Have you set any goals yet? This is the END of the decade, what will you do in the next one? Yesterday, we were talking about this next decade and how fast this last one went by, and I said "This next one is mine." Anybody with me?
Man, I have so many ideas and dreams (most of them are crazy and impossible, i know) but now, I'm not going to care about what others think (and what I think, 'cause most of the time I discourage myself from carrying out my dreams!)
I've got a question for you, have you ever tried to do something impossible? Yeah, I've never tried either. Ever tried to do something highly improbable? SAY WHAT?
I want to encourage you to do something this next year that you never thought in a million years you could have done! It could be anything! But whatever it is, don't be afraid to do it! Maybe it's finishing high school early! Maybe it's learning to play an instrument!Or starting a band!My Dad is planning on running a half-marathon this next year. Yeah, I know, wow!
All I want to say is:
One thing that I want to do this next year is start my 'missionary training'. Yeah, that's right. I wanna be a missionary. What r u gunna do 'bout it? Another thing I want to do is learn Spanish, yeah, you like that one too? I guess that might be part of my missionary training though... Anyways, this is my dream for now, but what does it mean? I don't know really. It may mean going here. Or It may mean me thinking about going to a seminary. Or It may just mean studing at home! I don't know! But I do know that God's got big plans for me- He's got big plansfor you and me!
But you know, I can get very discouraged. I mean, what are the chances of me learning a language in a year? What are the chances of a sixteen-year-old going to a missionary training school? I don't know! But with the big G-O-D all things are possible. And if you try to discourage me, you'd better watch out, 'cause I just might shoot you! Well okay, not really... I like you guys too much...
So I'll just say one more thing: GO GET 'EM TIGER! And maybe something else: GET R' DONE! Alright, a few more: DO HARD THINGS! DO THE IMPOSSIBLE! and Don't be CHICKEN! You get it?
God bless you, (IF YOU DO WHAT I'M SAYIN') Kade
p.s. in fact, comment and tell me what you plan on doing this next year. and if you don't, I'll send viruses onto your computer, whahaha!
Yes, I went to Myanmar! Don't know where it is? It's right here:
This is a blown up picture of it though, so look it up on your own to see it's real size. Down near the bottom of the country it's says in small type YANGON. And yep, that's where we went.
There was three of us, Mr. Tom, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Kade. like that?
Anyways, we had a wonderful trip! The orphans that I visited were awesome! And not only did I encourage them, but they encouraged me a lot! I taught them around 10 songs (in English) 4 Bible lessons and 8 games! Yeah baby!
the songs: I'm Forgiven, Famous One, All because of Jesus, I Lift my Eyes Up, Give Us Clean Hands, We bow Down, etc.
the games: Capture the Flag, Hide-and-Seek, Duck Duck Goose, Do You Love your Neighbor, etc.
the lessons: The Ten Lepers, Who's the Greatest? The Vine Growers, etc.
I also had an opportunity to speek at a 3-day-semiar-type-thing and a few churches, and that was great too!
Some of the greatest time I had over there was playing Canball (which is exactly like volleyball, except you can only use your feet and head... no hands...)with some seminary students. They were lots of fun! The first time I played with them, they let me use my hands 'cause I was like a gringo. But the second time... I was a native!
I've got a lot of pictures to post up, so hold on tight! It'll take me while though, I'm very busy right now...
What should you be thankful for, what should you be thankful for the MOST, huh? This last Sunday our pastor talked about being thankful, but not just for the 'creatED' things, but especially for the 'creatOR' things.
Let me esplain: Created things would be like friends, your house, your computer, your dog, etc. The Creator things would be like Christ's love, and his sacrifice.
On Sunday, our pastor came up with this list to help you: I named these the SIX PACK.
(the top six things we should be thankful for)
1. Qualification for the Unqualified
2. Inheritance for the Bankrupt
3. Rescue from Captivity and Death
4. Transferal to Freedom and Life
5. Redemption from Slavery to Sin
6. Freedom from Sin's Penalty and Power
and here's a bonus one:
7. God's Promise of Tomorrow
Man Isn't that awesome! It better awesome to you, otherwise you might want to go home andre-think your life!
So try not to get so wrapped up in the CreatED things and focus more on this list.
Kade
Oh, and for a Thanksgiving gift, I put up a few new songs on the side. And be sure to listen to Rescue!
Alright, today I'm giving out the amazing Jesus Blog Award. And like I said before, and if the picture doesn't speak for itself, this award is for anyone and any blog that has shown and outspoken love for Jesus. (Yeah, I know, the picture kind of gave that away, huh? Darn...)
The link thing I'm going to leave up to you, if you don't mind linking the pic to us then that's great, but if you'd rather not, fine, be that way! Just kidding, do whatever you want.
I'm not going to copyright it or anything so Merry Christmas.
If anyone wants, they can help me pass out this award, but I'd appreciate it if you did tell whoever you give it to where it originated from.
Man, that was a lot of work... Later Ill have to get on everyone's blog to tell them, oh well. And if I didn't award you, and you want it, just comment, and Ill evaluate you. And if you DID get it, say thank you! :)
Posted by
Kade
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
comments (7)
It's been a long time.. i know... But I've been busy (i guess everyone is busy). But I thought I would just get on here to tell ya'll that im still alive, but i have no idea about Nick, Kole, and Luke. they may very well be dead.
My missions trip is coming up! very excited about that... Keep praying for me. I have all the support i need (money wise) and now im just waiting for time to go by. Btw. Im going to be going to a lot of orphanages out there, so just pray that i can make a difference to these kids! (I need to brush up on my magic tricks). :)
Yeah, and about that Jesus blog award thing, what do i do with it now? Do i go to people's blog and just say 'hey buddy, you got an award, go to my blog and grab it."? And do i link the award to our blog? (that way i can get a lot more hits...)? Anybody?
