Spiritus Gladius

Celebrating 60 Years at Riverview

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:22:00 +0000

Proverbs 21:31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Well...we are at 60 + 1 day today. Things don't feel too much different though. It was a great celebration yesterday, and the remodeled sanctuary is beautiful...but what is next?

"Making disciples, equipping them for the work of ministry to the building up of the Body of Christ in Unity, Faith, and Love.” (Our Mission Statement)

And our OBJECTIVES

Disciple-Making

Evangelism

Serving

Worshiping

Fellowshipping

Praying

The mission is the same. The objectives are the same, and I promise if we will simply stick to the mission. If we will work hard to achieve our objectives (because they are all Biblical), we will see God do amazing things at Riverview.

There is no doubt; God will do His part, but we must be committed to do our part as well. Every objective is important, every person is important, and every job you do around Riverview counts. So - thanks for serving with me; I couldn’t do it without you. Remain faithful, and we will rejoice together when the harvest comes. (Galatians 6:9)

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:39:00 +0000

Rend Your Hearts…Not Your Garments

Joel 2:13

I started reading Joel yesterday. In it the Prophet pleads with Judah to turn back to God before the Day of the Lord arrives. In the last chapter (4:19) Joel pronounces judgment on Egypt and Edom because of the violence perpetrated against Judah. Lo and behold as I scanned the headlines of today’s news I saw a Jihadist group named Mujahedeen Shoura Council claimed a rocket attack in southern Israel today from you guessed it. Egypt. (Click Here For CBSNews Article)

Isn’t it interesting that scriptures written centuries before the time of Christ are still being played out in the news today? With all that being said, my question is: “How does Joel apply to us today?”

In Joel Chapter 1 , God warns Judah of impending judgment, and there are five actions the people of Judah are told to take:

1.) Wake Up (v.5)

2.) Lament (v.8)

3.) Be Ashamed (v.11)

4.) Put on Sackcloth (v.13)

5.) Consecrate a Fast & Call a Solemn Assembly (v.14)

The message for Christians today is the same message the people in Joel’s day heard: Wake Up, Weep, Repent, and Seek the Lord! Basically, Joel was pleading with the religious leaders, the ‘elders’, to be honest about their sin, and do whatever it took to be in a right relationship with God. Wouldn’t it be smart for us to do the same. The Day of the Lord is drawing near.

Repent...The End Is Nearer...

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:56:00 +0000

The question I am struggling with today is, "If my sin is forgiven once for all by Jesus, why is it necessary to confess sin and repent on a regular basis?"

The answer is that God saved me by His grace, and repentance is my response to His infinite love. I really want to take credit for being smart, and enlightened enough to realize I was lost and needed Jesus in my life. I like to look at as if I came to my senses and approached God like a groveling peasant begging for mercy. But it was actually more than that. I wasn't just a dirty, maladjusted wayward sinner. I was dead in my trespasses, and didn't even know I was lost until God touched my heart, and made me aware of my condition. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, my spirit was awakened, and I responded in faith and obedience believing God could (He had the ability), and would (He was willing) to save me. My response - To turn from my sin in repentance.

Sometimes people ask me which came first my repentance or God's Grace. My answer: I don't know. I only know that "I once was lost, but now I am found" I didn't go looking for God. He came looking for me, and He saved me.

So what does that mean for confessing and repenting on a daily basis? I confess sin and repent regularly not to stay saved, but because I am saved. For He has cleansed me from all unrighteousness. Repentance is about relationship, not salvation. I didn't repent to get saved, and I don't repent to stay saved. Repentance is the response to God's salvation. Maybe repentance follows so closely on the heels of being saved, that it seems like they happen at the same time, but in my case. I know that I would not have repented if God hadn't convicted. I have nothing to boast in...I can't even boast about repenting...my salvation rest only on the grace of God.

Praise Him for His Grace...

Excuse me...I have to go confess some sin.

aj

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:19:00 +0000

The Power of 3

Your pastors gather every Monday afternoon for a Staff Meeting. We have a routine of praying together, going over the calendar, and sharing any concerns and needs within our respective ministries. We meet to keep everyone on the same page, and to evaluate and shape the vision of the church. Recently in a Staff Meeting we settled on three areas we consider Focal Points for RBC: Prayer, Evangelism, and Leadership Development.

