Intro For Jesus The Christ

This is comedian Steve Harvey (Kings of Comedy). I don't know where he is spiritually but I felt the Holy Spirit move in me when he closes this thing out, it felt real to me. Please post comments on what you think about the video.

Little Monday bread

Not much to say tonight but I defiantly feel God pulling me to write some thoughts down. Now just like all of you I have some great days spiritually and some not so great days. My great days are days that consist of...

Prayer- starting my day off with it and praising him through out the day
Study-reading God's word or listening to it
Fellowship -talking with fellow believers on and off the team
Serving- it can be the smallest thing to the biggest thing but doing so with a pure heart! genuine service.

Now my bad days or spiritually numb days shall I say...

Laziness- over sleeping, and procrastinating with my study habits
Media- TV, music, magazines, internet.
Money- enough said
Lust- looking around the stadium, fiance, and conversing about women with fellow teammates

I'm sure I could think of more on both sides of the list but here is my point and I'm heading right for God's word...

"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."- Romans 7:25 KJV

My flesh is holding on and fighting for things of this world daily. So why am I feeding it? You will only get out of yourself what you put in.

I know that it's time for me to increase my spiritual intake and crank this thing up a notch. Somebody else feeling this way? Let's go! No more excuses.

Arm yourselves before you wreck yourselves

Studs, sorry for the tardy delivery of this message. Tonight I wanted to talk about something that I feel is very important. i think i may have written about this before but if that's the case then lets recap. Memorization is my focus tonight.

This past offseason I began committing myself to verse memorization, not whole-heartedly as I wished I would have, but at least a start. The past few weeks I have gotten back into that good habit with "the knife". We started with 1Thess 2:4 if anyone wants in. Heres what I have to say about that though. You all know that we are taught to be armored with the word of God right...well...how's that going? Ask yourself that question and be honest. I know most of the stories and parables but how about all the times when I cant exactly remember a verse that would go perfectly with a problem someone is having.... Or I'm having. So, lets get crack-a-lackin on that and start really arming ourselves. Parents, are you doing this with your children if they're old enough? I used to think before I was saved that parents were forcing God and His word on their kids. Well, thinking back I was right, but for good reason. When kids are young, parents and teachers teach them the alphabet don't they? Man, what a buncha junk that out parents forced the abc's on us. Pretty glad I had that forced on me I think. That's pretty important.... But what about our eternal salvation. That sounds a lot more important to me. So why wait to share the good news with your youngins....arm their hearts from an early age.

Our chaplain just gave me an index card book for my memory verse action. He told me to write the verse on one side and the address on the other. As I learn them I can write them in and and every now and then scroll through so as not to forget.

Just some food for thought that i think might help with our shields...

-waino

Good Stewards of the Truth

1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

What gifts have you been given? What book, sermon, podcast, conversation, fellowship, or bible scripture have you heard or read lately (those are blessings too)? What testimony do you have over the past year of your life, how is God moving in your life? Please help me out here.

We need to share these things with others so others (being good stewards) can be blessed by our experiences which will allow them to grow closer and know God is more real. We can't be silent, we can't just chalk up coincidence to the energy of the earth, it is God so give him the credit and brag about His awesome power.

How great is our God? Sing with me!

From a Chain Email (might be familiar to some)

Who is Jesus? HE IS JESUS
WHO IS HE? - IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE. IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION; IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN; IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD; IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS, IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINN ING AND THE END; IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO. WHO IS HE? HE IS JESUS!
JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;
HE IS WORTHY. IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!

The Greatest Man in History Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him.. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us! Don’t ignore his calling on your life. For He said,'If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father (Matthew 10:33).

PAO

Just want to remind you all about PAO conference this December 1-4th. You can sign up at WWW.PAO.ORG

I finally took that step tonight and I'm excited about it. It will be great to lay that foundation down for Courtney and I to start off our marriage on the right foot. Good work Waino for being an ambassador for it!

