Daily Bible Reading & Devotion

Good Morning! What a fine crisp, on its way to being a bright, clear morning!God is good all the time!

November 20, 2009

Psalm 13

Many times we have bad days, and our thoughts are quite depressing. We feel that the whole world is against us, and they owe us for some unknown reason.

Yet, there is hope! A light at the end of the proverbial tunnel! If we trust in Jesus our Saviour, we can rejoice! We can burst forth in song, because our God is good all the time, and he had dealt bountifully with us!

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Fred

Daily Bible Reading & Devotion

Good Morning!

November 19, 2009

Psalm 12

Sometimes it may seem that this evil world is on the winning side, but Jesus our Lord will

rescue, and

deliver us if we will stay faithful no matter the cost.

We may feel alone, but our God always has a "faithful few" and we can rest assured that He takes care of His own!

Contend for the faith, and don't let this wicked world turn you away from Jesus and His love!

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Fred

Daily Bible Reading & Devotion

(Good Morning. Here is something new I'm going to try and make a habit from now until the new year. So, that in the new year I can bring this into full swing. Below is a Chapter I've read this morning and some thoughts that came to mind about it. Grab your Bible or go to www.biblegateway.com to read along!)

November 18, 2009

Daily Reading & Thought

Psalm 11

1) It is of utmost importance that we put our trust in God, and serve Him in Righteousness. For, without His love and guidance where would we be?

2) the wicked and unrighteous are on God's watch list! He will deal with them in His time, and will avenge all the wickedness they have done to the righteous!

We must trust in the Lord and shun the wicked, for the Lord's face shines on the upright!

Have a great day!

Hope this blesses you.

We'll see you tomorrow - Lord willing!

Pastor Fred

Rebuke the Distraction!

Greetings in Jesus' Name!

It's been awhile, and much has happened since our last conversation. I feel very strongly that I have a word from God for someone.

I was just reading Psalm 5 as part of my daily Bible reading. As my habit has become I write notes on every chapter I read. Helps me remember what I read, and what message the Lord gave me as I read a particular chapter.

Tonight as I read a very strong impression of overcoming distraction was placed upon me. For, me this is a definite word, and I will claim it, receive it and live it in Jesus' Name!

However, I was directed to write this little note to help someone. Your life has been busy. Your job is overtaking you. You haven't had time to talk to Jesus. You feel like you are overcome by your present circumstance!

Rebuke your distraction in Jesus' Name! Find you prayer closet. Get to the prayer room at the House of God. Lock yourself in your room. Name you distractions, and rebuke them in Jesus' Name! Read Psalm 5, and put your trust in Jesus! Remember you love for the Name of God-Jesus! Remember that there is nothing as important as living in the righteousness of God, and get the victory over you circumstance! You may feel defeated, but Jesus is on your side! The enemy may be scheming against you, but his plans will fall to pieces! Trust, Live and Love Jesus again! You will find that your God will lead you through!

Rebuke the Distraction, Put your trust in Jesus and leave the rest up to God!

Yours for freedom,

Pastor Fred

The Cry of the Heart

Have you ever had something, a thought, idea, person, circumstance, etc, on your mind that just drove you to cry out? Have you ever been driven to cry out to Jesus? There are so many different places that our lives go, often we face "the valley" and must cry out for help, solace, comfort, direction, and/or deliverance. Let me tell you; Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he will be there for you, and will take care of you while you experience your circumstance!

Having said all this, I must admit that my heart has a cry right now, and has for quite some time. I've had a burden burning with in me, and it will not let me go! And, for that I thank God!

Part 1) I have been extremely dissatisfied with my relationship with Jesus, and have been experiencing an emotion much akin to anxiety about soul winning and reaching the lost souls around me everyday! Again, I thank God for it!

You have possibly mistaken my testimony as a complaint rather this is not a complaint, but is a desire, and passion to do more for my Saviour and God Jesus! I do not complain that I have a cry in my heart to God, I welcome it, and long for it to grow in me and develope in to something of beauty and wonder!

If we ever lose our passion for souls we have condemned the world to hell and are quite possibly heading down that road ourselves! Don't ever lose your passion for the lost, and constantly allow Jesus to work through you to become the beacon of light that this lost and desperate world needs!

Part 2) I have a burden upon my heart to have a closer, more powerful, more intimate, more direct relationship with Jesus. I don't want to just be a son, or servant, but I want to be a friend of God! I want to know Jesus better than I know my wife! I want to know Jesus better than I know myself! I want to know Jesus better than anything else in this life!

The one thing that I feel has come out of this so far is a deeper, more consistant, time of Daily Bible Reading. It has been a wonder period of growth for me. I purchased a diary type note book that has attachable tabs and a place for date on each page. In this book I have been writing notes on each chapter I read each day, and this had helped me to look forward to the experience every day!

Again I welcome this cry of the heart, and hope I never lose the desire to be at one with Jesus. If it means quiting a job or two to make more room for Jesus in my life and family so be it! I want and need Jesus more than anything in this mortal life!

What is your heart crying for?

Are you crying for more of Jesus?

Maybe you should be!

Your for more of Jesus

Pastor Fred

The book of Hebrews

Good day folks!

Well, I just finished reading Hebrews today. What an interesting book of the Bible; God's Word. There are so many points to ponder that it would fill a whole volume to discuss them all!

I would like to mention one.

In Chapter 12 we have the verse that says: Lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us.

I would like to point something out that may help someone in their trials and temptations.

Notice it says that the weights and sins easily beset us, get us down, drag us around in the dirt of life. They easily beset us because they aren't things that we definitly wouldn't do. The "big" sins aren't a problem to us, and so they will not tempt us. However, the little things in life have a tendence to weigh us down, and lead us down the path of sin. Too, much time on the computer could be your problem. Gossiping on the phone could be your down fall. Watching too much TV or Movies could cause you to slip. There are many everyday things that we can allow to weigh us down, which we often don't think about, but it is those little things that will keep you out of heaven's promise!

Don't let the little lies, little gossips, little games keep you away from the word of God, work of God, house of God, and your prayer and bible study life!

Your's for the sake of the little things!

Pastor Fred

Standing for Truth

I've just been reading an interesting article online, about a bold young lady who has become a politician in the United States, all because she took a stand for what she felt was right.