We did not sit down and say. "What three areas do we need to work on this year?" No, we were simply talking about what we see going on in the church, and as I took notes of that conversation—Prayer, Evangelism, and Leadership Development continually resurfaced.

How can you be a part?

Prayer

¨ Commit to having a daily prayer time.

¨ Pray for your pastors, and volunteer church workers.

¨ Pray for spiritual awakening at Riverview.

¨ Ask God to show you what He wants you to do.

Evangelism

Begin praying for someone you know who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for them every day. As you pray ask God for an opportunity to share His love with that person, and pray for boldness, because that opportunity will arise.

Leadership Development

In the Church we are all leaders and followers at the same time. We all follow Christ, the Head of the Body, (Ephesians 4:15-16) but we also lead. I follow Jesus, yet I am also leading Riverview into the future. The other Ministers are my co-laborers, but they follow my leadership as we serve together. They in turn have people who follow their leadership in different areas of ministry. Also, if you are a Sunday School Teacher or Director, or if you are a Deacon or Door Greeter—you are a leader, and people are following your leadership. If you do nothing, or are a grumbler just know you too have followers, and by your example you are leading as well.

So then, pray for leaders to rise up, get equipped, and join in as we build up the body of Christ together. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Confession – Getting Honest About My Sin

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Psalm 51:3

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

I bet you thought this was going to be a “confess all” blog. Not necessarily. I will confess to you that I am a sinner, and I do specifically and humbly confess my sin to trusted people in my life. In fact, I am pretty open about my sin and my need for repentance.

But sometimes we grow comfortable with our sin, and we don’t even realize how bad it has become. I once saw a person who had cancer on their face. It had literally eaten off part of their face, and left a black, ragged hole right there in the middle of it. They had grown comfortable with the disfiguration, but most people had not. In fact, I hate to say it, but when others saw it they were pretty much horrified.

I am afraid this is how we often view our sin. To us it doesn’t seem that bad, or we grow so comfortable with it we even forget it’s there. But God has a way of bringing our sin before us, and when he does we must respond correctly.

Saturday morning I confessed to Dustie I was having a problem harboring anger in my heart. I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but Ephesians 4:26-27 says that holding on to anger like that “gives the Devil a foothold”, and once you give him a foothold he has easy access to other areas of your life.

Saturday afternoon I saw my inner anger for what it was. There was no explosion (which I have done), there was no wrath, but somehow God shone the light of His love in my life. It exposed my sin (anger) and I was horrified. Still am. It was there all along, and I never saw it; like a cancer on my face I refused to see when looking in the mirror.

I thank God He brought this to my attention. I thank Him even more for His forgiveness and restoration. Later is Psalm 51 David will write about “being renewed with a steadfast spirit. Renewal. I will too.

God Bless - Andy

Mercy

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:58:00 +0000

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;

According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! ESV

When I was in college I got a speeding ticket, and had to appear in traffic court. When it was my turn to stand before the judge I confessed my crime (I was guilty), and asked for mercy. I didn’t get any. I had to pay the ticket…and justice was served.

In Psalm 51 David found himself desperately in need of God’s mercy. He had sinned, he was hurting, and deserved judgment (v.4). However, he knew God’s nature was characterized by ‘steadfast love’, and ‘abundant mercy’. So he confessed his sin to God, and the Lord forgave him.

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"

And you forgave the iniquity of my sin. ESV

According to Romans 3:23 & 6:23 we have all sinned, and the wages (what we deserve) of that sin is death. But God is merciful, and while we were still sinners Jesus died on the cross to bear the punishment we deserved. (Romans 5:8) Because God is merciful, it does not mean He is not just either. He is just, and the penalty of sin had to be paid, and praise be to God. He paid the price.

