Welcome to this weeks memory verses! Each week, we look at two verses (or short passages). One will deal with the amazing encouragement and grace that God's Word brings to us and the other will deal with essentials of our faith and salvation!
Will you join me in memorizing these verses? The power of God's Word is awesome! You will be blessed! I know that God will give you opportunities to be a blessing to others with an encouraging word for them at the right time!
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
FYI - The power of God's Word is espressed here:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
May you be greatly blessed in your study and memorization of God's powerful Word!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Luke Everett
We have had the privilage of visiting Rancho Sordo Mudo several times in the last few years and it is always a blessing to see and hear our friend Luke Everett! Luke's parents founded Rancho Sordo Mudo 38 years ago to serve the needs of deaf children in Mexico and teach them about Jesus. I won't take the time to write out much of what he said...because you would be much better served to hear the story from Luke in person. For now, you can also log onto their web site and click on the audio/video link and download the message. (NOTE: Luke mentioned that they were renovating the entire web site...so it will likely be down for most of the next couple of weeks)
The one thing that I want to write about tonight is how touching it is to hear the story of Luke and his family and of Rancho Sordo Mudo. It is so amazing to hear him talking again and again about how God has a plan for our lives! In the midst of so much tragedy, he continues to see how God has blessed him and how God has used him to touch the lives of others. Most of us complain and whine about so many little things...and fail to praise God in all of our blessings. Yet Luke has kept his eyes on Jesus...just like to the bible tells us to do in Hebrews!
Every time I hear him, I am convicted to rethink my attitude! He has had far more tragic things happen in his life, yet he kept talking about God having a plan! He kept talking about how Jesus always provides! It sure makes me think about the silly little things that I have complained about or whined about. We are so blessed, yet we find it so easy to take God's blessings for granted and complain about one thing or another.
The one thing that I want to write about tonight is how touching it is to hear the story of Luke and his family and of Rancho Sordo Mudo. It is so amazing to hear him talking again and again about how God has a plan for our lives! In the midst of so much tragedy, he continues to see how God has blessed him and how God has used him to touch the lives of others. Most of us complain and whine about so many little things...and fail to praise God in all of our blessings. Yet Luke has kept his eyes on Jesus...just like to the bible tells us to do in Hebrews!
Every time I hear him, I am convicted to rethink my attitude! He has had far more tragic things happen in his life, yet he kept talking about God having a plan! He kept talking about how Jesus always provides! It sure makes me think about the silly little things that I have complained about or whined about. We are so blessed, yet we find it so easy to take God's blessings for granted and complain about one thing or another.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Facing the Giants
What an awesome night!
We had about 100 people join us this evening for Life Groups...and a movie and pizza night. The movie was "Facing the Giants". It is a story about a football coach who is having to face the giants in his life...giants such as fear and doubt. I think they can be the biggest giants that most of us will ever face and they can destroy us if we let them!
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By the way...what giants have you been facing lately?
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What areas of your life have you been saying to God..."that's impossible"?
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I would love to hear from you...especially those of you that saw the film...about what God is doing in your life.
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There were so many lessons to be learned from this film...My favorite message had to be - We will praise God in victory...and we will praise Him in defeat!
We had about 100 people join us this evening for Life Groups...and a movie and pizza night. The movie was "Facing the Giants". It is a story about a football coach who is having to face the giants in his life...giants such as fear and doubt. I think they can be the biggest giants that most of us will ever face and they can destroy us if we let them!
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By the way...what giants have you been facing lately?
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What areas of your life have you been saying to God..."that's impossible"?
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I would love to hear from you...especially those of you that saw the film...about what God is doing in your life.
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There were so many lessons to be learned from this film...My favorite message had to be - We will praise God in victory...and we will praise Him in defeat!
It is so easy to wallow in self pity when facing defeat...and to stop praising God. Yet He is worthy of our praise at all times!
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May we always remember that and continue praising God at all times!
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May we always remember that and continue praising God at all times!
By the way...you can order the dvd or read more about the story and the church that produced this remarkable film at:
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Potty Training for a Struggling Christian
I gave my testimony on "Christian Singles Radio" at www.BigMediaUSA.com on January 27, 2006. Please feel free to listen to this message online right now and post your comments here!
My testimony (titled: Potty Training for a Struggling Christian") is wrapped up into a Bible study about what God has done in my darkest hours and my greatest blessings. He was merciful and gracious, yet He refused to allow me to wallow in pity or despair when things got tough! He used so many different people in my life to draw me to Him, grow me in His love and bring me to place where I could be used in ministry. It continues to amaze me to look back and see what He had arranged...even before I knew He existed! God is so good!
