SIN vs. GOD
isn't this the endless battle being fought in the supernatural realm? good vs. evil. ligh vs. darkness.
how much energy do you spend trying to fight against the sin tendencies in your life? how much energy do you spend fighting to get closer to God?
how's that working for you? (w/dr. phil tone)
i am believing more and more that we must put our energies into drawing closer to God, being filled more with His Spirit, and displaying healthy fruit in our lives. if we do this, then we will naturally allow sin less and less in our lives.
have you been stuck in the rut though when you put ALL your energies into fighting sin and have nothing left to go after God? i've been there and it can get frustrating.
i recently had a close friend remind me that i can defeat sin by opening my heart more to God's Spirit and allowing that to change me. my fight is against sin, but i can't line up and fight that 100% of the time, or i will never receive from God all that i need in order to truly change!
remember the house that was swept clean in the Bible, but not filled with more of God? when the enemy returned, he came in 7x stronger and the man was worse off.
i need to sweep my house clean of sin (don't miss my point), but then i need to go after God's Spirit with ALL the energy i have. only then, will i defeat sin. only then will i be who God wants me to be.
start today!
seek His presence, His Spirit, and His heart. do it right now! do it in a few hours! do it tonight! and get up tomorrow and do it again!
do you want change? start by pressing in closer to God!
peace
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
heat wave
yesterday was definitely one of the most humid days i have experienced in a long time. after the storm blew through, it seemed like you could cut the air with a knife!
we, @ the Valantine house, have been holding out to light up the air conditioner . . . that is until last night. at 3am nash seemed upset and wouldn't fall asleep, and i had tossed and turned for 2+hours, so i gave in. i shut all the windows and began to embrace the cool breeze that we Americans are so fortunate to appreciate.
i fell right to sleep.
in fact, i feel more productive today! i am dreading the grass cutting which in inevitable today. i need one of those helmets with the thermos and a line to my mouth to inhale some H2O as i manicure the lawn.
spiritual implications to all that . . . well, here goes . . .
the storm blowing through can symbolize a fresh encounter with God. often, we can bottom out (dry out) shortly after this experience. we seem to hold out during this dry time thinking we are weak to go back to the source for more refreshing. we kick and scream not wanting to turn the air on because it will cost us something . . . time? energy? sacrifice?
we get frustrated, irritable, and tend to lose sleep during this dry time, when really at any moment, we could turn on the air and experience another round of refreshment, another touch from the source - God!
when we finally give in and return to the source and live in the refreshment, we wonder why we waited so long. it feels so good and seems to make everything go a little smoother. or, we at least fell less irritable.
so, my application for this is . . . experience God today in some way, but don't get satisfied and comfortable with what you get today. go back for more tomorrow, let Him fill you, and then, go spill out on others. 2 days from now . . . repeat the process. 3 days . . . do it again. 4 days . . . well, i think you get the picture!
peace
we, @ the Valantine house, have been holding out to light up the air conditioner . . . that is until last night. at 3am nash seemed upset and wouldn't fall asleep, and i had tossed and turned for 2+hours, so i gave in. i shut all the windows and began to embrace the cool breeze that we Americans are so fortunate to appreciate.
i fell right to sleep.
in fact, i feel more productive today! i am dreading the grass cutting which in inevitable today. i need one of those helmets with the thermos and a line to my mouth to inhale some H2O as i manicure the lawn.
spiritual implications to all that . . . well, here goes . . .
the storm blowing through can symbolize a fresh encounter with God. often, we can bottom out (dry out) shortly after this experience. we seem to hold out during this dry time thinking we are weak to go back to the source for more refreshing. we kick and scream not wanting to turn the air on because it will cost us something . . . time? energy? sacrifice?
we get frustrated, irritable, and tend to lose sleep during this dry time, when really at any moment, we could turn on the air and experience another round of refreshment, another touch from the source - God!
when we finally give in and return to the source and live in the refreshment, we wonder why we waited so long. it feels so good and seems to make everything go a little smoother. or, we at least fell less irritable.
so, my application for this is . . . experience God today in some way, but don't get satisfied and comfortable with what you get today. go back for more tomorrow, let Him fill you, and then, go spill out on others. 2 days from now . . . repeat the process. 3 days . . . do it again. 4 days . . . well, i think you get the picture!
peace
Friday, June 19, 2009
back . . . again
ok, so i am still struggling with being a consistent blogger. i haven't even looked at the page for 2 months, but today i noticed i have 17 followers. wow, i must be cooler than i thought.
also, Amanda is challenging me to blog more faithfully, so here i am.
some updates in my life over the last few months . . .
(1) everyone had a b-day in the Valantine family except for me (amanda - 30, annie -8, kaitie - 3, nash - 2)
(2) i went to my first PGA Golf practice round at muirfield in Dublin, OH
(3) we celebrated our first Easter at Journey Church
(4) we changed the name of the church to Journey Church!!!
(5) we had our first community outreach - saw 16 new families represented
(6) my great-grandmother (98) passed away - love you gram!
(7) played the drums at my first ever gig (Ohio Girl's Retreat) - well, not really a gig, cause it was volunteer, but had a blast!
(8) took annie to get glasses for first time
(9) connected with a great group of pastors in delaware for fellowship regularly
(10) helped patch some holes in our parking lot with blacktop patch - first time i've done that!
(11) almost killed myself on the church's riding lawn mower - twice!
(12) started tweeting on twitter (check it out twitter.com/mattvalantine)
(13) went diving off cliffs in the cayman islands - jk
well, that should get you caught up on me. check back soon & i will do my best to write some things that might inspire you, challenge you, or encourage you in your faith journey . . .
or you will at least get some laughs at my expense
peace
also, Amanda is challenging me to blog more faithfully, so here i am.
some updates in my life over the last few months . . .
(1) everyone had a b-day in the Valantine family except for me (amanda - 30, annie -8, kaitie - 3, nash - 2)
(2) i went to my first PGA Golf practice round at muirfield in Dublin, OH
(3) we celebrated our first Easter at Journey Church
(4) we changed the name of the church to Journey Church!!!