And so much for the poll... everyone said to post MORE, but that's the last thing we've been doing! Although i think we already knew that we should be posting more... rats.
About pictures though... i had no idea that we were supposed to be posting pictures! What pictures should i put up? how 'bout this:
No? you don't like that? well...
Okay, I owe you guys one for me not posting for so long, so here's something for your entertainment, this is a great song:
ill post later, kade
and here's another one just 'cause i like you guys so much. This is off of switchfoot's new album. Kole and i were playing it earlier and we sounded pretty good.
soo... after doing some work, i came up with my own "blog award." It will be called the "Jesus" blog award, how about that!?! And it will be given to anyone who has an obvious love for Christ.
Hey I was just wondering what all these "blog awards" are? And I was also wondering why I don't have any... Naw, just kidding!.. But I was thinking about starting a "blog award" thing to give it out to people, but I don't really know how. So can anyone give me some info.?
kade
hey, on the poll you can select more than one answers, and if you have any other ideas, please give them!
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
comments (9)
The Youth Group at Hope CBC is starting a new study on 1 Thessalonians. We are memorizing it at the same time, so we are familiar with the text and are able to remember what we learned.
Tonight was the third lesson in the study. We went over 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. The "big idea" Tyler gave as he was teaching was this:
God wants more from (your name)
He began by saying that a Christian must be obsessed with Jesus. We as believers must be completely consumed by Christ -- in our thoughts, in our motives, in our actions, in everything. And that goes right along with our Sunday study in Colossians - "that Christ might come to have first place in everything."
Just a quick exhortation to live a cross-centered life. Be obsessed and pre-occupied with Jesus Christ. Leave the unbelieving world convicted and confused by your godly life.
A while back, a man came out to our church from Little Rock, AR and gave us a presentation of a ministry he's doing with a few other people. I was really moved by it and if the Lord wills, I will be going on a missions trip with him in December! The Lord is so amazing, I never thought I would go on a missions trip (at least, not to a place like this). But after his presentation, I was totally hyped about it.
Where we will be going:
Ha. Fooled you. I don't really know what I can and what I can't say online. And it's better to be safe than sorry. The place there is communist, and they're Buddhist, so it is illegal to bring Christianity there (we could get in trouble if we were caught there).
What this ministry does:
The main thing they do is build. Orphanages, churches, stores, etc. Anything to help the people out there. They don't actually build the buildings with their own hands, but they direct the money where it goes. So when they go out there they take a lot of cash.
What I will be doing:
Using the gifts the Lord has given me to minister to the people out there! Probably playing the guitar and singing, and working with a lot of the children out there, (many of whom are orphans). What I need to get to go down there:
Three thousand smackers.
The worst part about the whole thing:
The shots. Dag-nab-it. I'll have to get them real soon now.
What to pray for right now:
1. That the Lord would work things out and allow me to go and serve.
2. That God would provide me the money I need.
3. The trip down there (it will be somewhat hazardous).
4. That I will be a great help and blessing to the believers out there.
5. The shots.
So go ahead and start praying for me, it's still a few months away, but everything is pulling together really quickly.
Here is Casting Crowns' latest! I first heard this new song at a Casting Crowns concert not long ago in Idaho Falls, ID with my youth group. Great song, even if you aren't crazy for the heavy beat. I think this is their most 'rocky' song. Great message though.
Listen to that! Isn't that rotten! It's pretty much children being treated as adults! And the parents have no control over their own children!
Another issue that no one knows about: This amendment also mentions a gun ban. In the bill it says that, "...children have the right to be raised in a gun-free environment..." That's the worst! Their going to sneak that lil' sweet-heart inta there!
The good news: I found this sight, and they're proposing the 'Parental Rights Amendment'! They are "protecting children by empowering parents"! Isn't that Awesome!
GO HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT AND PUSH THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD!!!!
You know, I don't like to get into politics, but this is no longer politics; it's life.
The title you just read is true, and in the not-so-far future our government might do that very same thing! (For those of you who don't know, during WW II the Nazis killed off the elderly, crippled, and retarded in huge gas-chambered rooms, because the were a burden for the government to feed, take care of, provide, etc.).
But no, I don't think that our government will actually kill off the elderly, crippled, and retarded that way. Oh, no. Our government is more cleaver than that. Our government will do it in a much slier way that not even Hitler would've thought!
How will the government do it?...
Obama's Health care Plan. (that's right, Hitler would've never thought about Obama's Health Care Plan)
With Obama's Health Care Plan, it makes Health Care the "government's hospital." And that means that the government can refuse health care to those whom they want. And who would that be? Those who are a burden on the economy! (Things get a lot deeper than this, I'm just saying it in the basics).
To find out more about Obama's Plan, just google it. Or go here to see what Araken has to say about things. (he goes a lot deeper on this subject than I do...) (I just said this to scare you out of your wits...)
Will anybody tell me what happened to the "...land of the free, home of the brave."?
Kade
Yesterday I was watching Star Wars III and I remember Padame saying this: "... so this is how democracy ends... with thunderous applause..."
Man, I was just reading Kendra's blog, and I came across this cool thought:
Do you ever wonder sometimes why girls cradle little babies in their arms when they're young? Have you ever wondered why that annoying little boy down the street keeps aiming his little cap-gun at you and lettin' go?
That's the way God made us.
That sums up the roles of men and women.
Women were made to be good mothers and wives, and men were made to be protecters of their family.
Just think about God's design in that for a while, and next time that annoying little brat down the street starts shooting at you, just appreaciate God making him that way!
Give me your thought on this.
kade
p.s. this is a 'stall post' for Nick. He's going to post soon.