Desiring God

So I have come across this quote from John the Pied Piper that has messed me up a little. The following quote forced me to search within myself in order to find out just how much I desire to be with Jesus Christ. Read the following quote (some probably have read this before) and tell me if this doesn't mess with you a little as well.....

“The critical question for our generation-and for every generation-is this: if you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?” - John Piper

Now obviously I know what the correct response to this question but do I truly feel that way? I know all the right words to say here but that's not the point of the question. Also, some may be quick to answer that the things mentioned above are not possible without Christ but again that is missing the point of the question. The question raised is hypothetical and is meant to be used for self-evaluation rather than theological answering. Do you desire Christ or just what Christ has to offer? Do you love Christ more... or His salvation? Lets not lie to ourselves here... the heaven that Piper describes here without Christ sounds like an awesome place that I would like to experience. This leads me to question myself a little about whether or not I love Christ more than what He has to offer. That's a pretty convicting feeling to say the least and that's why this quote messed me up enough to do some serious soul searching.

Some other questions that I feel this question raises are.....

Are you serving Christ or desiring to be served by Him? Are you attempting to use Him or letting Christ use you? Did I desire to come to Christ so He could make me happy? As I have matured in my faith, I have come to know and understand that Jesus Christ is more concerned with my joy and holiness than He is my happiness. I know I am called to serve Him in obedience no matter how difficult the mission He lays before me may be. I am here to be used by God for His glory and that in no way guarantees me the easiest or happiest lifestyle that I desire. Ok, so I don't want to get to far away from this quote that shook me up so I will end this here but please let me know what you guys think about the questions raised here or any other thoughts you may have because I have been meditating on this pretty hard here lately.

Love you guys,

Terry

Superstition... You can have it!

Do any of y'all have little superstitious things you have to do all the time because they're lucky. I used to. It started in high school and carried on into the minors. The night before I pitched I had to eat pizza. Papa Johns if I wanted an extra good start. I had to sleep in the same shirt the night before I pitched... every time. If I forgot to wear it then I was up the creek. The day of my start was filled with superstition. I couldn't wear blue, including blue jeans, and had to wear my lucky boxers. If someone said "Hey, you're having a great year", or "you're gunna throw a no-hitter" then immediately I thought they had jinxed me. A few years ago I decided that all those little superstitions were tremendously holding me back. I realized that by putting my faith in all those goofy things I wasn't putting my complete faith in God. And, not just that. All the sudden I realized I might be a talented pitcher without wearing the same shirt and boxers and eating pizza. You know what I've figured out...by putting your faith and trust in God you are freed up to live a confident and fearless lifestyle. We know that God has great things planned for us because He tells us....

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


-waino

Ravi

Flashlight's In a Room With Roaches

Have you ever flipped on a light in a dark room and seen the way cockroaches scatter back into the dark, they move pretty fast, ever wonder what their doing in the dark when nobody can see? Must be something terrible because they sure don't hang around for questioning.

Have you ever noticed how people hate, I mean hate to be shown up by someone living the right way when they are living in sin? They berate the guy doing right just to cover their sin and make themselves feel like less of a "jockstrap". Pretty awful when you think about all the dynamics that play in that situation. However. I must admit I've done it and I'm not proud. Now that I know the truth I undertstand why I acted the way I did. I was blind!
John 9:25 "...that though I was blind now I see."

God has explained it in scripture here it is in Paul's letter to Ephesus

Ephesians 5:8-14 "For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."

Please take your time and read that closely, what an amazing explaination, how true is this verse? How great is our God? I'm amazed just to know Him!

Service Time

"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be the weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." 1 Peter 3:7 NLT

Summary from bible of that text- If a man is not considerate and respectful of his wife, his prayers will not be heard, because a living relationship with God depends on right relationships with others.

