Pray For Haiti And Do Something To Help

Archbishop Dies In Haiti

From Catholic News Agency

Port au Prince, Haiti, Jan 13, 2010 (CNA).- The earthquake that struck Haiti just before 5 p.m. local time has claimed thousands of lives, according to news reports coming from the island. Among the many lives lost in the catastrophe are those of Catholic clergy and missionaries.

The Italian daily La Repubblica reported the death of Archbishiop Serge Miot, Archbishop of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince at 4:44 a.m. (CDT). According to the brief report, his body was found in the rubble of the archbishop's office. They also reported that the Vicar General, Msgr. Benoit, was still missing.

According to the Vatican's Fides news agency, Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza was reported as saying:

"Port-au-Prince is totally devastated. The cathedral, the Archbishop's Office, all of the big churches, all of the seminaries have been reduced to rubble. The same luck for the Ministry buildings, the Presidential Palace, the schools. The Parish Priest of the Cathedral, who was spared, told me that the archbishop of Port-au-Prince would have died under the rubble, together with hundreds of seminarians and priests that are under the ruins."

I Want My Name Back Part 3

2. We misrepresent the Name of Jesus when we move away from sinners.

The average 'Christian' after one year of being a Christian has no friends outside of the Christian environment. What a sad commentary. How do we reach people with the love of Christ if this is how we act? If we look at Jesus, he was a friend of sinners. It seems that he was more comfortable around sinners than around the "religious" people.

Today we have 'Christian' health clubs, stores, clothing, bowling alleys, and the list goes on and on. In fact, we could go our whole life without being around non-Christians if we really wanted to.

The problem with this is this is not who Jesus is or what he is like. If we are to be like Jesus we must get out among those who do not know him and be with them. It is not a time to judge them, but to share their life and get to know them. Instead of trying to get them to say 'the Prayer', why not ask them how their day was? Why not be their friend? If we would begin to do this and treat people with respect I believe that they would come to faith much quicker.

Lay down your Amway salesman evangelism and begin to be real with people. Get out among those that Jesus misses most. Let us truly become Christ-followers.

I Want My Name Back Part 2

1. We misrepresent the name of Jesus when we use Jesus' name apart from His nature and character.

Let me explain. Several years ago a young man was murdered by other young men because he was gay. During the trial, a pastor and his church members were at the courthouse with huge signs saying "God hates fags." As I saw this my blood boiled. God does not hate anyone. That is not His nature or character. But that is all that everyone saw on the evening news.

As you examine Exodus 34 we find God revealing Himself to Moses. In so doing, God reveals Himself first as loving, merciful, full of grace and then as a God of justice. So many times we as "Christians" get it backwards. We want to give out justice first and save the love, grace, and mercy for ourselves. St. Paul says that it is the goodness and mercy of God that leads us to repentance.

So, before we open our mouths and say this is what God is like we better check out His nature and character before we say anything. Let us truly become "Christ followers."

Prayer of the Week

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River

Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him

with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his

Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly

confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy

Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

I Want My Name Back Part 1

Sometime ago I was driving down one of the beautiful streets in downtown St. Augustine. As I was driving, I looked to my right and saw a bumper sticker that said, "Jesus save me from your followers." As I looked at this sticker, a wave of emotions flooded over me. I though to myself how can someone put something like that on their car. I got really upset with the gall of this person. As I drove on there was another wave of emotions that flooded over me and questions began to arise in my mind. What has happened to this person that they would put a bumper sticker like that on their car? How did some "Christian" hurt them? Then I began to remember the times that other "Christians" treated me as I me as if I was not a Christian and did not even know that God existed.

I became very sad as I drove to the Post Office, because many times we so-called Christians misrepresent the name of Jesus. Several years ago a friend, Tom Pelton, preached a sermon and said that Christians have so misrepresented the name of Jesus and not acted like Jesus that he believed that Jesus was crying out to reclaim His name. He wants it back!

Have you ever misrepresented Jesus? Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone misrepresenting Jesus? If we were truly honest with ourselves we can all say that at some point in time we have misrepresented the name of Jesus.

Over the neve few days I will explore how we misrepresent His name.

Happy New Year-2010

Happy New Year - 2010.

I pray that this will be the best year of your life. May you know God's

favor and blessings this year.

The Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas

(Take from http://www.byrum.org/misc/christmas/origin.html )

You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written.
It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or shortened by a head - or hanged, drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and disembowelled while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso.

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."