Rep. Michele Bachmann

In the article the writer describes the `persecution` that Mrs. Bachmann is receiving because of her strong stand against the wrongs of the Federal Government.

This reminds me of the Stand that each Christian must take each and every day!

It is imperative that we stand for truth, no matter what this world things. People are becoming so liberal and socially minded that truth doesn`t seem to matter anymore!

Truth is truth no matter if anyone believes!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! This will be the truth supposing the whole world turns their back, and God has to burn this whole planet with fire and brimstone!

I encourage you to stand! When you`ve done everything else for God, continue to STAND, and take up the whole armor of God!

Yours for the Stand,

Pastor Fred

Slow Down!

Good day folks!

I hope the sun and the Son are shining down on you today!

Well, I've been sick for a few days, and it's really made me realize that I need to slow down a bit and take a break! I work full time, have a janitorial contract on the side, my buddy and I go clowning most weekends during the summer, and on top of that God has placed us as Pastor of the Sanctuary of Truth in Springdale, Newfoundland! On top of that I am a husband and the father of 4 wonderful children with one in the "oven" so to speak!

Folks take heed to some hard learned wisdom from a young preacher and business owner!

SLOW DOWN!

Don't work yourself to death! Life is too short, and people are too precious and your family is too valuable! Working so long is not worth loosing your life and family over! Take a break, read a book, go to the beach with your family, relax! You won't be any good to Jesus if you are flat on your back because you wore yourself out!

Slow down!

Have a great day!

Pastor Fred

Our Senses are dead!

Last night in our community one of the Banks had their alarm go off. This in itself may not seem to extraordinary, exept for the fact that it was still going the next moring when I wrote this post! The alarm has been going for about 12 hours straight so far, and probably will continue for another 3 hours when the Bank opens and the staff return! There are many questions as to why the bank manager and alarm company would allow this to happen, but that has nothing to do with this post!

Because the alarm has been going so long it has become a part of the background noise from the community, and you notice it, but don't really pay attention to it. The noise is trying to alert someone that something bad has happened or was attempted, but no one seems to care anymore, because it has been going for so long!

You know that is exact what seems to have happened with the Word of God, the Gospel, and the voice of Jesus!? We have heard the wonderful sound going out around the world for so long that the message of a saviour doesn't seem to affect us anymore! Jesus has knocked on the door of our heart so long that we don't even seem to notice that constant thud on the door anymore.

The end is coming upon us fast, and Jesus will be returning in physical form sooner than later, so stop and listen to the alarms around you trying to warn you of impending doom! Jesus loves you and doesn't want you to perish in the fire that will destroy this earth.

Stop and take a breath and realize that your life just isn't going anywhere! Call on the name of Jesus! Repent of your sins and turn from your wicked ways! Find someone to baptize you "In the Name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION of your sins", and Jesus will come into your life and fill you with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the ernest of our inheritance!

Don't let the warnings of the preachers, the knocking of Jesus and the alarms of the signs of the time become background noise in your life! Wake up! Take action for the sake of your Soul!

Make sure you are ready to meet your maker!

Yours for awakened senses!

Pastor Fred

Leaving your Promise because of the Famine!

I know many people who have traded in their promise from God, because of hardship, sickness, temptations, trials, distress, pain, and/or loss that has torn at the heart of their life.

In the Bible Abramhan and Sarah did the very same thing, and it just about cost them their lives and the lives of the nation of Egypt.

They were living in their promised land, doing the will of God, and then famine hit the Canaan land area. So instead of walking by faith and not by sight they picked up their bags and belongings and headed down to Egypt, which wasn't hit by famine. Egypt in scripture seems to have always been a type or allegory of sin or living in this world, and not in the Kingdom of Heaven; a type of worldliness, wickedness, ungodliness and so on. So, Abraham and Sarah left their promise, and went away from God's will to let the "world" and the pleasures of sin take care of their needs for the time being!

It is never appropriate to let this world supply our needs and pleasures no matter how short we say that we will stay! If we trust in Jesus and rely on his Word, staying true to his promises, commands and obey, then he will make sure the "people of this world" will take care of us!

While in Egypt Abraham was scared that he was going to die for the sake of Sarah his wife, because she was so beautiful! There is one reason NOT to go to Egypt if you ask me! So, they said that Sarah was his sister, and Pharaoh almost married her! God had to step in and just about destroy Egypt with a plague so that Abraham and Sarah would get back to His promise and will!

It never pays to leave the will of God just to sooth your pain and anguish! Jesus died on the cross for that very reason! We must learn to completely trust in Jesus for everything in our lives! Does that mean do nothing, and just sit around and wait? NO! NO! NO!

Jesus told us to obey his commandments, and to occupy until he comes! We must work, but we must work and pray will doing God's will and commandments, and living within the promises that he has given us! Each one of us probably has a different promise that God wants us to fulfill, and each one of us is unique in the sight of God, so we must not let what others are doing turn us aside from our spiritual promise!

Let us be like Joseph, who endured through the hardships, distresses, pain, anguish and loss so that he could fulfill God's will even though he couldn't see where God was going to take him! Joseph went from Daddy's favorite and God's little dreamer to a hurt, bruised boy at the bottom of a pit. He went from a pit to slavery. From slavery to seduction. From seduction to prison. From prison to dreams. From dreams to being the President of Egypt! Even in death Joseph was still living in God's promise and will by requesting to have his bones taken from Egypt and buried in the land that God had promised the nation of Israel!

Stick with Jesus he will see you through!

Yours through the famine,

Pastor Fred

Stages

I have been feeling like I'm about to enter a stage in my life. Something important is going to happen to me.

Have you ever felt like you have been going through stages?

It's kind of like being a child. Each year you get older you seem to enter a new stage, and as you get older those stages get longer and longer.

Infant to Toddler
Child to Teenie-bopper
Teenager
Young Adult
Adult hood.

However, once an adult the stages don't come so defined anymore.
It seems to come based on lessons in life to be learned.

I hope and pray I am ready for what Jesus has in store for my life!
"Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary!"

What stage are you in? Are you ready for the glory of God!?

Yours for Jesus
Fred

What's New!?

Good Morning everyone!

I trust and pray that your summer is going great so far!

Well, this has been a very big year for me. In June I turned 30 years old!