This message is especially dedicated to Marc Prado, Paul Kealy and Rich and Judy Childres! God used each of you in a very special way to change my life! May God always bless each of you and all that you do!
We would love to hear from you...especially about what God is doing in and through your life!
By the way - Who do you need to go back and thank for investing in your life!
My testimony (titled: Potty Training for a Struggling Christian") is wrapped up into a Bible study about what God has done in my darkest hours and my greatest blessings. He was merciful and gracious, yet He refused to allow me to wallow in pity or despair when things got tough! He used so many different people in my life to draw me to Him, grow me in His love and bring me to place where I could be used in ministry. It continues to amaze me to look back and see what He had arranged...even before I knew He existed! God is so good!
This message is especially dedicated to Marc Prado, Paul Kealy and Rich and Judy Childres! God used each of you in a very special way to change my life! May God always bless each of you and all that you do!
We would love to hear from you...especially about what God is doing in and through your life!
By the way - Who do you need to go back and thank for investing in your life!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
More than Conquerors
This evenings message was about Elijah...
(Notes to be added later...)
More than Conquerors
by Pastor David Macer
January 19, 2007
1) Introduction
2) Elijah – Truly a Conqueror!
3) Elijah – A Struggling human being
4) Paul – Where I am weak, He is strong
2Co 12:10 “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
5) Romans 8: 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(Notes to be added later...)
More than Conquerors
by Pastor David Macer
January 19, 2007
1) Introduction
2) Elijah – Truly a Conqueror!
3) Elijah – A Struggling human being
4) Paul – Where I am weak, He is strong
2Co 12:10 “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
5) Romans 8: 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. Say that I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things in life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he is traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain."
Excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968. Available on CD and print in A Knock At Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. Say that I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things in life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he is traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain."
Excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968. Available on CD and print in A Knock At Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Some additional information about a life well lived...indeed very well lived:
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Note: I feel there is little that I can say about Dr. King. His words and his life speak volumes of what God desires to do in the lives of those that follow Him!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Potty Training for a Struggling Christian
My Testimony
Notes and outline will likely be added later.
However, feel free to add comments if you attended last night!
Blessings,
David
Notes and outline will likely be added later.
However, feel free to add comments if you attended last night!
Blessings,
David
Saturday, January 06, 2007
New Years and New Beginnings 2007!
This evenings message was about listening to (and following) the awesome plan that God has for our lives! We talked about Moses and the excuses that he comes up with in the first few chapters of Exodus. It really seems quite humorous in a way. Yet quite honestly, I have had my share of excuses for God and I suspect that most of you have as well. I love the book of Exodus because of all of it's practical lessons!
I happen to believe that there is a great value for us, to "spend time in the dessert". (Although, I do not think that we need to spend 40 years in the dessert as the Israelites did). When we face our trials (and Jesus said that we "will have trials"), then it is of utmost importance that we learn the lessons that are to be learned and keep our attitudes (and our countenance) in line with the man or woman of faith that we are!
This evenings outline is below. Please feel free to post comments on the message...and on what God is speaking into your life now...
New Years - New Beginnings
January 6, 2007
Pastor David Macer
1) Introduction – Last week
2) Vision Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
...a) protect yourself…and your witness…
...b) listen for what God is calling you to do
..........be in a Life group, lead a Life group, serve in this ministry, Encounter, Bible reading, ..........memorizing) for the things that God has called us to do!
3) Reasons that some do not have vision for the future
...a) Things from the __past__ are weighing us down (Encounter)
...b) We haven’t learned to ___hear__ the voice of God
John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you
do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
...c) We’re too busy with details of life (busyness – to _kill_ the heart)
...d) Fear of failure
4) Some practical things to stay on-course
This is what the introspection of last week was for! (What are the things that YOU need to change your life?)
...a) Reading the Bible
...b) Memory Verses
...c) Prayer Partners
...d) Accountability Partners
...e) Whatever it takes for us individually…
5) My goals for 2007
I shared a number of my personal goals with the live audience…
6) The reason that I shared that with you?
...a) It can help me stay accountable to what God has called me to!
...b) I pray that it might help someone here?
7) Joshua! Jeremiah! Moses! Hosea!
........Joshua: Be strong and of good courage!
