Are your batteries being charged?

Good Morning World!

Last night before bed, as per usual, I made sure my cell phone was plugged in.  I usually plug it into my computer as most nights I leave it on, however, last night to save some energy and give the machine are rest I  turned off my tower.  The thought crossed my mind that my phone probably wouldn't charge, but thought I'd try anyway.  Sure enough this morning I still needed to charge the battery.  This brought another thought to my mind!

Too, often we go through our day without ever taking time to rest, relax, read, pray or meditate.  All these activities if done in a proper productive manner will help to recharge our batteries.  We feel that just sitting in front of the TV for a couple hours in the evening will relax us.  Not so my friend.  I've watched my share of movies before bed, and I have found that it never really relaxes the mind or body. 

We must find activities that we find relaxing.  Go for a walk in the woods.  Go for a ride on an ATV in the wilderness.  Bake a cake. Take a nap. Read a book. Pray.  

No getting more to the point, We also tend to forget, when we get busy to plug into our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Just because we say that we are a Christian, doesn't mean that we are automatically and continuously connected to His unlimited power.  No, the fact remains that we MUST take time every day to pray and get connected to His presence.  We MUST read His word every day to stay connected with what pleases Him.  Just because we leave the plug in doesn't mean any juice is flowing!  You must turn the switch on!

Have a great day!

Yours for Christ

Pastor Fred

My 200th Post! (Do you hear or listen?)

Good Morning World!  WOW!
This will be my 200th post!  I decided a few years ago to stick with this blog, and even though I have changed it twice, and taken a couple sabbaticals from writing it is still here for the world to read and hopefully enjoy a fresh breeze of truth, and a small amount of wisdom.  (That was a long sentence!)
Now we are celebrating 200 bits of information, wisdom, advice, suggestions and sermons - it doesn't seem possible!  Thank You!

Today by way of celebration I am going back a few days to a conversation I had with a couple of my local banks tellers.  They were in the middle of a conversation when I arrived at the wicket, and knowing them as well as I do I made a smart remark; at which they all laughed.  However, because of the comment we started talking about the difference between listening and hearing.

They are both action words, but one is passive and one is active.  Passive means you can do the action without any real effort or action on your part.  Active means that there is a direct action that must be included or follow the use of the word.  So, we have Hearing.  This is a passive word.  This word can be done without any action required.  Listening on the other hand is an active word, and requires action on the part of the doer.  I might hear what my mother is saying, but I do not listen to what my mother is saying!

I have written 200 posts now, and I have had over 4,000 people read these posts, however, I wonder ho many of those people actually listened?  As preachers we are not interested in people who just hear the gospel, but we are trying to find people who will listen to the gospel.  Not very often have I directly preached the gospel in these posts, but almost every post has had an element that will lead you to Jesus if you will listen.  Too, often we just peruse the blogs in our list, but we don't actually digest this soul food and find a why to implement it.  I have a book on my shelf that is just over half finished because I am trying to put into action what is requested in the book. (This reminds me I need to check in the book and see how I am doing!)  I have just started the book of Proverbs, and decided to take it one chapter at a time, even though I memorized about 16 chapters of it as a youth, it still holds great and powerful truth that I will now try to instill into my children!

So, next time you read, or are required to hear something; listen!

Yours for Christ
Pastor Fred

Purposed Righteousness!

During my Bible reading this morning I read a verse that I plan to integrate into my life!


Psalm 17:3b ..."I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress"

This should be a life verse for everyone!  David the great psalmist wrote some of the most poignant literature that there is, and this is no exception.  I wonder what would happen in this world if people would begin to purpose that they were going to talk right?


Just like the old quote, "you are what you eat," the same is true, "you are what you speak!"  We must learn to use right words.  Let us not be crass and obnoxious, but let us learn to speak with wisdom, thought, understanding and tact.


The lost art of being tactful is all but gone, and people don't seem to care what they say or write to each other.  This is a degradation of society that is really a shame.  We must purpose in our own minds that we are going to do what is right.  We must purpose that we are going to take responsibility for our own actions, words and ways.  We must purpose that we are going to do what is necessary to change our lives!


Did you know that you have available the greatest asset to a mind set and life change?  His name is Jesus!  He has offered us all the resources and help that we will ever need to have a fulfilled and successful life.  Jesus gives us assistance through the power of His Holy Spirit and ministering angels.  Through a daily lifestyle of prayer and Bible reading and study we can gain all the insight and instruction that we need to life a peaceable and successful life!


Don't ever complain that you are alone in this life, because Jesus is just a prayer away!


Your's for the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
Pastor Fred

The Muddy Puddle Question!

What is it about a muddy puddle that makes a child drawn to it? What is it about the muddy puddle that is like a magnet, and a child just has to step in it and dance!?