For me this is a huge milestone, as any religious leader in scripture could not start their ministry until after age 30. Jesus didn't start his full time ministry until He was 30. In the old days one didn't usually get past apprentiship until after 30. So, to me this year is the beginning of great things!

I'll be honest, I didn't have trouble mentally turning 30. Not because I am now an "Old Man", because age doesn't matter that much to me, but rather it was the principle. I didn't feel like I had learnt enough, or accomplished enough in my life to move on to this stage in my life.

I got over that, and realized that it is Jesus who is working in, through, and for me! I am not my own, I have been bought with a price! I do look forward to see what great things Jesus has in store for me this year!

One thing that happened this year since June, and after my birthday. I was able to Baptize a soul! It has been a long time since I've baptized anyone, and I was excited! I look forward to baptizing more souls in the very near future!

One more thing.

Lately I've been very moved by some of our current events, and some newsletters that I've been receiving in my email.

1. News

Since hearing about Obama's Peace talks with Poutine in Russia, and their discussions on how to diminish the Nuclear warhead stockpiles; and the G8's talks about how to deal with the "Global Economy"; And Asia's suggestions to create a one world currency standard, I've really had a since that the end is near!

No, I'm not a dooms day sayer, but I do read my Bible, and many more signs of the end are coming to pass! Do not neglect your soul, for it may soon be too late!

2.Newsletters

I receive newsletters from a few soulwinning evangelists, and one Tim Downs, has been really challenging me to be a better soul winner! Where do you want to spent eternity? Heaven or Hell? If you want to be with Jesus in eternal glory then you must obey his command to Repent of your sins with a Godly Sorrow, you must speak the name of Jesus, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit which will renovate you mind - you will become a child of God!

If you do not obey this simple reletively quick and very easy plan, you will NOT go to the place that Jesus has prepared for you!

Yours for a new year, the end of time, and winning souls

Pastor Fred

They will Fall

I have been reading Isaiah for awhile lately, and a thought occurred to me as I was reading. There is chapter after chapter of doom and gloom for many nations and kings, not just for Israel. It was after a few nations had been prophesied to destruction that I realized these are all nations who rose up in fame, power, glory and greed. These are all nations who because of their riches didn't put their trust in God. These are all nations who rose up against the children of God!

No for some heart searching questions:

1. Is it possible that nations rise and fall based upon their relationship with God?

If so my country could be in for a rude awakening! We have gotten so far from God it is getting scary.

2. Is it possible that nations are judged upon their treatment of God's people?

3. Is it possible that governments will be put to ruin because of the evil bills that they pass?

4. Is it possible that governments and nations could have greater prosperity if they turn back to God, and institute more righteousness in our schools, court rooms, and cabinet meetings?

These are questions that should seriously be thought about and a solution that brings us back to Jesus should be Implemented!

Yours for a closer walk with God,
Pastor Fred

How does God see us?

This is a very interest concept that maybe we don't wish to talk about, but while ready the first chapter of Isaiah it became very clear.

The setting is a country that is pretty much given to Idolatry, Selfish pleasure, wickedness, corrupt judgment, a deteriorating social system, and I think you get the picture. As a matter of fact if you think about this in the light of honesty and truth this picture can sum up many of our modern societies, even those who claim to be God fearing!

The situation is very dire. The people are worshiping God. They are attending their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly religious rites and rituals, but there is something missing, and because of that missing part God is telling them to stop all the rites and rituals.

It is a case of Sunday morning Christianity. During the week they are rebelling against everything God has asked of them, and requires of them. They cheat, steal, murder, slander, corrupt justice, and many other terrible actions. They don't care for their widows, orphans or anyone but themselves. The land is going desolate and they don't even seem to care!

Finally, God says what He sees when He looks down upon this wretched society He calls His Children. I will put the stunning description in my own words, but you can read it for yourself in Isaiah Chapter one.

"My people are like rotting corpses that are walking around. They have sores that are festering from the top of their head to the sole of their feet. They stink, and look monstrous. No one has bothered to cover up their wounds and bruises."

Sound pretty disgusting, and that is exactly what it is like to God - Disgusting!

Our lack of righteousness on the inside is so disturbing to God that He has to turn away. Have you ever seen the pictures and videos of the lepers and leper colonies? These poor people are being literally eaten to death by a disease that enjoys human flesh. It is pitiful, disgusting, smelly and plain gross! And yet that is exactly how Jesus looks at the sin in our lives! It is a spiritual disease that eats away at us, without even our knowledge sometimes. Many times we don't even know when our hand falls off, because the sickness has dulled the pain.

THERE IS HOPE!

If you would finish the Chapter you'll be surprisingly happy to know that God doesn't leave us hanging or without hope. He offers us a bath and cleansing lotion that will not only clean us up, but also heal this wasting disease completely!

Isaiah 1:16-20

16 “ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;^[a]
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
18 “ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,

“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

My God and Saviour Jesus is so wonderful! Even though our present condition is absolutely appalling to Him, He still offers us a solution and a way of salvation. How merciful and kind. How loving and gracious!

Just going to Church will not get you salvation. Just acting like a Christian on a special day each week will not ensure passage into Beulah land! It is a daily walk. It is a daily talk. It is a daily lifestyle of loving surrender and service to and for Jesus.

Don't forget that many times the more obvious vices and sins are not the most deadly to your soul!
Rather it is the vices and sins that are not so visible that will take you to a place of fire, torment, weeping, waling and gnashing of teeth!

Take care of your body it is the temple of the living God! Take care of your spirit it is the place of spiritual connection, communication and true worship between Jesus and you. Take care of your soul, for its emotional condition can cause much damage to your eternal well being.

Give yourself without abandon to Jesus and He will wash you, cleans you and make you whole again!

Yours for Christ in this earth and in you!
Pastor Fred

Always looking for the bad stuff!

A short time ago I was asked to pay a little doctor's visit for my friend's computer. As an intermediate self taught technician, and as I do this fairly often I decided to help. So I took his tower home, and cleaned up all the spyware, adware, malware and trojans from off his computer. I availed of many of the freeware and trial version programs which I have tested and found extremely useful. After a couple days of work I finally returned the healthy computer back to its owner. He was happy! Another satisfied customer.

Well, last week he said that he couldn't find any spyware on the computer, and the thought crossed his mind that maybe there must be something wrong with the computer again! Yes, you read right he thought a healthy computer might have something wrong with it because there was nothing wrong it.