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Friday, July 17, 2009
comments (6)
Hey all! Sorry I haven't posted recently - I've been absolutely crazy busy. Not that it makes my lack of posting any better, but I'm trying to juggle (and not doing very well) school, my job at chick-fil-a, and some programming work I signed a contract on. Also, today we're having some friends from Arizona fly in and I will be spending my free time (what is that anymore?) with them.
I'm definitely going to post. But right now, I have so many things that this blog is going to have to be on the back burner for a week or two more. As soon as I have the time I will post again.
I'm going to post this up for the 4th because I really enjoyed reading this. It goes out to every man who fought to give us our freedom. This is the Soldier's Creed:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
Nick and his family was able to visit Arkansas this week and we had to have some fun! Luke had to work so he wasn't able to be apart of this and we were very disapointed. But have fun with this!
Today's part of Psalm 119 is verses 81-88. I've been reading this passage and saw that the author is speeking about the persecution that he is in. He says that he has become a 'wineskin in smoke'. If a wineskin is placed in smoke the skin will dry out and crack; then becoming useless.
So the author is saying that in his perscution he has 'cracked'. But in verse 88 he says, "Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testamony of Your mouth." What a very vivid image!
(Yes, I had to force him to give me the peace sign) :)
Hey guys, just wanted to thank you for your prayers and give you an update on how Kyler is doing.
First of all, let me tell you how he did it. The other day we went to Wal-mart (what would we do without Wal-mart?) and my dad got us two, mega, slip-and-slides! I didn't see what happened, but somehow he fell on his shoulder and snapped it.
When we went to the emergency room yesterday, they gave Kyler some major pain killer, and a brace (check out the picture). So far he's doing fine, and his pain is at a minimum.
So thank you all for praying! (and according to the comments, a lot of you did!).
But don't stop praying, 'cause Kyler still has a long road to travel until he's healed.
My brother (Kyler) just broke his collar bone about an hour ago, and was rushed into the emergency room. I don't know bad it is yet. so just pray. right now.
Psalm 119:77 “Let your mercy come to me, that I might live.”
I know. It’s a short verse. But it’s really great, because who here can live without God’s grace? Nobody. Everyday we continue on in this life; because of God’s grace and mercy. It is what is keeping us alive. Without it, we would stumble and fall… all the way back to Hell. Praise God for his mercy.
Praise God for shuffle. While I was posting this, I had the shuffle turned on, and God gave me this song. It’s called the Economy of Mercy (by Switchfoot). It says, ‘In the economy of mercy, I am a poor and begging man. And in the currency of grace, is where my song begins…’
Alright, it’s going to be a short post today, but I wanted to talk about something else too. At church this week, we are having our VBS! (Vacation Bible School) Party on!
I’d like for you guys to pray for: 1. salvation in these little guys. 2. for the teachers and helpers; that they wouldn’t stress.
But anyways, Kole, Luke, and I are helping out with it, and so far, yesterday went over real well. So please keep these things in mind!
Here's some pictures our pastor took:
kade
Kole and I practicing before hand with Nanci. p.s. Nick is in Ohio right now, and rather busy, so I posted.
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Friday, June 12, 2009
comments (6)
Hey, everyone. My thoughts today come from Psalm 199:57-64. The section is marked by the Hebrew letter "Heth" (or "Cheth").
Psalm 119:57-64
57 The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. 58 I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. 59 I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances. 63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.
The specific thought I want to draw on this evening (or morning, if you read it tomorrow) is from verse 63. "I am a companion of all those who fear you."
As Christians, we are bound together as the body of Christ. This verse isn't just saying that we shouldn't be negative toward other believers. It isn't even just saying that we should be friendly to everyone who professes Christ. It calls us to be companions. And not only to the Christians we know in our church, but to "all who fear You."
Rather than expounding this into a full post, I would like to make this a discussion. What comes to your mind when you think of companion? What are some practical applications we can make, knowing we are to be companions of all believers? I look forward so some good discussions in the comments.
Luke
P.S. Sorry for the short post, to be honest things are getting busier than ever before and I didn't make enough time to get a full post together this time around. I will do my best to get a full post together next time. In the meantime, I would like to have some good discussion on this verse.
Hey guys, we just put up a media play list, so I guess we are now part of the 'cool group'.
But here's what I want you to do: Comment and tell us whether you think that our music is edifying to you. And tell us whether or not we should keep the player up.
So go ahead and check out the music; hope you like it, and tell us your favorite song.
Well today it's my turn to post on the verse 49-56 in psalm 119, in the continuation of our series. In verse forty-nine it says, "Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope." I think that the "word" in this verse is referring to the Gospel, or the promise of a savior, because there is no comfort in the law for us.
Then verse fifty says, "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me." The Gospel is where we are to find our comfort in our times of trouble. And God uses affliction to teach us things, show his glory and power, and to conform us to the image of Christ.
My Dad told me a story this morning about this pastor who was taking a walk to find something to preach on, and he came upon a two men in a blacksmith shop. One of the men was using signs to tell the other where to hit and what to do, while the other obeyed his commands. After being confronted by the pastor about not really be a blacksmith, the manager replied, "This man here is mentally handicapped, and for all he knows, he's pounding it into nothing. But I am turning it into a work of art."
This story is an example of how God uses suffering and things that "hurt us" to shape us into something beautiful for His glory. God is the Great Blacksmith and we the dross-laden metal. Praise God for taking something as worthless as me, and using it for His Glory!
(you like that word, right?... unacceptableness) (well, believe it or not, it's actually not a word, i made it up all by myself). :)
Psalm 119:46 "I will speak of your testimonies to kings, and will not be ashamed of it."