(5) we had our first community outreach - saw 16 new families represented
(6) my great-grandmother (98) passed away - love you gram!
(7) played the drums at my first ever gig (Ohio Girl's Retreat) - well, not really a gig, cause it was volunteer, but had a blast!
(8) took annie to get glasses for first time
(9) connected with a great group of pastors in delaware for fellowship regularly
(10) helped patch some holes in our parking lot with blacktop patch - first time i've done that!
(11) almost killed myself on the church's riding lawn mower - twice!
(12) started tweeting on twitter (check it out twitter.com/mattvalantine)
(13) went diving off cliffs in the cayman islands - jk
well, that should get you caught up on me. check back soon & i will do my best to write some things that might inspire you, challenge you, or encourage you in your faith journey . . .
or you will at least get some laughs at my expense
peace
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
living the dream
it doesn't always "feel" like a dream, but i am truly LIVING THE DREAM!!
what i get to do/what i am blessed with:
(1) LIFE
*when i first met my father-in-law, Joe Cotter, and discovered that he thanks God every time he prays - for breath and another day of life - at first, it sounded odd, but now that i am over 30, i realize how important those things are. i mean, without them, we are dead, right? this is the air i breathe and each breath is a gift from God. today i am blessed with LIFE.
(2) SALVATION
*i have no idea where/what/who/how life would be without my relationship with Jesus. my dream is to serve Him with all i am and to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" i'm living each day for Him and with Him. to process that Christ left Heaven to come to Earth and doe for me to have life, that is true love! that's how i understand SALVATION.
(3) DAD
*what an honor it is to raise 3 amazing children. not the easiest thing, but the most fulfilling for me. i pray that i get it right more than i get it wrong. maybe they will learn some good along the way from me. to think i will help shape these little lives from the moment they arrived in the world to the moment i depart! wow! it's a crazy ride, being DAD.
(4) HUSBAND
*let's be real. marriage has to be the hardest thing to master. does anyone ever get there? so many rewards from marriage, but so much work. it doesn't scare me anymore, but i've realized it doesn't just happen either. i have to be intentional. i'm thankful i get to be married. marriage is a great honor! i hope i can be what my wife needs me to be as her HUSBAND!
(5) CALL
*when i was 18, God called me to serve Him full-time in ministry as a pastor. i always wanted to be a heart dr. and my grandma says i still am, just a different kind. i am humbled by His call to be a pastor, especially now that i have the honor, with my wife at my side, to lead the church in Delaware, OH. not easy, definitely an adventure, and full of life-change, for me and others! thanks, God, for the CALL.
(6) FRIENDS
*i couldn't ask for better friends! i am not just saying that either. i have friends all over the USA, different ages and backgrounds, all with passions and dreams of their own, and i wouldn't be who i am without them. i can turn to them when i need a good laugh, a good cry, to vent, to brainstorm, to share good news and bad. i'll show you my friends, and you can show me how i have gotten this far. know that i am a better person with them in my life. i have the best FRIENDS!
a dream? YES! someone pinch me. ok, not really, especially not on the back of the upper arm . . . OUCH!
i am matt valantine, and i am living the dream!!
peace
what i get to do/what i am blessed with:
(1) LIFE
*when i first met my father-in-law, Joe Cotter, and discovered that he thanks God every time he prays - for breath and another day of life - at first, it sounded odd, but now that i am over 30, i realize how important those things are. i mean, without them, we are dead, right? this is the air i breathe and each breath is a gift from God. today i am blessed with LIFE.
(2) SALVATION
*i have no idea where/what/who/how life would be without my relationship with Jesus. my dream is to serve Him with all i am and to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" i'm living each day for Him and with Him. to process that Christ left Heaven to come to Earth and doe for me to have life, that is true love! that's how i understand SALVATION.
(3) DAD
*what an honor it is to raise 3 amazing children. not the easiest thing, but the most fulfilling for me. i pray that i get it right more than i get it wrong. maybe they will learn some good along the way from me. to think i will help shape these little lives from the moment they arrived in the world to the moment i depart! wow! it's a crazy ride, being DAD.
(4) HUSBAND
*let's be real. marriage has to be the hardest thing to master. does anyone ever get there? so many rewards from marriage, but so much work. it doesn't scare me anymore, but i've realized it doesn't just happen either. i have to be intentional. i'm thankful i get to be married. marriage is a great honor! i hope i can be what my wife needs me to be as her HUSBAND!
(5) CALL
*when i was 18, God called me to serve Him full-time in ministry as a pastor. i always wanted to be a heart dr. and my grandma says i still am, just a different kind. i am humbled by His call to be a pastor, especially now that i have the honor, with my wife at my side, to lead the church in Delaware, OH. not easy, definitely an adventure, and full of life-change, for me and others! thanks, God, for the CALL.
(6) FRIENDS
*i couldn't ask for better friends! i am not just saying that either. i have friends all over the USA, different ages and backgrounds, all with passions and dreams of their own, and i wouldn't be who i am without them. i can turn to them when i need a good laugh, a good cry, to vent, to brainstorm, to share good news and bad. i'll show you my friends, and you can show me how i have gotten this far. know that i am a better person with them in my life. i have the best FRIENDS!
a dream? YES! someone pinch me. ok, not really, especially not on the back of the upper arm . . . OUCH!
i am matt valantine, and i am living the dream!!
peace
Thursday, March 5, 2009
spoiled
spolied?
a 1 year old baby boy who wakes up at 12:30am and gets daddy to stay awakewith him for 2 hours is probably spolied.
at least i got to catch up on some TIVO'd shows. remember life before TIVO? i faintly do. it's amazing how accustomed (spoiled) we have bcome with the latest technology.
i remember living in Bowling Green. Annie was was 3 years old. we had to make some cutbacks financially. satlellite TV would have to go for awhile. we busted out the bunny ears and we rolling with "farmer vision." annie was watching TV and had to go to the bathroom. she asked me to pause the show she was watching. when i told her we couldn't do that anymore, she started crying hysterically. i don't think she believed me. pretty spoiled, huh?