Umm that just rips me open right there. You guys think God is listening to your prayers and requests after you've been lusting all day at the office? Evaluate your relationship with your wife and see if your treating her with the respect and love God requires? Cutting out the sarcasm? Being honest? Washing her feet and doing things for her when your not asked? How about making Sunday after church her day not yours to watch football!? Whooooo that's tuff right there!

I'm not married yet guys but I know that if I'm obedient first to God... then my marriage will thrive. That's just a fact. Let's step up our game men and love us some QT with our ladies. Serve em'!!!

PS. The kid is back and I'm taking names on here. Terry aka C.S. Lewis has been piggy backin the whole group. I gotta learn his copy and paste program ;)

The Abolition of Man

In his book titled, The Abolition of Man, CS Lewis persuades his audience of the importance of universal values and warns of the higher educational system's attempt to render such values irrelevant and unprofitable. Lewis speaks of the "doctrine of objective value" which is "the belief that certain attitudes are really true, and others really false to the kind of thing the universe is and the kind of things we are". Until recent modern times all teachers in all civilizations believed in this "doctrine of objective value" or what I am going to call The Morality Code. This Morality Code is the very thing created into all of us that prompts us to recognize what is right and acceptable and what is wrong and unacceptable in regards to mankind's behavior. "All the human beings that history has known acknowledge some kind of morality; that is, they feel towards certain proposed actions the experiences expressed by the words 'I ought' or 'I ought not'". Because of this Morality Code "all men alike stand condemned and are conscious of guilt".

Here is an example of the Morality Code being acknowledged: Why does a husband cheat on his wife in secret? (Better yet, why is it referred to as cheating?) The obvious answer is to prevent his wife and peers from finding out, but why should she care? She cares because she holds her husband to some understood standard that says "a man ought not to sleep with another woman other than his wife". The husband is not naive of this standard because his defense of his actions would not be in the direction that his behavior should be considered acceptable. He simply makes an excuse for breaking the understood standard of "ought to's and ought not's". An excuse on any level is an actual confession by the man that some standard is understood and has been broken.

The Morality Code "is not one among a series of possible systems of value. It is the sole source of all value judgements. There has never been, and never will be, a radically new judgement of value in the history of the world. What pretends to be new systems or 'ideologies', all consist of fragments from the [Morality Code]. The rebellion of new ideologies against the [Morality Code would be like] a rebellion of the branches against the tree". That being said, the higher educational system is attempting to step outside of the Morality Code and condition its pupils to reject the concept of universal values altogether. Lewis explains the mindset of what we are going to call the Conditioners (corrupt teachers and professors);

"We shall probably find that we can get on quite comfortably without values. Let us regard all ideas of what we ought to do simply as an interesting psychological survival: let us step right out of all that and start doing what we like. Let us decide for ourselves what man is to be and make him into that: not on any ground of imagined value, but because we want him to be such. Having mastered our environment, let us now master ourselves and choose our own destiny."

There is a great difference between the old and the new education. "The old dealt with its pupils as grown birds deal with young birds when they teach them to fly; the new deals with them more as the poultry-keeper deals with young birds - making them thus or thus for purposes of which the birds know nothing. In a word, the old was a kind of propagation - men transmitting manhood to men; the new is merely propaganda." The Conditioners propaganda is the assumption that universal values are unimportant and intellect or enlightenment is all that is profitable. The Conditioners conclude that it is best to protect the minds of young people against emotion. Lewis responds to this conclusion by claiming that "for every one pupil who needs to be guarded from a weak excess of sensibility there are three who need to be awakened from the slumber of cold vulgarity. The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts". Lewis explains that this conditioning and guarding against any form of emotion is creating "men without chests".

"You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more 'drive', or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or 'creativity'. In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful."

