Jody's Blog

2-15-12: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.".......he was talking about the Civil Rights Movement.......but it applies.........THINK about it........The Resistance starts with US! :-)God is good! ALL THE TIME!

2-7-12: I saw a survey today that asks if President Obama is to blame for the lack of any economic recovery...the simple answer is YES he is....BUT before you go getting all high and mighty Republicans....you need to know that yes he is along with every other politician in Washington that don't want the system fixed. And yes I mean Republicans and Democrats alike. They don't want it fixed because to fix it the first step would mean losing their "strong-arm" the IRS...you see to fix this mess we are in, the first and most important step is to enact the Fair Tax. By doing so you allow people to keep their whole paycheck, and they never have to file another tax return...plus the Fair Tax would generate far more $ than the current tax system in place while allowing hard working Americans to keep MORE of their money. But no one wants to have a serious discussion about the Fair Tax because without the IRS the Government no longer has the ability to threaten the population to bend to their will...think about it....the Military is not the most feared branch of Government in this country, far more people are FAR more afraid of the IRS knocking on their door than a Soldier. Our Country is heading down a path that may already be irreversible.......but the Fair Tax would be a significant step in the right direction if there is any hope at all, short of divine intervention, to save our sinking ship. Pray for yourselves, each other and for Leaders with the wisdom to wake up and do what is best for the "WE" the PEOPLE not their big business contributor overlords......always keeping in that mind that no matter what happens here on Earth that we Christians do ultimately win in the end.....God is good...ALL THE TIME

12-31-11: Well, as we close in on the end of another year I am sure I don't have to tell any of you that there are many people who think that 2012 is the year that this world will end. I am here to tell you that I don't know if it will or not. What I do know is that if the world does end I have the assurance of an eternal life in Heaven. I really feel sorry for people who don't know where they will be after this life. But it doesn't have to be that way. The GREAT NEWS for everyone is that God actually WANTS us to be in Heaven with Him. All we have to do is accept His gift, that's all! How AMAZING is that! So if you MUST make a New Year's resolution this year how about resolving to start or renew your vow to living a life for Christ! Pray for yourselves and each other, be safe if you go out tonight, and always remember that God is good......ALL THE TIME!

12-13-11: I am reminded today for some reason that we, as Christian Americans (PC term) lol, are remaining uncommonly silent as our rights to one nation "under God" are being banished from the society that was founded on those very principles. I can not believe that I am the only one that is concerned, even troubled by the path our Country is going down. Have we learned nothing from the Israelite's that were reminded over and over that as a nation they (and we) need God now more than ever! Think about people! Do we REALLY need or want God to make it known to us how much we need Him! Pray for yourselves, each other and our Country, first and foremost remembering that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

12-4-11: As we close in on Christmas I want to remind everyone, as I do every year, to please remember the REAL reason to celebrate. The gift that Christ gave us by dying on the cross far outweighs any and commercialization of this most Holy of days! It is because of this gift that we, as Christians, have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven with God. What an amazing gift. So please enjoy the festivities of the season because there is nothing wrong with that as long as you always keep in mind what the real reason is that we celebrate. Have a great week and pray for yourselves and each other always remembering that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

10-28-11: I bought a new monitor for my comp. today and I didn't realize how much I was having to squint to see until I now look at my new screen. I went from a 15" to a 23" and WOW what an amazing difference. Well that is all that is happening with me for now.......Pray for yourselves and each other...God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

10-22-11: It is Saturday, well Sunday.....because it is after midnight......kinda having trouble sleeping lately. Not sure why..I seem to be tired but still don't want to sleep...not really complaining more like curious as to what the cause of it is...........stress is usually the culprit, but right now I can't really say that I have any stress in my life......well not anymore than usual....job, money, weight...and this looming problem that I would rather not discuss but a select few of you know what it is that I am talking about....just remember to pray for me, yourselves and each other all the while remembering that God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

10-4-11: WOW! I didn't realize it had been so long since my last entry. Well not much is happening in my life except that I can't seem to shake whatever this nagging illness is that I have contracted somehow. God is still good.....ALL THE TIME....He is still the reason I get up everyday and the reason I question everyday if I am really doing everything or even anything right? I think in the larger scheme of things that is really how it is suppose to be. Maybe we ARE always suppose to question and maybe never learn the answers, or at least not until we stand before God on judgment day! Until then, question if you need to, learn what you can and pray for yourselves and each other everyday. As always I close assuring you that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