Andy

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:47:00 +0000

I love Psalm 51. This is a Psalm God used to pierce my heart, and draw me back to Himself. The words in verse 12 - “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” reverberated through my life; a life that had become tired, bitter, hopeless, and sad. But thank God He was not finished with me yet. Through much contemplation, prayer, and repentance He did restore to me the joy of His salvation. He “upheld” me.

The word uphold in (v.12b) means to renew or repair. It is the same word used in 2 Chronicles 24:4 where scripture states, “Joash was determined to repair the Lord's temple.” That is exactly how I feel! I feel like a new man. I feel like I was broken, and He repaired me.

As I fire up my blog once again, I am going to just hang out in Psalm 51 for awhile. I pray God will use His Word to convict, and restore you the same way He did me.

Be blessed.

Andy

Call Out To God

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Psalm 77:1

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. ESV

Tuesday, 8:50 AM

I just walked into my office, and my cell phone rang. The caller ID read, "Central Elementry" Uh-Oh...somebody is throwing up. Nope. To my delight I hear the voice of Son # 2. "Uh Dad - I forgot my lunch box in the car."

I said, "No problem. Mom will bring it when she gets Son # 3. I love you."

To which he replied, "I love you too. Bye", and he was gone.

I immediately wondered if God delights himself in helping us in our daily difficulties the same way I delight in meeting the needs of my boys? I wondered if God's heart melts the way mine did when my child said, "I love you."? I'm sure it does. I also wondered if asking for lunch or - daily bread - is trivial to God? I doubt it.

Call out to God. He will year you.

1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

See You Sunday - Bro. Andy

Pi R Not Square

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:33:00 +0000

It are round. Gooey. And in my face.

Myself, Filbeck, and David all got smacked with a pie at the annual Pie Auction & Spghetti Dinner last Sunday Night. Mine was Cherry O' Cheese Pie. Filbeck's looked like a strawberry cream of some kind, and David's was a blend of refried beans, blackeyed peas, and green beans - all topped with a whole can of whipped cream. It was nasty, but that one pie raised $500 for the Youth Choir Tour.

Here is a video of the carnage. Enjoy

What A Great Church

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:06:00 +0000

This is just a quick blog to let you know I am still blogging. Kind of - I have a really busy month or two, but hopefully I'll settle down in the near future.

I'm finishing 3 seminary classes this month, and will graduate in May. I also have a wedding the end of may, and I plan on taking some vacation time right after school is out.

Tulakogee Children's camp is the first week of June, and I'm the camp pastor at Camp Webster in Salina Kansas the 2nd week of June. After that I'm home and in the groove until Falls Creek, and VBS in July. The first week of August we are going to South Dakota for Children's camp there, and when we get home...school starts once again.

That is why it is hard to blog. Lots of stuff...all the time.

I do want to say how excited I am about what God is doing at Riverview. I love my church, and am blessed to be the pastor here. I love our staff, and thank God for them every day for the awesome work they do. We have great deacons, great support staff, great members, great location, and great worship services and ministries. It is a good day to be a part of the Riverview Family.

Sunday is Easter Sunday, so use that opportunity to invite a friend.

It's a big day. What could possibly make it better? A friend or family member getting saved. Pray! Invite! Come and Worship!

See You Sunday

Bro. Andy

REVIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:40:00 +0000

REVIVAL or Revival...

Which Will We Have?

In about three weeks we are going to hold revival services at Riverview. Does this mean we will have REVIVAL? That remains to be seen. A revival is when a church has a guest preacher, and they hold services a few nights in a row. Everyone gets excited for a day or two, and then...the evangelist heads to his next assignment, the excitement wears off, and the church gets back to normal.

On the other hand REVIVAL is when the Holy Spirit moves the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls, to pray, repent, seek forgiveness, humble themselves before God. When REVIVAL comes many souls are saved, and countless experience a renewed commitment to their Lord and Savior.

We are going to have a revival. My prayer is we have REVIVAL ! Here are a few things you can do to see REVIVAL at Riverview.