how have you become spoiled in life? compared to people who lived 100 or 1000 years ago? i bet you are. just imagine life without fastfood, microwaves, cell phones, computers, alarm clocks, ipods, garage door openers, dvd players - for your van or SUV, answering machines, fax machines, cell phones, copier/printer/scaners, the internet - google, youtube, facebook, netflix, online shopping, remote controls (imagine having to get up and change the channel manually), washing machines, dish washers, thermostat controls, video conferencing, GPS, did i say cell phones?
i just read about 4-way golf glasses that block out background colors so you can find your ball easier and they reduce contrast so you can read breaks and contours of the green easier. wow!
that's not all, they now have laser guided parking systems that show you exactly how far you need to pull in to the garage so you can safely shut it once you park you car! are you kidding?
what is the common thread of all these things? technology. why am i reminded of the closing scene of Napoleon Dynamite right now? have you wondered what the next greatest tech device will be?
whatever it is, it will most likely spoil us even more. why are you talking about this, Matt? why to sudden soapbox on tech? don't you have a cell phone, a GPS, and sweet 4-way glasses for golf? yes, well, except for the glasses.
i guess i just long for simplicity in some ways. while most of the tech advances are conveinent, some tend to be inconvenient at times, like my cell, my laptop, and my answering machine.
i long to be disconnected from the world instead of so connected. i desire a place of solitude - ok, i desire a stranded desert island most days. don't get me wrong, i love people, especially my family. i love my ministry too, but i just need to disconnect so i can connect with my Heavenly Father.
actually, i plan to do that sometime today. i need that time regularly. it's a hard discipline, but crucial!
so, if you call, e-mail, text, or facebook me and i don't respond right away, you will know why!
peace
a 1 year old baby boy who wakes up at 12:30am and gets daddy to stay awakewith him for 2 hours is probably spolied.
at least i got to catch up on some TIVO'd shows. remember life before TIVO? i faintly do. it's amazing how accustomed (spoiled) we have bcome with the latest technology.
i remember living in Bowling Green. Annie was was 3 years old. we had to make some cutbacks financially. satlellite TV would have to go for awhile. we busted out the bunny ears and we rolling with "farmer vision." annie was watching TV and had to go to the bathroom. she asked me to pause the show she was watching. when i told her we couldn't do that anymore, she started crying hysterically. i don't think she believed me. pretty spoiled, huh?
how have you become spoiled in life? compared to people who lived 100 or 1000 years ago? i bet you are. just imagine life without fastfood, microwaves, cell phones, computers, alarm clocks, ipods, garage door openers, dvd players - for your van or SUV, answering machines, fax machines, cell phones, copier/printer/scaners, the internet - google, youtube, facebook, netflix, online shopping, remote controls (imagine having to get up and change the channel manually), washing machines, dish washers, thermostat controls, video conferencing, GPS, did i say cell phones?
i just read about 4-way golf glasses that block out background colors so you can find your ball easier and they reduce contrast so you can read breaks and contours of the green easier. wow!
that's not all, they now have laser guided parking systems that show you exactly how far you need to pull in to the garage so you can safely shut it once you park you car! are you kidding?
what is the common thread of all these things? technology. why am i reminded of the closing scene of Napoleon Dynamite right now? have you wondered what the next greatest tech device will be?
whatever it is, it will most likely spoil us even more. why are you talking about this, Matt? why to sudden soapbox on tech? don't you have a cell phone, a GPS, and sweet 4-way glasses for golf? yes, well, except for the glasses.
i guess i just long for simplicity in some ways. while most of the tech advances are conveinent, some tend to be inconvenient at times, like my cell, my laptop, and my answering machine.
i long to be disconnected from the world instead of so connected. i desire a place of solitude - ok, i desire a stranded desert island most days. don't get me wrong, i love people, especially my family. i love my ministry too, but i just need to disconnect so i can connect with my Heavenly Father.
actually, i plan to do that sometime today. i need that time regularly. it's a hard discipline, but crucial!
so, if you call, e-mail, text, or facebook me and i don't respond right away, you will know why!
peace
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
inspired
my wife has renewed my passion for blogging. i must admit, i hit a wall and was ready to turn in my blogging profile to the authorities, but i have been inspired by Amanda to reignite the flame of blogging fire.
i suggest each of you visit amanda's blog (amandavalantine.blogspot.com), it is full of much more wisdom and maturity, but i will at least try to make you laugh and keep you updated on my life.
(1) today i am meeting with other ministers in the delaware area to build relationship and begin partnering to reach our community.
(2) our church is still journeying through the book of Nehemiah and we are in chapter 8 this week.
(3) i am thrilled to have my wife and kids home after 8 days of them vactioning with my parents in Florida!
(4) i am sad to let Amanda go again this weekend to help WLMB TV 40 in Toledo with their bi-annual telethon. go. girl!
(5) fine arts festival for Ohio is in 9 days which means the official crunch is on. i have the ooprtunity to serve on the committee and i am honored to say the least
*i am more excited this year than i have ever been to see the amazing talent and creativity of the Ohio students in action
*i am praying for all of you! keep using your gifts to glorify God and draw pre-christians to His love!
(6) i have received my dose of exercise each of the last 2 Sundays playing basketball at Johnstown HS with other guys my age. i still have a decent shot, but i am way out of shape!
keep checking back for updates. thanks for your patience as i strayed fromt he path of blogger faithfulness!
peace
i suggest each of you visit amanda's blog (amandavalantine.blogspot.com), it is full of much more wisdom and maturity, but i will at least try to make you laugh and keep you updated on my life.
(1) today i am meeting with other ministers in the delaware area to build relationship and begin partnering to reach our community.
(2) our church is still journeying through the book of Nehemiah and we are in chapter 8 this week.
(3) i am thrilled to have my wife and kids home after 8 days of them vactioning with my parents in Florida!
(4) i am sad to let Amanda go again this weekend to help WLMB TV 40 in Toledo with their bi-annual telethon. go. girl!
