony Cooke, preached at Cornerstone Church and at KC Life Church. He reminded us on the Sunday night about the Power of Our Words. Proverbs 18:21 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language), "Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose."
Nearly everyone has had hurtful words spoken over them. Often, these words have done great damage. Years have been stolen from good people, because of the words of other people.
Two questions come to my mind. First, are my words bringing life or death to others? Second, am I going to allow the words of others to destroy me? I want to use the power of my words to build up others and myself. This is one of the great missions of my life. There are several written commitments, which I carry around in my preaching notebook. Here are a few, which deal with my words:
I will love every person I meet, and influence others to love God passionately
through my words and actions.
I will say, "I apologize," and "you're right," when I am wrong.
I will say, "Thank-you," "well done," and "I love you," whenever deserving or appropriate.
I will create an environment around me where others are encouraged and challenged to reach maximum potential.
I also try to make a habit of saying over myself what God says about me, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am the head and not the tail. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. I am more than a conquerer in Christ. I have the mind of Christ. The greater One lives in me. I am blessed going out and blessed coming in. My barns are filled with plenty. I am accepted; I am loved; I am part of the family of God."
Reader, I challege you to use your words skillfully. They are poison or fruit; your choice. Choose life. You have the power.
Nearly everyone has had hurtful words spoken over them. Often, these words have done great damage. Years have been stolen from good people, because of the words of other people.
Two questions come to my mind. First, are my words bringing life or death to others? Second, am I going to allow the words of others to destroy me? I want to use the power of my words to build up others and myself. This is one of the great missions of my life. There are several written commitments, which I carry around in my preaching notebook. Here are a few, which deal with my words:
I will love every person I meet, and influence others to love God passionately
through my words and actions.
I will say, "I apologize," and "you're right," when I am wrong.
I will say, "Thank-you," "well done," and "I love you," whenever deserving or appropriate.
I will create an environment around me where others are encouraged and challenged to reach maximum potential.
I also try to make a habit of saying over myself what God says about me, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am the head and not the tail. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. I am more than a conquerer in Christ. I have the mind of Christ. The greater One lives in me. I am blessed going out and blessed coming in. My barns are filled with plenty. I am accepted; I am loved; I am part of the family of God."
Reader, I challege you to use your words skillfully. They are poison or fruit; your choice. Choose life. You have the power.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Put Action to Your Faith
James 2:14 - 17 (NLT) What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
I have always admired people of action. It is easy to talk big. It is another thing all together to back up one's speech with action. I've tried to pass along to my children some good advise. Hopefully, some of it sticks. One thing I try to do and to teach is--that if given a choice to watch something or to do something, choose doing something. I would rather play ride my bike, than watch a bike race. I would rather play tennis than watch tennis. I would rather give a person something something to eat, than debate that something ought to be done to stop hunger.
I have the great privilege of being part of a team of doers, not just talkers. We are putting action to our faith. Instead of telling hungry people we will pray for you, we are giving them something to eat each month through Life Center Food Pantry. Not every person can volunteer at the pantry. Yet, nearly everyone can give a jar of peanut butter or jelly.
There are dozens of other worthy places to put action to faith. If a person truly seeks after God's will in this, He will direct them to a needed and valuable place of ministry and service. The essence of living is giving. Put action to your faith, and see great results.
Peace,
Stan
I have always admired people of action. It is easy to talk big. It is another thing all together to back up one's speech with action. I've tried to pass along to my children some good advise. Hopefully, some of it sticks. One thing I try to do and to teach is--that if given a choice to watch something or to do something, choose doing something. I would rather play ride my bike, than watch a bike race. I would rather play tennis than watch tennis. I would rather give a person something something to eat, than debate that something ought to be done to stop hunger.
I have the great privilege of being part of a team of doers, not just talkers. We are putting action to our faith. Instead of telling hungry people we will pray for you, we are giving them something to eat each month through Life Center Food Pantry. Not every person can volunteer at the pantry. Yet, nearly everyone can give a jar of peanut butter or jelly.
There are dozens of other worthy places to put action to faith. If a person truly seeks after God's will in this, He will direct them to a needed and valuable place of ministry and service. The essence of living is giving. Put action to your faith, and see great results.
Peace,
Stan
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