This question really struck me Thursday evening as my son, Ethan, and I were going into the Church for Bible Study. It had been a snowy, sloppy, warmish kind of day, and between the van and the Church was a rather large muddy puddle. As we passed, Ethan began to position himself for the big plunge! As I was on hand his impulsive desire to jump was quickly thwarted, and this question crossed my mind. Then in the few seconds before we entered the Church for Bible Study I realized that the Good Lord had just given me food for thought and sermon material!

We need to be like that muddy puddle! Not in respect the the muddy or even in respect to the puddle, but rather we must be like magnets that people feel need to jump into! As a Pastor and a Preacher it can be difficult at times to convince people of their spiritual needs, but if I could become like a muddy puddle I wouldn't have to convince people they would just want to jump in and get their spiritual needs met!

Everywhere Jesus went the crowds just happened. He was like a crowd magnet. He didn't have to announce His arrival into town. He didn't have to put up posters or make radio announcements! Jesus found some needy people and began to minister. The result: shortly afterward a huge crowd would begin to form, and He would have a congregation to preach to! Oh, to be more like Jesus! Oh, to be less like myself!

So my challenge this morning, evening and noon is that you change whatever needs to be changed in your life so that you are a magnetic muddy pool of spiritual desire! You get Jesus so He overflows and people will want the part that is slopping over!

Yours for magnetic Christianity,
Pastor Fred

PS. Enjoy my online Radio at the top of the page! Press the continuous button so the music will continually loop.

How often are you a Christian?

Another title could be:
"What are you doing about the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ?"


"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26b
"...Follow in His Steps." 1 Peter 2:21-25

I have been on a quest. I have been seeking hidden treasure, but have only found questions. These questions need answers, and once answered will tell me if there is any treasure inside or not! I am referring to my own personal quest at self evaluation. This quest has lead to some very important findings about my inner person. (Once I've satisfactorily completed my quest I will share some of my findings.) For the purpose of this post I will focus on one particular question that arose:

"How Often Are You A Christian?"

We claim to be Christians, but how often does this fact show to those we meet everyday? How often are we actually practicing the character that Jesus displayed everyday? How often do we truly walk in Christ's footsteps?

"Do we think that we just are a Christian?"

Matthew 7:16-20

Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Fruit must be found on only its kind of tree or bush. You will never find plums on a blueberry bush or vis versa.

"Does a piece of fruit just happen?" "No! Of course not!"

1. The tree must be watered and fertilized so that the proper nutrients are flowing.
2. There must be enough sunlight and an appropriate temperature.
3. This will help the tree to blossom beautiful flowers, but only if the above two options are met.
4. There must be a transference of pollen. A. By Insects B. By Wind or C. By Self Pollination.
5. There must be an adequate incubation time, which includes the right amount of water, fertilizer, sun and temperature!
6. Finally over the course of a couple months the fruit will grow into maturity. This fruit will contain everything needed to reproduce the process all over again, or nourish another creature.

Let's take a moment to translate this into our spiritual growth period.

1. Prayer and the Word of God are considered "spiritual water" in the scriptures.
2. Bible Study and listening to Preaching are considered "spiritual fertilizer".
3. The Light of the Holy Spirit of Jesus is "spiritual sunshine".
4. Your relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour is the fragile "spiritual blossom".
5. The "spiritual pollen" is transfered by Christian fellowship and Training from the Pastor, Spiritual Leader or a Christian Friend. The Wind of the Holy Spirit, and Personal Devotions also play a very important role in this pollination process.
6. Through a consistent regiment of all the above we can let our relationship "blossom" grow into a truly amazing and beneficial "spiritual fruit of the Spirit"!

As you can deduct in your own mind, many of us "Christians" aren't the "Christians" we claim to be. It isn't that we don't care, or that we are hypocrites, or even backsliding from our beliefs. We just are not putting enough effort and thought into being everything that Jesus died for us to be!

"Let's look at some of Jesus Christs Character Traits!"

(Note: this is just a brief list as there are over 60 recorded traits...)

• Humble
• Compassionate
• Had righteous indignation
• Courageous
• Loved His Enemies
• Was Kind and Tender hearted
• Took care of people's needs, sickness and afflictions
• Healed ALL of the Sick
• Stood for Righteousness no matter the cost
• He could not be bribed
• He took time to pray
• He went to Church often
• He read the Bible (even though He was the Living WORD!)
• He took time for family and friends (and took care of their needs)
• He took a break (to relax and stay focused on His purpose)
• He fed the hungry
  
• He gave drink to the thirsty
• He gave to the needy
• He was a peace-maker
• He was passionate
• He was focused on the goal and purposes of His life
• He worked Hard
• He Obeyed (even to the cost of His own life!)

He Also taught us what the "Fruit of the Spirit" taste like:

• Love
• Joy / Gladness
• Peace / Calmness of spirit
• Patience / Long suffering
• Kindness / Gentleness
  
• Goodness / Giving
• Faithful
• Meekness / Humility
• Self-control / Temperate

Finally, "How can we have this in our own lives?"