They all had their excuses. We can all make excuses. Yet, God tells us to rise above our excuses and follow Him, Obey Him. TRUST HIM! HE IS WORTHY OF EVERY OUNCE OF OUR TRUST!
I happen to believe that there is a great value for us, to "spend time in the dessert". (Although, I do not think that we need to spend 40 years in the dessert as the Israelites did). When we face our trials (and Jesus said that we "will have trials"), then it is of utmost importance that we learn the lessons that are to be learned and keep our attitudes (and our countenance) in line with the man or woman of faith that we are!
This evenings outline is below. Please feel free to post comments on the message...and on what God is speaking into your life now...
New Years - New Beginnings
January 6, 2007
Pastor David Macer
1) Introduction – Last week
2) Vision Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
...a) protect yourself…and your witness…
...b) listen for what God is calling you to do
..........be in a Life group, lead a Life group, serve in this ministry, Encounter, Bible reading, ..........memorizing) for the things that God has called us to do!
3) Reasons that some do not have vision for the future
...a) Things from the __past__ are weighing us down (Encounter)
...b) We haven’t learned to ___hear__ the voice of God
John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you
do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
...c) We’re too busy with details of life (busyness – to _kill_ the heart)
...d) Fear of failure
4) Some practical things to stay on-course
This is what the introspection of last week was for! (What are the things that YOU need to change your life?)
...a) Reading the Bible
...b) Memory Verses
...c) Prayer Partners
...d) Accountability Partners
...e) Whatever it takes for us individually…
5) My goals for 2007
I shared a number of my personal goals with the live audience…
6) The reason that I shared that with you?
...a) It can help me stay accountable to what God has called me to!
...b) I pray that it might help someone here?
7) Joshua! Jeremiah! Moses! Hosea!
........Joshua: Be strong and of good courage!
They all had their excuses. We can all make excuses. Yet, God tells us to rise above our excuses and follow Him, Obey Him. TRUST HIM! HE IS WORTHY OF EVERY OUNCE OF OUR TRUST!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Saying Goodbye to 2006
This evenings message was primarily based on Psalm 139, 1 John 1 and 2 Corinthians 13. We discussed how new years was a time of introspection, with roots that go back to Lev 23 and Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana.
We talked about the Psalmist's strength in asking God to completely reveal what was inside his heart!
**Only an upright man/woman can pray this…
We talked about how Adam and Eve (in Genesis) were naked and ashamed, so they hid from God. Contrast the psalmists strength in seeking after God and asking Him to reveal or know (Know - the Greek word yaw-dah' meaning - to make known, even declare) what is inside his heart.
It takes strength for me to find out what is really inside of my own heart. I usually don't even want to face it myself, let alone have a heart to heart conversation with God about it. Yet, considering the fact that He already knows what is inside my heart, it is good for me (and healing for me) to be open about it. God expects us to be open about it.
James 5:16 Confess...to one another (healing)
1 John 1:9 (forgiveness)
2 Corinthians 13:1 - 14 (especially verse 5)
1 John 1:1-10 (especially verses 6 - 10)
Note: the reason this is written to us is so that our joy may be full!
1 John 1:4
I would also refer back to our previous message:
God's Holiness, Our Wholeness based on Isaiah 6
For those that were able to attend this weeks bible study, please feel free to post your comments and thoughts!
For those that were unable to attend, I hope to have the audio recording on line very soon.
Next weeks message is: New Years and New Beginnings
I pray that you can join us. God has been changing lives since the very beginning of time and He continues to do so! 2007 is going to be an awesome year!
Blessings,
Dave
We talked about the Psalmist's strength in asking God to completely reveal what was inside his heart!
**Only an upright man/woman can pray this…
We talked about how Adam and Eve (in Genesis) were naked and ashamed, so they hid from God. Contrast the psalmists strength in seeking after God and asking Him to reveal or know (Know - the Greek word yaw-dah' meaning - to make known, even declare) what is inside his heart.
It takes strength for me to find out what is really inside of my own heart. I usually don't even want to face it myself, let alone have a heart to heart conversation with God about it. Yet, considering the fact that He already knows what is inside my heart, it is good for me (and healing for me) to be open about it. God expects us to be open about it.
James 5:16 Confess...to one another (healing)
1 John 1:9 (forgiveness)
2 Corinthians 13:1 - 14 (especially verse 5)
1 John 1:1-10 (especially verses 6 - 10)
Note: the reason this is written to us is so that our joy may be full!