No stop laughing at my friend, because after I thought about it for awhile I realized we all do the same thing. (Well maybe not all of us, but alot of us! Especially my wonderful wife!)

Often we are faced with trials and temptations, and our human psyche seems to get used to the fact that bad stuff happens on a regular basis. So, when those "rare" times of blessing come we don't really rejoice in it we are always looking around for that bad time, which we "know" must be just around the corner!

STOP!

Let me relay a circumstance which we went through recently.
A couple weeks ago, my hyper children decided that swinging from the copper water pipe, and of course it broke. Well it just wasn't any pipe it was the water main, that brings water into the house from the town! On top of that the valve inside the house is so old the rubber was all worn off and so it blew off when I tried to fix the problem. Now we have a mess, and we are only about 4 feet from the 4 inch town water main, so we have about 70 lbs of water pressure pulsing into the basement. This happened for about 20 minutes to half and hour. Yes, you guessed it there was inches of water all over the basement. Needless to say after a friend came over and helped me save the day, and all the water was cleaned up we have the problem of clean up. As I'm sure you have guessed by now it wasn't just the flooring that was destroyed but furniture and other things. Once we had time to look around and things started drying out, I realized that this wasn't a bad thing, like my wife believed at first. (to make a long story short) Everything we needed to fix the problem was already around us. The total cost of the repairs including new valves, pipes, flooring and furniture was ----- under $30.00! The good Lord had supplied everything in advance! I had enough good used laminate flooring given to me to redo the necessary floor space. I had enough piping left over from other projects to meet this need. All I needed to buy was a new valve, and cpvc piping glue. Praise the Lord!

To the point. If I had been busy looking for the next problem that is coming down the line, I most certainly wouldn't have seen the blessing that was already standing in front of me!

So, the next time that good happens to you, rejoice and be glad, and give God the glory! Don't always expect and look for the bad, expect God to take care of you. That is exactly what He wants to do!

Yours for blessing,
Pastor Fred

Why Pray?

Have you ever wondered, "Why should I pray?" Have you ever wondered, "What is the point to pray?"

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. Every spiritual and physical blessing comes through prayer.

Wow, that is so simple yet so profound! I pray because I want a relationship with my Saviour. I pray because I want God's best for my family. I pray because Jesus is Good to me! I pray because I have financial needs. I pray because I am blessed. I pray because I want to know the will of God. I pray because I need encouragement and strength. I pray because I want to know what to tell people in need. I pray so I can be a better person. I pray so I can know Jesus!

Pray is everything, and everything comes through pray!

Just a thought,
Pastor Fred

Do You Have Time?

Are you Busy? Do you have time to read this post? Yes. No. Maybe.

If you are too busy then maybe you should read on. It won't take long, but it might help you get you mind back on the right track!

I have been too busy to write, or read very much in the past few weeks.
I have been too busy to do much with my family and friends.
I have been too busy to finish anything that needs to be done.

Have you been the same? What direction is your life taking?

It's time to take a second look at your life. Its time to take a second look at what you are doing.

Trust me when I say there is more to life than work, and always doing something.

There needs to be time for you, for your family, for your friends, for your God!

It's time to get back to prayer. It's time to get back to Jesus. It's time to get back to the Bible. It's time to get back to family. It's time to get back to true friendships. It's time to get back to personal relaxation time.

Don't work yourself to death. Find time for those things that are truly important.

Yours for time for Jesus,
Pastor Fred

Life Is...

Life is what you make it.
You can work yourself to the bone,
or you can share while you knit.

Life is what you want.
You can run and play all day,
or you can stare at a font.

Life is what you are.
A workaholic who's never home,
or a family man who makes it far.

Life is what you do.
Chasing the next plane,
or finding an opportunity new.

Life is what you say.
Talking to pass the time,
or for your children foundations lay.

Life is what you write.
Will you leave volumes behind,
or will there be a fight.

Life is what you see.
The little things that you find,
or is everything about me.

Life is what you have.
Many interesting toys,
or friends and family like a salve.

What you Say is What you Get!

I have recently discovered that among the many wonderful nuggets of gold found with in the covers of the Holy Bible - God's Word - there is a universal truth that many people believe, follow, and practice. This universal truth is contained within the old adage "What you preach is what you get." This being said there are many secular life coaching groups that teach their clients this very thing, and get paid big money too!

God himself has taught us that with faith, action and our words we can obtain the things we want and need! It is truly amazing what Jesus taught us in his word!

Let me try to make it very simple! In the Book of Hebrews the Bible describes to us that Jesus upholds creation by the "word of his power". This statement means that when we talk about the power and ability of Jesus Christ we are helping uphold creation in its proper balance! Why? Because when you talk about the power of God you are invoking His ability into reality! When you talk about the Healing Power of God He heals! When you talk about the Saving Power of Jesus He saves! When you talk about the miraculous abilities of Jesus He brings forth miracles!

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the (preached or talked about) Word of God!

Have you ever noticed a sports team who are negative because their best player is out of the game or season? They usually don't win, and if they win it will be few and far between. But, if you get a team of players that are positive and are always talking and believing that they are winners you will have a team that wins, and if they do happen to lose it will be few and far between!

If you want something in your life whether physical or spiritual then start talking about it, and you will start acting upon what you have faith in. And the next thing that you will realize is that your dream, and conversations have become a reality!

Yours for a faith filled and explosive reality!
Pastor Fred

Time flies...whether you have fun or not!

Well it has been another busy couple of weeks, however, God has been great as usual, and many things have been accomplished!

1. We've successfully transitioned from summer mode to school mode! Ethan my oldest has finally started school! Tuesday was the big day and he was extremely excited! Soraya did a wonderful job teaching him. (We are home schooling - challenging, rewarding, and fun) The A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) Curriculum is very well laid out, and easy to follow for both Ethan and Soraya. Kudo's for A.C.E.! Ethan is catching on very quickly, and we have noticed marked improvement in his attention span, focus, and learning ability over the past couple of days. It really is amazing how children grow up, and can learn new things!