Tell me if you can relate to my story: Remembering back aways, there was this guy at an inner-city missions camp that I was going to (let's name him Willy). And one of the nights I was there, Willy was talking to his girlfriend over the phone- all night (The guys and girls were in totally separate buildings... miles apart). I, personally, think that having a girlfriend at Willy's age is probalby not the most profitable thing, much more, talking to her- all night! (Tell me if I'm not the only one). So the next day, I started talking to him about it- in front of probably ten guys. Then, one of the guys in the room, grabbed my arm and pulled me off aways, and then tried to get me to stop. You know why? Because the conversation I was having wasn't socially acceptable.
But you know what? Every conversation doesn't have to be socially acceptable! We should have some socially 'unacceptable' conversations! In fact, every time you share the gospel, it's socially unacceptable! Because God is socially unacceptable!
So my challenge for you is to, with your friends, have some socially unacceptable conversations. Not just for the sake of having socially unacceptable conversations, but to make God a socially acceptable topic.
Luke put up a song for me on the side-bar by the good... ol'... Dc talk. It's called Socially Acceptable. I don't really listen to Dc talk, but I remembered this song and decided to post it. My favorite line is this one: "...somethin's missin' and if you ask me, I think it's the G-O-D..."
kade
Cool Fact Numbero 1 At The End Of My Post: You know what's pretty cool? Every religion besides Christianity has it's reasons to be ashamed (espcially evolutionists). But in Christ, we have nothing to be ashamed of! God's word has no flaws!
Attention: Alright, I need you guys to help me out here. If you can see our music player and it plays the song, comment: 'Aye'. If you can't see it, or it won't work, comment: 'Nay'. But either way, comment! Thanks.
Cool Fact Numbero 2 At The End Of My Post: This is one of my longest posts! Ha, ha. :)
Psalm 119:37 – Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Well it seems that people today still struggle with things that people way back then did! I am reminded of Fireproof. If you have seen it, you will remember the ‘parasites’ that the diary Caleb read was talking about, and that they MUST be removed. Well, it is very hard -- especially these days – to stay away from those things. Ads in the newspaper, everywhere on the internet, commercials on TV… it is everywhere. Here David pleads that God would help keep his eyes on what matters and is worthwhile. I encourage you to watch out when you are doing the everyday stuff, that you would guard your eyes from worthless things.
Also, I would like to post a link to a California confrence that some of the youth from my church is going to: http://www.resolved.org/ It is hosted by MacArthur's church, and has a lot of great speakers. You can find a video about it, who is speaking there, and other things. I will not be a part of it because we are traveling. Get to go see the Creation Museum!
P.S. I just experienced my first WY thunderstorm! It wasn’t very big, but our electricity flicked on and off.
Nick kind of fumbled with the whole 'posting thing', so I'm taking over for him today. I'm guessing he'll probably post tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
So what are you going to do with you summer? I hope you don't waste it. What an awful thing to do! God gives you a perfect time when you don't have to the distraction of school, and what do you do? Yep, you guessed it, find something else to occupy your time with! To think; that you waste your God-given time on things that just don't matter! Mr. T pities the fool who wastes his summer!
Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to have some fun during summer. That's fine! But be sure not to waste it.
So leave a comment and tell us what you're going to be doing with your summer. It's alright to tell us that your going on vacation to Alaska, but try and tell us something spiritual too!
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Monday, June 1, 2009
comments (3)
Psalm 119:25-32
25 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. 28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. 30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! 32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.
When I told my dad about how we would be going through Psalm 119 for the blog, he provided me with a great resource to stir my thoughts for my posts - “The Treasury of David,” a commentary on the Psalms by Charles Spurgeon. I read some of Spurgeon's notes on this section, and my post borrows the structure he pointed out in these verses.
The letter this section starts with is Daleth, or D. Spurgeon writes, “It sings of Depression, in the spirit of Devotion, Determination, and Dependence.”
In verse 25, the author is in sorrow as he writes, “my soul cleaves to the dust.” Again in verse 28, “my soul weeps because of grief.” In this grief, he makes seven petitions of God - “revive me,” “teach me,” “make me understand,” “strengthen me,” “remove the false way from me,” “graciously grant me your law,” and “do not put me to shame.”
As with the entire chapter, the answer to all troubles, including this sadness, is God's Word. In each of these requests is a reference to the means of joy. The only thing that can cure the sorrowful soul is the written Word of God.
After these, the author makes a resolution and states it in three ways. First, he says, “I have chosen the faithful way.” Second, he writes, “I cling to your testimonies.” Finally, in verse 32, “I shall run the way of Your commandments.” He has chosen his path, he has been equipped by God's Word, and the final step is to run in that path.
For us, I'd like to take three applications from this text. To make it easy to remember, I've come up with three R's for your consideration. First, Request. Pray! Talk to the Lord at all times, but especially during rough times when your soul is grieving. Come to Jesus, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Bring your petitions to God.
It's also important that you know the means God will use to answer your requests, and that's the second R – Read. If you only get one thing from reading Psalm 119, you'll see the importance the author places on God's Word. It's repeated in nearly all the verses, called by various names. This section is no exception. Be in God's Word together with diligent prayer and He will answer you and “enlarge [your] heart.” The life, the strength, the truth, the honor, and the glory of the Christian is God and His Word.
Finally, Resolve. David here resolves to follow God's precepts – so should we. As I said before, this resolution comes in three parts – choose the path, be equipped with the Bible, and then follow that path.
Every time I think of resolutions, I am reminded of Jonathan Edwards. That's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day, but I'll close with one of his many resolutions (and I encourage you to look up his resolutions sometime, they are incredible examples).
Resolution 63 On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.
Well this is post two hundred and a great milestone! I am pretty excited about this series on psalm 119. My section is called gimel, verses 17-24; but I just want to give you one thing you can take away from these verses.