1 John 1:4
I would also refer back to our previous message:
God's Holiness, Our Wholeness based on Isaiah 6
For those that were able to attend this weeks bible study, please feel free to post your comments and thoughts!
For those that were unable to attend, I hope to have the audio recording on line very soon.
Next weeks message is: New Years and New Beginnings
I pray that you can join us. God has been changing lives since the very beginning of time and He continues to do so! 2007 is going to be an awesome year!
Blessings,
Dave
Friday, December 29, 2006
Future Topics for Adult Singles Bible Study!
Welcome to Saturday Night Adult Singles Bible Study Blog!
This blog is intended to be a place for you to post your comments or questions about our Bible Study each week. For those that live too far away to attend each week, you will be able to listen to the messages on-line shortly at http://www.bigmediausa.com/ and then clicking on the radio show "Christian Singles Radio".
For this thread, I would like to invite your suggestions about future topics that we might cover. Potential topics include just about anything that might be appropriate for an adult singles bible study. I should note that not everything that we cover is necessarily a "singles" or "married" topic. But it is an "adult singles" bible study and it should be a topic that would apply to a wide variety of people.
You can post your suggested topics here or e-mail them to me at: dm@bigmediausa.com
Some of the topics that we have covered in the past are:
**Sexuality and the Christian Single
(an 8 week series that is coming out on CD in February 2007)
**Dating and the Christian Single (another series that we cover about every 18 months)
**Thankfulness
**The Amazing Birth of Jesus Christ
**God's Holiness - Our Wholeness
**Anger
**Forgiveness
**Love: The Antidote to Envy
**From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina: A Biblical Perspective on Trials and Tragedies
**How Great is the Desire of Sin for You!
**When a leader falls (or what is Grace Really for?)
NOTE: Most of these messages are available on CD ($5.00 includes shipping) and will be available on the radio show for free very soon!
NOTE: The schedule of topics for the next few weeks is available on http://www.shepherdsingles.com/ under "events".
This blog is intended to be a place for you to post your comments or questions about our Bible Study each week. For those that live too far away to attend each week, you will be able to listen to the messages on-line shortly at http://www.bigmediausa.com/ and then clicking on the radio show "Christian Singles Radio".
For this thread, I would like to invite your suggestions about future topics that we might cover. Potential topics include just about anything that might be appropriate for an adult singles bible study. I should note that not everything that we cover is necessarily a "singles" or "married" topic. But it is an "adult singles" bible study and it should be a topic that would apply to a wide variety of people.
You can post your suggested topics here or e-mail them to me at: dm@bigmediausa.com
Some of the topics that we have covered in the past are:
**Sexuality and the Christian Single
(an 8 week series that is coming out on CD in February 2007)
**Dating and the Christian Single (another series that we cover about every 18 months)
**Thankfulness
**The Amazing Birth of Jesus Christ
**God's Holiness - Our Wholeness
**Anger
**Forgiveness
**Love: The Antidote to Envy
**From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina: A Biblical Perspective on Trials and Tragedies
**How Great is the Desire of Sin for You!
**When a leader falls (or what is Grace Really for?)
NOTE: Most of these messages are available on CD ($5.00 includes shipping) and will be available on the radio show for free very soon!
NOTE: The schedule of topics for the next few weeks is available on http://www.shepherdsingles.com/ under "events".
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all! May we all remember the birth of Jesus Christ as the ultimate and greatest gift ever! Jesus came to earth for one reason - to go to the cross to pay the price for all of our sins!
I pray that we would take time out from the crazy busyness of this season and put things into the right perspective. While for some of us, this is a time of family and loved ones, for others, it is a time of loneliness and heartache. May we reach out to those that are around us in a loving and compassionate manner. May we escape the materialism of this "season" and rejoice in the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In His Love,
David, Kari, Matthew and Christina Macer
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Christian Singles Radio on www.BigMediaUsa.com
My last post was over a year ago...but...I am about to begin a brand new internet radio show: Christian Singles Radio which will air on www.BigMediaUsa.com. With that in mind, I will post a thread each week to go with that weeks radio show...and invite comments about that show. I do ask that your comments are edifying of others and glorifying of God. I also pray that each show will be a blessing for those that hear it and also glorify God.
Chat with you soon - as the first show airs!
Chat with you soon - as the first show airs!
Friday, January 07, 2005
Merry Christmas
First of course, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas In doing so, I PRAY that you will take the time to remember that: Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ and NOTHING else. Christ was born into this world for ONE purpose. That purpose was to suffer and die for you and me! That purpose was His Love for YOU and me!
