Ben's Blessing Blog

Brotherly Blessing

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:40:00 +0000

Hey There,

Although this video may seem a little corny, Hudson and I had a fun time watching/making it. After we watched the service last night on the internet (because we couldn't leave our house because the snow was so deep) us guys went outside to shovel the sections that the snow plow couldn't get to and it turned into a full scale snow battle. We were all quite cold after that. I embeded a short video around the house before and after the service. My family is quite a blessing =)

BenH

Bible Class Play

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:53:00 +0000

When John Nadaskay was in Botswana I was able to fill in for teaching his Bible Class for that month and I had a great time doing it. During one of the classes I decided to write a script and have the kids act it out. I wrote it on the story of Moses since that is what we were studying and though the kids got a little glued on their paper because of the camera I think they did a good job. The ad-libbing is hilarious, "Mr. Hall, can I add more to my part because I only have two lines". The little kids just crack me up. Their such a blessing.

Writing the Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:07:00 +0000

Hey ya'll!

I hope that you've been having some exciting days recently. I've been having a great time working hard and learning lots. One thing which has came to my mind which I haven't shared with ya'll before is the benefits of writing scripture. This is something which I learned while I was in Africa and though it is a simple idea it's something I've overlooked until that trip. Previously I've written out verses here and there for memory work because that is how I memorize things best, but writing out larger portions of the Bible really makes the passage come to life.

I've been doing two Bible studies recently and in the one study with my friend I've been writing out the book of 1 Corinthians and boy is there a lot of things to learn from that book. I think we could spend a couple months in just a chapter, but we keep moving on so we can complete writing out the whole book. It's been really exciting to note certain verses which have been a challenge to me and I'd highly recommend this idea of writing scripture to everyone out there because the Bible is applicable to every person in the world and it gives us the answers to everything in life and I am not exaggerating that phrase. It definitely does.

Well, that is my blessing for the time to share with you all. God has continued to be good to me and blessed me far far beyond what I deserver and for that I am living my days with excitement and with hope that He will be pleased with my life as I seek to follow him.

As my friend JonW would say, "I'm Rejoicing in the Lord",

BenH

Why do you Glory?

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:07:00 +0000

One of the top phrase that gets me upset is the phrase which some
Christians use to excuse their sin and that is they are under grace. I
am a strong proponent of the verse. How shall we sin that grace should
abound? This subject was brought up to me as I read in 1 Corinthians 5
recently, thankfully I haven't heard this excuse for sin from a
Christian for a very long long time, but this reminder to not make
excuses for sin still remains. Now the reason for the topic of this
blog post is in verse six and it says that this glorying this church
had in that they could sin and be forgiven was "Not Good" . Now as I
studied into these verses with my friend we pulled out some good
questions and that started off with this thought, how ineffective is a
church that preaches forgiveness of sin yet lives like the world to
attract the world. I say absolutely ineffective. Yet how does a church
like this one become so much in sin and become ineffective? It was
through the passivness of allowing one sin to slip through the cracks.
This thought is heavy because it is easy to be like, "awe come on,
this isn't to bad and beside God has forgiven me" and soon we are sin
again and again and sear our conscious which God has put in us till
wrong looks right and right looks wrong. It's a horrible position.
Take the advice from the Bible, purge that leaven (which is a picture
of sin). To purge means to take something bad out and replace with
something good.
There is no reason to glory while living in sin, but O can we
can rejoice when the Lord when we are living in victory over sin and
we see the pleasure of God upon our life. That is glory.
Now this church received a command which we should heed. In verse
nine it says, " I wrote to you in an epistle, not to company with
fornicators" the list of sinful people goes on. Bottom line, do not
hang around with those that are enjoying sin. The worlds wisdom even
agrees with this point, you've heard the phrases that who you hang out
with you will become like. When you have friends that enjoy ungodly
movies, people that share unholy music or speak lightly of God. For
example, have you ever watched a video that caused you to cring
because of something not right in it , but you shook it off and then a
later video which was also not good, didn't cause you to feel as
guilty... That's a little leaven which will destroy your discernment
of sin
Stay away from those people or programs. They are leaven in your
life which will only breed more sin and cause you start thinking of
good as evil and evil as good. Remember Adam and Eve? Eve hung out
with the serpent and all of a sudden the fruit looked good for her and
Gods protection on her life looked like a barbed wire fence keeping
her from the pleasures she wanted to enjoy.