In verse 18 the author says, "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from your law." Here the author is asking God to grant him understanding of God's word, which shows us that apart from Gods working of the Holy Spirit we are not able to understand the truth of God's word. There are many tools that God uses to fill us with the Holy Spirit but I only want to talk about two of them that are mentioned in this text.
"Open my eyes..."The first tool that is mentioned in this text is prayer. We need God to open our eyes and let us see the truths and glories in His word.
"...that I may see wondrous things from your law." And the Second is that we be in the word! God is not going to strike us with a divine lightning of the knowledge of His word. We need to be in it constantly. Without praying and reading God's word we won't get beyond what we can understand in ourselves!
Psalm 119:10 "With my whole heart I have sought after you; Oh, let me not wander from your commandments!"
Is this true about you? Do you seek after God with your whole heart? Or how 'bout even half-a-heart? I find myself falling short... all the time.
Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you." One of the greatest things that you can do to strive after God is by reading his word.
Put it this way; let's say you like someone; let's say... Chuck Norris. And if you're going to strive after... Chuck Norris, you'll probably read what he has to say, or watch his movies.
So it's the same way with God! If you're going to strive after him, you won't just do nothing! You'll read his word!
So here's my challenges: 1. Strive after God with your whole heart by reading his word; meditating on it; memorizing it. 2. Don't strive after worthless things.
(btw, the title 11,910 stands for Ps. 119:10) kade
Psalm 119:1 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart. 3They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. 4You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments. 7I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8I will keep Your statutes; Oh do not forsake me utterly!"
Ok. So this is the first post of a 22 (?) post series. We will be rotating on each post, and I believe Kade is next. We will be taking out what we learned out of either the whole section, or a particular verse that really stuck out to us. Take a deep breath, and here we go on a long journey through Psalms 119!
Here David starts out by blessing those who walk in the way of the Lord (verses 1-3), to praying that his ways would be directed to His statutes (verses 5-6), to ending that he would keep God’s statutes (verse 8) and follow Him with an upright heart (verse 7), asking God not to forsake him ‘utterly’ (verse 8). I will admit it is difficult to try and find something that I can post on that we could apply to our lives other than what is clearly written out here, but there is one thing that stuck out to me about David. It seems that he not only has a great desire to follow God, but 1) he has a great respect for those who do (verses 1-3), and 2) and he has a desire for everyone to do the same as he is (verse 4). Being the first post I will leave it at that, and I WILL try to get more detailed as I get the hang of this. If there is anything that you want to point out on this (or any of our posts), please feel free to post a comment saying so.
Have a great day and please pray about this big ‘undertaking’ we are doing!!
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
comments (8)
Hey everyone!
Until now we've always posted about different things - whatever we want, whenever we want. I thought to myself, "Why don't we do something where the posts are related?"
So we've decided to go through Psalm 119. The psalm has 22 sections, each representing a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. For each section, one of the four of us will make a post. It may be about the whole section, or just a single phrase in a verse. Whatever stands out to us in the section, we'll post on.
We're on a rotation, and Nicholas has agreed to post on the first section. Be looking forward to it, and the whole set of posts we will have. I hope this will be beneficial both to you and to us, and by God's sovereign will I hope that we can encourage our brethren in Christ and reach unbelievers for Him.
Alright, this has nothing to do with anything 'Christian' but I got such a kick out of this that I had to post it up! I got this from Kevin's blog.
This is 'how to annoy someone on an elevator':
1) CRACK open your briefcase or handbag, peer Inside and ask "Got enough air in there?"
2) STAND silent and motionless in the corner facing the wall without getting off.
3) WHEN arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act as if you're embarrassed when they open themselves.
4) GREET everyone with a warm handshake and ask him or her to call you Admiral.
5) MEOW occasionally.
6) STARE At another passenger for a while. Then announce in horror: "You're one of THEM" - and back away slowly.
7) SAY -"DING" at each floor.
8) SAY "I wonder what all these do?" And push all the red buttons.
9) MAKE explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
10) STARE, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce: "I have new socks on."
11) WHEN the elevator is silent, look around and ask: "Is that your beeper?"
12) TRY to make personal calls on the emergency phone.
13) DRAW a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers: "This is my personal space."
14) WHEN there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder, then pretend it wasn't you.
15) PUSH the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
16) ASK if you can push the button for other people but push the wrong ones.
17) HOLD the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend. After a while, let the doors close and say "Hi Greg, How's your day been?"
18) DROP a pen and wail until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream: "That's mine!"
19) BRING a camera and take pictures of everyone in the lift.
20) PRETEND you're a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the Passengers.
21) SWAT at flies that don't exist.
22) CALL out "Group hug" then enforce it.
23) If the lift is full of women you look at the floor and say, "Nobody move their feet, my pet rat is on the loose". (Spiders and roaches work good too).
24) SPEAK into a mobile phone and say, "Yeah, the doctor said it was very contagious."
Hey guys! I am sure most of you have heard, but evolutionists claim that they have found the 'missing link'. This lemur-like fossil, however, shows no signs of evolution. Here is a good link I found (of course, it is AiG): http://answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/19/ida-missing-link
Proverbs 18 "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."
When you get mad or upset, what is the first thing that you want to do? Alright. Besides hitting someone, what else would you want to do? Isolate yourself, right? Run to your room... retreat... get out of there... slam doors... beat up the little beany-bag monkey that's laying on your bed... jump up and down and then try to pull your hair out but then, realizing that it hurts, you stop... you would then punch the wall and then hold your knuckles... grab the remote and slam it on your desk until the batteries fall out... rip the poster of Legolas off of your wall and then realize that you liked that poster and wish you wouldn't have done that... then, in your anger, you spill the coffee that was on your night-stand and make a nasty looking stain on your carpet... and then, finally, you throw yourself onto your bed and beat your face with the pillow.