(5) fine arts festival for Ohio is in 9 days which means the official crunch is on. i have the ooprtunity to serve on the committee and i am honored to say the least
*i am more excited this year than i have ever been to see the amazing talent and creativity of the Ohio students in action
*i am praying for all of you! keep using your gifts to glorify God and draw pre-christians to His love!
(6) i have received my dose of exercise each of the last 2 Sundays playing basketball at Johnstown HS with other guys my age. i still have a decent shot, but i am way out of shape!
keep checking back for updates. thanks for your patience as i strayed fromt he path of blogger faithfulness!
peace
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
a simple teaching
God has been reminding me of 2 simple lessons in 2009 for success as i serve Him with my life:
(1) a pure heart
(2) a desperation for Him
**when it comes to having a pure heart, I believe God is looking for people who are willing to deny the desires of their flesh day after day, moment after moment. we all face temptation. we all battle the enemy in this area. are we winning more than we are losing? you don't have to be perfect to have a pure heart, but you need to win much more than you lose.
it often comes down to whether we want God more than we want to satisfy our desires. do you love the world more than God? remember, the pleasures of this world are temporary. as Paul warned us, "don't handle, don't taste, don't touch!" get on your knees today, repent, and don't look back.
many of us battle with the enemy's voice daily. he lies to us and tricks us into believing that we can never have a pure heart because of the extent of our past failures. put the enemy in His place today, listen for God's voice which tells us, "the old has gone & the new has come." live in victory today!
what area are you losing more often than not? what do you know you can do/should do to change this? find someone today who you can talk with about the purity of your heart. find someone who will be completely honest with you and ask you the toughest questions. and remember, being honest is the first step to improving in this area.
**when it comes to being desperate for God, I believe God is looking for people who will rely on Him to make their plans succeed. we all have creative ability, charisma, and a passion to make a difference, but that will only get us so far. we must commit our plans daily to the One who can "do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine."
when God moved the Valantines from Bowling Green to Delaware, OH, we knew some things we had to do to help our new church. however, when we listened to God, gave Him control of the steering wheel, and yielded to His plans, we began to see breakthroughs that no human ability could've orchestrated.
we prayed and fasted over the finances, and immediately God released His blessing and we've seen over a 100% increase in giving! How god is our God? i couldn't have done that without holding a gun to people's heads and forcing them to give.
what areas of your life have you been in control of? what are you trying to do without the covering of God? stop today, declare your desperation for Him. fast and pray over that area/decision/dream/situation before you make another plan/seek any advice/or try to figure it out yourself.
when our heart is pure and we are relying on God to make it happen, we can rest assure we will see God's will & that will become our will & we will know we have done all that we can do!
do it today!
(1) a pure heart
(2) a desperation for Him
**when it comes to having a pure heart, I believe God is looking for people who are willing to deny the desires of their flesh day after day, moment after moment. we all face temptation. we all battle the enemy in this area. are we winning more than we are losing? you don't have to be perfect to have a pure heart, but you need to win much more than you lose.
it often comes down to whether we want God more than we want to satisfy our desires. do you love the world more than God? remember, the pleasures of this world are temporary. as Paul warned us, "don't handle, don't taste, don't touch!" get on your knees today, repent, and don't look back.
many of us battle with the enemy's voice daily. he lies to us and tricks us into believing that we can never have a pure heart because of the extent of our past failures. put the enemy in His place today, listen for God's voice which tells us, "the old has gone & the new has come." live in victory today!
what area are you losing more often than not? what do you know you can do/should do to change this? find someone today who you can talk with about the purity of your heart. find someone who will be completely honest with you and ask you the toughest questions. and remember, being honest is the first step to improving in this area.
**when it comes to being desperate for God, I believe God is looking for people who will rely on Him to make their plans succeed. we all have creative ability, charisma, and a passion to make a difference, but that will only get us so far. we must commit our plans daily to the One who can "do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine."
when God moved the Valantines from Bowling Green to Delaware, OH, we knew some things we had to do to help our new church. however, when we listened to God, gave Him control of the steering wheel, and yielded to His plans, we began to see breakthroughs that no human ability could've orchestrated.
we prayed and fasted over the finances, and immediately God released His blessing and we've seen over a 100% increase in giving! How god is our God? i couldn't have done that without holding a gun to people's heads and forcing them to give.
what areas of your life have you been in control of? what are you trying to do without the covering of God? stop today, declare your desperation for Him. fast and pray over that area/decision/dream/situation before you make another plan/seek any advice/or try to figure it out yourself.
when our heart is pure and we are relying on God to make it happen, we can rest assure we will see God's will & that will become our will & we will know we have done all that we can do!
do it today!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
twas the night before Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve
is it just me or do we celebrate Christmas earlier and earlier each year?
no doubt i heard Christmas songs this year right after the 4th of July . . . ok, maybe it was Haloween! either way, the season is lengthening.
since i know the true meaning of Christmas, this shouldn't bother me, right? well, i suppose if as a society, we were extending the season in order to focus more attention on the birth of Christ and the the simple fact the the creator of the universe sent His Son - Emmanuel, "God is With Us," i suppose i would be doing cartwheels.
however, it's more likely that the commercialism of the holiday season deserves most of the credit for the extended hours. stores are initiating sales much earlier than Black Friday. we know have, blue Thursday (starts at midnight of Thanksgiving), firetruck red Wednesday, fucia Tuesday, goldenrod Monday . . . and the list seems to go on. we are being "put in the mood" to shop, buy, spend, deplete savings . . . whether we like it or not.
and the mood? not a focus on the real reason, but a colaborative effort to get the American people to spend more $$$? ok, so maybe this is a stretch, and what am i really trying to say?
is this a common case of Grinch"itis" just 5 days before the coveted Christmas Day?
we must fight for extending the hours of the true meaning of this season. God chose to be with us in human form. to suffer, to understand, to face everything we would face, so that He could truly say, "i know what you are going through!"