Pray. There have been many revivals without REVIVAL. The only way we will experience a true awakening is by humbly, and fervently praying for God to move in our church and community. Also, please use the prayer commitment cards you received at church on February 27th. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Reflect. Spend quite time with God seeking a deeper relationship with Him. Revival must be personal before it will spread through the church. (Mark 1:35)

Attend. There will be many activities competing for your attention. Commit NOW to come 3 out of the 4 nights of the revival. (Hebrews 10:25)

Invite. Invite as many friends and family members as you can, and watch for them at every service. When they arrive meet them at the back, sit by them, and make them feel welcome at RBC. (John 1:41-42)

Sing. Sing with all your heart. Join in worship and praise during the service. Don’t just sit there wondering why everyone else is so happy. (Hebrews 13:15)

Exalt. Lift up Jesus. He said, “If I will be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

It has been a long time since Riverview has had a revival...it's been even longer since we have experienced REVIVAL. Please be a part of what God is going to do that week. Why? Because REVIVAL does not begin in the "church", it begins in you.

aj

Confession...Good For the Soul?

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:42:00 +0000

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

If you happen to be Catholic there is good news. A developer has designed an app that will allow you to confess your sins to your iPhone instead of a priest. You can read the entire story at http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/14/confession-by-iphone/

How is this significant?

It shows how technology and religion are being woven together...whether I like it or not. The Catholic Church is an ancient church with ancient tradition, and I am a little surprised they are using technology in such a way. Technology has not just politely knocked on the door of religion. It kicked it off the hinges, barged in, and sat at the head of the table.

I understand the usefulness of technology. We depend on it every day (and then some) in our church. To be honest it is easy for me to see using technology for administrative tasks, but in a spiritual exercise. This may be a little much. The claim is that the app is not inteded to replace real confession, only help the user better understand their decisions. Either way it is a spiritual leader, and a rligious practice being replaced by a machine.

I don't intend this to be an anti-technology article. My main goal is to remind us all that an iPhone cannot redeem from sin. There is not an app in the world that can grant absolution. In fact, the Bible says, "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 9:22
Have a great week. Andy

No Greater Love

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. ESV

John 15:13

"On Monday, rapidly rising water engulfed a car carrying Rice, his mother and his brother in the hard-hit town of Toowoomba. The torrent knocked over the first person who attempted to reach the stranded family.

A second man managed to reach the car, but when he tried to pull Jordan out, the teenager insisted his 10-year-old brother Blake be saved first. Jordan couldn't swim.

Before the rescuer, Warren McErlean, could return to the car, a rope he was clinging to snapped. The car flipped over and Jordan and his mother Donna were carried away by the floodwater. They both died." - CBSnews.com

This is why the story of Jesus is so amazing. Anyone who hears of Jordan's courage and his love for his brother will certainly be inspired and emotionally moved. If people are this touched by Jordan's willingness to lay down his life for his little brother. How much more will people respond when they hear that someone actually gave his life for them? The Bible says, Jesus died for us "while we were yet sinners." Now that is love, and it is a love that can pierce even the hardest heart. Sacrificial love is what Jesus is all about. Share it with someone today.

2011

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Well, I'm beginning my fourth year at Riverview. In fact, today is the official day. (January 2nd) The time has zipped by at times, and some weeks crawled by like a snail on Benadryl. No matter, I am sure of this fact though. All of them were appointed and directed by God, and He used each experience to shape me and form me into the image of His Son, as well as refining me into the pastor I'm supposed to be. The good news for me is - I survived this stage of ministry. The not so good news is I'm sure there will be many more valleys...and mountains in my future.

I believe RBC is finally at a place where we can move forward. The big transition is now an object in the sideview mirror that seems bigger than it actually is. The church staff...including me, are all settled in, and the program and ministry structures of the church are basically in place.

The future is bright at RBC. I'm glad you are a part of it. God bless. See you soon.

aj

Thank You Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:55:00 +0000

Thank You Jesus Day was great at Riverview last Sunday.

The people willingly brought their offerings of sacrifice and praise to the Lord. The free will offering was wonderful, and the way my people gave sacrificially touches my heart, but better yet, there was an amazing spirit of unity, love, cooperation, and excitement about what God is going to do in our future. No ammount of an offering can compare to this.