Abide in Jesus the Tree of Life! John 15:4, 5

Follow the steps to abundance that Peter pointed out should be in every follower of Christ's life:
2 Peter 1:5-12

1. Faith / Assurance
2. Virtue / Moral excellence
3. Knowledge / Understanding
4. Temperate / Self Restraint
5. Patience / Stead Fast / Faithful
6. Godliness / Devotion / Passion
7. Brotherly Kindness
8. Charity / Love

Keep these on the top of your vine and you will be full of tasty fruit!

Conclusion:
To give you a couple of starting tips here are some questions to ask yourself everyday, and whenever you have to make a decision in life:

• What Would Jesus Do?
• Is It Good For Me?
• Does It Glorify Jesus?
• Is It Profitable or Uplifting?
• Is It a Stumbling Block to my relationship or someone else?
• Will this become a weight and weigh me down?

Stick to Jesus and He will Stick to You!

Yours for a glorious relationship with Jesus,
Pastor Fred Grothe
PS> Enjoy this youtube Easter video. Let its message change your life!

What is most important to you?

It has been said that in any given relationship of any kind usually one party gives 80% to said relationship and the other party give only about 20%.

It has also been said that out of any given relationship a person will only get about 80% of what they need, will look in other areas for that final 20% that they need to fulfill themselves.

Unfortunately what can happen is the 20% can look so much better than the 80%, and we can leave to 80% to attain unto that 20% of satisfaction. It could be your work. It could be sports. It could be another person. It could be online chat rooms. It could be friends. It could be video/computer/console games. Whatever situation you find yourself in it is time to stop, take a break, look around and re-evaluate your life.

I've also heard this one, "My marriage is based on a 50 / 50 principle. I give 50% to the marriage and she gives 50% and that equals 100%." Unfortunately you are wrong! A marriage isn't based on simple addition or subtraction. A marriage is based upon multiplication. Not 1 + 1 = 2, but 1 X 1 = 1!

In a relationship, especially marriage, it is a union of hearts, spirits, minds and bodies. As the Bible describes it; two become one! That is multiplication. Therefore, it behooves the man to give 100% of himself to his family, and the woman to give 100% to her family. Remember 1 x 1 = 1! When each person in the relationship is willing to give all their selves to each other that is when true love and unity can be explored and seen!

What is most important to you? Your Career? Your Sports? Your Volunteering? Your Games? Your Family? I am sure that most people who read will readily say that they think their family is important to them, but I am not interested in talk. My wife and I recently took time to have a very personal, honest and open talk. Through this conversation and discussion, which at times erupted into arguments, I discovered some very important feelings that wife has been dealing with for a fairly long time. These very important issues where by and large unknown to me. Sure I recognized that my wife was going through some things, but really didn't know what they were. It wasn't until we took the time to confront each other about these, and then take a honest look at our issues that we were able to fix them.

How can you find out what you really think is important? Well, you can try what I've been doing for a couple of weeks now. I had become very dissatisfied about myself, and the direction my life was taking.

1. So I bought myself a very good daily/weekly planner, and began to write down everything that I do each day.
   
2. After a few days of this I was able to identify in which direction my time was being funneled.
   
3. Once I saw where my time was going I was able to identify what I really would like to do, and what should be very important to me each day.
4. Next I wrote a list of important activities I should do every day. 1. Study 2. Practice Juggling/Balancing/Karate 3. Spend time with my wife 4. Spend time with my Children 5. Read my Bible/Pray 6. Read books 7. Business Plan 8. Relationship Book 9. Church Studies/Sermons. (I haven't arranged them in any particular order of importance.)
5. I am beginning to arrange my time so that these priorities will be met every day, or at least in a timely fashion throughout the week.
6. In doing the above activities I noticed that too much of my time was being spent doing things that really were not productive to developing my family. I was spending too much time working and resting, and not enough time with my family. I wasn't talking to my wife like I used to. I wasn't treating my children with respect and kindness. I discovered what was truly important, and realize I must change my ways.
7. I began to research ways to better myself, my family, my time management and life ethic on the internet. Then the practical things I found I am trying to implement and practice in my life.
8. So far I have found that these things have been working quite well, and I've noticed a difference in my family already, and will continue to make positive changes that will lead to a healthy relationships with my wife and children.

What people mistakenly believe is that clergy are invulnerable to these types of disasters, but we are only human and must learn the best we can to find truth in every aspect of our lives. I pray and study my Bible often so I can know truth, but without a true open relationship with my family what good will all the revelations of the universe do me? If you can truly be honest with yourself you will see that a personal relationship with your family will bring the best and truest form of satisfaction in life!

Remember this little acronym to help your find direction.

J = Jesus
O = Others
Y = You

Stop thinking about yourself and begin to think about your family!

Pastor Fred