The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

I Would Love To Hear From You

Everyday Joe's Big Adventure Blog is getting hits from all over the world. I am so blown away by the response I have had recently. Now, I would like to hear from you. Please click on the comment section and tell me where you are from and how you heard about this blog. Also, what subjects do you want to hear about.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Prayer of the Week

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of
your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our
hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I Confess

Fountain of Mercy, sung by Angelina (EWTN)

Repent For The Kingdom Of God Has Come

Can you believe it? The 3^rd week of Advent has begun. Time is flying by so fast. It seems that we just began Advent. That is one of the problems of our lives. Time goes by in a flash. I remember when I was a kid and the adults told me to be happy being a kid because there would be a time when the days would go by very fast. I always thought they were crazy but I guess they were not.

Today I want to encourage you to slow down and take some time to reflect on our lives. I know in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season it may be hard, but we have to do it.

In Matthew 3 we read these words:

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 3:1 NLT (The phrase near is translated - the Kingdom of heaven has come.

As we begin to reflect upon this the first thing I think that we must look at is “repent of your sins.” Now you may say I am already born again. I have already done this. But are there any areas of your life that are not being controlled by the Kingdom of God? The writer of Hebrews says that we are to lay aside every weight that ensnares us. What are the things that we fight in our lives? Is it anger, unforgiveness, pornography, or some other thing that entangles you and it seems like you can’t get free of it? Take a few moments of quiet time and ask God to show you what you need to repent of.

The second thing to reflect upon is that repentance is not just asking forgiveness of something but to turn away from it. We need to make the decision to walk away from the stuff that ensnares us. How do we do this? The first thing is desire. You have to desire to change and make the decision to do it. The next thing is you may need someone to help hold you accountable. You may need to go and ask a mature Christ-follower to help you. But one of the most important things you can do is go to confession. GO TO CONFESSION! I can already hear someone screaming this and turning red faced. But yes, I did say go to confession. You see, as you go to confession and confess your sin to God in the presence of a priest, the priest is announcing what God has done in heaven is done on earth. So, maybe you need to go to confession and walk away knowing that God has forgiven you. Not because the priest said so, but because God says so and is using the priest to speak to you.

Take time today for some reflection.

Can The Kingdom Come To Juarez Mexico?

Yesterday I was surfing the news and came across an article on CNN about “On the front lines of drug war.” It was really sad. On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, seventeen people were killed - gunned down in the drug war. I then watched the video footage of what is going on in Juarez. There have been 2400 murders this year in Juarez, just across the Mexican-American border from El Paso, Texas. In fact, this reporter was on patrol with the police and you could see the lights of the border crossing and El Paso.

The following quote is chilling. "Juarez is the most violent zone in the world outside of declared war zones". That is really scary. As you read this you may be asking, what does this have to do with me? I know it is bad but how does this effect me? Let me tell you. This violence has now begun to come across the border. It is happening right here in the USA. The Los Zetas drug cartel has cells all over the United States. The DEA says that this cartel is one of the most highly technologically advanced and violent cartels. They began from a group of men from the Mexican army that had been trained by the Americans at Ft. Benning in special warfare-Airborne/Green Beret types. Once they got back to Mexico about 50 men defected from the Army and became enforcers for a drug cartel. Now they have started their own cartel and the violence has increased.

If we do nothing this violence is going to spread into our cities and towns all over America.

But what can we do? Do we need a fence or tougher laws? I believe the answer to this problem can be discovered in the message of this Advent Season.

The primary message of Advent is the coming of the Kingdom. What is needed in Juarez, all of Mexico, and the United States is for the Kingdom of God to be made real. The kingdom of darkness is ruling in this region. All you have to do is watch the videos about the Los Zetas and other cartels to know of the darkness and the demonized activity.

What would happen if the Church began a united effort to pray for a true move of God in this region? What if we began to fast and pray for an end to the killing and torture? What would happen if we began to pray for God to raise up godly priests, pastors and lay evangelists to take the message that the Kingdom of God has come to Juarez?

I can tell you what would happen. We would begin to see a change. As we confront the power of Satan and his kingdom and fight for people’s lives, peoples hearts would begin to change. The only way to stop the violence is for men and women’s hearts to be changed. As Paul said, how can they know unless someone tells them?

As we continue in this Season of Advent I call us to pray and fast for Juarez and Mexico. God raise up men and women to make a difference.

Advent- The Coming of the Lord In The Eucharist

As we move further into this season of Advent we are reminded that it is a time of preparing for the "coming of the Lord."

We remember the coming of the Lord as the babe in the manager, but there is another coming of the Lord that we can prepare for.

This is the "coming of the Lord" in the Eucharist. Every time we come to the Altar to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist we receive Jesus. Jesus said in St. John that this IS my body and blood.