Guard your eyes
Guard your thoughts
Guard every area of your life, for if you allow sin to creep in soon
your life will be destroyed. Trust the Word of God, and don't make
excuses for your flesh.

Dont glory in sin but, Reject sin and Repent of sin

BenH

Follow up on Previous Video

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:14:00 +0000

Okay, I found out that some people don't know who Richard Dawkins was so the previously posted video didn't make any sense at all... Watch this video and you'll find out why I thought the previous video was pretty funny. Nothing certainly doesn't come from nothing and the Bible is the only logical source at all that explains our existence on this earth and the purpose we have.

You can check out more of Living Waters interesting videos on their YouTube channel by clicking on this link

http://www.youtube.com/user/thewayofthemaster

Praise the Lord for a living God that not only created us, but also loves us. Have a Great Day!

BenH

Richard Dawkins - Maria Von Trapp has seven words for you...

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:54:00 +0000

This is very funny. It's very True =)

Camp & Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:10:00 +0000

The days have been busy, the nights long, but I am still 'rejoicing in the Lord' as Jon Wilhite would say (and his family :).

This past Christmas I had the blessing of going to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with other relatives. It was such a blessing to relax for a few days and enjoy the time talking with everyone. My aunt asked me to preach also, so I got together a message for that night and preached after we had a totally awesome meal of shrimp, fish, and spaghetti, along with an assortment of other deserts which included my grandfathers Italian Pitzels :D. The shrimp all the ladies make has to be the best in the world, at least my taste buds think so. Seriously now, the stuff they pour on those shrimp with all the spices etc. make them taste totally awesome. I've never tasted a meal so good as the one we have had every Christmas Eve. I especially like that they make so much of it.

So off to camp part of the blog now. After getting back from my relatives on Saturday I left on Sunday night to go on a three day camp in New York. The name of the camp is 'Snow Camp' and you guessed it, we had snow all over the place which made it very beautiful to see. The camp started off that night with one of the guys snoring so loud I just had to wake the pour guy up because nobody was getting any sleep and it was after 11. Since we were leaving at 2:00 in the morning we needed all the sleep we could get. Well, during that short period of time I found out that they turn down the heat in church at night to save on electricity, I figured they would've kept it warmer since we were there. So, I began to put all my extra clothes on me and covered myself with my jacket. I laid in bed and froze there hoping that 2:00 would come quickly. Finally it came

Camp was excellent. The opportunities I had as a counsellor to speak to some of the guys with the issues they were facing made it so exciting. The icing on the cake (so to say, not that I'm a fan of icing) was when I got to lead Brennan to the Lord. I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to practice in Botswana, when over there It helped me narrow down how to explain salvation in fewer words instead of going through the entire four week Bible Study my church offers.

And now, It's the NEW YEAR! So I've been busy organizing myself and the projects I do. So far I've been pretty excited. My mother got me some new books on being a leader and how to do twice as much in half the time :) It's been a good book so far and just for the record, I am nearing completion on my Adoniram Judson book. Yes, I agree it has taken me awhile to finish it :)

I may put out a blog post sometime with some of the goals I am looking to accomplish this year, I'll see :P

Have a Wonderful Day Serving the Lord Everyone!

BenH

Something to Think About

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:27:00 +0000

"If there existed only one man or woman who did not love the Savior, and if that person lived among the wilds of Siberia, and if it were necessary that all the millions of believers on the face of the earth should journey there, and every one of them plead with him to come to Jesus before he could be converted, it would be well worth all the zeal, labor, and expense. If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be full reward for all our labor, for a soul is of countless price."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I Gotta Say Something

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:20:00 +0000

HEY EVERYONE!

It's been quite a while since I've posted something on this old blog site. ;) I'm still psyched from the Botswana Trip and I've been making some changes in my life based on what I've learned.

One of the amazing experiences I had on this trip was learning from Pastor on his exposition of scripture. Man, Pastor comes up with so so many good questions. I really want to learn to develop questions as he has learned to do. I'm starting a book here which is about learning the art of asking questions. Pastor taught us that the way to keep our attention on something is to ask questions. Questions are what keep the mind engaged to want to know more. Oh, and the book which I told ya'll I was reading about Adoniram Judson is just about finished. I got a lot of it read in Africa and I have really really enjoyed reading it.