let's extend the amount of time we celebrate this truth. well beyond New Year's Day and throughout all of 2009. He came to be with us. God is with us! no matter which life issue has you backed into a aorner. today, you may need to step back from life and remember this truth. and possibly, this truth will set you free!
peace
no doubt i heard Christmas songs this year right after the 4th of July . . . ok, maybe it was Haloween! either way, the season is lengthening.
since i know the true meaning of Christmas, this shouldn't bother me, right? well, i suppose if as a society, we were extending the season in order to focus more attention on the birth of Christ and the the simple fact the the creator of the universe sent His Son - Emmanuel, "God is With Us," i suppose i would be doing cartwheels.
however, it's more likely that the commercialism of the holiday season deserves most of the credit for the extended hours. stores are initiating sales much earlier than Black Friday. we know have, blue Thursday (starts at midnight of Thanksgiving), firetruck red Wednesday, fucia Tuesday, goldenrod Monday . . . and the list seems to go on. we are being "put in the mood" to shop, buy, spend, deplete savings . . . whether we like it or not.
and the mood? not a focus on the real reason, but a colaborative effort to get the American people to spend more $$$? ok, so maybe this is a stretch, and what am i really trying to say?
is this a common case of Grinch"itis" just 5 days before the coveted Christmas Day?
we must fight for extending the hours of the true meaning of this season. God chose to be with us in human form. to suffer, to understand, to face everything we would face, so that He could truly say, "i know what you are going through!"
let's extend the amount of time we celebrate this truth. well beyond New Year's Day and throughout all of 2009. He came to be with us. God is with us! no matter which life issue has you backed into a aorner. today, you may need to step back from life and remember this truth. and possibly, this truth will set you free!
peace
Saturday, December 13, 2008
christmas lights
christmas lights don't seem the same still in the package! am i the only one who has not been able to get lights up on their house?
maybe not, but i'm probably the only one who bought some and still has em in the box.
what can we learn from this? ok, so i'm a preacher and we preachers are always looking for illustrations or spiritual implications in life.
(1) boxed lights don't have any power! umm, that'll preach!
(2) boxed lights aren't as pretty
(3) boxed lights don't get the attention of others
(4) boxed lights don't make a house look any different
(5) boxed lights will never reach their potential
ok, so you know i'm about to apply this to our lives, right?
we all have the opportunity to keep our faith boxed up or to share it.
keeping it boxed up or hidden:
(1) limits the power we operate in
(2) causes us to be less attractive to the world
(3) decreases the chance that others will be drawn to Jesus
(4) means we blend in with the world and refuse to be separate
(5) will keep us average and restrict our ultimate potential
makes sense to me
get the lights and your faith out of the box, hang em, plug em in, and let them shine!
peace
maybe not, but i'm probably the only one who bought some and still has em in the box.
what can we learn from this? ok, so i'm a preacher and we preachers are always looking for illustrations or spiritual implications in life.
(1) boxed lights don't have any power! umm, that'll preach!
(2) boxed lights aren't as pretty
(3) boxed lights don't get the attention of others
(4) boxed lights don't make a house look any different
(5) boxed lights will never reach their potential
ok, so you know i'm about to apply this to our lives, right?
we all have the opportunity to keep our faith boxed up or to share it.
keeping it boxed up or hidden:
(1) limits the power we operate in
(2) causes us to be less attractive to the world
(3) decreases the chance that others will be drawn to Jesus
(4) means we blend in with the world and refuse to be separate
(5) will keep us average and restrict our ultimate potential
makes sense to me
get the lights and your faith out of the box, hang em, plug em in, and let them shine!
peace
Thursday, December 11, 2008
valantine famliy update
top 10 items of info about the Valantines:
(1) amanda(0), matt(3) , and annie(4) visited the dentist today. amanda is the winner because the # in ( ) is cavities!
(2) our christmas shopping is done (well, except for what mama and papa bear are getting each other)
(3) tomorrow kicks off Fine Arts season #4 for the Valantines leading this great ministry for Ohio. yep, we decided to stick around at least one more year!
(4) kaitie sleeps in a big girl bed now. actually, it's an adult twin bed. she got annie's bed and annie is now sleeping in the bed i used growing up.
(5) this Sunday will be our 9th week in Delware. you know what they say about the 9th week . . . ah . . .well . . . what do they say?
(6) we hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. it was great - we capped the night off with Home Alone 2.
(7) we did buy outside Christmas lights that are still in the garage. come on, it's cold and rainy and we have a pretty weak ladder.
(8) my home church, Highway Tabernacle in Youngstown, OH, donated a bus to our church! Praise God and thanks Highway!
(9) the terrible towel has been waving proudly the last several weeks as the Steelers roll on to the playoffs. yes, the Steeler clock is still hanging on the family room wall. it'll prob come down when the season ends
(10) as always, God is the focus of our lives, especially this season. He is our foundation and at the top of our priority lists!
so now you know . . .
(1) amanda(0), matt(3) , and annie(4) visited the dentist today. amanda is the winner because the # in ( ) is cavities!
(2) our christmas shopping is done (well, except for what mama and papa bear are getting each other)
(3) tomorrow kicks off Fine Arts season #4 for the Valantines leading this great ministry for Ohio. yep, we decided to stick around at least one more year!
(4) kaitie sleeps in a big girl bed now. actually, it's an adult twin bed. she got annie's bed and annie is now sleeping in the bed i used growing up.
(5) this Sunday will be our 9th week in Delware. you know what they say about the 9th week . . . ah . . .well . . . what do they say?
(6) we hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. it was great - we capped the night off with Home Alone 2.
(7) we did buy outside Christmas lights that are still in the garage. come on, it's cold and rainy and we have a pretty weak ladder.
(8) my home church, Highway Tabernacle in Youngstown, OH, donated a bus to our church! Praise God and thanks Highway!
(9) the terrible towel has been waving proudly the last several weeks as the Steelers roll on to the playoffs. yes, the Steeler clock is still hanging on the family room wall. it'll prob come down when the season ends
(10) as always, God is the focus of our lives, especially this season. He is our foundation and at the top of our priority lists!
so now you know . . .