2. The Sanctuary of Truth Church website is up and running. Although it isn't completely finished it should be fully functional. The Online Radio is available again. (as you can see above) However, I have noticed a few songs are either not working or not available. (Please help me identify all songs that aren't working or available - leave a comment or email me.) The video media player is still in the works. Some of the media from the last site is gone for ever, but we are in the process of making more. Bear with us as we improve our sites, and enjoy them as they grow. You can visit the site @ www.sanctuaryoftruthupc.com

3. We are in the process of expanding our POWer Hour attendance as we move into the Fall season. We still have a couple of weeks left for the "Friendship" program, and then we will jump into another attendance promotion as we begin a new program for the Fall and Christmas seasons.

4. The Good Lord has given "yours truly" another song. Lord willing I will be able to post a video of it soon. The title is "All I can do is Worship You!" The song sort of just dropped in one evening as I was preparing a message for a Church Service, and developed into a full fledged worship/hymn song.

5. By the Grace of God we are in the process of buying a local business. No we don't have any money, but God works things out, and will make all things possible as He always does! It requires a lot of leg work, but I see Jesus at every turn helpping us along. More info on this will follow....

6. Jesus lead me to a website a few months ago called the www.possibilityvirus.com. It is a website of a life coach and keynote speaker Michael Bungay Stanier the Senior Partner, Box of Crayons . His coaching ability is quite good, and I've been reviewing the emails and questions sent to me. Putting things into practice is quite different than just reading and disgarding. So, that is exactly what I've been doing. By the Grace of God I've been implimenting two questions a day. Now I have posters all over my wall that remind me what my core values are and what I want to happen and be done in my life! It's great! (I'll share this in more detail later.)

Well, that's about it for now, but I do want you to remember a couple things before we sign off.

A. Keep Smiling - as the old children's song says "smilers never lose and frowners never win!"
B. Remember that "God is Good All the Time!" If you can realize that no matter what you go through God is good that knowledge will change your life!
C. Jesus loves you!

Yours for a Blessed Day,
Pastor Fred

It "was" a long lonely summer! ... Joking!

Well it has been an extremely busy summer! Between revival services, Kids Power Hour, Bible Study, Sunday Services, Full time employment, Janitorial work, and Clowning! Wow! When it is all run together it looks almost as much as it feels! Nonetheless, it as been fun, albeit very exhausting.

Pastor Fred Online does have some exciting news though - It looks like we found another webhost that will accept paypal and our media will be up and running again! Lord willing in the next week or so you should see your favorite sermons and online radio up and running again! We are very excited, and how to bring you a very exciting fall and winter full of interesting thoughts, God filled messages and Spirit Filled music...

Also, in the next couple of months Lord willing there will be some more exciting "musical" news to share, but we wont get the cart in front of the horse!

Thanks to everyone who has come and visited over the summer months inspite of my busy schedule and online absence. May God richly bless you!

Pastor Fred

News and Stuff

Good Morning One and All!

It's been a very busy couple of months for us here at Pastor Fred Online and Pastor Fred's Thoughts. First of all to you who have enjoyed the Blog Radio and Video Sermons; I haven't been able to successfully take care of my other webhost. So the bill is still out standing, and currently I have no way to pay for it. I hope to have it back up and running as soon as possible. So, keep that in your prayers.

Current Events:
We have been busy around the Church family here in Springdale! Many new things are happening and it is very exciting. We have 5 new children in our exciting and new Sunday School Class! Our fun includes fishing for Songs to puppets and fun crafts. We try to have a healthy snack each week as well. All of the children have special Sunday School shirts labeled with our logo "God's Little Helpers". If you are interested come and see Joy and Grampy Wrinkles!
We are also getting ready to start a very special and exciting summer Children's Church entitled "Friendship". It will be amazing as we sail through each class on the HMS Togetherness! That will be starting in the next couple of weeks and will be held on Thursday nights from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. (Sneak Peek: The ship will be real!)
Also coming in June from the 20-22 we will be have some very special revival services with Bro. Billy Huey. This gentleman is a fine preacher, and an awesome soul winner. He will bring his treasure chest, and other goodies so come expecting an awesome time in the presence of the Lord!

It is going to be an awesome summer so come back often and I will keep you updated!

Yours for God's Kingdom
Pastor Fred

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength!

Good Morning! God is Great all the time! I hope the crackling fire, brewing coffee, green tea, and or cozy robe are giving you a cheerful Monday Morning!? Have you looked out and watched the sun rise lately? This would be a great day to do that, or maybe you'll have to wait until tomorrow, but nonetheless you should watch a sun rise. It will make your day seem so much better!

Pastor Fred! You seem to be so happy and cheerful this morning. What's up with that? Well, let me tell you. It really doesn't have anything to do with the way that I feel. Actually it just barely turned 7 a.m., and I've already got the garbage out by the curb, and had my morning glass of water. My baby decided that it was time to wake up at 6:40 a.m. this morning! So I am quite sleepy.

But, it is a beautiful morning, the sun is shining, the snow is melting, my baby is cooing in the next room while being amused by Winnie the Pooh classics, and God is Good all the Time! This Joy that I have deep inside this world didn't give it to me, and this world can't take it away!

This week has actually been a very trying week. Well, since Friday morning any way. See, Thursday night at Bible study we talked about Joy, and how it applies to relationships - as we've been doing a study on relationships and how the fruit of the Spirit should be applied to every relationship. Needless to say the good Lord above decided that I needed to be reminded myself about what I taught. We did much discussion on the fact that the Joy of the Lord is our strength, and the fact that joy is not an emotion, but rather a state of mind. Yes we can have emotions from being joyful such as happiness and cheerfulness, but nonetheless joy is a state of mind that goes beyond circumstance and feelings.

As I was saying Jesus decided it was time for a test of spirit, character and joy! I woke up first thing Friday morning, and gave the day to the Lord. I went down stairs, and as I passed by the basement stairwell I noticed something. Stopping to look I saw that the basement was flooded! My wonderful children had thrown toys into the sump-pump hole and clogged the pump! So now all the overnight spring rain and melting snow had over flowed and began to fill the basement! It wasn't much, just about a 1/2 and inch all over the whole basement, but it was enough to make a complete mess. (Thank you Jesus! It is going to be a great day!) Well, the pump was broken, but repairable. However, I was in the process of getting ready to leave for Woody Point so I could do some work, and couldn't take care of the basement mess until I got back.

As you are now seeing the test of my joy had begun in full swing!