My first three years here have been tough. I'll leave it at that. But I thank God for every trial, test, and difficulty. For in my heartache, frustration, and weakness He has proven Himself over and over again to be all I need. He is my rock, my refuge, my provider, and my strength. Most of all He is my Hope!

I know God has called me to RBC. I know my church is with me. I know God has a purpose and a plan for us.

2 Timothy 1:12

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Thank you Jesus. -- Andy

Thank You Jesus Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Thank You Jesus Day

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

     When I saw my friend Ted Butler a few months back the shaking in his hands had become visibly worse, and he was now stooped so far forward he could only see the tops of his shoes.
When I saw him I said, “Hey Ted, how you doing?”

    He craned his neck back as far as he could, rolled his eyes up to the top of his brow to see me, and said, “I’m doing great brother Andy. I praise God for the disease he has blessed me with. Every day it reminds me how small I am, and how great He is.” What a great example of hope and faith.

     To be certain, I have only met a few ‘Ted Butlers’ in my life, and I’m not talking specifically about my friend. I’m talking about men like him. Men who praise God when blessings flow, and who also praise God when troubles roll. As Thanksgiving speeds by this year take a moment to thank God not just for the good things, but for the though times as well. This Thanksgiving let’s all take a step toward ‘walking by faith, and not by sight.’ (2 Corinthians 5:7)

    On November 21st we are going to celebrate Thank You Jesus Day at Riverview. This is a day to say THANK YOU to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through Praise & Worship, The Preaching of the Word, and our special Thank You Jesus Day Offering.

     This is what I am challenging my church family to do:

Commit to attend church November 7th, 14th, and 21st, as each Message will lead up to the TYJD Offering.

Begin praying now about how you can sacrificially give this year.

Get your entire family involved.

Through your Small Group, or Sunday School please ENCOURAGE others to participate.

Go to the RBC webpage, and listen to the sermon on Financial Freedom by clicking on the Mousetrap/Dollar Bill Icon. http://www.riverview-church.org/

Thank You Jesus Day
November 21st, 2010
8:30     Breakfast is Served
             East Lobby (Adult Departments 1, 2, and 3)
             Fellowship Hall (Adult Departments 4, 5, and 6, and Youth and Children)

9:30     Contemporary Worship & Sunday School
             Thank You Jesus Day Offering

10:45     Blended Worship & Sunday School
               Thank You Jesus Day Offering

12:00     Celebration & Praise Report
               Announce the TYJD Offering Total !

Thank You Jesus - Andy

57 Cents

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

This Sunday I'm going to preach about SACRIFICIAL GIVING. I hope you'll be here to join me in an amazing month (November) that will culminate on the 21st with THANK YOU JESUS DAY.

Aren't you curious to know what this has to do with 57 cents?

You'll have to come Sunday to find out.

See you there.

Andy

Keeping Up with the Blog

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:22:00 +0000

I don't think this is quite the same as keeping up with the Jones', but it sure has been a hard thing for me to do.

If anyone cares... I'm going to start writing here regularly.

Thanks for patience.

Andy

The Real Switch...

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Just a few days ago on our local news affiliate I heard a reporter inview Jennifer Aniston about her new film, The Switch. As far as I can tell the movie is about a woman who chooses to have a baby without a father. I'm not going in that direction...Bill O'Reilly took care of that rant.

Anyway...in the interview, the reporter askes, "What is the message of this movie?" To which Jennifer replies, "You can do what you want, when you want, and you don't have to play by anyone elses rules."

Huh ?

I don't know if she really, in a philosophical way understands life is like this, but who knows, maybe that world view is now normal.

I'd like to research that quote better, to make sure I didn't mis-hear it. I don't want the downfall of American culture to be pinned on Ross' old girl friend if it isn't true. Either way, is this the way Americans see how life is supposed to be lived? Play by your own rules, to heck with everyone else?

We'll see.

aj

Back Home...Hitting It Hard

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:36:00 +0000

Home for two weeks. Nolan is at Children's Camp, and I am now preparing for our mission trip to South Dakota the first of August. Summer is winding down, and I can't say enough how excited I am. If you look back you will probably find some ramblings at the end of Spring concerning how excited I am becase Summer is almost here. Funny.