As far as my return trip to America goes. I've been enjoying the friendly cheerful hellos of all my church family asking me about the trip and what I learned. It was a blessing to hear from those who had been following my email posts and were praying for the people I was working with daily. On the work side of things, Thankfully I still have my job :) Christ did a great job for me and I received a boatload of work upon my arrival :) which is a good thing and a bad thing... A good thing that the pay is very good, and a bad thing as in every project I was told to rush and get it done asap, so it took me a bite of time out of my day and I already had less time because I've been taking care of some of Chris and John's church projects since Chris is on vacation and John is Botswana. Fun stuff :)

I'm just going to leave this post as a short one for now, but I just wanted to post ya'll with an update since I've been silent for so long. Have a Great Day!!!

Rejoicing in the Lord!

BenH

Following the Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:27:00 +0000

If you would like to follow the trip here please email my mother at jghall09@gmail.com I will be sending my updates to her so she can forward them on to those who are interested.

BenH =)

I'm Here, Safe and Sound =)

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,
WE MADE IT.... hehe. After many hours of flying and riding and pacing
in the airport we arrived in Africa. It has been a wonderful
experience so far. It's like a hands on Bible Course and I love it. I
slept really good last night like normal. I believe I inherited my
grandfathers ability to sleep almost anywhere. =) I stayed up later
once I arrived and was able to thankfully get on the internet :D So I
was able to catch up on my emails and send out updates for my iPhone
applications. Unfortunately I was not able to complete them before I
left because of some technical difficulties. But, I was extremely
pleased with their results because what they told me would for sure
take almost 2 weeks they found it didn't take as long and they got it
done in a few days. I got a team that works for me in India and a lady
that does some graphic work for my in Italy and so it makes it really
fun with them being on different time zones and it makes it even more
interesting when I start flying to other countries like Thailand and
now on the African continent.
Sooo, okay today I woke up around 6:30 Bot Time and realized it is
not possible to take a shower without a towel, well I guess it's
possible, but it would make me rather uncomfortable for the rest of
the day. So I was able to do my devotions etc. and then find out where
the towels were later. Then throughout the morning all us guys
filtered through the shower and then had a breakfast of eggs and
toast. Great stuff. Pastor then had a group devotional and showed us
the method he uses for developing plans for the the day, the week, or
even your life. Great stuff. My brother Titus was pretty awed by
everything taught also and is quite excited that he could come.
There was also a number of people who wanted to meet with us and so
we met and had a great time talking. The people here are very
friendly. Thank you for all who have told me that they are praying for
me. It was such a HUGE blessing to hear from sooo many of you and know
that you were concerned for the work. Prayer makes great things happen!

BenH

Flying to Botswana.. TODAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Mom's Surprise Birthday DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:24:00 +0000

This is the video which I put together for my Mother's Surprise Birthday =)

Have a Great Day!

BenH

The Seven Step - Part 1,2,3

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:38:00 +0000

Well I heard some of you have figured out already that you can simply go to www.lvbaptist.org and listen to the past sermons and don't need to wait for me to eventually post them :) But, in case you have been patiently waiting here are the three parts of my Pastor's Series "Seven Steps to Getting to the Marriage Altar"

These messages have been so good. I hope they are a challenge and a blessing to you all!

ALSO, in case you are wondering who is playing the beautiful harp music and singing at the beginning of the message of Part Three... That would be my wonderful sisters Nina and Selena =)

Have a Great Day!

BenH

"7 Steps to Getting to the Marriage Altar Part 1" Part 2 by Pastor Doug Hammett

"7 Steps to Getting to the Marriage Altar Part 2" Part 2 by Pastor Doug Hammett

"7 Steps to Getting to the Marriage Altar Part 3" Part 2 by Pastor Doug Hammett

Surprise Birthday for my Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Here is a link to a video I took with my iPhone of my moms surprise
B'day... It was a really special day for my mom. It was quite a busy
day for us :) We were able to have a few ladies and our grandparents
to the house and when my mom got back from a trip at the beach with my
dad she was completely shocked to see us all waiting inside. I'll put
the video online tomorrow which my sisters and I made for my mom. It
was a very nice day :D and very special to her.