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
friends
are you a friendly person? who are your Friends? what is your definition of a friend?
i have been blessed to have some great friends in my nearly 30 years of life (yes, my b-day is in 23 days!). from childhood friends like my buddy Chad Schenker who visited me Sunday and enjoyed half of the Steelers game with me to friends like David George, music pastor in Arizona, who stood beside Amanda and I when we were at our lowest point in life, i have great friends!
i have lived in Ohio (3 places), Missouri, and Oregon and have been able to develop life lasting friendships in each place. each friends of mine is unique. each one means something different to me, but each one is special!
there have been times in friendships when i have felt like i was the only one contributing. that's when you begin to see how important that friends really is. to me, if the friend is important to you, it's worth the investment.
sometimes, friends hurt you. i am sure each of us has been there. but, if that friend is sorry, we have a Biblical responsibility to forgive them and restore the relationship. this can be hard, but is worth it in the end!
on occasion, a friend can really disappoint you by their actions. they can make some huge mistakes and don't realize how they will affect you. these are the situations that teach you not to keep your eyes on man, but on God!
on other occasions, friends go above and beyond the call of duty. recently, we had some friends help us move from Bowling Green to Delaware. dave and kati thompson worked so hard and sacrificed so much for us and i don't know how we will ever repay them for that. we love them so much!
sometimes, friends just know the right time to send a note, e-mail, make an encouraging phone call, or just offer that much needed hug. there is no price tag for those moments.
each of us deserves friends if we are willing to be friends. never take them for granted. always let them know you appreciate them, and thanks God for bringing them into your life!
thanks, friends!
i have been blessed to have some great friends in my nearly 30 years of life (yes, my b-day is in 23 days!). from childhood friends like my buddy Chad Schenker who visited me Sunday and enjoyed half of the Steelers game with me to friends like David George, music pastor in Arizona, who stood beside Amanda and I when we were at our lowest point in life, i have great friends!
i have lived in Ohio (3 places), Missouri, and Oregon and have been able to develop life lasting friendships in each place. each friends of mine is unique. each one means something different to me, but each one is special!
there have been times in friendships when i have felt like i was the only one contributing. that's when you begin to see how important that friends really is. to me, if the friend is important to you, it's worth the investment.
sometimes, friends hurt you. i am sure each of us has been there. but, if that friend is sorry, we have a Biblical responsibility to forgive them and restore the relationship. this can be hard, but is worth it in the end!
on occasion, a friend can really disappoint you by their actions. they can make some huge mistakes and don't realize how they will affect you. these are the situations that teach you not to keep your eyes on man, but on God!
on other occasions, friends go above and beyond the call of duty. recently, we had some friends help us move from Bowling Green to Delaware. dave and kati thompson worked so hard and sacrificed so much for us and i don't know how we will ever repay them for that. we love them so much!
sometimes, friends just know the right time to send a note, e-mail, make an encouraging phone call, or just offer that much needed hug. there is no price tag for those moments.
each of us deserves friends if we are willing to be friends. never take them for granted. always let them know you appreciate them, and thanks God for bringing them into your life!
thanks, friends!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
results
most of what we do is done for the results:
(1) we go on diets to lose weight
(2) we ask a guy or girl out to get a positive result
(3) we study hard to get a good grade
(4) we root for our favorite team because we think that we can will them to win
(5) we give our kids what they ask for so they are happy
(6) we treat people kindly so they will be blessed be our actions
(7) we decorate the house with tons of Christmas stuff so that . . . we can . . . it will . . . well can't remember why we do that
when it comes to our relationship with Christ, a great deal of it has to do with results. i invest time in prayer and Bible study because i want to grow closer to Jesus. i want to know His heart! i want to be the man of God that my family and church needs. i want to have no regrets at the end of the day.
results
what results are you longing to have in your life? what are you doing to get those results. you reap what you sow.
FYI - i am hoping to get more people to read this blog. i know i have to post more often for that to happen, so i am hoping to get in that habit. please vote on the polls so i know that you are reading my blog
peace
(1) we go on diets to lose weight
(2) we ask a guy or girl out to get a positive result
(3) we study hard to get a good grade
(4) we root for our favorite team because we think that we can will them to win
(5) we give our kids what they ask for so they are happy
(6) we treat people kindly so they will be blessed be our actions
(7) we decorate the house with tons of Christmas stuff so that . . . we can . . . it will . . . well can't remember why we do that
when it comes to our relationship with Christ, a great deal of it has to do with results. i invest time in prayer and Bible study because i want to grow closer to Jesus. i want to know His heart! i want to be the man of God that my family and church needs. i want to have no regrets at the end of the day.
results
what results are you longing to have in your life? what are you doing to get those results. you reap what you sow.
FYI - i am hoping to get more people to read this blog. i know i have to post more often for that to happen, so i am hoping to get in that habit. please vote on the polls so i know that you are reading my blog
peace
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
dreamers vs. visionaries
i began preaching out of the book of Nehemiah on Sunday. this is my first shot at expository preaching (preaching verese by verse through a book of the Bible).
God led me to Nehemiah becasue our church is in a rebuilding stage. Nehemiah was a man of vision and leadership. (i am praying to model those qualitites) he wasn't just a dreamer though! in the book, Visioneering, Andy Stanley says, "Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference. Dreamers think about how nice it would be for something to be done. Visonaries look for an opportunity to do something!"
these are great thoughts! it's important to have big dreams, but we have to be willing to let God use us to accomplish them. when we make ourselves available to the task at hand, we move from a dreamer to a visonary!
God has placed a vision on my heart to lead a church in Delware, OH that is leading people to LifeChange (thanks C3). would you pray with us to see this vision fulfilled?
i am praying specificially for a miracle today! it would be a huge, gigantic, enormous blessing to our church! i figure, why not? god is big enough to do it! so i am believing and praying that He will!
have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
God led me to Nehemiah becasue our church is in a rebuilding stage. Nehemiah was a man of vision and leadership. (i am praying to model those qualitites) he wasn't just a dreamer though! in the book, Visioneering, Andy Stanley says, "Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference. Dreamers think about how nice it would be for something to be done. Visonaries look for an opportunity to do something!"
these are great thoughts! it's important to have big dreams, but we have to be willing to let God use us to accomplish them. when we make ourselves available to the task at hand, we move from a dreamer to a visonary!
