taste and see

Growing up we heard the song "taste and see" sung at mass endless times.  As a child I did not not understand what God meant by this command in psalm 34.  I think its taken me years to understand that the Creator God wants us to Enjoy Life, taste all that is good, See what he has for us.  We celebrate meals as a family, over eat, laugh hard, and fall asleep full of goodness.   God wants us to taste his Glory, Laugh at his blessings, and live life.  Watch Rediscovering Wonder by rob bell on you tube.  Find a blue shovel and Enjoy life.  

Thrown in a well

I heard 2 messages in the last week that spoke on Wells.   Joseph, and Jeremiah.  Joseph a favored son of Jacob was thrown in a well by his brothers. (Gen 37)  Jeremiah was put in a well by king  Zedekiah's. (Jeremiah 38). 
..Both of thees people were doing the right thing and were basically thrown down for this reason.   I've listened to two parts of Andy Stanley's "your move" lesson.  Today he talked about the story that I want to tell.   When I am gone, what store do I want to leave behind?  This is a hard truth to face.   I'm not living the story very well thees days.   My life has too much shallow.   I know a lot, I see a lot, I do little.   I have a lot of excuses.  I had the ceiling dream again.  Its a re-occurring dream where the ceiling is falling down and we must escape before so happens.  I've also dreamed about 2 old-friends loosing children.      While I am not in a well for righteousness I do feel confined.  And I feel like I'm bumping into myself a lot while running in circles.   When I accepted the lord at 17 I was in a mess.  now I'm 32.  A lot of the mess remains.  And will probably forever.  There are things I miss about a young faith.  Expectation for the lord to move, a passionate worship, boldness.  Things I don't miss about a young faith.  Feeling like I was constantly loosing my salvation,  lack of discernment,  being led astray by whack teachers.   So what is really going on?  Not sure exactly.  I lack discipline, faith, and expectation.   I feel like the Holy Spirit is around the corner, and I'm not getting there yet.   But this is mature faith.  Its time to streach my legs because God's God, not because it feels good or there are praises and high fives. 
....The High Fives of Faith are OVER!  God has taken away my cheerleaders.  He is trying to grow this old branch into something new.  I trust the lord because I want to, and because there really isn't anything else I can do.  its who I am, and whom I'm supposed to be.  God has called me.  Its that simple.  

JMC

What to do, Pioneer Club.

My current questions and prayer concern is about pioneer club.  Last year I led the middle school group.  5-15 children, weekly meetings ages 4th grade 9th.  August will be 3 years.  If you were to ask me what my grade was on the year I'd give it a C.Minus.  I've come to wonder if I'm a good teacher, if i have a passion for youth, if I'm being effective.  Is this where God wants me to be plugged into?  I care deeply about the youth.   One of the hardest things to see is how the godless culture has warped itself around the youth.  They see no difference it seems in the "world" and the "church"  I want to be a bridge from the world to the church. 
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Am I a good teacher?   I think this is determined by my preparation.   Sometimes I feel as if I do well and the majority of the time I feel as if I am unprepared and lacking.   I've gotten better.  But I think the youth think I'm a joke, I don't think they respect me very well.   When I blunder I blunder large.  I've had so many activities fall or blow up in my face.   Such as (hide and seek)  After bible study the 1st year We played hide and seek.  This was the worst idea ever.  
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Do I have the passion and drive to rebuild the group and make it the best I can.  The last meeting had 4 people .  I am soo ---unsure.  I'm working again 45 mins away.  we are trying to move, and I don't feel strong enough spiritually to lead.  I feel empty a majority of the time.   I don't feel the support I need.  Selfish jay sun says walk away and quit.  That is the easy answer.
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The harvest is ready, the laborers are few, if not me then who?   Who would step in a fill this gap if i left.   I can't think of anybody.  By the faith force.  Multiple of my kids stepped forward to dedicate them self's to the lord.  After a very trying year, those brave young people inspired me. I was honored to see that.     Nobody with true intentions has ever offered to help in detail with my group  So I have built a fort on youth minister island. Churchers Wave as they drive by 
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Did God use me to make a difference?  What does he want me to do?  When I walked away from S&T.  I wept.  But I knew it was time to move on.  A long time went by until I found a church family.  In that time the easy decision would have been to stay.  God had a different plan.  I consider the time with the youth a privilege.  I will either change or sink.  The transition is coming. So for the next short time 3-4 weeks.  I'm circling this in prayer.   The lord will provide an answer and help me find peace in my decision.  It could be unexpected.   Whatever God helps me with I will follow on his lead.   I am trusting God on this one.   What do you want me to do Lord?  The life verse remains   Psalms 121:1  I Look to the Hills,  From where does my help come from? My Help comes from the lord, the maker of the Heavens and the Earth!