BenH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_sIiWMXRHA

Botswana and Birthdays

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:08:00 +0000

I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but I am :) I am actually going to Botswana.... and I'm not the only one going. Titus will also be going with me. The decision for Titus to go was only made this past Sunday and wow, I needed to get going then on planning plane tickets and organizing some projects Titus has been helping me on. I just bought the tickets today so now it's official.

On top of this I am also working on a couple iPhone projects as an investment since my other iPhone app is going very well. I am trying to wrap those applications up and have them live before I leave. It's been quite busy needless to say. I just praise the Lord that he is helping me keep my head above water and enjoy the ride :)

Also, I am moving right along with my book about Adoniram Judson and I gotta say it's really keeping my attention and I'm learning a lot about him.

Also, my Thai friend Berm has a Birthday today and so I just wanted to shout out or blog out a special Happy Birthday to him :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERM!!! =)

BenH

Energyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy =)

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:20:00 +0000

As I've said in previous blog posts, I have recently begun to preach for Children's Church. As you all know I really enjoy working with kids and this has been a great opportunity for me to begin preaching practice. Well, Today the energy level had to be recorded at an all time high for my teaching experience. Seriously, I am so exhausted. One kid was bouncing up and down before class and I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Wellll, Today I don't have a soccer game because it's raining so I'm getting all my energy out now!" The way most of the boys were going I would have guess the same was true about all of them :)

On top of that the songs and special music went longer than planned and then my Pastor who usually goes overtime went shorter, so I had to quickly finish the story, lay out my points, sing a choir song and run them out the door. lol :)

It would take too much writing to describe the antics the kids had, but thankfully every children's church was not like this morning. I think I'll try starting the message earlier. At least most all the kids are very good with taking notes during the message. I think that will really help them grow in their christian life as they move into the adult services and take notes there also.

Though there are the crazy times like today with the kids, I think the kids have a fabulous future being raised in a church like this. Or rather to explain myself , they will have a fabulous future in heaven because the way things are looking I don't know how fabulous this life will be on earth for christians :) I'll be praying that the parents are teaching these Bible lessons at home because much much much depends on what is taught in the home by the parents. Parents have the awesome responsibility to build upon what is taught in the preaching or they can easily tear down the preacher and the teachings. It's a big responsibility because their children's future depends on it.

Have a Great Day!!!

BenH

How to Wash Your Earbuds!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:35:00 +0000

I advise you to use caution when proceeding with this cleaning procedure. Side effects could result in ripped or mangled earbuds or soggy speakers. Possibility of survival: Slim.

Well, my normal procedure when putting my clothes from my hamper into the clothes piles is to feel the pockets on all my clothes. I have had many "near death" experiences for certain items. I recall one particular experience which began this tradition and that was when my $50 bluetooth headset went through the wash cycle and was found DOA in my room. Yes, sad memories. BUT a good one because it has started this ritual which was been very successful until yesterday....

The one factor which is hard to keep an eye on is when someone else generously offers their assistance in taking your clothes up for you without your notice. Well, I think it didn't take much thought on your behalf to understand that is exactly what happened. I got these cool earbuds which came with my new iPhone 3Gs and if I bought them separately the retail price is $30. Yes, $30! I personally think that is quite a bit to pay for headphones, but I gotta say I really like these ones. Yes, so as I was saying, these headphones were neatly tucked in my pocket and went for a spin in the washer, then the dryer and I just picked them up a few minutes ago from my stairs with my clothes (nicely washed)

ANNNNDDD The Verdict is: CLEAN. Yes, my bloggy friends thought they were knotted into a ball of wire and are as curly as a girls hair after it's been curled they still work. (Hmm, maybe I should try a straightener, LOL)

Just for kicks I thought I would take a picture of these curly cue headphones. I really do praise the Lord that they work, because I was really bummed when I realized what had probably happened and ran upstairs and started digging in the clothes only to realize that those pants were presently in the washer... :)

Have a Great Day Ya'll!