8-31-11: Ok well, I still am having headaches that are making me dizzy so on the advice of my Dr. it looks like my Fast is temporarily on hold. Which sucks because I am really trying to get into it before the weather turns and I won't be able to get outside and exercise as much do to those wonderful Indiana winters. But I am 100% positive that God is in control and His will will be done, so no worries there! Remember as always to pray for your family, friends, self and each other knowing without a doubt that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

8-29-11: It is Monday morning and I am having to re-start my Fast. I found out why this one seemed harder, because I was sick. Now that I am feeling 100% it is time to re-take control of my Fast, my will, and my weight-loss. I don't take these Fast's lightly or look at them as merely a means to lose weight. I chose the 40 day route for one very simple reason: It is the religious one. I use this time not only to lose weight, but also to draw closer in my walk with God. I am posting this a day early as I am fully aware today is actually Sunday. But I am feeling so much better and more confident about this Fast now than I was in the beginning, that I couldn't wait til the morning to post this....have a great day, pray for each other and above all else remember that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

8-24-11: Ok, I am back finally and today is the first day of a new and harder than the others so far FAST. I was supposed to start on Mon. but I slipped on Tuesday, so I am going to need lots of extra hard prayers this time I think. It is amazing how the silliest little things can cause you to slip. Although in reality they all come back to the same "little" thing, WILL POWER! And either you push through it or you fail, and yesterday quite frankly, I FAILED! Now I am counting on you to pray, God to give me the strength, and myself to overcome my demons with food to be successful at this once again. Thanks for all of the support I have been getting and remember to pray for yourselves, family, me and each other always knowing that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

7-12-11: Well I have somehow managed to contract a Summer Cold....which to me personally is WAY worse than a cold in the Winter, maybe if for no other reason than that in the Winter you actually expect to catch a cold. I have been trying to back off some from voicing my opinion on how quickly I think our Country and World are spiraling downhill towards the inevitable "End Times" talked about in Revelation. But after careful consideration and soul searching I realized that by keeping quiet I am doing the exact OPPOSITE of what I should be doing, and that is trying to convert as many non-believers as possible before it is too late. People I can not stress this enough, we may not be in the End Times YET, but do you really want to put off getting your life right with God? It is that well I still have time mentality that we have that is going to be the ruin of many many people who will refuse to turn to God no matter how bad things get. It is those people we should be working hardest to convert. It is easy to convert someone who WANTS to be saved. We are called on as Christians to spread the Word to the non-believers that need it the most. Jesus didn't seek out the Devout because they weren't the ones that needed Him and they aren't the ones that need US! It is simple to tell someone about Jesus that you already knows believes in Him. Now we need to work on the "lost". Pray for yourselves, each other and ESPECIALLY the ones who refuse to believe........God IS good......ALL THE TIME.....

7-4-11: Happy 4th to everyone! Have fun, enjoy the cookouts, fireworks, and celebrating our Independence! God is good....ALL THE TIME!

7-1-11: Sitting here this morning I find myself once again at a loss of sorts as to what I can put here in my blog. Business is almost non-existent so not anything much to say there. My personal life is still in a shambles as it seems to be all the time, so nothing new there either. I do find it kinda funny that no matter how bad I seem to have it that so many other people are in far worse shape than I am. But being human, like everyone else, my problems seem the worse to me BECAUSE they are mine! I mean if I saw someone else in my exact situation I would probably think to myself that their situation isn't so bad.....but because it is MY situation it seems to be THAT bad to me! Ok well enjoy your 4th of July weekend remembering that the TRUE reason we celebrate this holiday is to honor the bravery of our Forefathers for having the courage to stand up against tyranny and say ENOUGH! Ahhh! If only more people had the courage to do that these days! Anyways, have fun enjoy the fireworks and remember God is good....ALL THE TIME!