I'd love to write something deep and spiritual right now, but I need to plow through over 2,000 emails, and look at my sermon text for next week, and make a hospital visit.

Have a great night.

Andy

9:36 PM - Monday - Borders Books - Lee's Summit Missouri

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:49:00 +0000

I'm in Kansas City taking a class. Theology II. 8 hours a day for 5 days. Day one is in the books, and I am wore out. I just looked at the remainder of my summer, and it doesn't look good either. Of the 6 remaining weeks before school starts, we have plans for 5. Granted one week is vacation, but I usually come home more tired from vacation than when I left. NO PROB. God is my strength and refuge. Well - a voice in the speaker over my head said BORDERS is closing in 15 minutes, and I need to bring my final purchases to the front of the store to check-out. Too bad for them. I only came in to use the free Wi-Fi. He-he-he...Catch you later. - aj

Church Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Order 227

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:09:00 +0000

In 1942 the German and Axis Armies marched deep into Russia, and World War II seemed to be at a tipping point. If Hitler controlled Stalingrad, he would control the Volga River, and the main military transportation route for most of the Soviet Union.

This is when Joseph Stalin gave this fateful order. Order 227. The watch-words of Order 227 were "NOT ONE STEP BACK". The Russian soldiers were sent into battle with the zagradbat behind them. The zagradbat were blocking battallions that were ordered to shoot their own men if they retreated in any way, shape, or form. Not one step back.

The Russian soldiers fought until the last drop of blood was shed from the last man. With their backs to the Volga river the Russians outflanked the Nazi Army, and ultimately won the Battle of Stalingrad.

At what cost?

It is estimated there were 850,000 German and Axis casualities, and over 1.2 million Russian casualities. That is 2 million casualities in a single battle to take one city. Not to mention the civillian losses. 40,000 Russian civilians died in one weekend of bombing by a Nazi Panzer Division, and the notorious German Luftwaffe.

These numbers are hard to get a modern American mind around. We are disturbed when one death is suffered in a modern war. Don't get me wrong. It breaks my heart when I hear stories of young soldiers laying down their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. But the horrible truth is...Wars are not measured in bullets and tanks. They are measured in lives.

Luke 14:25-35

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

To win a battle...a war there is a price to pay. The Germans and Russians both paid a high price. Likewise, to follow Christ there is a price as well. Will you count the cost? Will you deny self? Will you love Him more than family and posessions? Luke 14:25-35 is Jesus' ORDER 227. Not One Step Back.

I have decided to follow Jesus.

The cross before me, the world behind me.

My cross I'll carry 'til I see Jesus.

Though none go with me, I still will follow.

No turning back.

I Could Almost Kill Steve...

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:55:00 +0000

You may be wondering who Steve is, and why I'm so mad at him...well I'm glad you asked. Steve is our new pet. He is a stray rooster who wandered up to our house about three weeks ago, and decided to stay. He follows the boys around the yard like a puppy. He's a great conversation starter with friends and neighbors...but he starts crowing every morning at 4:30!!! That's right 4:30. That is...except for today...it was 3:30. I was in our front yard at 4:00 this morning in my underwear, throwing soccer balls at him yelling - "Shut Up Steve". How about that for a crazy neighbor.

Ol' Steve has become a fixture around here, and I suppose I couldn't kill him if I really wanted to...but he better get back to 4:30, or we might have chicken and noodles next week for Sunday dinner.

Have a great week.

Andy

Is it me...or was that a line we just crossed?

noreply@blogger.com (aj) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:39:00 +0000

When I first heard this story on the news, I thought...prayed it was an April Fools joke. Well. It's no joke, and I'm trying to figure out if I'm laughing, or crying. Seriously. I don't know what to think about this.

One thing is for sure. I feel guilty, because I know I have done the same thing myself. I can justify it because it was to a lesser degree, but I feel like I still did it. It being - giving something away to get people to come to church...or Jesus.

Check out the story for yourself...what do you think?