Faith Revolution

From the Declaration of the Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

How could we accomplish that if the right of the people to keep and bear arms is infringed?

Five to four.  It was that close.

“For me to live is Christ…”  ~ The Apostle Paul

It sound good, doesn’t it?  It is one of those verses that was hammered into you as a child and has become chiche’ and, unfortunatly, very often meaningless. 

For me to live…

For me to live, I must breathe.

For me to live, I must eat.

For me to live, I must work.

For me to live, I must rest.

It is of necessity that I breathe, eat, work and rest.  I must live.  To neglect one is to die. 

For me to live is Christ does not sound as urgent, but it is.  It certainly takes a secondary position in life.  However, life comes from the Christ and to neglect is to die. 

Kingdom living is a worldly paradox.  To live, I must die.  To live, “He must increase and I must decrease” (John the Baptist).  To find my life, I must lose it.  I must continue to learn the importance of Christ and forget about how important I am.

It’s not about me; not in one little sense.  It’s not about me in any way, shape or form.  It’s not about my happiness, my sadness, my wealth, my poverty, my sickness or my health. 

It’s all about Jesus.

Betsy sent me this video.  She told me that it reminded her of my dad and my brother, Ronnie.  I agree.  No more comments from me are necessary.  Just watch the video.

 http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

I am tired of the harassment!  You have forced me to sit down and writ something this evening!  :)  I have to be honest.  I just haven’t felt like writing much lately.  I guess it is a combination of things.  I have been writing a lot the last few years, so maybe I am a little burned out in that area.  I have also been involved in a lot of other activities, both personally and professionally.  For instance, I have been teaching two Bible study courses on Sunday evening and with preaching and other teaching duties, it takes a lot of preparation time.  In addition, our church is becoming more busy in ministry all the time…and I love it!  Sure it involves a lot more administration, but who cares?  The Spirit is really working in our church.  I cannot say enough good things about the people that we are working with.  It is truly a team effort…an Ephesians 4 kind of church.

I have also been spending a lot of time with the family mostly just hanging out.  Caleb is working pretty much full-time now, so I take as much time as I can with him when he is available.  He bought an X-Box 360 and we’ve been playing a lot of hockey.  I have also gone home to see mom and dad at twice in the last month or so. 

Then there was the backpacking trip.  A friend and I hiked the western cross connector loop of the Quehanna Trail.  We did 20 miles in less than 48 hours in 90 degree heat.  I drank a lot, but came to find out that it was not nearly enough.  On Saturday morning, we got up to do the last 5 mile leg and I honestly wasn’t sure that I could make it out of the woods.  Then it took me a good four days to rehydrate and get feeling better again.  Everytime I take a backpacking trip, I say that it is my last.  But, as usual, after a week or so of recovery, I am ready to go again.  One of the issues is my hiking partner, Bernie.  Bern is one of my best friends in the world.  But he hikes like he drives:  never, ever stops, not even for lunch.  Considering that Bernie is going on 62 years of age and I am only 40, I can’t let him show me up, so I go along with it.  I do make him pay, though.  I whine and complain the whole time until he stops and feeds me.  Was I suffering?  You had better believe it!  But I kept thinking about Jesus suffering.  He didn’t let His suffering stop Him from completing the “course.”  I wasn’t going to let it stop me either.  Jesus was my inspiration on that trip.

So there you have it.  I haven’t been ignoring you.  I have just been doing other things and being a little bit of a slacker when it comes to posting to the blog.  But we are all doing well.  I know that many of you are praying regularly for us.  Thank you.  Your prayers sustain us and bless us.  God is honoring you and your prayers and support by growing much fruit.  Keep it up!

Have I mentioned that we love Cambridge Springs? 

Sorry, friends.  I was away on a backpacking trip.  I am in recovery at this point.  I will try to check in here tonight or tomorrow.  Thanks!