Monday I posted a video about not giving up on your dreams. Today I have a short podcast (5:01) about Dream Stealers.
Our environment does indeed affect us. That includes people we are around. They can be dream stealers – don’t let them!
Enjoy the podcast!
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Many people have given up on their dreams for one reason or another. Have you?
Here’s a short video (3:30) with a number of examples of name you will recognize. These people did not give up on their dreams, and neither should you.
Enjoy the video.
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The article in Thursday’s Pep Letter was entitled, “Is It Really An Act Of God?” (If you don’t receive my weekly newsletter called, “The Pep Letter.” you can sign up for free over in the right hand column.)
Today I have a short podcast (5:19), expanding a little bit on the topic of that article. I want to share a couple of other points that I did not bring up in the article.
I know that there a lot of visitors to this blog that do receive The Pep Letter, but in case you don’t, I have decided to go ahead and post that article, You’ll find it below the audio player,
Enjoy the podcast!
[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]
Is It Really An Act Of God?
Most insurance forms have a clause for an “act of God.” That is a legal term for events outside of human control, such as sudden floods or other natural disasters, for which no human being can be held responsible. But why are those things attributed to God, and why do so many people think that those things are punishment from God?
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg last June was quoted in the New York Times, referring to a falling tree branch in Central Park that killed three, as saying that it was “an act of God.” He’s far from being alone. For years, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters have been called, “acts of God.” It is common to refer to a natural disaster euphemistically as an “act of God,” but even so, it still implies that God was responsible.
Hurricane Katrina was called by a number of people an “act of God” upon a sinful and rebellious nation. Earthquakes, lighting strikes, and even bridges collapsing have all been called an “act of God.” There are those who are quick to point out that each of those events are punishment from God.
While there is a lot more to it, a simple explanation for earthquakes is that the earth has tectonic plates that are always slowly moving; some refer to this as the way earth breathes. But at times, they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
To say that an earthquake is an “act of God,” is simply not true. There is also constant volcanic activity going on in the earth which can and does contribute to earthquakes. A significant shift in the tectonic plates in the ocean can cause a tsunami.
Unusual heavy winter snow, followed by unusually heavy spring rain can and does cause rivers to flood. Rivers, over cycles of time, flood their banks. Certain coastal areas will, over cycles of time, experience hurricanes. There are known fault line areas that will, over cycles of time, experience earthquakes.
All of these things, and more, are really “natural phenomena;” they are all eventually going to happen. It is ludicrous to call them, “acts of God.” To imply that He is orchestrating these things is both arrogant and disrespectful to God.
If I choose to live on a coastal area that can be directly affected by a hurricane, then that is my choice. I ought to know the risks involved. I should realize that if I live there long enough, I will experience some severe storms.
But, God gets the blame. Do people really believe that God just sits around all day long planning His next disaster to punish mankind? Did God decide that it was time to strike in Central Park and kill some people? Was that a punishment for New York?
Those who propound blaming God for natural disasters point out that this is God’s punishment for sin and sinners. They believe that this is His way of waking people up and showing them that they need to change their evil ways. They may be entitled to their opinion, but their opinion is certainly not biblical.
God already implemented His plan for sinners 2,000 years ago by sending the redeemer to pay the price for all sins. The Bible says that God wishes for all men to be saved; to accept Jesus Christ as lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. At that moment they receive remission and forgiveness of sins.
In the first century, people did not go around preaching that natural disasters were God’s way of punishing people. They did not try to scare people by telling them that if they didn’t change their evil sinful ways that God was going to initiate one of His “acts,” and wipe them out. No, they went out everywhere preaching Christ.
The Bible states that it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance. People can yak all they want about natural disasters being God’s punishment and a wake up call to change, but they are not telling the truth. It is God’s love and goodness that leads people to a change of heart.
If someone were to spread lies about me, it would not make me feel very good. In fact, I would really want them to stop; in a court of law it would be called slander. Why spread lies and slander God?
In the most popular verse in the Bible, it says, that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have everlasting life. Love was His motivation in sending Christ, and love is still His motivation today. Those who choose to accept Christ can expect a loving God to answer their prayers and bless their lives.
Mike Verdicchio
2010
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Yesterday I mentioned a line from a poem that I heard many years ago. So, I found it online and am posting it here for you today.
I’d Rather See A Sermon by Edgar A. Guest
I’d rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example’s always clear;
And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it
if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
Both this, and yesterdays post, remind me of living life with the love of God. The Bible talks about letting your light so shine that others can see and then glorify God. It also talks about being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.
Maybe, just maybe, there might be some who need stop “talkin'” and start “walkin.'” What do you think?