Alright, maybe not that drastic.
But anyways, isolating yourself is not good. Because you are running away from all wisdom. And instead of listening to the wisdom, you throw yourself a pity party! Woo-ho! Party on! -It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. Yeah it's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A! Ha, ha, ha, ha! You 'break out against all sound judgement.' You're mildewing in your bed with the slime falling down onto the floor. You're getting mad at everyone and everything. You think that you are the one who's absolutely right... (believe me, I know how it is). And you think that everyone else is stupid and mean.
So next time when you're having a problem with someone, instead of retreating to your room and mildewing- stand, and try to work the problem out, for it will do you no good to isolate yourself.
Well, it has been a super (emphasis on 'super') long time since I have posted on here! Sorry, but I don't really have anything really for you all except an update and a little science. :) As you know, I love science and can talk all day about it, right Kole? ha. Anyways, here goes:
My pastor started the Jackson Hole Bible College a few years ago and it is growing very fast. It is a one year college were students go out to various places (like: Mt. St. Helens, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone to name a few) and learn about the geography and how the universe came to be. The college has the highest amount of PhD doctors in the entire state of Wyoming. Most come from Answers in Genesis (and for those of you who are new to Life Savior, my pastor is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He and Ken Ham-- founder of AiG-- are close friends) like Dr. Lisle (who I went and saw... really cool!) and Dr. Menton. Anybody who goes to Jackson Hole Community Bible Church is allowed to sit in on the college classes (but they don't get any credit). :) The point of this paragraph that I want to make is that the college students just graduated two weeks ago on Sunday. Very sad! They were a neat group of kids (20 in all). Below are some pictures.
So last Saturday dad and I went rafting on the Snake River! It was incredible! Alone on that 2 hour float trip we saw: osprey, a golden eagle, elk, an otter, lots of pelicans (believe it or not we DO have pelicans here!), a variety of ducks, three muskrats, beaver dams (but no beavers), canadian geese, and more that won't come to my memory. :) The Grand Teton National Park has the most wildlife I have ever seen in one area!
Unfortunately, evolution here abounds. In fact, the other day (Sunday I think) I saw a bumpersticker that said, "Keep your theology out of my biology"... yeah. However, I can't see how in the world somebody could see the beauty of this place, and say that! It is just one of too many examples of the fallen world we live in.
So now for something I have been learning. Our pastor is doing a series speaking in Revelation, which he has been in since last April (a year ago!). However, I just thought, I will actually ask a question first and then (after your comments) answer with a post. Here it is:
When a Christian dies, where does he/she go?
When a non-christian dies, where does he/she go?
So please comment on that and I will post eventually on it! :)
Once upon a time there was a man. But he was not just an ordinary man; he was a rich man. Filthy... rich. He had everything a person could ever want (and maybe a little more). But he was still missing something; something that he did not know.
So one day, this man heard about a revival meeting, and there was going to be a guest speaker there, so he decided to go. When this man pulled up into the parking lot, he was the only person there who had a Ferrari.
The man smoothly got out of his car and walked up to the door of the building. After looking through the glass door once, the man proceeded in.
Once inside, the man pulled off his sun glasses and clipped them in his shirt pocket. As the man looked around him, he noticed that there was singing coming through one of the doors. Thinking that it was the place where the revival was going on, the man decided to enter.
When the man opened the door, he entered a room filled with the spirit. Throughout the service, the man was moved. He knew that the people here had something that he didn't have. So when the service was over the man approached the guest speaker and asked, "Um... dude? How can I gain this heaven-thing you were talkin' about?" The guest speaker smiled upon the man and replied, "If you want eternal life, go, and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."
But when the man heard what the guest speaker said, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Busy day, short post. Just wanted to let you all know my every day posting is over, the three other bloggers want their turn now lol. Kade has a post ready for tomorrow, so be looking forward to that.
I'm too busy to post anything very deep or thought provoking - I'm about to head out with my family. So I'll just say keep your mind fixed on Jesus, and be waiting for our next post.
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Saturday, May 2, 2009
comments (5)
Hello, everyone. It's a great morning for a new post, don't you think?
Last night was Pizza Movie Night at my house. The youth group came to our house and we watched a movie and ate pizza (duh!). The movie we watched was Wall-E. In case you don't know, Wall-E is about two robots who basically just go through a lot of trouble to get a plant to the captain of a space cruise ship - that's the "directive."
Well as in all our youth events, the youth staff always bring something from God's word. When it's Pizza Movie Night, they try to relate it somewhat to the movie we watch. Last night, Chris encouraged us on diligence and persistence. He related the persistence of the robots in Wall-E to the parable of the woman who was persistent with the unrighteous judge. In the parable, the woman comes to this judge who didn't really care at all, but because of her diligence the judge gave in and helped her.
And our Father in heaven is not like that judge. He is righteous, and He cares for you greatly. So we as Christians not only are able to, but are commanded to come before Him in prayer and cast our burdens on Him. So this morning I encourage you as Chris encouraged the youth last night to be persistent in prayer. Just because the Lord hasn't answered doesn't mean He won't answer - pray, and it will be all in His good timing.
On a sidenote, be praying for Lamb's Fair today, for the number of children who come, the souls of the children who are there, and that it would glorify God.
First day of the month! It's a great day to post on godly things.
My dad and I are going through a study together on Christlikeness. The author addressed what gets in the way of Christlikeness - pride and selfishness. He then wrote about what God's will for Christians are (Christian men in particular). He finally wrote about how to get to where we need to be (which is following Christ's example), and he said this profound statement:
"The emphasis of this word (typos, Greek for "example") is not necessarily on the perfection of the resulting copy, but rather on the careful attention given to the perfect example and on the determined purpose of following it."