To make a long story short with the help of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of my beautiful wife I was able to recognize the test, and bring my spirit under control and let the Lord teach me a lesson that I really needed to learn! Many other thing happened between Friday and Sunday, but I don't have the time or space to go through everything. Suffice it to say that God is good, and the Joy of the Lord can be your strength if you will just learn to keep your eye of the important stuff, and don't sweat the small stuff!
(Yes, a flooded basement is small stuff!)

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! (Paul)
As a man thinks in his mind, so is he! (Proverbs)


Yours for the Joy of the Lord,
Pastor Fred

New Media Content

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for bearing with me as I update the blog, and add some new content. I hope you enjoy the radio. If you haven't noticed there is a small continuous play button on the top of the radio player. Also just added is the video player. I have been working on this for about 3 or 4 days, but finally figured everything out. It isn't very graphically pleasing yet, but it does stream the videos. Please enjoy. And you will be hearing more from me again!

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.

Divine Appointments

This is my first attempt at editing, burning, encoding and uploading a video so please bear with me. This video is from our Easter Night Church Service. (Well, the preaching part anyway.) Hope you enjoy and are blessed. More to come!

This Video is approximately 38 minutes long...

Thank you for being apart of this ministry. If you would like a DVD copy of this sermon sent to you please send a $10.00 donation to help with expenses and shipping. Thank you and God bless. (Address : Sanctuary of Truth, P.O. Box 97, Springdale, NL A0J 1T0) (Please make cheque or money order to: UPCI NL District.) Thank you for your support and prayers!

Yours for Spreading the Gospel,
Pastor Fred

Does Jesus Amaze You?

Text: Acts 2:1-8

Down through history there have been many things, events, sights and ages that have brought much amazement to humanity; an amazement to its wonder and glory, or at its evil, destruction and ruin. Yet, at all the amazing things that this world has shown, seen, experienced and been through there has not be anything more amazing than the coming of Jesus Christ!

The incarnate almighty God robbing himself in humanity, and coming to earth being born a baby fragile, innocent, cold, hungry, and tiny is absolutely AMAZING! This same Lord growing as a boy, learning his father’s trade, obeying His parents and experiencing what it means to be a child and a teen is truly AMAZING! Then becoming a man, and leaving the security of home, and taking up his purpose as leader, healer, redeemer, teacher and sacrifice this too is AMAZING! Finally, Jesus gave His all in the garden, upon the cross, and arose triumphant from the tomb! All these things are AMAZING beyond what words can truly express!

My question to you this day is:

“When was the last time you were amazed by Jesus?”

1. Does anything about our Saviour invoke an emotional response?

Do you no longer feel a wonder when you come to the house of prayer and worship?

Do you no longer feel the excitement at knowing you have been redeemed?

Do you no longer experience the brush of angel’s wings while living your life?

Is there no wonder at the cross, the grave or sky which took Jesus home?

Is there no wonder when you once more hear the age old story?

Have you no fear of God in your heart?

Have you no consideration that this life will not last for ever, unless you find Jesus?

Does not the fact that you have witnessed and experienced divine healing change you?

Does not the fact that you have witnessed and experienced salvation move you?

As Paul wrote: “You did run well, who did hinder you?”

What are the weights and sins that are weighing you and me down? Why is it so difficult to forget about our self, our surroundings, our neighbors and just Worship like we really mean it, feel it, and know we ought to?

2. Find something that amazes you about Jesus, and grow from there!

During the life of Jesus there were many times that people were amazed by him, at him and because of him. Even after Jesus was gone during the ministry of the Apostles there was still much amazement because of Jesus!

Mat_12:22-23 Mar_1:23-27 Luk_4:31-36

Jesus Cast out the dumb and blind devil

Mat_19:16-26 Mar_10:17-32

Rich young ruler asked about salvation

Mar_2:1-12 Luk_5:18-26

Four bring the sick of the palsy

Mar_6:46-52

Jesus walks on the water and calms the sea

Luk_9:37-44

After Transfiguration he casts out devil from boy

Mar_16:1-8

Jesus Rises, Women see angel

Act_2:1-8 Act_2:12-39

The Day of Pentecost and out pouring of Spirit

Act_9:19-22

Paul is converted and preaching Jesus

These people experienced Jesus and were amazed. Just because we can’t really “see” Jesus here doesn’t mean we can’t experience him. I am challenging you this day to experience Jesus again and be amazed! There is nothing more amazing than experiencing Jesus for yourself!

3. Don’t be guilty of bottling your salvation up!

So many people have experienced Jesus for themselves, and then after a few months you no longer hear about their experience. Don’t be one of those people who allow the “MATURE” Christians calm them down. Rather stand outside of the box and be a light that shines in the darkest night. Do not worry about their snide remarks. Do not concern yourself with their sarcastic remarks. No, be a tower of strength; a lighthouse in spite of the storm!

There is nothing more frustrating to a Christian than not expressing their love for Jesus! Just like two people who are in love, if they don’t tell each other thy love each other there is great pain. Yet, if we don’t express our devotion and amazement about Jesus we will forget, and loose our way!

We are meant to be the most expressive, outgoing, giving, loving, kind and hospitable people in the world. No one should be able to out give a child of God in anything! Don’t bottle up your emotions. Don’t hold back on the fact that Jesus saved you from your sins! There is no greater story than your personal testimony of Christ’s victory over sin in your life!

(True Story)

While at our community Ministerial ecumenical Easter service at a local Church the Lord impressed upon me the need to pray for the sick. So after my message I asked everyone who needed prayer to raise their hand. Many people participated. As We prayed a corporate anointed prayer of healing you could feel the Spirit of God move through the building. After the service was about to close the lady who was doing the benediction noted this prayer, and said, “…You could almost feel that God was healing people as we prayed” then she finished, “I have never felt that before!”

To be perfectly honest this made the whole service for me. For a lay minister from another church group to publicly confess and announce that they had never felt a particular move of God, but today they had, and that it was worthy of note, absolutely was wonderful!

When we can let the amazement of Christ back into our lives and follow his guidance and leading it is truly AMAZING!

ARE YOU READY TO BE AMAZED BY JESUS!?

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!

