Category: Preacher

This post is about pigs. We are all possessed from time to time with our own demons or are you so perfect that you disagree? Look in the mirror! Our demons may vary but I believe we all possess a little evil which is why I believe we should stay focused on being made righteous. How? My last post questioned how we are being made righteous. Is it by our efforts, opinions, law or by our faith? If your confused, then suggest you read more into this topic in Galatians 2 and 3. However, for this post, I would like to stay on the pigs. A man was possessed by many demons. His name was “Legion”. I believe a movie with that name was made. Though not on subject but have you ever wondered why so many movies come out with a demonic theme? I believe because it is very marketable to the curious public. It seems we all have a curiosity towards the evil within. Anyway, back to Legion. He was a real mess. Not the man but the demons within the man. Then he was released from the demons. Where did the demons go? Into the pigs. Were the pigs more valuable than the man? Perhaps, the pigs were used for a better good. What if you owned those pigs and saw them drawn in the water would you be happy about losing your livelihood? I suspect not. So what do you think. What is more valuable the man or the woman saved from a retched existence or business as usual?

Read Luke 8 starting at verse 26 and form your own opinion then listen to my brief message below.

T

We all have a certain belief founded perhaps on what we have learned from our parents or what we have learn from our peers or just the “school of hard knocks”. To put it harshly, we are all entitled to our own stupid opinions. Right? Well not really when it will harm another or break a law. But sometimes, in my opinion, the law or the perceived norm needs to be challenged from time to time. In this modern day of 24-hour news releases, we tend to form a quick opinion that suits our belief system and get passionate about one view over another. I question often the validity of what I hear and attempt to balance what I hear with what I believe. It is not always easy to filter through all of the media noise around us to get to a reasonable conclusion in order to establish an opinion based on our core values. Am I the only one confused with the constant barrage of points of view? Are we made righteous by what we believe to be true through this world’s laws and talking points? Or are we made righteous by our submission to a higher power? Galatians 2:16 says that we are made righteous by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law. The story of a woman from the city labeled a sinner did a great service by washing Jesus’ feet with her tears only to be chastised by a prominent man from that same city that was only interested in fame and prestige. Who was more righteous? Read further in Luke 7 and 8 to find out for yourself. Listen to my very brief message below as well.

T

 

 

A family loses a young child to an alligator or a gorilla dies because of a young child’s curiosity. How about a whole group of party goers losing their lives because of an ideological difference so extreme that violence becomes a tool to send an evil message. What will it take? Children’s curiosity will always be a path to maturity. Curiosity leads to dreams which leads in most cases to successful life adventures. Tragically, not all turn out that way but was it the Alligator or Gorilla’s fault that led to a family and national mourning? On the other hand, one person grew up to join a radical terrorist movement meant to impose their radical beliefs. Now that is a tragedy that may have been avoided. We can debate how but I would rather lean on a higher power to direct me. A few thousand years ago people were oppressed by another people and they were looking for a knight is shining armor to save them. Instead they got a suffering servant who saved them and restored them to eternal connection with the ultimate higher power. My question remains. What more will it take? Perhaps the answer can be found within our heart and soul. My prayers go out to the lost due to tragedies currently reported in the 24 hour news cycle. My prayers also go out to this world and may we find peace within.

T

Listen to my brief message that we are all imperfect, God uses us anyway and avoid assumptions.

Pony or poop? What? When you were a little child, did you ever have a birthday or Christmas gift that filled you with hope? Even before you got the gift, you were so excited with anticipation. Perhaps, it as a little puppy or kitten or maybe it was a pony. When you had that feeling your gift was at the door, did you just hang around saying O well or were you at the door looking with great anticipation? What if you opened the door and all you saw was a great big pile of poop? Would you close the door with disgust and disappointment or as a little child go on faith that the poop was just a sign of the prize to come. Were you looking beyond the poop to find the pony? Think of horse manure (poop) as just a pile of trouble to step over to find the prize. Romans 5:3-4 tells us that if we endure trouble we grow in character which produces hope. With hope we have the faith to move mountains of trouble. So may this little message give you some inspiration to look at your troubles as new opportunities to serve a higher calling to reach the ultimate prize. Listen to my brief message below, if you have time.

Peace be with you.

T

We all want some kind of proof especially in this instant gratification world we live in today. What kind of spirit did you receive? In the day of “if it feels good do it” world, have you ever considered this question? Did you receive a spirit of fear or faith? Do you even know if you have received a spirit? Do you even care? These are all questions that perhaps you may or may not even think about but it is worth a little contemplation for a moment. Romans 8:14 says we were led by God’s Spirit because we are His sons and daughters. We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fear. Fear of what? You fill in the blanks……shadows, darkness, public, people, slavery to food, slavery to work, slavery to broken contrite relationships, booze, gambling, any other material thing……. Even Phillip in John 14:8 wants some kind of proof as if Jesus hadn’t done enough to prove his divinity. What more proof did he need? What more proof do we need? Have you ever been lead by His Spirit? If you can honestly say, yes then you can say you have receive the Spirit of Truth. If you do not feel that you are being led by His Spirit, pray for his guidance but before you do, empty yourself of the fears in your life and open your heart to faith.

T