So what is the motivation that drives the Conditioners to step out of the Morality Code and to condition its pupils to also reject the concept of universal values? These Conditioners want excess without regulations and so they seek to condition all of mankind in a way that will enable them to gain their desires without being subject to any moral standard. Lewis explains, "For the power of Man to make himself what he pleases means the power of some men to make other men what they please". As they attempt to abolish the universal moral standard (Morality Code), they simply create a new standard governed by nothing more than their own selfish desires. "The Conditioners are motivated simply by their own pleasure." The motivation is a life satisfying of all desires but void of any Higher Accountability. Conditioners seek to control the moral standard rather than obeying it. "The Conditioners, choose what kind of artificial Morality Code they will, for their own good reasons, produce in the Human race." "If you will not obey the Morality Code, or else commit suicide, then obedience to selfish desires is the only course left open."

So what is the Conditioners' approach to establishing their artificial Morality Code? They first must conquer mankind in order to subject it to their own moral standard. So how does one conquer mankind? In order to conquer mankind, the Conditioners must reduce the human race to mere objects of Nature (Darwinism?). Mankind must simply become human material that can be shaped for the pleasures of masters who have no motive but their own selfish desires. "Man's conquest of himself means simply the rule of the Conditioners over the conditioned human material, the world of post-humanity which, some knowingly and some unknowingly, nearly all men in all nations are at present laboring to produce."

Only the universal Morality Code provides a common human law of action which overrules rulers and ruled alike. However, as we have seen through Lewis' work, the universal Morality Code is under heavy attack by those who want to create a world void of any accountability. A world in which man answers to no one but himself and his desires. A world with the Babylonian motto, "I am and there is none besides me". Lewis' book was labeled as being prophetic and we can see now that this may have very well been the case. We are living in a world that is constantly attempting to justify its behavior and actions because of its opposition to the Morality Code. Anything attempting to justify itself is in by doing so admitting rebellion against the original order of things.

Why is gay marriage the union seeking to be justified and not marriage between a man and a woman? (Homosexuality actually clearly rebels against more laws than simply the universal law of morality but that is another topic entirely)

Why do we make such efforts to justify abortion but adoption is not having to plead any case? Both are different from the norm but one seems questionable and the other comes across perfectly acceptable.

Why are we so concerned about what happens in Sin City staying there?

My objective in raising questions like these is to reveal that there is this universal law of morality that all of mankind acknowledges without even recognizing their own awareness of it. It was written on the hearts of the created man by his Creator and has passed down through generations since. It can not be conquered but we need to be aware that it is under attack on all sides by selfish agendas. Be cautious with what you are feeding your head!

-TEvans

Recognizing Red Flag Faith

Historically, men and women have wrestled over their salvation. It was not cheap, it was not easy, it was wrestled over for years before it was affirmed. All of a sudden, that idea was erased and easy believeism replaced the painful work of self examination and wrestling with the cross of Christ. So no longer do you have to wrestle, you just have to walk down the aisle, shake the hand, say "I'd rather not go to hell please, I love Jesus" and the church will baptize you, put you on the roll, and the great news is perhaps when the evangelist comes again this time next year... you can get baptized again! This gave birth to this whole new crazy circumstance where a church may have a membership of 18,000 and an attendance of 1200. People are coming to Christ as an eternal fire insurance plan and nothing more. With so much watered down faith filling the church we need some clarity on the affirmation of our salvation. The four following questions are for self-examination to help bring about some clarity. If any of these questions raises a red flag in your faith then it needs to be dealt with and worked out with perhaps some fear and trembling.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." - Philippians 2:12

Red Flag Questions:

1. Do you habitually commit sin?

"Whoever has been born of God does not sin" - 1 John 3:9.

"Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" - Romans 6:1-2.

There is a huge difference between stumbling and practicing sin. Falling and stumbling into a sin and you planning for it are two totally different things. If you set yourself up for a sin then that is practicing sin. This is not referring to struggles of resistance. Everyone constantly struggles to resist temptation and sin, but the question is are you stuck in cycles of secret sin that you have kept quiet forever that own you? If so that is a huge red flag.