So as we come to the table of the Lord to receive the sacrament, let us come with a renewed sense of meeting Jesus and receiving Him.

Prayer of the Week

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Are We Really Proclaiming The Gospel

Now I know that this is a loaded question, but it is one that we must confront and come to terms with.

For far too long I believe the church has proclaimed an incomplete Gospel.

So what do I mean by this? Are we proclaiming the same message that Jesus proclaimed during his time here on earth? What was the message that He proclaimed? Repent for the Kingdom of God is near. He not only told us the Kingdom had come but He demonstrated that the Kingdom had come by healing people and casting out demons.

For far too long the Church has only proclaimed salvation. We have told people that they must be born again or “saved” and have left it there. Yes we have told people how to live but we have only declared part of the Gospel - an incomplete Gospel.

As we celebrate this Advent season, I believe that it is time to reclaim the “full Gospel”. That God has come to save man for his sins but also to declare the Kingdom of God has come among us in healings, miracles, signs and wonders. These were common experiences in the Book of Acts and in the life of the Pre Nicene Fathers.

Advent-The Coming of the Kingdom of God

This past Sunday was a very special day on the Church calendar. It was the first Sunday of the Season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. Happy New Year!

I believe that Advent is probably my favorite season of the church year. It is a blended season - a mixture of hope, repentance, and joy. In this season we look back at Jesus' first advent when He came as the babe in the manger. But we also look ahead to His second coming and the establishing of His kingdom in its fullness. Meanwhile, Christ comes to all who are willing to receive Him.

Over the next weeks I will post thoughts about the season of Advent. So, check back from time to time. But there is one truth that we must begin to embrace if we are to have the impact on the world around us.


That truth is that the kingdom of God has already come and it is coming. Now I know that sounds like double talk but it is not. Let me explain. When Jesus came in the first advent his kingdom came to earth. His rule and reign is already established. So as we go about doing good and sharing the Gospel in real ways, His kingdom is expanded.

There is another part of this in that when Christ comes in His second coming it will be the consummation of all things and His kingdom will be made real in its fullness.

One problem that many Christ-followers have is they are just waiting for the second coming. They are ready to escape the world. But that was not the message that Jesus taught. He wants us right in the middle of the world sharing the love of the Father with all those around. So stop just looking for an escape and begin to expand the kingdom of God through your service to others this Advent Season.

Thanksgiving Thoughts 2009

I am sitting in CiCi’s Pizza waiting for my family to get here so we can eat dinner. As I sit here I am thinking about this past year and all that we have gone through. A lot has happened this year. I will not go into details but in the natural this has been one of the worst years of my life. As I think about it all I am ashamed for all the complaining I have done this year. Ashamed at my lack of faith in facing the many mountains. Ashamed at my lack of prayer and leadership in directing my family through it all.

As I sit here and reflect on this past year, I can now see God’s hand in everything that has happened. So many of the things that have happened have been because of my own mistakes. God has been faithful to be there and lead me out of the stuff that I have done. Even when I was so upset that we only had $1.132in the bank account until payday God was there because we made it until payday.

Yesterday I got a reality check. My only living brother called and told me that this past weekend he was burning trash. He lives in the country. He picked up what he thought was a can of Diesel but it was gasoline. The can exploded in his hand. He was able to drop to the ground and finally put the fire out. He has 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns to his arm and his leg. As we talked I was so thankful that God was watching over him. This could have been so much worse but his life was spared and the damage not as bad as it could have been. Although there are still weeks of skin grafts and therapy ahead he is alive and will recover.

How many times do we forget about the little blessings that God has given to us as we await the large blessing we so desperately need? We get so caught up in the here and now that we forget to look at what he is doing in our lives.

Tomorrow as my family sits down for Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. It’s not all the big stuff but the small everyday blessings that God has given to us.

My goal for the coming year(s) is to always look for those small blessings and enjoy them while I can. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cuba Government Housing

Glories of the Revolution in Cuba

Prayer of St. Carlos of Brazil

My dearest friend St. Carlos, who renounced the power, honor, and riches of this world, you know how iniquity hurts and how hopeless it is, you who were humiliated and misunderstood. For this, I humbly ask you to watch over the homeless, abandoned, and rejected people, and for me also who is seeking for your special help. I confidently ask you for the grace of (say your request) even though it seems to be impossible, I want to count on and await your intercession as the saint of urgent causes. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well‑beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez of the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church Has Passed

On October 29, 2009 Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez stepped out of this life and into his reward. Below is a post I wrote on October 26, 2007.