God has placed a vision on my heart to lead a church in Delware, OH that is leading people to LifeChange (thanks C3). would you pray with us to see this vision fulfilled?
i am praying specificially for a miracle today! it would be a huge, gigantic, enormous blessing to our church! i figure, why not? god is big enough to do it! so i am believing and praying that He will!
have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
thankful
what i am thankful for this Thanksgiving:
(1) my relationship with Jesus - it's everything to me and all i really need!
(2) my wife - she is so amazing! i love her more today than i ever have!
(3) my kids - Annie, Kaitie, and Nash - they are creative, funny, and loving
(4) my parents and in-laws - i love them so much and appreciate all they do for us!
(5) my church - LifePoint - it's a great church with a great future!
(6) my friends - i have a lot - and i wouldn't trade 'em, well, most of 'em.
(7) my health - i have been able to avoid most major issues and i am 36 days away from
turning 30!
(8) my calling - still humbled that God uses me to pastor in His Kingdom!
(9) my everyday blessings - food, clothes, shelter, breath, abilities to walk, talk,
see, hear, taste, etc.
(10) my sports teams - they can be so therapeautic! Go Steelers, Bucks, Bulls, & Jays!
thank you, God, for all of these things! help me to recognize your blessings and to learn how to appreciate them even more!
(1) my relationship with Jesus - it's everything to me and all i really need!
(2) my wife - she is so amazing! i love her more today than i ever have!
(3) my kids - Annie, Kaitie, and Nash - they are creative, funny, and loving
(4) my parents and in-laws - i love them so much and appreciate all they do for us!
(5) my church - LifePoint - it's a great church with a great future!
(6) my friends - i have a lot - and i wouldn't trade 'em, well, most of 'em.
(7) my health - i have been able to avoid most major issues and i am 36 days away from
turning 30!
(8) my calling - still humbled that God uses me to pastor in His Kingdom!
(9) my everyday blessings - food, clothes, shelter, breath, abilities to walk, talk,
see, hear, taste, etc.
(10) my sports teams - they can be so therapeautic! Go Steelers, Bucks, Bulls, & Jays!
thank you, God, for all of these things! help me to recognize your blessings and to learn how to appreciate them even more!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
almost
i think God woke me up this morning. as i lay in bed at 6:15am, i thought, if it is God waking me up 45 mins before my alarm is set to go off, i need to get up and spend some time in His presence.
so, i tip-toed down the stairs, and was just getting ready to grab my Bible when i heard that dreaded noise, i mean joyful
sound . . . little feet hitting the ground and a door opening and shutting. you guessed it, one of the arrows from my wonderful quiver was awake. this time it was Kate. up way too early for a 2 year old by the way.
well, i almost got a chance to spend some time with the Lord before the day hit full speed. i still plan to try. time to turn on the tv and see if i can pull it off. i will let you know. wait what is that i hear, a little boy ready for the day . . . ALMOST!
so, i tip-toed down the stairs, and was just getting ready to grab my Bible when i heard that dreaded noise, i mean joyful
sound . . . little feet hitting the ground and a door opening and shutting. you guessed it, one of the arrows from my wonderful quiver was awake. this time it was Kate. up way too early for a 2 year old by the way.
well, i almost got a chance to spend some time with the Lord before the day hit full speed. i still plan to try. time to turn on the tv and see if i can pull it off. i will let you know. wait what is that i hear, a little boy ready for the day . . . ALMOST!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
serving others
i have been privileged to have people in my life who truly know how to serve. in the past month, i have been blessed more than i deserve.
i want to recognize some people who have served the Valantines recently, realizing that i risk leaving somebody out of this list . . .but here goes anyway . . .
(1) my father-in-law, Joe, spent the entire day yesterday installing our RO unit so we can have clean drinking water. he also took apart my washer and dryer to search for problems and to maximize it's efficiency. what a guy!
(2) we had many helpers in Bowling Green as we loaded our trucks and headed to Delaware, but dave and kati Thompson were amazing! they gave up two entire days to help us out. we are so blessed to call them friends! thanks, guys!
(3) Everyone from BG who helped us pack our house, watch our kids so we could pack, and those who battled the elements to load the trucks! (Thanks, Brian Johnson for driving a truck down and helping us move into the house!) (Thanks, Vicky Albrecht, for bringing the salad & organizing the clean up!)
(4) Barry & Patty Keene have been amazing supports to us since we pulled in the drive at LifePoint! We are thanking God for this great couple on our leadership team!
(5) Frank Rease, a LifePoint member and friend, gladly showed me the ropes to our gas fire place today and maximized the networking systme in our home! Thanks, bro!
(6) Aaron Sponsler, former youth ministry student, led a church work weekend at LifePoint which allowed us to get tons of work done and improved the look of our facility! Our sign is back up! Thanks, Aaron, Bonnie, Dale, and Connie!
As you can see, we have received so many blessings and we are so thankful for God's faithfulness!
We don't deserve what we receive and we are quick to recognize those who have given so much to help our transition to Delaware!
Thanks, everyone!
Peace
i want to recognize some people who have served the Valantines recently, realizing that i risk leaving somebody out of this list . . .but here goes anyway . . .
(1) my father-in-law, Joe, spent the entire day yesterday installing our RO unit so we can have clean drinking water. he also took apart my washer and dryer to search for problems and to maximize it's efficiency. what a guy!
(2) we had many helpers in Bowling Green as we loaded our trucks and headed to Delaware, but dave and kati Thompson were amazing! they gave up two entire days to help us out. we are so blessed to call them friends! thanks, guys!
(3) Everyone from BG who helped us pack our house, watch our kids so we could pack, and those who battled the elements to load the trucks! (Thanks, Brian Johnson for driving a truck down and helping us move into the house!) (Thanks, Vicky Albrecht, for bringing the salad & organizing the clean up!)