Overwhelming Frustration

There are times in our lives when circumstances can pile one upon the other, and we become frustrated and overwhelmed. Let me give you an example:

For just over a week now my wife and my four children have been sick with some kind of flu, and our baby, because of it, hasn't been sleeping only but a couple hours each night. Consequently, both my wife and I have not been getting enough sleep. And we all know what happens when we don't get enough sleep. Our attitude isn't right, our character is out of sorts, tempers can flare very easily, and the whole family can suffer.

It can be very easy to let yourself slip into a state of circumstantial depression, and not allow yourself to deal logically with this type of situation. It is also easy to let yourself get caught up in the emotional strain of the moments. This is when some very unpleasant things can happen.

1. you can loose your temper.
2. you can say things that you don't really mean.
3. you can do something that you really didn't want to do.
4. your words can be easily taken the wrong way.

From my own personal experiences I have found a good way to overcome some of these very unpleasant circumstances.

1. Make some time to get away by yourself, and do something that is calming to you. You are not denying the circumstance is happening, nor are you neglecting to take care of the situation. (Some people would try to just forget that overwhelming things happen, and move on without counquering them, overcoming them, or learning from them.

2. While you are by yourself doing what you like to do and what calms you, let your mind and body relax so that you can look at the circumstances objectively and rationally. ( I play my guitar, sing, make up a song, fiddle with our piano, or play a video game. These are my relaxation activities.)

3. Brace your mind and re-enter your overwhelming circumstances. This time you will encounter them with more peace, control and more ability to do what is right even though the situation is very frustrating.

Of course a bit of prayer, and very passionate long kiss are always beneficial in helping you overcome stress!

Hope this helps,
Pastor Fred
(PS. Thanks to Gettyone.com for the Royalty Free Images.)

Ever Wonder where Wonder went?

I was going to write about something totally different, but while we were watching "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" my wife noted something about my son Micah. She said, "He definitely knows wonder," as he ooooed and awed at different scenes in the movie. As I began to ponder on this it occurred to me that many people have lost their "Wonder Bone".

When is the last time you just saw something, whether new, old, common or extraordinary and just was taken by the awe of it? Does water hold any wonder for you? Then take a walk by the ocean sometime and watch the wondrous waves crash, or view the pack us moving and swelling. Does the sky hold any wonder for you? Then look up the next time you hear an airplane passing by, or view the glory of God's handiwork late on a clear night. Do you wonder at the mechanical genius of a vehicle? Then walk this evening for an hour, and imagine how far you could have gone by driving a car or truck. Do you take a phone for granted? Then unplug your telephone and try to communicate with your friends and family; much more difficult isn't it?

In today's growing information and technology age we are quickly becoming immune to the excitement and wonder of new things and especially of the old things. We are so completely inundated and overwhelmed by commercials, bill boards, signs and advertisements that we no longer get excited when we see something new and wonderful!

I often wonder why so many people are no longer interested in learning truth, and discovering the many amazing things in the Bible. Then I realize the we are so consumed with glorious visions and lies we see in Movies that truth no longer looks cool enough to believe!

If only we could stop look around and see the wondrous truth that surrounds us everyday!
The Heavens declare the glory of God!

Families are falling apart every day. Why? Simply because people have lost the wonder of it all! They no longer find joy in the little things of life. Like the fresh smell of coffee in the morning. Or, the sound of bacon and eggs frying. People don't seem to even notice the cute little idiosyncrasies of their spouses any more. When is the last time you told your wife /or husband, that the meal the cooked was extraordinary and thanked them for taking the time to prepare it? When was the last time you volunteered to do the dishes just because your better half could use the break? When was the last time you spent 1/2 an hour playing with your kids and their toys?

The Passion of the little things will keep your world turning, and ensure that you never overlook the wonder and amazement of everything!

Take time to wonder about your family.
Take time to wonder about Jesus and his Story!
Take time to pray and read the wondrous Bible!
Most of All take time to WONDER!

Pastor Fred
PS. Thanks to FreeFoto.com for the use of these pictures!

Who Do You Call....When They Come For You?

The great opening song for Ghost Busters, "Who do you call when they come for you?" has been an icon in the past generation, but the question today isn't really about ghosts. It is about calling out for help in time of need. So let me ask you again, "Who do you call...when they come for you?"

Let me explain where I'm trying to take you today.

Last night while "stumbling" around the internet I cam across a very cool website: www.24-7prayer.com . (Please go to the website and check out the story) This site is dedicated to prayer 24-7. What? Yes! Groups of people around the world have united in prayer, and are doing so 24 hours a day 7 days a week. What is most interesting about this group is that they are comprised mostly of young people and youth groups!

There is no greater force on or in earth than prayer. Not only is it good for your health, soul and mind it is also good for your spirit. Through Prayer lives are being changed. Through Prayer people are being healed. Through Prayer countries are changing policies to benefit the people. Through Prayer revival is taking place! Through Prayer disasters are being avoided! Prayer Changes Things!

I don't really care if you have never prayed before, or haven't prayed on a regular basis. I still want to challenge you to prayer. What better way to learn how to pray than to to just do it! Just talk to Jesus like you would talk to me or your best friend. You don't have to hold back, but you do need to be honest! Prayer will change your life!

There is an only saying, "An Apple A Day will Keep the Doctor Away." Well, I have another saying for you, "A Prayer A Day will Keep You Singing Alway!"

P ray
U ntil
S omething
H appens

Websites about/on Prayer:
http://www.wnop.org
www.24-7prayer.com
http://www.sacredspace.ie/
http://www.allaboutprayer.org/

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

To my wife

Love is tender and kind
Love is a decision to be blind
Love is a once in a life time find
Love will get you out of a bind

I am glad that I found you in time
So I can keep my life in rhyme
Without you my life would be in ruin
You make my life a perfect tune

Thanks for taking time to be with me
And soon you will see
That we will grow old
And will be together and be bold

I Love You!

copyright February 2008 Frederick J Gothe

Jesus I forgot....

As I was cleaning off the lunch table this afternoon I noticed one of my children's books on the high chair. It was a Frank Meyer's book, "I Just Forgot." The book tells the tail of a little boys adventures in forgetting to do or not do certain activities during the run of a day. Things like forgetting to turn of the taps and having the water run over the floor and such the like. You know things we do every day because we forget!

I am endeavoring to better myself and be more organized, which in itself is one of those unending, undo able tasks, but I will succeed - sooner or later!

