Category: Uncategorized

Saying Goodbye

by Dale, posted in Uncategorized

Technology is a wonderful part of life these days.  Do you remember the little transistor radio?   That newfangled device with its on/off button, antenna, rolling knobs, and ability to hear music and news from miles away through a little speaker was fascinating in years gone by.  As with any electronic gadget that comes along, there must be choices and discipline.

I am grateful for the opportunity to use the internet to write a blog.  Today, I am saying, “Goodbye.”  Let me first of all express my gratitude to those who have faithfully read this blog every day or periodically. I really hope it has been helpful.  My reasons for bringing this to a close has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with me.  Writing everyday has become more of a burden than a delight, and furthermore, it has become more time-consuming than I thought.  Added to that, there are so many other helpful blogs that I need not add anymore clutter to our already heaped-up lives.  🙂

So, again, thanks for reading.  All of these posts have truly come from this pastor’s heart.

Friday’s Findings

by Dale, posted in Uncategorized

Today’s links are all family oriented.  I believe they will stir your heart, challenge your thinking, and lead to biblical change.

10 Questions for Moms in the New Year – This blog post is written by the sister of Sarah Arnold (Philippians) whom our church family knows and loves so much.

5 Reasons We Eat Together as a Family – I would not trade the memories of our years gathered around the old oak table learning, laughing, lifting, and loving!  Now that my wife and I are empty-nesters, we still continue to habit of eating supper at the old oak table, often in front of the fireplace.

Letting Your Child Go – Many children have a hard time obeying God’s command to leave and cleave (Genesis 2:24) because parents are still cleaving to their children.  Here’s very practical advice to help parents prepare their children to leave home and be what God has planned for their lives.

The Very Best Gift

by Dale, posted in Uncategorized

As you prepare for tomorrow, here’s a poignant reminder of The Very Best Gift.  This is Christmas today and every day.  Be sure to click on the link and worship Him!

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  (Matthew 1:22-23)

YOUR PRESENCE

In the busy Christmas noise,

All the light, the bells, the toys,

I have found You are the only source

Of comfort and joy.

 

Lord, I want Your Presence for Christmas.

I want Your Presence for Christmas.

I long to feel Your Spirit speaking peace to my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There’s only one I really need.

And it’s Your Presence,

Your Presence for Christmas.

 

When this holiday is through,

And the year is fresh and new,

What will linger are the moments spent,

My Lord, just worshiping You.

 

Lord, I want Your Presence for Christmas.

I want Your Presence for Christmas.

I long to feel Your spirit speaking peace to my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There’s only one I really need.

And it’s Your Presence,

Your Presence for Christmas.

 

Breathe on, breathe on me,

I want Your Presence,

Your Presence for Christmas.

–Author Unknown

Be Back Soon!

by Dale, posted in Uncategorized

Every day for the believer is a day of thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and today I am saying to each of you who stop by to read this blog, or  who at least take a peek at it from time-to-time, “THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!”  How grateful I am that you would take some of your precious time to consider what I share here from my pastor’s heart to you.  For the next two weeks, I am taking a break from this daily routine.  Lord willing, I will be back here on Monday, December 15.  In the meantime, make the most of this Christmas season by growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and sharing the Good News of the Gospel with a world that needs Jesus (Matthew 28:18-10).

Thanksgiving Filled Praying

by Dale, posted in Praise & Worship, Prayer, Uncategorized

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Did you notice the first phrase of this passage?  We are exhorted to be anxious for nothing, but to pray and be thankful for everything.  As we consider Thanksgiving and our minds are focused on gratitude, I want to give you a challenge for today and this week:  Pray about everything with thanksgiving.   Here’s what I mean.

A typical prayer can go something like this:  “Lord, you know I need that job and would you supply my need?  And Lord, you know my grandmother is sick, and would you heal her?  And Lord, please save my brother so we can go to heaven together.”

My challenge is for us to not focus solely on the requests which can cause us to be man-centered in our praying, but focus on God Who hears and answers prayer, and give Him thanks.  For instance, taking the same prayer example above, look at that prayer filled with gratitude and praise.

“Heavenly Father, what a blessing to know that You hear and answer prayer, that Your ear is open to the cry of the righteous.  What a blessing to know that everything that is on my heart, You are already aware of and have the need already met by your grace and for Your glory!  Now, Lord, you know about my need for a job, and I want to thank You right now that in Your time and in Your way, You will provide what I need because ‘As for God, His way is perfect.’ Your grace is sufficient.  Also, I want praise You that You are near and dear to my grandmother in her illness.  May she learn all You have for her through this sickness, and thank You for strength that You will give her during these days.  May in the multitude of her thoughts, Your comforts be her delight that each moment she will think on You and rejoice and be encouraged!  And most of all, how wonderful to know that You have sent Your Son to die for my brother that he might have eternal life through believing in Jesus’ name!  Thank You that You are not willing that He would perish but come to  repentance.  So, Lord, I am thanking You now for my salvation and for the day my brother will receive Christ as his Lord and Savior!  How marvelous to know that my God is able, and He is faithful!!

See the difference in prayers focused on thanksgiving and praise as opposed to just simply wanting something done, even if it is good thing?

Try it this week.  You will be so wrapped up in Who God is, thanking Him through your supplications, that anxiety will be removed and your heart will flood over with joy and thanksgiving!

When you finish praying, take a listen and rejoice!  You might shed a tear, raise a hand, or shout “Glory to God!” I Have Been Blessed

Friday’s Findings

by Dale, posted in Christian Camping, Christian Living, Family, Giving, Marriage, Men, Parenting, Uncategorized

Being Content with Saying No to Truly Good Opportunities –Here is an excellent read from Randy Alcorn that would help all of us who struggle with saying “no” to good things in our lives, especially those of us who are perpetual “doers.”

Four Stewardship Habits to Teach Your Children – Parents, please read and apply!  In a “give me, give me, take, take, entitlement world,” your children need to know God’s plans and priorities.

A Word About Men & Marriage – “Gentlemen: You are not boys. Women are not objects. Christ is most assuredly King.”

One of the Reasons I Have Always Loved Coming Home for Over 33 Years – My wife’s blog post from yesterday.

The Wilds – One of the best ministries on the planet since 1969!!

Sunday Twitter Tweets

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Evangelism, Uncategorized

Personally, I enjoy Twitter much more than Facebook. Nobody’s inviting me to play Farmville for the 2,878,734th time. J Yesterday, there were several tweets that caught my attention, and I want to share them with you. Each one reflects a piece of why Sundays are so important, so awesome!

Nick Reed: Amazing morning with @bryansamms! Packed out church house! 6 baptized & 8 adults walked an aisle aornnd accepted Christ! 2 kids saved also!

Tony Evans: God wants full custody of His children, not just weekend visits.

Paul David Tripp: Corporate worship is meant to fill your eyes with the beauty of your Redeemer and fill your heart with the wonder of His grace.

John Goetsch: You can’t hide from God by missing church.

Paul Chappell: “Go ye into all the world & preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). “All the world” surely includes our neighborhoods & communities! #soulwinning

John Guy: Sweet time of #worship in song this morning. “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.”