My Dad is Steve My Father is YHWH My Daughter is Emmaline My Beloved is H.

Its raining

I started praying for a new job in January. And at the end of february I lost the job I had due to my company being sold. After that we moved in with H's Parents and I began looking for a job I continued to pray for a new job.

Honi prayed for rain and when it sprinkled he kept on praying.

My circle of prayers went from God lead me, show me, help me, God provide for me. .. I had 3 interviews that I was rejected from. I submitted about 200 aplications. (guessing) When you are looking for the lord to provide. Don't give up. I'm still praying that God will release Doug from jail. Although I feel rejected in this prayer. I'm still praying. I have been inconsistant but I will continue on. My new job started this week. Its Rainng. My prayer circle will widen!

My So-Called Soundtrack: NEXUS Soundtrack - SOLA-MI (Derek Webb's New Project)

My So-Called Soundtrack: NEXUS Soundtrack - SOLA-MI (Derek Webb's New Project)

Mormom Apologetics

I do not know the heart of any man. We are talking doctrine here. Listed below are things that the Mormon Church Teaches that go against the teaching of YHWH

“There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God,” Doctrines of Salvation Vol. 1, p. 188

A."One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, by Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206

A.There is a mother god (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443). B.God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516).

http://carm.org/mormon-beliefs

http://www.battleaxe.org/mormon%20doctrine.HTML

Grace

Grace

Grace

Grace

My Grace is Sufficient

My Grace is Sufficient

Yesterday. I lost my job. I lost my apartment. But I have grace. As I sat yesterday morning watching 24, drinking my coffee I knew that the tide was rolling. It was quiet and it was me and the Dog. The prior night I sent out a prayer chain to my faithful few who I felt would pray for me. And before I knew it my word was tumbing. I cried out to the father and he rescued me. And I saw evidence of grace and grace and grace again. Family showed up, prayers were partioned, and moving began. With the help of everybody I laid my head to rest at Bill and Trishas with my family and wife and loving daughter. This is tramatic but You have to understand one thing. I prayed for this. This is the answer God has given me. Don't pray unless you are ready for an answer you did not expect. When this began I also began reading the circle keeper. My 1st circle was for Doug Pope. My second circle was for a new job. My third circle was for better communication with Heather. Doug is still in jail and conidering a guilty plea cause he can't afford a lawyer. Heather and I aee talking much better now. And I was laid off. There are no coincedences. God has a plan. I am mad. But the lord cherishes a kind heart. I was not treated fairly. But as Jesus once said If needed to I could call down a legon of angels and destroy this place. My God is big enough to do that, or a holy lightning bolt, or God sent asteroid. But thats not going to happen. The lord has a grand plan. My palms are up. My heart is weakened but I will say to God here is my hand, what do you want me to hold? Where is my Cannan land? As far as real things go. I should have coming wages, unemployment, and a place to stay for a while. But I think of the prayers weeks ago. God let my work help people, and bring glory to you. Even at monster I tried to witness to Calvin, and Joe and all the others who I connected to. The world mooves on with or without me. If this would have happend 1 month ago I don't think I would have been ready. I am more prepared today than I was yesterday. God is is with me and he will judge thoe who do not follow hin in the end. Eeven thogh I am home for now I am homesick. I miss the lord. Its hard to explain, but no matter where I go I feel that alien of me that says there is hope for a better day in glory. I know my redeemer is waitng for me when my time is done. But my work is not done. I have much to do. I have many souls to help and many people that God wants to use me to lead to him. The Joshua warrior of old is putting his armor on. And this time will be better than ever before. Baruch haba b'shem ADONAI, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord JM

This is the book (other than the bible ) that has impacted my chrisitan life more than any I have read.

Santa (Krampus) is coming to town

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. Santa Claus is coming to town!

I always wondered.  Why is santa claus coming to town? What is he going to do when he gets here?  Why is he watching me sleep?  And what happens when I'm naughty.?  IF I was told the krampus story I think I would have understood more fully what happens to naughty boys. 

Top National Political issues

Top National Political Issues

Immigration. / Amnesty. If you are here and contribute to our society. We want you to be fully American and have a fast track to citizenship. The border must be under control.

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Reduction of the military. Simply put our empire is to big.