The above picture is of Patriarch Luis Mendez of the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church. He is now in his 80's. When he was in his 20's and a young Roman Catholic priest in Venezuela he began to proclaim the grace of God and God's love. During the 1940's he even began to celebrate the Mass facing the people instead of having his back to the people. Many of the things he began to teach and practice were later accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.

The day came that the government arrested him, took him to a small room, sat him down at a table and told him to sign the piece of paper on the table . The paper was a statement that he was renouncing what he had done and what he was teaching. When he refused to sign this document, the officials took a hot iron and placed it in his hand - burning his hand. He still bears the scars today. He was given an opportunity to sign again, but again he refused. They hooked him up to electrons and shocked him with electricity. He still bears the scar today. Then they broke his arm before taking him to an island where they left him to die. He had no food, water, or clothing. Some local fisherman discovered him and helped him. Finally, his mother learned of his whereabouts and came to the island.

Word began to get out about what happened and the Mexican ambassador began to negotiate with the government concerning this situation. Eventually a boat showed up and he was told he had to leave the country and would be taken to Panama. He was further told if he ever came back to Venezuela he would be killed.

There was a former Roman Catholic Bishop by the name of Carlos Durate Costa who had been following these events. In the process of time Bishop Costa went to Panama and consecrated this young priest as a Bishop in Christ's one holy catholic and apostolic church. Bishop Mendez moved to Brazil and has been in Brazil ever since.

Bishop John Holloway and Family Needs Your Help

As many of you know, our home was foreclosed on almost two weeks ago. After much prayer and counsel, it was decided that saving the home was not a viable long-term solution and that we should begin looking for alternative housing. The sale date for the property is presently set at December 1, 2009. We have about 4 weeks, give or take, to find another house and move. We have attempted to negotiate a later sell date with the lender and have thus far been unsuccessful.

We are thankful for your prayers and are now asking for your help. A special bank joint-signature bank account will be opened tomorrow at First Bank of Pike in Zebulon, Georgia. Jacob will be one of the signatories and Jason Brisendine will be the other. All funds raised will be directed towards a “new” residence for our family. Funds will not be used for food, entertainment, or any other non-housing related expense. We are primarily concerned with finding another place to live at the moment. If you need any further information, please contact Jacob (jbh301@gmail.com) directly. He is acting on behalf of the family in this situation and has all of the pertinent information. He asks that you only contact him. We thank you greatly for your willingness to give in any way possible. We understand that this is a difficult time for us all.

Below is information on the situation that was written by Elaine:

“In July 2006, Elaine was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and told there was “no hope”; she had two months to live. She would never get into Emory to get treatment that may help because the Holloway’s had no medical insurance. God opened the door for her to be treated at Emory Hospital and the Winship Clinic. She has now been declared cancer free, but remains under the care of doctors at Emory. Elaine also had to have cataract surgery and remains under the care of a retina specialist in Atlanta for bleeding in her eyes. On June 8, 2007, Bishop John Holloway suffered a massive stroke. He was taken to Emory where they had to remove part of his skull because of swelling of his brain. He has been sent home three times to die, but still gets stronger. He was under Hospice Care until they had to release him because of his improvement. In October 2007, he had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. He still has not had his skull replaced. He is at home, bound to his bed or wheelchair, but always in great humor. Then doctors discovered a quarter-sized hole in Jacob’s heart. In May 2008, he had open-heart surgery to successfully repair his heart. Being the primary caregiver of Bishop John, Elaine also homeschools Josiah and Hannah, who also help with their Dad on a daily basis.
The Holloway family is entirely dependent upon God to meet the overwhelming needs they face every day. Because Bishop John opted out of social security in 1975, they have no government support or income and no medical insurance or assistance. The Charismatic Episcopal Church, where Bishop John is a medically retired bishop, has done over and above what they should have been able to do for this family, but it has not been enough to save their home from foreclosure. Their residence in Thomaston has been home for Bishop John, Elaine, Jacob, Josiah and Hannah for the past 16 years. The Holloways are looking for a new home and are in need of financial support. The Holloway family asks that you help as you can. May God bless your generosity!

Checks from individuals may be made out to: Diocese of the Mid-South andmailed to: 4881 Highway 34 East Sharpsburg, GA 30277. Please include in the memo “Benevolence”.

Checks from churches should be made out to “Holloway Housing Fund”,
and mailed to First Bank of Pike, Attn. Jason Brisendine, PO Box 1028, Zebulon, GA 30295.

Questions? Please call Jacob Holloway, 706-741-0912 (cell).”

Introduction to Missionaries Russell and Wanda Wilkison

Please watch this video and if you can please help Wilkison complete the project in Mexico. I personally know this family and they the real thing!

I have begun to read Live Your Dreams by Les Brown. Good read.