(4) Barry & Patty Keene have been amazing supports to us since we pulled in the drive at LifePoint! We are thanking God for this great couple on our leadership team!
(5) Frank Rease, a LifePoint member and friend, gladly showed me the ropes to our gas fire place today and maximized the networking systme in our home! Thanks, bro!
(6) Aaron Sponsler, former youth ministry student, led a church work weekend at LifePoint which allowed us to get tons of work done and improved the look of our facility! Our sign is back up! Thanks, Aaron, Bonnie, Dale, and Connie!
As you can see, we have received so many blessings and we are so thankful for God's faithfulness!
We don't deserve what we receive and we are quick to recognize those who have given so much to help our transition to Delaware!
Thanks, everyone!
Peace
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
do over days
does anyone know what i'm talking about when i say i wish i could do some days over again?
yesterday was one of those days.
i found myself saying things to my family that did not speak life and encourage them. i was pretty short with the kids and let my emotions dictate my actions on more then one occasion.
truth is - I BLEW IT! i had the chance to speak life and i spoke death. i had the chance to create a loving, encouraging enviornment and i missed it!
can someone say mulligan!? i guess the bright side of this is that i can try it all again today. when the sun came up this morning, which it does pretty early now, i was given a new day, a new start, and new chances to make better decisions.
Lamentations 3:23 says that His compassions/mercies are new every morning.
most of us like the sun. we dread the sunset at 5:30pm this time of year! where did the day go? however, some days need to end so we can get a fresh start the next day!
yesterday i wanted a do over. today i am trying to live the life God called me to live. a life of love and one that brings life.
thanks, God, for the new day!
yesterday was one of those days.
i found myself saying things to my family that did not speak life and encourage them. i was pretty short with the kids and let my emotions dictate my actions on more then one occasion.
truth is - I BLEW IT! i had the chance to speak life and i spoke death. i had the chance to create a loving, encouraging enviornment and i missed it!
can someone say mulligan!? i guess the bright side of this is that i can try it all again today. when the sun came up this morning, which it does pretty early now, i was given a new day, a new start, and new chances to make better decisions.
Lamentations 3:23 says that His compassions/mercies are new every morning.
most of us like the sun. we dread the sunset at 5:30pm this time of year! where did the day go? however, some days need to end so we can get a fresh start the next day!
yesterday i wanted a do over. today i am trying to live the life God called me to live. a life of love and one that brings life.
thanks, God, for the new day!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
process
what processes do you have in place in your life?
i guess you need to start with some simple questions . . .
who are you?
who do you want to be?
once you answer these 2 questions, you can begin to figure out HOW (process) you are going to get there.
today, i spent over an hour discussing with a friend the process of discipleship at his church. we @ LifePoint Church are in the process of answering those 2 questions . . . who are we & who we want to be as a church?
as soon as we define that (hopefully by tomorrow - jk), we can begin to develop the process to get there. in order to get from A to Z, we must think in steps.
what about your life? who are you? who do you want to be?
if you want to get to the end, you have to start with the beginning and begin to think in steps. maybe for you, your steps are:
(1) begin to spend more time in God's Word
(2) begin to give more time and energy somewhere besides yourself
(3) learn or develop a skill that you can use for God's purposes
(4) connect with some people who you have been at odds with
(5) begin to to use your words to speak life not death
there are many many more of these steps. do you need help? let me or someone you respect know about it and get the accountability you need.
life is a process. where are you going?
peace
i guess you need to start with some simple questions . . .
who are you?
who do you want to be?
once you answer these 2 questions, you can begin to figure out HOW (process) you are going to get there.
today, i spent over an hour discussing with a friend the process of discipleship at his church. we @ LifePoint Church are in the process of answering those 2 questions . . . who are we & who we want to be as a church?
as soon as we define that (hopefully by tomorrow - jk), we can begin to develop the process to get there. in order to get from A to Z, we must think in steps.
what about your life? who are you? who do you want to be?
if you want to get to the end, you have to start with the beginning and begin to think in steps. maybe for you, your steps are:
(1) begin to spend more time in God's Word
(2) begin to give more time and energy somewhere besides yourself
(3) learn or develop a skill that you can use for God's purposes
(4) connect with some people who you have been at odds with
(5) begin to to use your words to speak life not death
there are many many more of these steps. do you need help? let me or someone you respect know about it and get the accountability you need.
life is a process. where are you going?
peace
Monday, October 20, 2008
small beginnings
well, the official first Sunday at LifePoint Church came and went without much noise.
i woke up Sunday am and was overwhelmed with the magnitude of the day. the responsibility of leading a church blew me away. so much so that i became physically sick to my stomach. after some prayer, i settled down and stepped into the role God had designed for me since i was born!
Pastor amanda led our church in worship and was amazing! so many people said that they were in tears as they opened their hearts to God. i was behind ther drums, but still was able to soak in the anointing that flowed from Pastor Amanda!
i felt very comfortable as i preached the message, THE CHURCH OF YESTERDAY OR THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW. the response to the message was great. many came forward to commit to do their part to make LifePoint Church a healthy church of today!
we are truly blessed that God has positioned us for this season in the great city of Delaware.
thanks to everyone who has believed in us and supported us through prayer and love!
talk to you soon!
peace
i woke up Sunday am and was overwhelmed with the magnitude of the day. the responsibility of leading a church blew me away. so much so that i became physically sick to my stomach. after some prayer, i settled down and stepped into the role God had designed for me since i was born!
Pastor amanda led our church in worship and was amazing! so many people said that they were in tears as they opened their hearts to God. i was behind ther drums, but still was able to soak in the anointing that flowed from Pastor Amanda!
i felt very comfortable as i preached the message, THE CHURCH OF YESTERDAY OR THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW. the response to the message was great. many came forward to commit to do their part to make LifePoint Church a healthy church of today!
we are truly blessed that God has positioned us for this season in the great city of Delaware.
thanks to everyone who has believed in us and supported us through prayer and love!
talk to you soon!
peace
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