I know that the world has gone completely crazy with: -- the "holiday greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" -- the removal of nativity scenes and Christmas trees -- the materialism and greed of the shopping season -- and many other things that I don't even want to think about But I also know that Jesus came into this world to OVERCOME ALL OF THAT! Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. You can overcome all things through Christ! If you do not know that, please e-mail me. I will be glad to chat with you. As large as this church is, it is important that each one of us gets connected to a group of people that will help us remain strong on the foundation of Christ! He Loves you (as proven by His birth and His death and His Resurrection) and so do we! In His Love, David
I know that the world has gone completely crazy with: -- the "holiday greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" -- the removal of nativity scenes and Christmas trees -- the materialism and greed of the shopping season -- and many other things that I don't even want to think about But I also know that Jesus came into this world to OVERCOME ALL OF THAT! Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. You can overcome all things through Christ! If you do not know that, please e-mail me. I will be glad to chat with you. As large as this church is, it is important that each one of us gets connected to a group of people that will help us remain strong on the foundation of Christ! He Loves you (as proven by His birth and His death and His Resurrection) and so do we! In His Love, David
Sunday, September 19, 2004
An Open Letter to the US Military
June 28, 2004
To my brothers and sisters of the Armed Forces of the United States:
The people of Iraq received their independence today (just a few days before millions of Americans will celebrate the holiday that we call Independence Day).
On July 4th, we will have family get-togethers, bar-b-ques and trips to the beach. Yet most of us have absolutely no appreciation for what it means for a country to be independent. Most have forgotten that many, many lives were lost in our fight for independence so many years ago. A precious few of us have not.
I do not know if Iraq will be able to sustain her independence after you are gone. The one thing that I do know is that Jesus Christ said: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down His life for his friends.” John 15:13
You risk your lives each and every day for:
---a people that you did not know, so that this day they might have the freedom that we
have known our entire lives (and now take for granted and seemingly despise).
---so that we might be a little safer from the terrorists that you are fighting.
---so that we might enjoy our freedom of religion (that they hate so much).
---so that we might enjoy our freedom of speech (even as some use that freedom to protest
your courage).
Thank you for that love that Jesus spoke of 2,000 years ago.
My brothers and sisters – please know that not only do I appreciate you, respect you and love you, but I also salute you and pray for you.
Keep up the great work!
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor David Macer
To my brothers and sisters of the Armed Forces of the United States:
The people of Iraq received their independence today (just a few days before millions of Americans will celebrate the holiday that we call Independence Day).
On July 4th, we will have family get-togethers, bar-b-ques and trips to the beach. Yet most of us have absolutely no appreciation for what it means for a country to be independent. Most have forgotten that many, many lives were lost in our fight for independence so many years ago. A precious few of us have not.
I do not know if Iraq will be able to sustain her independence after you are gone. The one thing that I do know is that Jesus Christ said: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down His life for his friends.” John 15:13
You risk your lives each and every day for:
---a people that you did not know, so that this day they might have the freedom that we
have known our entire lives (and now take for granted and seemingly despise).
---so that we might be a little safer from the terrorists that you are fighting.
---so that we might enjoy our freedom of religion (that they hate so much).
---so that we might enjoy our freedom of speech (even as some use that freedom to protest
your courage).
Thank you for that love that Jesus spoke of 2,000 years ago.
My brothers and sisters – please know that not only do I appreciate you, respect you and love you, but I also salute you and pray for you.
Keep up the great work!
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor David Macer
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Vision of a Blog
As I mentioned in my previous post, I am still not completely convinced about what the ultimate purpose of this blog is going to be {although I do feel prompted to write it. Yes - sometimes it bugs me that God leads me a mere one step at a time (Psalm 119). Then I remember that I would quickly go off course if He were to instruct me a whole two steps at a time!!!}.
As a ten year Air Force veteran, I have fairly strong views about world events, politics etc. (Especially after teaching in an NCO Academy.) However, as a Christian...I find it appalling to hear how hateful people have become in expressing political viewpoints. I find it extraordinary to see how people seem to think that the whole world revolves around their opinion.
Consider the letters to the editor in the sports section of any major newspaper. The outrage that fans express over every decision that a manager, team owner or general manager makes is stunning. Let's think this through...the owner of the team (that is worth several hundred million dollars), hires a manager (and pays him a few million dollars) to manage players (that make tens of millions of dollars) and evidently NONE of these people know a single thing about winning...while all of the fans in the local newspaper know exactly what to do, and they would win the World Series every single year. Wow!