Those two phrases got my attention and I'm trying to keep this in my mind. We need to give careful attention to Christ as the perfect example - this is as simple as asking the question, "what would Jesus do?" But beyond simply looking at the perfect example, we must have the determined purpose to be like Him.
Later in the chapter, the writer mentions that before a builder builds, he does surveying first. The same is true for Christians. We should take a look at our lives, and see what needs to be built - what is lacking that needs to be built in your life?
There are three steps here. 1) Consider your life, 2) Compare it to Christ, 3) Be determined to follow Christ - build your life to make it look like Jesus. Give careful attention to Christ, and have a determined purpose to follow Him as your example.
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Thursday, April 30, 2009
comments (7)
Last night at youth group, Chris was teaching about 2 Samuel 24. The context is a sin of David - he pridefully numbered the people of Israel. God disciplined him by bringing three days of pestilence on the land (killing 70,000 men of Israel). The pestilence ended, and David was bringing an offering before God at the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah makes a generous and sacrificial offer - he offers to give the floor to David at no cost.
In 2 Samuel 24:24, David replies to Araunah,
"However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, forI will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing" So David bought the threshing floor..."
This is the true attitude of worship. Too often we think of worship as actions we do, but true worship includes an attitude of worship, and worship without sacrifice is not true worship at all. Doing worshipful acts without a heart of worship and without offering a sacrifice to God, this is worth little.
As I posted yesterday, I continue to encourage you. Don't offer one-handed, half-hearted, non-sacrificial worship and service to the Lord of all things who chose you for adoption as sons and daughters. Give Him your all. Consider nothing worth more than God - consider all as a sacrifice before the Lord.
Luke
Off topic, with this post I've made April the most active posting month on this blog this year with 5 posts. That's pathetic lol. That's my fault for being inactive. Next month we will do more, or at least I will. Let's get back to the golden days, like the 41 posts from March 2008 lol.
Posted by
Luke Godfrey
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
comments (3)
Hey all! Jars of Clay came out with their new album, Long Fall Back to Earth, last week. I bought it on release day, and I recommend buying it - it's really good!
I mention the CD because of a song on it called "Two Hands." It reminded me of how I treat God sometimes:
I use one hand to pull you closer
The other to push you away
It is a constant battle between the Christian's sinful flesh and the Spirit of God inside him or her. The apostle Paul said, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another." (Galatians 5:17). The goal of all believers is mentioned in the chorus of the song:
If I had two hands
Doing the same thing
Lifted high, lifted high
So a quick encouragement today - pray that God would enable you to use both hands in His service today, and not just one. A half-hearted, "one-handed" service is not what God wants - He wants our all. Don't do the minimum you feel will let you squeak by, but be diligent; pursue godliness with maximum effort.
I've put up the song "Two Hands" in the player on the sidebar so you can check it out.
Well, Thursday night Kade and I went with some friends to a church in Harrison, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes away. And do you know what we did? We went to a Phil Wickham concert! And if you didn't know, he is my favorite musician! The music was great and I loved the new songs he did!
I meant to bring my cd for him to sign, but I forgot it. So I ended up having him sign the shirt I bought there! I also had him sign the shirt I was wearing, and my shoes! It was really cool because I was wearing white Pumas, and he signed it with a purple pen! But one of the coolest things was that I got to talked with Phil's wife (Nice lady. They got married in February) and I found out that Phil (or at least his wife) knew me from posting on his blog! Incredible night!
All For His Son's Glory! -Kole
P.S. I also passed my Driver's test on Wednesday, and got my license on Friday!
Here's a music video we put up. It's a great song, and one of my favorite music videos.
Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before all men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven."
Yesterday I took a driving test... and failed... sad isn't it. I was disappointed, but the Lord knows what's best. Just another good reminder that God is sovereign and is using disappointments to bring us closer to him. For some reason it wouldn't have been good for me to pass. Maybe I was hoping to find happiness in that instead of in Christ (and his coming which Pastor Ed talked a little about at youth group)! I might have been to proud had I passed. But whatever the reason for God not giving us what we want, when we want it, we need to be thankful for what we have and understand that if God has saved us we need nothing else! Jaroslav Pelikan said these as some of his last words, “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen— nothing else matters.”
A little while ago, I was thinking about how some songs talk about how we should be like the moon in the sense of reflecting Gods glory; and how over used that image is. But I was listening to a song by Switchfoot called "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine," and the song just talks about wanting Christ to show His glory all the more brightly on us, that others might see the "shadow" of our lives and know there is a God, and a Savior! He says near the end of the song "Shine on me... Let my shadow prove the Sunshine." Let my life show more of Your glory for others to see! And that is a payer that we should all be singing!
-Kole
P.S. I will try to put the song up on the sidebar!
Who's birthday is it?... It's Luke's! Yeah! Wow! Awesome! Yes! Boo-yeah! Party on! Where's the cake?! Exciting! Amazing! Unbelievable! He's seventeen! Remarkable! Inconceivable! Astounding! It's Phenomenal!
Well actually, it was last Friday. You missed it. But we didn't! We went to Mad Pizza to celebrate. It was a lot of fun and I think Luke enjoyed it. We put up a couple of pictures here so you could be part of the celebration. The day before the party Luke and Kole went out shopping for clothes. So as you can see Luke looked very studish. Is that a word, studish? Anyways, have fun with the pictures!
Dance Luke, dance! (That's DDR)And what-der yer know, Nick flew all the way out from Wy just for Luke's birthday, how sweet!
-Kade and Life savior, happy birthday Luke!
Stay tuned, we might get up a video of Luke doing DDR!
