The Big Table - Thanksgiving Video

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1 (NIV)



This video shows how good ol' fashioned tradition is lost.  Deeper than that, we forgot how exciting it is to sit at the big table with the "boss".  When we position ourselves to sit at the table with God, there is a feast waiting for us- the good stuff.  God doesn't hold back, He always shares His best with us. 

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with God all the earthly things He has given us along with the spiritual treasures He has blessed upon us. Stop worrying about the small stuff. Stop whining about what you don't have. And realize the amazing truth that you are God's child and He wants to lavish you with His great love.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

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Steve Jobs Bio

Late at night, I was watching a Steve Jobs autobiography on one of the news programs last week.  They said, and I am paraphrasing from memory, "Steve Jobs is a modern-day inventor. We need to realize Thomas Edison invented 3 major products that changed our world. Steve Jobs invented at least 4 major products that changed our world."  I was thinking, "What a privilege it is to be living in the same decade with an innovator, inventor, and inspirationalist, such as, Steve Jobs."

One of Steve Jobs' life quotes has been echoing in mind, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life... Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.", states Steve Jobs.

Even in our Christian lives, we allow opinions and past voices define who we are.  Instead, we need to "have the courage to follow [our] heart and intuition."  We need to focus on how God designed us, not how people have defined us.  Our close conversations with God will reveal who we truly are.  Once we discover our calling, we will understand better what our purpose is in life.

Our time on earth is limited and we only get one. Are you going to waste each day worrying, second-guessing, and coming up with excuses as why you are not ready for the great call God has stamped on your life?  As you allow days, weeks, months, and even years go by, you will be missing the blessings that God has for you, because you are "waiting" for the perfect time to do something innovative and inspirational.  In a blink of an eye, you will wake up realizing you are too old or too feeble to do what God intended for your life. 

There is no greater regret on Earth than to ignore God and His calling on your life.  Look back and realize how many people missed out on learning about Jesus Christ and His forgiveness and grace, because you did nothing but doubt and wait.

God has something BIG for your life. Ask Him what it is and He will fill your life with awe and wonder!

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Life is Like the Fall Season



Life is like the fall season. It's like you wake up and things have changed rapidly. The green leaves have changed to reds and yellows. The once warm air has changed to cold and crisp.

Our lives are like the leaves. One day it is green, healthy and strong and then the next day it changed to red, like stress. Your job is asking too much of you. You have kids that will drive you up the wall, and a family matter that can cause you to lose your patience.

Maybe your life is yellow. It's going good, but it feels meloncholy. There is a certain average-feel to your life, your job, and your relationships. You don't know what it is, but you feel like there's more for you than this average life your living. You feel like it's time for a change.

We are in constant change-mode. The only way to combat the stress, the meloncholy, and the uncertainties is to lean on the One that never changes. The One who remains steady and promises "to never leave us or forsake us." Hebrews 13:5. He is called the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the one who created time and who knows our future.

No matter how tough our lives can get, there is assurance in knowing the Creator of our lives is still in full control. Realizing who God's is, that's when you realize your value in God. Father Time is on your side. Jesus is weathering through the storm with you. You are not alone during these seasons of change. You have allies. You have the best of the best walking through it with you!


Read this passage and see God's promise to you. You can make it through this season called, life.

The Lord will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)


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"Surprises in the Storm" - Ron Hutchcraft

                                                                       Photographer Ian Britton

"It was some years ago, but I remember when they closed our local airport. Yeah, there was a violent storm at Newark airport, and thousands of people had their plans suddenly changed. Storms have a way of doing that. Did you ever notice that? There's a snow storm, for example, and schools and businesses oh, they all had their plans made for the day, and suddenly all those plans are out the window. Meetings that had to be today are amazingly rescheduled. Planes and ships are diverted or blown off course. You see, a storm is a classic embodiment of that familiar phrase, "Due to circumstances beyond our control..." Maybe you're in the middle of a storm right now. Your life, your plans are being blown around, and it seems like everything is out of control. I've got good news for you today.


Now, our word for today from the Word of God is going to come from Acts 27 . It's about surprises in the storm. Now, I don't know where your storm is right now, but maybe there's something that is just blowing your life out of control. By the way, if you're not in a storm, well just stay tuned; you'll have yours pretty soon. That's just the way life is. You're just waiting and yours is on the way, because we all get them. Now maybe in your life right now things are just suddenly out of control financially or at work. Or there's a family situation that you just can't seem to change. Or it could be that your health has suddenly become turbulent. Somehow there's an out-of-control time in your life. Well, you'll be able to relate to Paul's storm in Acts 27.


