Read moreI John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God. . .
I’m Not Living From The Sidelines!
I can remember, as a child at my piano recital, waiting for my performance to come up on the program. I would sit quietly, but totally distracted from music being presented. I was waiting for “my time” to come. That’s what I was there for. And when our group went back stage, it would have taken the national guard to keep us from running and playing as we waited. We were waiting for “our time.”
I’m sure that many who played sports would have similar recollections. We were there to do our part. Of course, we pulled for the team, but we wanted our part.
As children we longed to be in the game, but what happened to us? Maybe put-downs or discouragements, maybe setting goals so high only supermen could have accomplished them, but for some reason, as adults we are different.
As adults, we seem to have a “bleachers” mentality. No longer do we want to be in the game, but we live from the sidelines. As a result, we cheer for our team, and if they win, we think we have won. Then we turn on TV and watch American Idol or some reality show about which guy gets the girl. Later we pick up the latest gossip magazine and discover who is in crisis, but also, who is buying the most expensive cars, or having the most elegant wedding, or wearing the most costly shoes.
We are watching from the sidelines.
Even in the church this mentality exists. We watch celebrity teachers, and love the big accomplishments of big ministries. We often sit on the sideline and think that’s what it is all about. We were there or we heard the teaching, so that was our part.
Not me!! I don’t want to live from the sidelines. I know that God gave me this life, and I want to live it. I want to fulfill all that he has for me.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have received lots of inspiration and understanding from big ministries. But the important thing is not that I heard them, It’s what do I do with what I heard. Do I just put another Easter egg of revelation in my basket and put it back on the shelf? Or do I take the new revelation and apply it to my life, so that my life is continually changed for Him?
I want to do the latter. See, I know that each one of us has a part, and every part is important. Our part isn’t just to watch others, but to do what our Creator has called us to do. Can you imagine what the world would be like if all of us were actively doing “our part?” Some would be teaching or preaching, others would be exhorting and encouraging, then there would be those who were behind the scenes keeping all of the wheels oiled so that God’s machine could operate correctly.
The ones who teach wouldn’t think too highly of themselves, but neither would the “oilers” think too lowly. Everyone would be doing their part for God’s great plan to be accomplished. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face!
So I am determined to be active everyday, pursuing the plans my God has put in my heart. Sometimes, no one knows what I am doing but Him. But He knows, and that is what counts.
As long as I am actively living my own life, I won’t be on the sidelines! And neither will you!
Have You Made The Right Decision?
I still remember the day when I gave my life to the Lord. I had been pridefully living my way, with my opinions, and my pursuits, but I found that my road had taken me to a dead end. On that night, I fell on the floor face down and surrendered, saying, “Jesus, if you are real, I want you and I need you.””
The liquid love that encompassed me at that moment was one of the most dramatic experiences ever. He was and is real and He changed my life forever. I have been walking with Him ever since.
Have things always been easy? Of course not. But whatever the external circumstances, I knew that He would empower me to live above the fray. And He has.
Today’s video is a composite of teachings from Billy Graham. If you aren’t free today – from shame, depression, anger, sorrow, you can be.
Just listen.
This video compliments of Peacewithgod.net
Do You Dream About Writing A Book?
As I scan the internet, I am aware of something very significant. The Christian voice isn’t out there as it should be. Oh, there are lots of blogs promoting this doctrine or that – and even running down other doctrines. But that’s not what I am talking about.
I remember several years ago ministers talking about how we Christians let opportunities slip when TV first came on the scene. They said that many Christians even shunned TV as a necessary evil, rather than capturing the potential within the medium.
Now I am seeing the same with the internet. This is such an opportune moment for us as Christians. The internet is rich with ways we can get the message out for free – or at little cost. I would like to see us saturating this new medium with the Gospel…Many voices proclaiming the truth of God’s love, mercy, and redemption. And the message doesn’t have to stay in our neighborhood, it can be sent around the world with one click.
There are millions of people in the world who have no idea about Jesus – who He is or what His life, death, and resurrection meant to us and to them. So where are those who could help get the message out? You might be one of them.
Do you dream about writing a book? Have you been planning to start a blog? Have you been mulling over your special ideas? Do you ponder the impact your story will have on the lives of others?
Well now is the time to move forward – not just a step or two, but to a whole new level.
Are you ready?
Maybe.
Maybe as much as you long for this dream, you are also a little scared, a little nervous, a little hesitant. Maybe as much as you think you might be ready, you’re blocking your own way. You may be your own worst enemy.
The good news is, if you’re your own worst enemy, then the only thing standing between you and that book or that blog you’ve always imagined is… you! And once you recognize the issues that are holding you back, you can address them, one at a time.
That’s what I hope to help you do in a free e-book I’ve just published. I’ll discuss some of the main ways you can achieve lasting change and progress towards your dream. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be life-changing – if you are willing to do the work.
Be sure to click on HOME page to download your free copy of my e-book. I hope it will help you get started.
Forever Upward!
The Boldness Of John Adams
JOHN ADAMS
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.1
The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a baptism, not a marriage, not a sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost. . . . There is no authority, civil or religious – there can be no legitimate government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All without it is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation.2
Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.3
The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.4
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!5
I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.6
Notes:
1, Thomas Jefferson The Writings Of Thomas Jefferson, (Washington, DC: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XIII, pp 292-294. In a letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813. 2. Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, from Quincy, Massachusetts, dated Dec 21, 1809. 3. John Adams, The Works Of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1856) Vol X, p 254, to Thomas Jefferson on April 19, 1817. 4. John Adams, Works, Vol III, p. 421, diary entry for July 26, 1796 5. John Adams, Works, Vol II, pp 6-7, diary entry for Feb 22, 1756 6. John Adams, Works, Vol X, p 85, to Thomas Jefferson on Dec 25, 1813
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