So excited my new site www.whoisjoebutler.com. It's coming along. Thanks Justin & Chaunna Brooke.

Currently Reading

This book was given to me by Stephen Strang of Strang Communications last Thursday at a luncheon. Good so far.

Answered Prayer Guaranteed!- Frederick K.C. Price

Books I'm Reading

Just finished these two books. Recommend that you get them and read them.

Trump Think Like A Billionaire-Donald Trump

Trump The Art of the Comeback-Donald Trump

Swine Flu

Quote of the Day

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. - Donald Trump

Quote of the Day

Apprecation authorizes intimacy-Mike Murdock

WARNING: SWINE FLU...

Over the last few days we have seen and heard the message that Swine Flu is spreading around the world. Words and pictures like pandemic, deaths in Mexico , and school closings have caused fear to grip many peoples hearts. As Christ-followers, what does this all mean to us? First, we should use wisdom and follow the instructions that we are being given at this time.

*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

*Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

*Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Today I was reading an email that Dr. Mike Smalley sent to me. The following are some suggestions from him for this time.

*This is a God given opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of peace in an environment of growing fear and panic.

*An opportunity to take communion regularly with your family as a reminder Jesus' body was broken for your health and healing.

*An opportunity to seek the Holy Spirit for financial wisdom to protect you from possible economic downturns.

*An opportunity to walk in the divine protection promised to those who tithe and plant Seed into the work of God. ". . . and I will rebuke the devourer for your sake." (Mal 3:10)

Quote of the Day

Learn from mistakes of others; you won't live long enough to make them all yourself.

ML King Museum

Today we visited the ML King museum. It really hit me to see my city, St. Augustine, on the freedom march display.

New Beginnings TV Launched Today

Books I'm Reading

Finished Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin last week. Good book. Read it and begin to examine your organization. I have begun to examine our church and my business.

Just began reading Reposition Yourself-Living a Life Without Limits by T.D. Jakes. Easy to read book.

They Can't Stop You-Steve Furtick

You probably remember the occasion when Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin to leave the disciples alone because:“If their purpose or activity is of human origin it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”Acts 5:38-39

If you are doing the work of God for the purposes of God in the power of God, you’re unstoppable too. Just like the early church. Just like Jesus Christ.

I don’t remember where I first heard this little quote, but it has enlivened me on many tough days (it’s even posted in one of my assistants’ office):When I want what God wants for the reasons God wants it I’m unbeatable and unstoppable.

Receive that today. Breathe it in. Then walk it out.

Maybe you’re a pastor squaring up with a carnal deacon board, trying to pursue a God given vision in the face of tremendous scrutiny and opposition.Stay on the wall, Nehemiah. That deacon board can’t stop you. God is fighting for you! Dream, implement, preach, evangelize, cast vision.It will come to pass.

Maybe you’re a parent trying to instill godly values into your child, and they’re putting up a hell of a fight every step of the way. Remember, your child isn’t fighting against you. According to Gamaliel, they’re fighting against God!And whether they know it or not, they’ve met their match. It’s just a matter of time ‘til He lands the knockout blow.Keep training, encouraging, correcting, disciplining, praising, mentoring, sowing. It will produce a harvest.

If God is for you, who can be against you?As long as you keep moving forward, you’re unstoppable!

Steve Furtick is the Lead Pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. (This posting was taken from stevefurtick.com)

Not Smart(ies): Doctors Warn of Dangers in Kids 'Smoking' Sugary Candies

Not Smart(ies): Doctors Warn of Dangers in Kids 'Smoking' Sugary Candies
Friday, March 20, 2009 (Copied from FoxNews.com)

Doctors are warning kids across the country to stop "smoking Smarties" -- a fad they say can lead to infections, chronic coughing, choking and even maggots feeding off sugary dust in your nose.

Adolescents and teens have been crushing and inhaling candy, and then exhaling it, in an effort to look as though they’re smoking cigarettes, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
Countless youths have even posted how-to videos, like this one on YouTube, of themselves engaging in this behavior.

Health experts fear the behavior may lead to harmful conditions. Some kids have already shown signs of developing a “smoker’s cough.” Oren Friedman, a Mayo Clinic nose specialist, cautioned that frequent use could lead to infections or even worse, albeit rare, conditions, such as maggots inside the nose.

The trend came as a surprise to officials at Summit Middle School in Frisco, Colo., in the fall when a clique of sixth graders started “smoking” Smarties -- a popular, disk-shaped sugar candy.

Though they call it “smoking,” the kids aren’t actually lighting a match to the candy. Instead, they crush it into a fine powder in its wrapper, draw it into their mouths and then blow it out in a cloud of dust.