What was happening was that he was being taken by Roman soldiers on a grain ship from Israel to Rome. They had a lot of water to cross to get from where Israel is and to cross the ocean and to get over to Italy where they needed to be, and in the middle of all this they encountered a terrible storm that lasted for fourteen days. Hurricane strength, we're told in Acts 27:20 , "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved."


Now, if you've ever felt like all your points of reference were gone, you couldn't see the sun, the moon, the stars—all the things you usually count on, the storm was that bad. The things you were able to hang on to before, they're not there. Well, maybe you're there right now, and you know what, it is easy to give up hope. Well the outcome of the story you need to take note of. It says, "Everyone reached land in safety." They were blown into the rocks after two weeks, but it says they were on an island. And in chapter 28 we found out the island was called Malta. Do you know where Malta is? It's on the southern coast of Italy.


It's right where they had been heading all the time. Oh, they'd been out of control for two weeks or so it seemed, but the whole time they had been out of control they had been right on course and so are you. Nahum 1:3 says, "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and the storm."


Now it may feel like you're either going nowhere right now or you're on the verge of disaster; maybe on the verge of being blown on the rocks. But remember, the surprise in the storm is this: that God uses these out-of-control times. He uses them to blow His children right where they were supposed to go all along. I know it feels like your life is out of control, but you know what? You're really right on course."
A Word With You - Ron Hutchcraft

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Evangelism Linebacker - Don't Try This at Home!

Derwin L. Gray, former NFL star, now hails as the great Evangelism Linebacker with a special message for you.  He loves you...but it might hurt! This video is definitely a big "hit"!

Always Remember:  You can't tackle people into the kingdom. 

Christians, if you are slacking on sharing your faith, look over your shoulder because Big Derwin might be right behind you!  :)


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Living a Changed Life

First, I want to thank all of you who boldly decided to say, "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to your past.  The responses for the January 1st post was overwhelming!  Many of you shared deep hurts and addictions.  We are praying for you as you conquer these issues in your life.  It's not too late to claim your life back!  If you would like to share and ask for prayer support, please leave your requests anytime or send an e-mail.

EXPOSING THE RECOVERY MYTHS 

How many times have you tried to break the chains of despair in your life?  A dozen... 20 times?  You fail every time only feeling worse about yourself than when you began the recovery process. Here are tested, real answers to living a changed life.

Recovery is a process.  Although helpful, it's not just a one-night conference or a book about recovery.  It takes conscious thought to make the right decisions.  It takes deliberate actions to change old habits into new.  It even takes strength to get back up when you fail.  Recovery is not a magic potion, that if you drink it, everything will instantly and magically get better (that would be nice though).

Recovery takes work.  Think how many years you've held on to your past pains.  Think how long the grips of your addictions have controlled you.  Years of deep wounds that have festered and spread over time.  Take all those years and think of the damage it has caused in your life and in the lives around you.  Logically, it will take hard work and time to begin the healing process.  There are no quick-fixes.  Only raw, straight-forward perserverance to take back the life you desperately deserve.

Recovery takes Humility.  Pride is the biggest offender that holds us back from obtaining the healthy life we are desperately needing.  Pride, you say?  Yes.  How long have you been telling yourself, "If I just try to read another self-help book I will find the secret formula to releasing my pain."  "If I just stop drinking, looking at porn, or smoking this stuff for a few weeks I will stop having the cravings."  As you try to be noble to your own cause, you fail every time.  Pride... your pride has told you that you can do this all on your own.  The reality is it's too big for you to handle.  Humility says, "I need help!  I can't do this by myself.  I need others to help me with my recovery."

Recovery takes God.  Here's the good news! God never intended you to go through life alone.  He created you because He wanted to talk with you, share with you, and help you through the most hurtful parts of your life. Turn to Him with all your needs. Pray and turn open your bible to see God's words of hope (Psalms is a good start). Combat your thoughts about yourself and your current situation with hope and promises from God's word.  Lastly, surround yourself around encouraging people who will support you and hold you accountable through your steps of getting healthy.

Look at what the apostle Paul said God revealed to him through humility, "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

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How Are YOU Living the Minutes of Your Life?

525,600 minutes in the year.
How will YOU be using them?

Time is counting down...

What was 2009 like for you? If we are all honest with ourselves and took inventory of our lives, we will come up with several "mistakes" we've made. What areas of your life do you need to change?

• Your marriage. Is it holding on by a thread of mercy? It's time to re-new your vows and start fighting for it. Do whatever it takes to gain it back.
• Your boyfriend or girlfriend. Are you in a bad relationship? feeling used and tossed away? Stop settling for just anybody. Start asking for God's best for your life.
• Your addictions. Does it have a lethal hold on your life? Take the right steps in conquering your addictions. Get the help you need. You deserve better!
• Your finances. Do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders? Get the counsel you need to budget better. Seek advice from successful people and don't be afraid to ask for help.
• Your battered heart. Is there pain from your past? Feeling unloved, abused and broken. It may be time to forgive those that hurt you and start forgiving yourself. Try to let go and start a new life- boy, it's not easy but it is freeing once you do. Get connected to a Church or a small group.