One of the hardest things I am finding to overcome is my mind and memory. I do have a rather good mind, but it seems I have cluttered it up with useless stuff, and now I am waging war on my brain trying to clean it up! If we can overcome our habits, and force ourselves to do a new thing we can actually succeed.

As powerful as a habit and a schedule are we must have the backbone and fortitude to overcome ourselves. Thus, forcing ourself to do something new. As a Green Belt in Karate I have learnt that in order to train my body to remember and do certain actions I must over exaggerate some of my movements in the training phase so that when it comes time to use those actions my body has them memorized and they become second nature. So, in order to change in life and do something different and better we must exaggerate ourselves at first so we can overcome our little idiosyncrasies and win the battle of our mind!

Did you know that forgetting is no excuse? The fact is everything we ever hear, read, write or otherwise experience with our senses becomes a permanent part of our memory. The problem with most of us, including myself, is that we haven't trained our minds to have a proper filing system. Our mental filing cabinets are all messed up. The letters and numbers are all mixed together and vis versa. What we must learn to do is re-program ourselves to file our memories correctly.

Now for the question of the day. Do you think that Jesus is going to accept the "I forgot excuse" come judgment day?

NO! Of course not. We don't allow it as a legitimate excuse so why would Jesus? Just because you forgot to pray doesn't make it right. Just because you forgot to read your Bible doesn't make it O.K.. Just because you were to busy and forgot to go to Church doesn't mean you are off the hook. No, we have many means of forcing ourselves to remember in today's society that there is no excuse to forget anything!

Stop working so much!
Stop worrying so much!
Stop over thinking everything!
Stop procrastinating!
Stop allowing yourself to forget the important things in life!

Don't forget how old your children are.
Don't forget your anniversary.
Don't forget your spouses birthday.
Don't forget your wifes favorite flower.

Make yourself remember, be a better man - a better person - and don't allow yourself to tell Jesus you forgot. What would happen to your soul if Jesus forgot to die on the cross? What would happen to your chances of heaven if Jesus forgot to ascend to heaven, and pour out his spirit.

DON'T FORGET!

Ignorance Isn't always Bliss....

It came to my attention recently that "as a Pastor" I shouldn't be using pictures from other websites without permission. This statement is true in part. It doesn't matter if I'm a Pastor or not using these types of media can be wrong.

The truth be known I really hadn't put much thought into it. I would just Google a topic and find pictures that suite the thought. Then I'd paste the URL and viola there is the picture. It really never occurred to me that some people might not like me using there already posted to the public pictures for my own use. This fact triggered some thoughts in my mind.

In the Bible ignorance was no excuse for breaking the law. As a matter of fact in Leviticus there are sacrifices given for sins committed in ignorance. I guess it would be like being pulled over by the local law enforcement, and telling them that you didn't know that the speed limit was only 50Km. They would probably still give you a ticket because it is the drivers responsibility to pay attention to the road signs.

Also, when we all get to heaven's gates many people are going to claim ignorance, but the Bible tells us that "God doesn't wink at ignorance" anymore. The "No one told me that I had to repent of my sins, and call out the Jesus for salvation" excuse will not hold any water any longer. Sure there is much more to it than just repentance and calling out to Jesus, but that will at least get you pointed in the right direction. Just like the tip I received about pirating pictures points me in the right direction. Now it is up to me to take action and start asking permission for these types of pictures. So, it is up to you to look into the perfect law of liberty, and truly find out how and why you must be saved.

PS. "Sorry for posting personal pictures without permission!"

What's Common To You?

Almost everyday we encounter things, people, items, products, signs, and stores that have become common place to us. The wonder of those things are no longer visible or important to us. If you traveled to see the Grand Canyon it would be amazing, wonderful, awesome, glorious. However, I wonder how the tour guide feels about it? He or She has only seen the Grand Canyon every day for the past "X" number of years, and the wonder of it has begun to wear off.

I recently heard a story about a man who was traveling by train a number of years ago. He sat across from another gentleman who was looking out the car window, and wondering at the sights which the train passed. They were traveling across the midwest of the United States, and as they would pass hills, trees, towns, rocks and any other everyday sight the man who was looking out the window would exclaim, "Wonderful," "Amazing," "Wow," and many other expletives. Finally, after a few hours of listening to this the other man asked the man looking out the window, "Sir, what is it that is so interesting, we are just crossing the mid-west and those are just trees, hills, towns and so on. What is so amazing about that?" The gentleman who had been looking out the window explained, "Sir, Last week I was blind and could not see. I have recently seen a doctor who was able to fix my sight, and now I can see everything that I haven't been able to see in years." With this new information our questioning man began to realize that our gazing friend was right. Those things which we take for granted everyday are really, awesome, wonderful, amazing, and wow!

Family
When you see your family everyday do you take them for granted? You may automatically say no of course not? But, let me ask you a couple questions that might stimulate your mind.

• Do you feel upset when you come home and dinner isn't ready?
• Do your children tend to annoy you by asking seemingly endless questions?
• Do you feel put out when your laundry isn't ready when you think it should be?
• Do you put your children, wife, or husband off when they ask to spend time with you? (You may think that there is always later, and you are just too busy right now.)
  
• Do you listen to your children, wife or husband when they talk to you? (Do you actually hear them?)
• How often do you eat meals together as a family?
• How often do you help your wife clean up around the house?
• Do you spend time with you children at their level everyday?
• Do you spend time with your wife everyday at her level?

If you can't answer yes or put a time on each of these questions, then you like myself are probably getting a little to common with your family. Family is everything! Don't waste it! Money and work are important, but they are not too important to loose your family too! Don't wait until you come home to an empty house to realize that your priorities were all wrong!

There are times when I take my family for granted, and just expect things to happen. All the really happens then is I get upset with some or all of my family. Then I wake up and realize my mistake and have to apologize for my stupidity.

Your family may not always be there. One night while you're at work late your house could burn down on your precious wife and children. What then? What will you have to remember them by? What memories do you have of playing cowboys and Indians with your children. What memories do you have of going out for that late night coffee with your wife? If you spend your time away from home if home goes you will be left with nothing!

Once you begin to take a close look at your life you will begin to realize that there are many things that have lost their wonder to you. Many things are just common and no big deal. I encourage you to wake up and smell the flowers in the garden. Realize the beauty and wonder of everything that is around you!