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A friend of mine sent a story to me recently. I don’t know if it is tre, but it makes a very good point. What do you think about it.
A Christian
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.”
Then he thought, “Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.”
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here,you gave me too much change.”
The driver, with a smile, replied, “Aren’t you the new preacher in town?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, “Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.”
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians! Always remember that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself a “Christian.”
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Again, I don’t know if the story is true or not, but don’t you think that it makes an excellent point? It reminds me of a line from a poem I heard many years ago: “I rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” In other words, if you believe it, then live it everywhere you go.
(Chere, thanks for sending this to me)
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None of us can go back in the past and undo something we have done, can we? But that is exactly where guilt lives; it’s in the past.
This short podcast (4:58) has some simple keys to stop living with guilt. You really can enjoy living life today, in the here and now!
Enjoy the podcast!
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You Might Also Enjoy: If He Could Forgive Stop Looking Back How To Face Another Day
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That’s an odd title, don’t you think? And, no this short podcast (6:00) is not about being rich spiritually, which we really are.
This is actually a bit of a reality check; and, a little bit of motivation too.
Enjoy the podcast!
[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]
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We both knew it was getting close, very close. But where was the doctor? I told Kathy that I would go and try to find him again. We had been up all night, and now it was morning; around 6:00.
Returning to the room, without the doctor, I reassured her. “Don’t worry, it will be okay; he’ll be here.”
It was now around 6:25. We decided to pray that the doctor, wherever he was, would get to our room as quickly as possible.
There was a point when I thought that I might just have to deliver the baby myself. That thought caused me to pray again for the doctor. It was now 6:30 and Kathy was “all systems go!”
The doctor walked in. He was at the end of his 18 hour shift. “I was taking a little nap,” he said. “I woke up a couple of minutes ago, and thought that I better come and check on you.” I replied, “We couldn’t find you, so we prayed, and God woke you up for us.”
He sat down on his stool, and within 2 minutes of his arrival in the room, there was another arrival; our son, Michael Paul, was born at 6:35.
Last night, Kathy and I took Michael and his wife, Jacey, out to dinner for his birthday. And, like always, I once again repeated the story of praying for the doctor to make it in time for the delivery.
Of course we have other “early days” stories about him as well as about our daughter, Paula. If you have children, then I’m sure you have stories as well. Do you tell them over and over and over like I do?
It is indeed a great blessing to have children. We love our children; we would do anything that we could for them. And that is, in itself, a constant reminder to me that our heavenly Father loves His children too.
I know how much I love my kids; but my love pales in comparison to the love that God has for each one of us. And God has clearly declared that there is nothing that can ever separate us from His love.
And just as I enjoy hanging out and having a relationship with my children, so our heavenly Father desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us. We can talk to Him any time, day or night, knowing His ears is always open to us, His children.
Last night the fellowship was sweet, the food was good, and until Christ returns, we look forward to celebrating more birthdays with our children and grandchildren.
Do You Have A Story?
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I kind of stumbled onto this video, not really looking for it at all. I thought it was very timely, given the economic situations going on today.
I especially enjoyed the first half of this interview with Dave Ramsey because there are a lot of people today who are afraid.
Enjoy the video.
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Yesterday was a special day for me. It was the 28th anniversary of my ordination to the Christian ministry. As I recount in This Is My Story, there was a gorgeous sunset on that evening, August 11, 1982.
These past 28 years have been exciting, challenging, and ever changing. I did spend a good chunk of those years doing full time ministry work. But, regardless of the times and the circumstances in my life, I have always tried to hold true to the words on my ordination certificate.
It says “a minister of the Gospel of Deliverance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The English word “minister” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word that means “to serve.” “Gospel” means “good news.” So, I have endeavored to do my best in serving the good news concerning Jesus Christ that brings deliverance.
Being a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives me great flexibility and freedom. I am not bound by the rules or traditions of a particular denomination. I have the freedom to continue to examine the Scriptures and grow in my understanding. I am free to teach and share anywhere anyone invites me.
I am aware that I am responsible for what I teach and share. I have always done my best to share and teach what I believe is the truth and accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible. But if and when I learn something new, I am not afraid to change and move forward.
I really love and enjoy doing this blog. It is yet another avenue for me to reach out to people. The day may come when I will have a lot more time to devote here. I look forward to that day!
But until then, I am delighted to continue to contribute what time allows me, in hopes that it is both inspiring and encouraging. I want to continue helping people to have more confidence in God and to enjoy the life God has given each of us to live.
Thanks for visiting this blog and allowing me to serve you some good news.