"The military of the United States is deployed in more than 150[1] countries around the world, with more than 369,000 of its 1,580,255[2] active-duty personnel serving outside the United States and its territories."

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Term Limits for all elected officials. Congress and Senate was never meant to be a career.

This would get government governing instead of a constant re-election campaign.

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Gay Marriage:

It should be legal nationwide. We are oppressing the civil rights of homosexuals.

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Legalization of Marijuana.

Tax it and be done with it. A recession solver.

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Tax Increases / Balanced budget spending

A lot of people don't pay taxes. That is not fair. If you have an income you should pay income tax.

No more debt spending. If we don't have it we don't spend it. Across the board budget cuts.

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Peace Freedom deceleration.

The government should put forth a deceleration. "We as Americans support Peace and despise War. We desire for all peoples to be free from oppression. We will try our best to conduct our government worldwide in policies and actions that support Peace and Freedom.

 

There was a ditch

There was a Ditch.

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There was a ditch. It was my canyon. I did not own it. But it was mine and ours. It was surrounded by devil walking sticks and wild roots. When we covered it with a board a bunker it became. When we jumped over it we landed in a foreign land. When we were chased by ghosts of wild creatures we knew we were in a protected land. We had wild beasts, electric fortress and gazing castle keepers. The path for our land was hidden from the outside world. The endless summer seems years ago. I remember when the land was cleared and the house was built. I miss that ditch. I wonder what happened to the devil walking sticks. I have yet to see a devil walking stick in 22 years. The memories and scars of battles remain. One day when I dig a ditch for my child I'm sure they are going to look at me and wonder. Why did dad dig a ditch for me? And then I will tell them the story of the fortress and gazing creatures, of the devil walking sticks and canyon jumping. Of the flying twins, and the jiffy trail. As I drive by the land today the whispers of the wild remain and they welcome me home.

A call to be set apart.

Mark chapter 9 came to mind this morning.

Our church is in an infant stage of a revolution I believe. We have been here before, but in the past it fizzles out. We are on the verge I believe through God in bringing new souls into the kingdom. For this to happen Old ways have to change. We can not be afraid of having the "Samaritans" of the world with us. If you notice most of our growth has been transfer growth. We need new growth. We need to bring new souls into Gods kingdom. When we reach (By the Holy Sprit) (Through the Father) John Non Believer we are fulfilling Gods commission.

So, what will it take to go into the next level? I believe the key is Sacrifice. I'm terrible at it. I want things my way. So this leading is personal. I am preaching to myself. I do believe there is a lesson for the greater good. It has been some time since the idea of a fast has come to mind . But I do now believe it has come again. Last night while driving to the church board meeting I had a moment. I was looking at the pine trees on the side of HWY 67. The verse "even the rocks cry out" came to mind. I imagined the trees lifting their limbs to praise God. They were reaching to heaven calling out Holy Holy Holy. They are reaching to heaven in Awe.

We need to do the same.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

29 So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

It is on my spirit to pray and seek guidance for a fast / setting apart "consecration" of myself and of the church. I felt led to share this with you. I hope it speaks to you.

Peace

JasonM.

Sanctuary

There is a small church on HWY 17 between Brunswick and Darien. It is a sanctuary

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There was a Chapel on the ABAC Campus. It is a sanctuary

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There is a ride share on hwy 280 near the interstate. It is a sancturary

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The island behind my parents house, bird pond, Oliver WMA, The benches next to the lake on campus. Theese are sanctuaries.

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Find an area to walk in. A secluded path is preferred. Unplug yourself. Walk for an undetermined timne

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We all need a sanctuary. A place to seperate ourself too and let our mind and spirit take a deep breath in. Sometimes daily, weekly, monthly I go to theese places and unplug. I sit, watch but more importantly listen. I listen to myself, and to the voice of the creator.

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Sometimes if for a moment or a day. Whenever life gets hectic i go to the sanctuary. I would enourage you to do also.

Notes from the old me

When I first experienced the Reckless Raging fury that they call the love of God. I was a junior / senior in high school. I knew all the church for a lifetime but I did not have an emotional connection with the lord. I had been on mission trips, church choir, Sunday school. People thought i was a great believer. I had Jesus tattooed on my face (not really) but I did play a good game.

The transformation happened and the cleanup began. I was led astray by some and developed some bad spiritual habits. But it was part of the journey. The following are exerts from my earliest journal.

Victorious Living: Written on the front.

"The devil accuses us as I was. But we are I Am's !