BenH

Start Laughing

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:06:00 +0000

If This Doesn't get you laughing this morning then I don't know what will =)

Singing I Go!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:15:00 +0000

Here is a funny video my sister recorded when Hudson was in the shower. He likes to play tapes while he is in the shower, and recently he's been singing. It is quite cute :)
BenH

Evaluating the Culture Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:16:00 +0000

Here is Part 2 of Evaluating the Culture

"Getting to the Marriage Altar: Evaluate the Culture" Part 2 by Pastor Doug Hammett

New Blog Look

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:54:00 +0000

I know most of ya'll use blog readers so you wouldn't notice the change on the blog. It's not like it will revolutionize your look on creativity or something, but hey I thought I would point out the obvious.

Thanks for following my blog =)

BenH

bensblessingblog.blogspot.com

Accountability is Great

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:42:00 +0000

I will be putting part three of the getting to the marriage altar message. I just have been a little busy recently and haven't got a copy of the message yet :) Maybe I will post it tomorrow.

Last year Bro. Ronnie (our Assistant Pastor) started the church on a memorization program which really took off. This year my partner has been Mr. Forro. I've got to say he has been really encouraging with his faithfulness in keeping me accountable and also staying on track and ahead of the verses himself. Tonight he just quoted to me the next verse which is due in two weeks :) and after he quoted it to me we both got into a great discussion about how the word of God is so powerful and important in our life. We started talking about the message and how the Word has been used in our own life. I haven't really got to know Mr. Forro very much until this time and I've got to say since he has been saved (which wasn't that long ago) he has been a new man. Praise the Lord for how he works in us sinners.

That is my blessing for today. I hope that you all find an accountability partner (if you haven't already) and encourage him or her today in the Word, memorize the Word together, and exhort one another to be prepared for the Lord's return.

Praising the Lord,

BenH

Giving All

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:44:00 +0000

As I said before I am reading the book called, "To the Golden Shore". It is about the life of Adoniram Judson. In this chapter Adoniram has about a week or so left before he gets on the long boat to Calcutta India and then to Burma. Adoniram got married during this week (Feb 5, 1812) The preacher, Pastor Allen, married them and the words he concluded the wedding with were to the parents and couple. "My dear children, you are now engaged in the best of causes. It is that cause for which Jesus the Son of God came into the world and suffered and died. You literally forsake father and mother, brothers and sisters, for the sake of Christ and the promotion of His Kingdom." With his voice breaking he said, "To the care of the great Head of the church I now commit them. To His grave I also resign you all. May He gather you together in one. And may you all return and come to Zion with a song, and with shouts of everlasting glory."

This was the end of the service except for the hymn before the benediction, which Parson Allen had composed especially for the occasion. People wept unashamedly as they sang:

Go, ye heralds of salvation;

Go, and preach in heathen lands;

Publish loud to every nation,

What the Lord of life commands.

Go, ye sisters, their companions,

Soothe their cares, and wipe their tears,

Angels shall in bright battalions

Guard your steps and guard your fears.

Landed safe in distant regions,

Tell the Burmans Jesus died;

Tell them Satan and his legions,

Bow to him they crucified.

Far beyond the mighty Ganges,

When vast floods beyond us roll,

Think how widely Jesus ranges

Nations wide from pole to pole.

While form heathen nations blended

Light and peace within shall rise;

When your days on earth are ended,

Christ receive you to the skies.

To his grace we now resign you,

To him only you belong;

You with every christian Hindoo,

Join at last the angelic throng.

Not your normal wedding songs and preaching is it. These four missionary couples had full expectation that the amount of people they would win for Christ would be few and the cost would be their life, but they were more than willing to give all to demonstrate their love for Christ. Right before the wedding Adoniram said goodbye to his eighteen year old brothers and he would only see him one more time later in his life.

Benjamin

Interesting Drink

noreply@blogger.com (Ben-d-Hall) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:38:00 +0000

I've been blessed to have some great people to work for this past year and one company I work for goes to different conventions and interview people about natural foods and the benefits and then other questions related to the food industry. I do have to say quite a few of their videos are interesting to watch. This video I did today I thought was rather cool. Some of you may have heard of Stevia because it is a good replacement for sugar because it is actually good for you. The only thing is that it could give a bad after taste if not used correctly. This drink uses stevia to replace sugar and and they get it all within the cap.....

Check out the video (no comment on the haircut :)