Not only that, but let's consider the fact that these baseball decisions are frequently responded to with outrage...? I mean a player trade is worthy of outrage? While murders are portrayed in the same newspaper and no one give them a second thought? That realization makes me sad.
Granted, part of the fun in following your favorite team is having those strong opinions and I can certainly understand that. Baseball is a great game. The level of hatred of some fans though...I cannot understand. I have attended games these last few years and been disgusted with the language and hatred of some fans (especially when I went to a game in Anaheim against the New York Yankees).
It's a baseball game. That is all that it is. (Ironically, the players are traded so often today, that many of the players these fans hate so much will be on their own team sooner or later). The players have a better perspective about it and it is their profession. Some of these fans act like it is life or death. It is not.
Sports is just a light example of my point. In politics, it is even worse. The stakes are very high and who is to be trusted? Yes, I am very strong in my opinions about who I am going to vote for. But even in this area of life...is it eternal? No, it is not.
As a Christian, I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I could never make it to heaven any other way. Christ commanded us in Matthew 28 to go out to all the nations (people groups) and preach the good news of salvation. He did not say to go and call the president names or to slander them (whether it is Bill Clinton or George Bush). The sad part is that what good are people doing with hateful attacks? Do you think that you will change my way of thinking with hate speach? (This goes for both political parties - I think both sides are appalling.)
With all of that said ... at this point, I think that the purpose of this blog is going to be to give a Christ centered viewpoint on a variety of issues. The thoughts and opinions that I express here, will simply be my thoughts and opinions (not representing my professional ministry or my church in any way).
Note: While I welcome comments and posts...please understand (with all that I said above), that any hateful speach will be deleted. Sincere questions can be directed to me in e-mail (I will do my best to respond in a timely manner).
As a ten year Air Force veteran, I have fairly strong views about world events, politics etc. (Especially after teaching in an NCO Academy.) However, as a Christian...I find it appalling to hear how hateful people have become in expressing political viewpoints. I find it extraordinary to see how people seem to think that the whole world revolves around their opinion.
Consider the letters to the editor in the sports section of any major newspaper. The outrage that fans express over every decision that a manager, team owner or general manager makes is stunning. Let's think this through...the owner of the team (that is worth several hundred million dollars), hires a manager (and pays him a few million dollars) to manage players (that make tens of millions of dollars) and evidently NONE of these people know a single thing about winning...while all of the fans in the local newspaper know exactly what to do, and they would win the World Series every single year. Wow!
Not only that, but let's consider the fact that these baseball decisions are frequently responded to with outrage...? I mean a player trade is worthy of outrage? While murders are portrayed in the same newspaper and no one give them a second thought? That realization makes me sad.
Granted, part of the fun in following your favorite team is having those strong opinions and I can certainly understand that. Baseball is a great game. The level of hatred of some fans though...I cannot understand. I have attended games these last few years and been disgusted with the language and hatred of some fans (especially when I went to a game in Anaheim against the New York Yankees).
It's a baseball game. That is all that it is. (Ironically, the players are traded so often today, that many of the players these fans hate so much will be on their own team sooner or later). The players have a better perspective about it and it is their profession. Some of these fans act like it is life or death. It is not.
Sports is just a light example of my point. In politics, it is even worse. The stakes are very high and who is to be trusted? Yes, I am very strong in my opinions about who I am going to vote for. But even in this area of life...is it eternal? No, it is not.
As a Christian, I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I could never make it to heaven any other way. Christ commanded us in Matthew 28 to go out to all the nations (people groups) and preach the good news of salvation. He did not say to go and call the president names or to slander them (whether it is Bill Clinton or George Bush). The sad part is that what good are people doing with hateful attacks? Do you think that you will change my way of thinking with hate speach? (This goes for both political parties - I think both sides are appalling.)
With all of that said ... at this point, I think that the purpose of this blog is going to be to give a Christ centered viewpoint on a variety of issues. The thoughts and opinions that I express here, will simply be my thoughts and opinions (not representing my professional ministry or my church in any way).
Note: While I welcome comments and posts...please understand (with all that I said above), that any hateful speach will be deleted. Sincere questions can be directed to me in e-mail (I will do my best to respond in a timely manner).
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Birth of a Blog
This is my first-ever blog...I pray that this blog will be used to show people the love of Christ. I'm not completely sure of the point of this blog yet...I have a few specific ideas, but will have to wait to see what words come out of my fingers as they type!
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