"Love my Dad" - During this time I had a lot of problems with my dad. 2 years later the lord broke my pride and this pride. This phrase became more true. This is for another story and time

"The Heart that hasn't been tested is the heart that can't be trusted."

"I don't see it as very Spirt Led , "Need holiness" -comments on a church I visited. Part of the cleanup process and going astray was a false sense of my extra spiritual mind.

"Preaching by sinners, God reaches sinners through sinners" -I like this To preach you've got to Keep it real.

"In the process of being refined"

"Shut up brain" -The mind isn't Bad. But I used to think every voice again'st god and God was bad. Now I have learned how to deal with dissenting voices.

My early journals are full of know it all statements. They are full of false teachings of "do this and get that" (prosperity) Gospel. There isn't much grace. If I would have met my old Self I would have kicked him in the butt and he would have called me the Devil for persecuting him.

I'm Still being refined. I knew back then there was something greater than me I needed. I was looking for it. Like the song Looking for love in all the wrong places. I looked for God in a lot of weird places. He was there with me. I thank him daily for not giving up on me.

History in the making

Job 8:8 KJV. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

I learned today that my great grandmother "granny mcnicoll" Held church in her house and sold various things including popcorn balls to help build the new church in town.

We will be dedicating Emmaline to the church just as Jesus was dedicated to the temple. I hope for she to understand she is part of a history of faith.

I like to think we are history in the making. We don't realize whats going on it seems until it has passed.

Jesus had a family and forefathers. Its important to remember where we've come from and where we are going.

Day Two

Part of the problem with church. Majority have forgotten the Lordship of Jesus. We want to follow Jesus and keep our Jumbo Buffet of a life. That doesn't work.

Bob Briner said don't present a problem without presenting a solution

The solution

Bring Back the Following words that have become out of fashion: Holiness, Sanctification, City on a Hill, In the World but not of the World, Living Sacrifice, Law, Do the Right thing. And Be Like Jesus.

Teachers need to teach that Jesus wants to transform us. Students need to listen and begin the transformation process. Lent is a good time for this. I"m far from holy, perfect, sanctified. But I want to be. I want people to look at me and wonder how what why I'm better than I should be.

This is for God's Glory not mine. My definition of sanctification the other day was. God taking something in your life and turning it into something good for God.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13-16

In other thoughts I have a hecka caffeine headache.

Day One

Yesterday became Day one of Lent. Ash Wednesday. The day for me although working was devoted to prayer, and thinking about sacrifice.

You are the mighty one

Elohim

I'm going to try and blog more as we go.

to be frank: a message about Frank and Albert

Ok world here we go. This is my opinion about "Don't ask don't tell"

If Frank and Albert want to join the military and kill people than they should be able to.  Is it worse them being gay in the military or killing innocent people?

 

The Military has killed innocent people under the "cost of war" countless times.  There is nothing smart about a bomb. 

 

Therefore it is my logic that a "moral" code of not allowing open homosexuals in the military (an immoral organization) is that you can not morally regulate the immoral.  I've never been in the military, I generally think the military is wrong.

 

What I do care about is this.  I have a friend who is gay, he has lived with his partner for many years. If we are supposed to love everyone we should not discriminate against those because of who they choose to love.   Who said that? Jesus.  

 

I'd rather be friends with an honest gay man than a backstabbing christian. And honestly I've met a lot more Pharisees in 2010 than evil gay people.

 

 

what if i stumble when the building crumbles

What if i stumble when the building crumbles, when the road calls up yonder I'll be there.

Psalm 13. Is the unsure verse. Its for the weak, or as Brennan manning used to say the ragamuffins. I appreciate the humanity of it. Its for those of us who do not have everything together. If you know me, you know I don't have everything together. Later times are better. but most of my Christian walk I have said over and over

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

David was unsure. I am unsure. One line David says "how long o lord will you forget me?" How can God's king, a man after God's own heart, the chosen one for the promised people, feel that the Lord has forgotten him? People, especially those who have seen or heard from God seem to have a stronger longing for the lord. We know what is there but our sin, and humanity separates us from God. Our self wants for the lord.

When things look the bleakest. The refrain is set.

I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Its not a sin to ask Where are you God, or what am I doing. I think God wants us to do that. But he also wants us to have faith in the greater cause. The ending. The fact that God is there for us. and he has been good to us.

trust in your unfailing love". It shows that we don't have to have it all together and be perfect in our faith. If stuff is falling apart, Let it crumble, and when its in ruins, Rebuild. It takes a building to be demolished to be rebuilt.