(You know Nick didn't fly all the way out here, right? It's a joke. We just wanted to include Nick in Luke's party, so we photo-shopped him in there.)
During Friday and Saturday (12:00 p.m. Friday, to 6:00 p.m. Saturday) I participated in the 30 Hour Famine with my Youth Group here in Jackson, WY. What is the 30 Hour Famine (30HF)? It is where youth all around the US raise money and fast for 30 hours! The money that we raised will be sent to World Vision, which is an organization who feeds children in 3rd world countries and right here in the USA. But, why raising money to help feed children, and be ignorant of what they have to go through day after day? That is why we fast, so that we actually feel what the kids we are helping go through. Now, we didn't 'hard core' fast, that is fast on just water. We did have juice, which helped some. :) We started not eating at 12:00 in the afternoon on Friday, and ate dinner at church on Saturday around 6:15. (Actually we had a joke going around: The kids in the youth group who go to the Acadamy didn't get Lunch Break until 12:00, so they started at 12:15. The joke is, the Homeschoolers fasted for not only 30 hours, but 15 MORE minutes!! :D ha) At 7ish Friday night we all met up at church where we staid for 24 hours. All night we were playing Dodgeball (that one took more than 3 hours), and Romans and Christians, which is kind of like tag in the dark. We all got to bed around 3 in the morning, and I only got 3 hours of sleep... Most everyone else (three other youth and I were up earlier so we played Settlers of Catan) slept until 11:30 or 12:00!
It was a lot of fun, but only a very small taste of what kids in Africa and other places go through EVERY DAY.
Posted by
Kade
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
comments (3)
"The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
"For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61
In the Bible it says that Christ is our Strong Tower. When I think of a 'Strong Tower' I would probably think about Minas Tirith (see below). But in the movie it is broken and beaten. God's tower can never be broken. If the Bible says that Christ is our Strong Tower, what do you think his tower would look like? Amazing! Completely ridiculous! The walls would be a hundred feet thick with guns all around it, booby traps and all... You get the point. The righteous who flee to him, God will protect.
But sometimes -strike that- a lot of times we will stray from that Strong Tower; from God's loving arms. And that is where we meet the foe and worldly influences.
Sometime ago, at the beginning of this month, was the one year anniversary of this blog! I want to say that it's sad that I am posting about it so late, but I want to start posting more regularly. But for now I just want to post up one on the great quotes that we have talked about before and some of the other quotes from the same book.
"Only one life,
'Twill soon be passed;
Only what's done
for Christ will Last."
"He is most Glorified in us
When we are most satisfied
in Him."
"(But) Suffering with Jesus on the Calvary road
of love is not merely the result of magnifying Christ;
It is also the Means."
"What you love determines what you feel shame about.
If you love for men to make much of you, you will
feel shame when they don't. But if you love for men
to make much of Christ, then you will feel shame
if he is belittled on your account."
"Death is a threat to the degree that it frustrates
your main goals... Paul treasured Christ most, and his goal
was to magnify Christ. And he saw death not as a frustration
of that goal but as an occasion for its fulfillment"
"The way we die reveals the worth of Christ on our hearts."
And Last "The world is not impressed when Christians get rich
and say thanks to God. They are impressed when God is so satisfying
that we give our riches away for Christ's sake and count is gain."
P.S. The book these quotes come from is a book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life"
Well, it sure has been a while since you last heard of me on this blog! So, all I will do right now is post a couple pictures from here in the North.
The mountains are beautiful here! We go skiing quite often, and see a ton of animals (I actually saw a moose on the ski resort!) It is hard to believe that people can say that this mountain range was created by random chance!!
We did a little research before we got here on the local churches so that we would hopefully not have to go through what we did in Arkansas, church searching for several months (there is not enough churches here to go too long but we thought it a good idea anyways)! We found a church called Jackson Hole Community Bible Church and tried to look it up, but we couldn't because they do not have a website that is operational. We did, however, find their statement of faith on a college's (Jackson Hole Bible College) website. Turns out, the students are required to go to this church. We thought that would be neat since we have gone to a church before that had a lot of college students coming to it. So, JHCBC (our church) was the first one we tried and we still have not left it! Our pastor, Pastor Landis, is a great pastor and is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Answers in Genesis.
Already I have gotten involved with the Youth Group, and we just had a guy's lock-in in which we played airsoft, Romans and Christians (that didn't turn out so well as one of the youth got his finger slammed in a door), we played an X-Box that someone brought, and we watched a movie. But before that, a group from church (called Right to Life), which is composed of some youth and adults, held a fund raiser dinner at a church called River Crossing. (sorry the picture turned out fuzzy)
But one thing that is really cool is the chairlifts at the Village (ski resort). If you go on a chairlift and have an extra space open for someone to sit they will let a single person ride with you (speeds up the lines). It is a great way to evangelize! I have met folks from Michigan, Louisianna, Kentucky, Tenessee, England, and more! I am going to have to carry tracts on me and talk with people about the Bible whenever I get on longer lifts (the one I am typically on is only 4 minutes long).
I had a joke while giving a presentation, that this was a picture of two devils, me and the statue...
This is a blown up picture of it though, so look it up on your own to see it's real size. Down near the bottom of the country it's says in small type YANGON. And yep, that's where we went. 
No? you don't like that? well...
p.s. Nick is in Ohio right now, and rather busy, so I posted.
Who's birthday is it?... It's Luke's! Yeah! Wow! Awesome! Yes! Boo-yeah! Party on! Where's the cake?! Exciting! Amazing! Unbelievable! He's seventeen! Remarkable! Inconceivable! Astounding! It's Phenomenal!
Dance Luke, dance! (That's DDR)
And what-der yer know, Nick flew all the way out from Wy just for Luke's birthday, how sweet!