Let 2009 be the "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Year.  It's time you rid all the garbage and "dead-weight" in your life.

Make a list. Release all the past pain and regrets with every word you write and with every thought that enters your mind. Talk it over with yourself and with God. Release all your mistakes, all your pains, and all your regrets.

The Bible says in Psalm 116:16 "... you have freed me from my chains."

Tear it up! (For a better effect, burn it!)  Yell out loud, "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Promise yourself that you will do whatever it takes to be successful in finding healing for your life. Find professionals, seek counseling, and surround yourself around people who truly want to see you succeed.

Make a pledge to yourself that God wants more of you and He will give you a new life.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

How Are YOU Living the Minutes of Your Life? . . .


** Many of you have shared some deep issues you are consciously getting rid of in you life.

THANK YOU for being brave and sharing your story with us.  We are praying with you!

Have a "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Story? Please share them with us.


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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing you and your family a happy new year for 2010!

Say "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to the past bad decisions and to the past hurts. Let this new year be a new beginning for your life.  Start afresh!

Here's something symbolic and it will be etched in your mind:
Make a "GOOD RIDDANCE!" List. Write down all your mistakes, failures, hurts, and addictions- then burn it as you give it over to God.  This will give you freedom from your past.  Allowing you to have freedom to make the right decisions for your new future. 

Always remember to bring God on the journey with you.  He will always guide you on the right path.  :)

"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." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).

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Change: It's Not Easy

"God's Chisel" - SkitGuys.com

As the new year is approaching, we talk about our new resolutions.  The changes we will make to become a better person.  If you want to be a better person for God ask Him to chisel away all the "dead-weight" in your life.  All the addictions.  All the past hurts.  He is wanting to change you back into His masterpiece.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

God has a Grander kind of living for you. He has instilled in you skills to bless others around you for His name sake.  Realize the special gifts He has given you.  You are unique in design.  Will you live a life of purpose or continue to live the same meaningless life you've been living for so long?

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Look in the mirror and see how God sees you.  Believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU are God's MASTERPIECE!

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Christmas Was Wonderful!

My family has a tradition.  My daughter and I woke up early to bake a chocolate birthday cake.  She then frosted the cake with chocolate frosting.  Our two lil' boys helped with putting sprinkles on the cake.  I think they ate half the sprinkles instead of putting it on the cake.  After the cake was completely decorated, my wife put one candle in the center to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  We sang happy birthday to Jesus.  Everyone gets really excited- it the only time of year everyone is allowed to have chocolate cake for breakfast!

This year, I did something a bit different.  We went around the table answering this question, "What is the one gift you are thankful for God giving you?"  It is private, but the response was precious.  Everyone's response made me really reflect on the fact that "Christmas" shouldn't be once a year... it should be all year round.  Even deeper, we need to remember daily the gifts God gives us and how He continues to bless us and "Wow" us with His generosity.

The best gift I received this year was sitting around the kitchen table with my famiily as guests to Jesus' birthday party. 

What a wonderful celebration it was!

"The best gifts are those unseen and given without a price tag." ~ HLJ

May you share Peace, Love and Hope all year round.

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CHRISTMAS: The Greatest True Story Ever Told

There's a story being told across the whole world.  Will you examine this true story and see what kind of gift God is wanting to give you?

EXAMINE THE STORY

The Baby in the manger was sent to give us Hope.  Enter Christmas knowing that Jesus was on a mission to bring us back.  He came to this Earth for one mission- to die on the cross, held by three nails, absorbing every sin in our lives and erasing every punishment we deserve.  Jesus did this out of love, bringing oneness between us and God.

ENCOUNTER THE GOD OF THE STORY

We were made for God's love.  Your Creator dreamt you up and designed you with special care.  Somewhere along the way we left God.  He didn't leave us.  We took the life He gave us and did as we pleased.  We are lost.  There is a God-sized vacuum in your life that only He can fill.  God sent His son, Jesus, to this Earth as a "Christmas" gift for you.  He wrapped Him up and gave Him to you so you no longer need to live life alone and without true love.  This gift God has given you is divorce-proof.  It is death-proof.  It is full of love and grace.  God is giving it... will you receive it?  The gift of Jesus Christ will bring back oneness- it will give you a new life with Him- eternally.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
May you find true love and hope this holiday season.