The fad worries Corinne McGrew, the school nurse at Summit School District. "My biggest concern was that they would aspirate the wrapper or a whole Smarties and it would be a choking hazard," she told the Wall Street Journal.

The problem is happening all over the country — and Smarties isn’t the only candy of concern, said Eric Ostrow, vice president of sales and marketing at Ce De Candy Inc., which manufactures Smarties in Union, N.J.

“It can be done with anything made with sugar and compressed — Necco Wafers, Conversation Hearts, SweeTarts, Lik-M-Aid is already pulverized and so is Pixy Styx,” Ostrow told the Journal. “I don’t want to be complimented that we’re the number one choice.”

Have you heard about this? Have you had to deal with this? If so what did you do?

Signs of Burnout

If you have been in "church work" any amount of time you know what the term burnout means. So many times we begin to experience the beginnings stages of burnout and we miss it until we are into it pretty deep. So over the next couple of postings I want to look at the signs of burnout and the cure for burnout.

A really good example of burnout in the Bible can be found in I Kings 19 and the story of Elijah.

I am not going to go into the details of the story - you can read that. So here are some signs of burnout.

1. We depreciate our worth. We compare ourselves to others and what we expect our lives to be.

2. We devalue our work. We blame ourselves for the results of our work. We must remember that we are only responsible for obedience.

3. We exaggerate our problems. We make them bigger than they really are.

4. We abdicate our dreams. When we stop dreaming we die inside. We quit, or stop, caring or just begin to go through the routine of life.

Do you find yourself feeling burned out? . What are you doing about it? What have you done about it? Comment on it.

Please Pray

This is a posting from a friend of my wife. Please pray for them. Here is a link to her blog-The Journey for Selah. God's favor, Joe

As you know, we are 1 out of 4 families that have been fighting for our children in Kaz. In the previous post, I had to share the heartbreaking news that 2 of the families were completely denied their adoptions. After years of bonding and loving these children, the court system in Kaz denied the ability for them to be a family.

This week, the 3rd family has their court hearing. Please be in prayer that they can go in peace and have the strength they need. Its going to be a hard week for them. Their hopes aren't too high at this point, given the news the other two families had a couple of weeks ago.

It is very hard to understand WHY these judges are trying to prevent these precious, innocent children from being with their families. And they don't understand that we are already bonded to our children. We have spent time with them, loved them, kissed them, fed them, talked about them, etc... They are OUR children. Not the government. Not anyone else. They are ours. And to strip them from us in this way is.... pure evil.

However, there are things that happen that we may never understand. But, i do know that without the peace, strength, joy, and contentment I have in Christ, I wouldn't be able to do this.

Please say a prayer for all four of us.

Police Resuce Child Prostitutes Around the US

This past weekend the FBI and local Police rescued 45 suspected teenage prostitutes -age 13-17- in what was called "Operation Cross Country." Along with the rescue, many of their pimps were arrested.

According to FoxNews.com, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Daniel Roberts said, " unfortunately the vast majority of these kids are what they term 'throwaway kids', with no family support, no friends. They're kids that nobody wants, they're loners. Many are runaways."

As I read this quote I became very sad and at the same time upset and mad.

I have a question for the"church" at large, and for me, too.

What are we (and I mean my local church as well) doing about these kids? We see them all the time. There should be no excuse for a "throwaway kid." Are we supporting families and giving them the tools they need to be good parents or are we just focused on the "spiritual stuff"? Well, the kids are the "spiritual stuff"!

God forgive us as individuals and as the church for not becoming a louder voice for our kids and turning a blind eye to them.

More on The Sticks Conference

The Sticks-Midwest Regional-Speaker Highlights from thesticks.tv on Vimeo.

The Sticks Confernece

The Sticks Intro from Revolution Church on Vimeo.

Check out the website: www.thesticks.tv

What I Am Reading

Have a New Kid by Friday, by Dr. Kevin Leman. This is a good read for parents who are trying to come up with a better way of dealing with their kids behavior.

Jack:Straight from the Gut, by Jack Welch. Book written by Jack Welch, former CEO of GE. He shares his experience of taking an organization that was full of bureaucracy and how he turned it around.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope that you all have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Laughing Gas Kid Video

Tithe Rap

Quote

"What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you." Mike Murdock

Thank You Dr. King

Today we remember Dr. Matin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for laying your life down that so many could know freedom.

Dr. King in St. Augustine, Florida

Leadership 101 by John Maxwell

Great little book that every leader should read. Check out the link here.

