"...and this is the gate of heaven". Genesis 28:17b

These words where uttered by Jacob after awakening from a dream. His dream was about a ladder that stretched from the earth to heaven and angels were ascending and descending. And the Lord was standing at the top of the ladder and spoke to Jacob, telling he would give him the land where he slept.

Jacob awoke and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not".

How many times do we enter the doors of our churches out of pure habit. How many times have we gone to church and not participated in worship. Maybe they weren't singing the songs we liked or the music was too loud.

How many times has the Lord been there, "...and we knew it not"?

It's time that we stop being an audience of spectators and start being an audience of participators.

It's time to move from Program Worship to Participatory Worship.

• Program Worship is about something rather than to someone
• Programs are typically passive
• Program Worship invites judgement

We must plan for God to be the source rather than the topic of worship.

We have to shift our emphasis from whether I am pleased to whether God is pleased...

"God" - What else can we say?

God is like Coca-Cola,
He's the real thing.
God is like Pepsi,
He's got a lot to give.
God is like Pan Am,
He makes the going great.
God is like Chevrolet,
He is building a better way.
God is like Dodge,
You can depend on Him.
God is like Dial soap,
He gives around-the-clock protection.
God is like Hallmark cards,
He cared enough to send the best.
God is like Bayer aspirin,
He works wonders.
God is like Alka-Seltzer,
Try Him, you'll like Him.
God is like Scotch tape,
You can't see Him, but he's there!

The Excellency of Christ

Christ's excellency (opposite ends of the spectrum brought to one place) brings to the picture every aspect of Who He is. 

• He is the God-Man...when he fell asleep in the hinder part of the boat He was man(he slept); but when He stepped to the bow and spoke to the storm He was God(there was a great calm)
• He is the Lion and the Lamb...Lion meaning royalty, power, strength...Lamb meaning gentlness, humbleness, led without a single word to the cross.
• Alpha & Omega...everything that needs to be said, expressed, everything that you can possibly need or want can be expressed between Alpha and Omega.

This is why it is impossible to know Him as Savior but not experience Him as Lord.  I read about this doctrine a few years ago and all of it's silliness.  Can you jump in the river and not get wet?  Can you touch a flame and not get burned?  Can you jump off the Empire State Building and not fall down?
Falling down is a part of the experience of jumping off; getting burned is a part of the experience of touching an open flame; getting wet is inherently  a part of jumping in a river; AND experiencing Him as Lord is a part of proclaiming Him as Savior.

Thou, O Lord

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me?!

Many are they that rise up against me.

Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. (Psalms 3)

My how we forget, who is our encourager, who comes to fight our battles for us. Who is a strong tower. Lord may we remember to lift up our head and look to hills from whence cometh our help!!!

Praise His Name Forever!!

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES (from my son Brad)

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES   Do you ever feel like there's just too many or too high obstacles to overcome in order to get through the troubles in life?   In Matthew 19:26, it states "With man this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible." Let us not forget that any obstacle we may encounter in our lives, we must overcome them with the LORD and not on our own. God is always there by our side and will give us the strength no matter what the endeavor. Remember, God is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!!!   I'm reminded of a song that states: "When everything falls apart, your arms hold me together.. When everything falls apart, your the only hope for this heart.. When everything falls apart and my strength is gone, I find you mighty and strong.. You keep holding on!!"   God has said "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13: 5&6. God is always there to be our helping hand in overcoming our obstacles. Let Him lead you in your life to do something Heavenly because He has a will for us all.   God bless!!!

Giving up......

Has the thought of giving up ever crossed your mind?

Have you struggled with a situation to a point that it seemed you couldn't go any further?

Well, here's some good news.....GIVE UP!!!!

It's not what you think, I'm not talking about giving up on life or even your walk with God. I'm talking about giving it up "TO" HIM!!!!

Matthew 11:30 says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Read Matt 11:29-30 in context)

We tend to try and "make" things happen instead of letting God direct us or living in HIS Will.

When we "GIVE UP" and let God take control things seem to work out a lot smoother.

Now, don't expect it to work out the way "you" had dreamed it would, because God works in mysterious ways and all things work together for the good of those that love HIM.

Be blessed and know that Giving Up can have a positive ending.......

Can you hear me now.......?

So many times I've heard preachers and worship leaders talk about being vocal or being loud. "Loud is good!!", they say. But is it?

We can bombard heaven with a whispered prayer that comes from the very depths of our hearts. We can shake the foundations with a hum of praise as we open up our heart and let out the spirit of worship.

Heartfelt prayers and worship does not have to be the loudest just the most earnest. He doesn't want our volume, He wants our utmost.

May we learn to turn it up and rip the knob off of our understanding of exactly what it means to truly Worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth!!!!!