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25 Christmas Songs in Under 2 Minutes

"Johnny and Chachi's Christmas Medley"

These guys are really funny!  Yes, these two goof-balls pull it off.


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Happy Holidays... Where's the Happy?

Does This Look Like You?

Christmas To-Do List:

* Toys for nephews

* Dolls for nieces

* Golf clubs for dad

* Elegant procelain for mom

* Jewelry for wife

* Electronics for husband

* Toys for your kids

* Office Secret Santa

* Gifts for friends

* Holiday parties

* Family gatherings
* In-laws
* Then Christmas Day...

Long, Stressful, Busy hours at the mall.  Crazy crowds at Wal-Mart. Chaos at Target.  Racking up the credit card.  Emptying out your savings account.

Does any of this look familiar?  Can you feel the blood pressure rising in your head?  If this is the kind of days you are having during this Holiday Season, no wonder there isn't any time for happiness.  You look forward to time off from work to celebrate Christmas.  But you find yourself spending hours upon hours shopping and standing in long lines at department stores.

Have you ever hit that proverbial wall and said, "This is just too much!  This is killing me emotionally and financially.  I can't keep up with all the demands of Christmas."

Then STOP!  Stop and really think about what Christmas looked like in tradition past.  One gift for each family member... not a dozen toys for your kids.  During years past, families would secretly make special gifts with their hands from only material around their home.  Gift giving was special because it took time, talent and hours putting together something special for each other.

Is THIS Real Christmas?  Can you imagine waking up Christmas morning to a hot cup of coffee.  Exchanging one gift with each other.  Being so appreciative of what you received because you knew the giver spent months thinking about you and made something special with their very own, loving hands.  Then, enjoying the rest of your empty schedule by being together as a FAMILY!    

No $1,500 credit card debt.  No stress of shopping at 10 different department stores to find the exact requests of your kids and spouse.  Just a simple, honest, relaxing time together as a family.

I truly believe the marketing giants in their nice, taylored suits want the rest of us to think that if we don't keep up with the latest game console, the most expensive jewelry, and the nicest clothes, then we are inadequate.  What a load of crap we've been buying into every year, for generations.

I believe the Evil One is also doing a great job in causing chaos and stress in our lives- keeping our minds off the one true reason for Christmas.  The serene, peaceful, humble thought that God loved us so much He sent His only Son to this earth to rescue us from our disaster.  To rebuild the relationship He desperately wanted the day He created us. 

The Prince of Peace had entered this world to save us.  We have allowed all the other frivolous stuff get in the middle of us and Him.  Clouding our minds into thinking that we NEED to keep up with the demands.  We NEED to spend big bucks on fleeting things.  We NEED to stay on top of everyone else's gift giving out of obligation, not out of love.

What we need in our nation, in our personal lives, is a Holiday Detox.  We need to re-think and re-do what we've been doing for decades.  We need to say, NO! to the marketing giants and to the voice in our heads who says,  "You are a failure if you don't satisfy the money eating, stress producing monster."

Our nation uses words like, "Happy Holidays".  "Peace on Earth and Good Will to All Men."  "Merry Christmas."  We say it.  Maybe it's time we start believing the words that mindlessly and easily flows from our lips.  Let the very words you use make your holidays healthy again.  Happy. Peace. Good Will. Merry. 

Appreciate the truth that Jesus came to this Earth to give us Peace and Hope.  I truly pray that your Holiday Detox is a success.  :) 

I pray that you will find ways to make Christmas meaningful again.

Here is a past blog post on "The Purpose of Christmas".  Meaningful and simple ways to start the Holiday Detox in your lives:  http://heartlikejesus.blogspot.com/2008/12/purpose-of-christmas.html

May you find Peace and Happiness through Jesus Christ this year!

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"Jesus and Santa"

I really like this simple message for all ages.  Funny animation and it really gives you something to think about during this Christmas season.



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Church Sign: Shut Up!

Silly or Sad

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If this message lacked anger and resentment- it could honestly work!

(Maybe the Pastor was having a flashback about how he used to talk to his teenage kids.)

This is the final of the Top 10 "Silly or Sad" Church Sign sayings. 

I hope you enjoyed them!!

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Be sure to click on any of the labels below to see the Top 10 Funny Church Sign Sayings and more...

Church Sign: MySpace

Silly or Sad

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Church Sign: A Few Nuts

Silly or Sad

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Some churches are like a "Nut Log": sweet in the center but very nutty on the outside.

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Church Sign: Wife's Bad Judgement?

Silly or Sad

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Wow, that gives you something to think about!

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Church Sign: Wireless Prayer

Silly or Sad

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No monthly fees. No hidden costs.  Just good ol' fashioned chatting.

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Church Sign: Slacker

Silly or Sad

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Looks like someone is a little bitter.

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