Video Invite

My First Article for Serve with Steve Sjogren

Check out the new issue of Serve with Steve Sjogren.

http://serve-others.com/issue28/

I have my first article for Serve in this issue. It is call the Gift that keep on Giving.

New Series Video

New Web Address

We now have a new web address. The new domain is www.joesbigadventureblog.com .

Happy New Year!!!

Sunday Night Reflections (Really Monday Morning 2 AM)

1. My topic today was a Year of New Beginnings. I believe that God going to do some amazing things in 2009 in St. Augustine.
2. This weekend I began to Twitter. (This sounds like it may have hurt.) You can follow-my name is pastorjoeb.
3. New Series to begin Jan. 18, 2009 called Change... Is it really possible? With all the talk about change coming with the new President we are going to explore where and how real and lasting change happens.
4. Please pray for us we need to raise $5000 by Jan 2, 2009.

New Logo for New Beginnings Fellowship

Check Out Shaun King's Blog

You need to check this guy out. His name is Shaun King and he is the Lead Pastor at The Courageous Church in Atlanta. His blog is shauninthecity.com. The church is launching on Jan. 11, 2009.

For Christmas they raised funds to buy 500 kids uniforms and a toy. They are really touching the lives in their part of Atlanta.

Advent Conspiracy

Depending on your church tradition you may not know about the Season of Advent. Let me share with you a couple of things about Advent. Many churches celebrate what is known as the season of Advent. It begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. The purpose of this time is to remember that the Kingdom of God is coming. It first came at the advent of Jesus Christ being born and ushering in the Kingdom of God upon the earth. It is also a time to look forward to the coming of the Kingdom in its fullness at Jesus' return. During these four weeks, families are encouraged to have a time of reflection and examine their hearts in preparation of the coming of the King.

Advent may be something new to you. But I believe that the purpose of this time is something every Christ-follower can benefit from. So there are four things I would like to encourage us to do over the next few weeks.

1. Worship Fully - So many of us make a difference between that which is scared and that which is secular. In the Kingdom everything is sacred. It does not matter whether we are praying or playing, fishing for bass or fishing for men, eating, spending time with friends, working, or involved in some form official worship - it is all worship. Everything we do is worship to God.

2. Spend Less - We can get so caught up in the commercialization that we go into debt to keep up with others or just to have the "right" thing. Given the situation we are in as a country, try spending a little less this year. It's not about the gifts that we buy and give, its about the attuide of our hearts.

3. Give More - This is not just about money. We need to give of ourselves during this Christmas Season. Jesus came and He gave. If we are to be Christ-followers, then we too must give. What about the kid in the neighborhood that does not have a father? What about the elderly lady that is all alone? What about the single mom who is having a hard time just to make ends meet? What about the college student that is so far away from home? What would happen if we just began to touch the lives around us?

4. Love All - The greatest gift that we could give this year is love. Real love. A love that gives and ask for nothing in return. Jesus said they will know us by our love. Does our love tell others that we are Christ-followers or just another religious person with no heart?

During this Season, let's reclaim what it's all about and become true Christ-followers.

Thank You Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I had the privilege of attending a meeting of pastors that Bishop Vaughn McLauglin is mentoring. I was so blessed to be with these men of God. During the meeting Bishop Vaughn spoke into my life and helped to stir up old dreams and visions that had been placed on the back burner.

Thanks Bishop.

Here is a quote from the day.

"What works is not necessarily right, but what is right will work."

Core Values of New Beginnings

Core Values of New Beginnings Fellowship

We Value People
People matter to God
We believe people matter to God and therefore they matter to us. God demonstrated the high value He places on people when He gave His very best, his Son, to provide the gift of salvation. Our assignment is to get the message of this good news to people so we can help them establish a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and equip them to change their world.

We Value Authencity
People are to be real
We believe that of all people Christ-Followers should be real. We are committed to learning to be honest and real with others and ourselves. We believe that being "super spiritual" is not a godly trait and should be avoided.

We Value A Outward Focus Lifestyle
Our mission is to those outside the four walls of the Church
We believe that as Jesus said the world is the field. We are called not to hide behind the walls of our church building but to go out into the marketplace and present the good news of Jesus in simple practical ways. It is not about the words we say but about the deeds of love we do.


We Value Generosity
Givers instead of takers
We believe that Jesus spoke of the importance of money frequently. About 80% of his parables centered around the need for all of us to have a proper perspective about this area of life. As a church and individuals, we freely give, not out of obligation or guilt or law, but out of excitement, joy and enthusiasm in order to extend the love of God to others.

We Value Relevance
Although our methods will change, our Message will not
We believe the Bible is the most exciting book ever written, and we seek to share its’ good news in relevant environments. We will create appropriate environments for all ages.