2. Do you seek to live a holy life by being obedient to God's Word?

"If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him" - 1 John 2:29.

"We know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" - 1 John 2:3.

If you come across the scriptures, hear the scriptures proclaimed, read the scriptures unpacked over an area of your life and you acknowledge what the Bible says but decide you want nothing to do with it, decide you will not submit to it, or walk away from it then that is a giant red flag. If you know the commandments of God but you just do not care then that is a huge red flag.

3. Do you love others?

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God for God is love" - 1 John 4:7-8.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" - 1 John 3:14.

Those that have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God, those that are truly in Him are not self-absorbed, narcissistic, me-monsters. If your wife, children, workers, neighbors, and everyone on the planet exists to make your life better for you that's a red flag.

4. Do you have any affection for God or are your affections on the things of this world?

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" - 1 John 2:15

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" - Romans 8:5

Do you see God as majestic and worthy of worship? When you think about the cross and you think about your sin, are you aware of the things of God? This is not referring to just some warm, fuzzy emotion you feel during some song in church. Is there any affection during those times in your walk that seem so dry and dull? For the redeemed, even in this spiritual desert there is an awareness of the greatness and grandness of God. There is an acknowledgement that we are not where we want to be but that God is doing something in this and we might not be happy about it but there is still an acknowledgement of the majesty of God in the spiritual desert. This is deep affection and awareness of the things of God. If there is no appetite for the things of God that is a giant red flag.

-TEvans

PS - I got this message from a Matt Chandler sermon that I recently listened to. Do you guys think this message is too aggressive for e-Outreach or should we use it?

A Life Without Jesus...no thanks

I witnessed something today at the park that applies perfectly to the life we should be living.

The story goes like this. I was in the dugout. A teammate got a hit to score a few runs and the inning ended shortly after that. That player came in to get his glove to play the field, and when he did almost every player got up and gave him his well deserved congrats. Every player but one. I told the guy that didn't get up that he needed to get up and give the man five for a job well done. But, to my dismay the player told me he didn't have to because the other guy doesn't tell him nice job when he does something good. At first I was kinda ticked off. Then I realized that this individual doesn't know Jesus like I do. If you don't have Jesus in your life then you SHOULD try to live life as selfish as possible. If you don't believe that there's more to our lives than what's on this finite Earth...then go for it. Go crazy cuz it'll be over quick. Do whatever you want. If you don't believe you have a purpose on this Earth and that you have been saved by Grace...live it up. But, if you do believe that you are living this life purposefully with a mission to glorify God then suddenly life isn't about us anymore. Life then becomes about serving. Serving God and serving others. Lets change the old saying from "two wrongs don't make a right" to "God has blessed me too much to care about how I thought I was wronged." A friend of mine always tells me that I'm too blessed to be stressed...and he's right. I've realized that because of Jesus life isn't about what's happened to me...its about what happened for me. Thanks Jesus..... Talk to you soon
-waino

ps..., when someone asks me about purpose I direct them to Jeremiah 29:11. If you don't know it check it out...it'll give you a reason to jump in The Word

Tuff Spot

My dad just called me and said that my grandpa has 1 to 6 months left in his life. This whole thing hasn't really hit me until today and my heart is heavy for him right now. It's making me think about our time here on earth and what's important. He's not a believer... So I'm obviously fearful for him at this point. My grandpa is a man who by the world's definition is at the top. He's friends with Warren Buffett, that should give you a hint of his financial status. Canada came to him and asked him to get the winter olympics to Canada in 2010... He did it. So now he's coming towards the end, and my prayer is that God can move on his behalf and reveal himself to my grandpa and all unbelievers in my family. I amazed at the comfort our Lord offers us at the end of our time! I want him to experience that and trust in him. Just a vent session, and I'm blessed to have all of you on here for prayer and wisdom.

Blessings,

Blake