We Value Service
Every member is a minister
We believe God has equipped every Christ-Follower with gifts and passions so they can become difference makers for Jesus Christ. We will encourage everyone to use and develop their gifts and talents in service to our church, community, and the world.

Michal Ann Goll Stepped into Heaven Today

At 7:32 AM Michal Ann Goll Stepped into Heaven

This past weekend I ministered in a conference hosted at Mahesh and Bonnie Chavdas church in North Carolina. It was a powerful time and I was blessed to be a part of it. However I was in contact with Kathy Colbert, who has helped so much with Michal Ann during this season, and she made me aware that Michal Ann's strength was slipping and that I needed to come home. On Sunday night I did return home and my good friend Bill Greenman picked me up at the airport and we began making our way to the house. Earlier that day Mickey and Barbara Robinson had come over and prayed for Michal Ann and as they ministered to her, a big smile came to her face as they prayed. They were still at the house when we arrived; Bill came in with me and as he prayed for her, again a smile came over her face and a peace invaded our bedroom. As I spent the night in the room with her, I knew that she was nearing the end of her journey. The next morning, after I ministered to my wife through the night, Michal Ann breathed her last breath on earth and stepped into Heaven to be with her Lord, her first love! Michal Ann fought harder than anyone could have believed, including the doctors. I was always impressed with her fight to live until the last! Her legacy of Compassion Acts is going to live on in the hearts of many - and the lives that it is changing will help change the world to move in the Compassion of Jesus!We will be having two services for Michal Ann as she is worth the double blessing. HA! One will be in Nashville, TN on Thursday and the other is in the process of being planned in Odessa, MO this weekend (details will be forthcoming). Michal Ann will be buried at the Dover Cemetery in Dover, MO. Donations in lieu of flowers on behalf of Michal Ann may be made to Compassion Acts to support the dream that she carried in her heart for the poor and broken of the earth. The details for all arrangements are below.

Details for the Nashville, TN Celebration service for Michal Ann Goll:Thursday, Sept 18thVisitation @ 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Memorial Service @ 2:00 p.m. Bellmont Church, 68 Music Square East Nashville, TN, 37203

Please feel free to pass this information on to others.

Never, Never quitting!!! James W. Goll with Michal Ann praying me on!

If you would like to give in honor of Michal Ann Goll, checks can be made out to Compassion Acts and sent to PO Box 1653, Franklin, TN 37065, or contributions may be made online as well. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law and a receipt for your donation will be mailed to you. Thank you for your support.

Check Out Serve! with Steve Sjogren

I want to encourage you to check out this e-zine called Serve! with Steve Sjogren. Just click on this link http://www.serve-others.com/issue21/.

Steve is a pastor, author and one of the great minds on how to reach people that are outside of the "church culture."

Please check it out.

Joseph was a dreamer/visionary

Joseph was a dreamer and it got him into trouble. In Genesis 37 we read two dreams that God gave to Joseph. The first dream was sheaves bowing down to him and in the second one there was the moon, sun, and eleven stars bowing down and worshipping him.

When Joseph told his brothers these dreams they became angry with him and the hatred they had for him increased. Why? Because they knew what he was telling them - they would bow down to him, their little brother! Although the dreams that he had were true and from God, that did not mean that people would get excited about them.

Have you ever had a dream or vision from God and when you told someone they did not get excited? Did they do just the opposite, and maybe got mad?

Joseph's problem was not the dream, but that he told the dream. We find no where in the passage from Genesis that God told him to tell it. What can we learn form Joseph's situation?

1. Never tell everything to everyone. Some things that God gives to you are for you alone.

2. Only tell those who respect your dream. Do not waste your time on those who disrespect it.

3. Sometimes you are to never tell it. Look at the revelation that God gave to Paul. He said that

there were things God showed him that he could never tell.

Another thing that you must remember is that family, even parents, may not encourage you. Some may even be jealous. It is not important that everyone is happy about what God has spoken to you or called you to accomplish. What is important is that God has spoken and that it has been confirmed and blessed by true spiritual authority.

New Series: How To Dream Again

Have things occurred in your life that have taken you down a different path than the one you always envisioned for yourself? Do you find yourself just getting through the day? Remember the bumper sticker that was so popular a few years ago, "Stuff Happens"?

If any of these questions have you shaking your head 'yes', then this Sunday is just for you. Pastor Joe Butler will be looking at how we go through life and stuff happens that causes us to give up on our dreams. And you are invited to come and learn to dream again.

Meeting at: The St. Augustine Community Theater
in the Ponce de Leon Mall next to J.C. Penney
For more information call 904-540-1624