6-23-11: It is the 23rd and it just dawned on me that I have been neglecting my blog. Not too much has happened recently, well at least not anything worth mentioning. I am out and about more so I am not glued to my computer like I had been for the past 2 years. I will continue to update my weight-loss progress which right now stands at about 112 unwanted pounds GONE and about another 120 to go! Tune in later for more updates and remember God is GOOD......ALL THE TIME!

6-9-11: My thoughts are kinda jumbled this morning so if this makes little to no sense, I apologize. Finding out very quickly that you can NOT do a fast on your strength, that strength comes only from God. If you try it on your own you WILL FAIL! Time to re-focus, re-dedicate, and be DOUBLY sure that I am leaning on God's strength to get me through. Prayer, time in His word, and the realization that only He is control was how I made it through the first one and it is how I will again make it through this time. With so many distractions of everyday life, and all the things we invite upon ourselves....it is no wonder that on my own I would fail miserably! I will continue to post my thoughts as I go on this journey, remember to pray for each other and yourselves always remembering that God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

6-6-11: Well I am now BACK on day 1.......bc the DR. forced me to eat after taking meds on Friday. SO HERE WE GO AGAIN! I had an unexpected journey to the E.R. on Friday so that threw a monkey wrench into things.......but NOW I am back on track and I will post my progress as I go.....God is good....ALL THE TIME!

6-3-11: Day 3 of fast #2 and I have been REALLY tested this time, I had a very unpleasant pain in my stomach that actually sent me to the Hospital today. As I am writing this, I just walked in the door from the E.R. But because God is good...ALL THE TIME...thankfully I was able to come home, at least temporarily.....I need to schedule a Surgery......but I am going to try to put it off for at least a week if possible. I am not sure how the Hospital will feel about my fast, and if I will be allowed to continue it while recovering.......Oh well, I guess only time will tell..........Pray for me, yourselves and each other.....God Bless and have a great day!

5-31-11: Pray for me, please. As I am about to embark on a second 40 day fast that will begin tmw 6-1-11. I had such good results mentally, physically and spiritually that I am already SO ready to start it all over again. I have gotten mixed reactions from "YOU'RE CRAZY" to "BE CAREFUL" to "WAY TO GO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, YOU LOOK GREAT". I can't stress enough that the weight-loss is just a very big side bonus. My reasons for doing this are many but that is only one and it's way down on the list. I will chart my progress and how I feel in my blog as I did on the first one, so stay tuned, pray for me and each other and remember that God is good........ALL THE TIME!

5-21-11: Well it is now day 41 and I have went from a full on fast to a modified schedule of juice, fruit and light food for a week or so and then it is on to another fast of an as of this moment undetermined length. I need to loose about another 125-150 pounds to get right back into my wheelhouse.....as for this fast...as near as I can figure the total weight-loss is right around 97lbs. and as that is a great start, it is ONLY a start....as I said I still have a long way to go and I like the idea of fasting and getting all of the benefits from it as apposed to dieting, which we all know very rarely even works anyway, because as soon as you start eating "real food" again you gain back what you lost and almost always some extra too! Well I am off to exert some of my new found energy from fasting! God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

5-18-11: It is now day 38 and I only have a few days left. I am thinking that I will prolly go for at least a few more but on a more modified schedule of only one meal a day or maybe this time do a mixture of water and juice, I am not 100% sure yet...only time will tell.....the one thing that remains as a constant is that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

5-13-11: I am not sure where the superstition of Friday the 13th originated from and I really don't care to research it..lol I was born on the 13th and I have had many birthdays fall on Friday in my 44 years on this planet and I can safely say that all of them have been just as much fun as the ones that fell on all the other days of the week. Now, that being said, I have till next Friday then my 40 day fast will be over. Depending on how I feel at the time I may go another 20 or I may wait a few days or weeks and then do another 40 days, I am just not sure what I am going to do yet....any suggestions? Well if so, drop me an email or comment....pray for yourselves and each other always remembering that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

5-3-11: Well day 22 and I haven't keeled over yet! lol Actually it is going surprisingly well. I have plenty of energy and I feel better than I have in a long time. That being said, I still have a very long way to go, even after the fast, to reach my ultimate goal of being a totally 100% functioning member of Society again. What that Society will look like remains to be seen. I can't help but ponder the dismal future I foresee for our Country & our World for that matter. I think the next 12-18 months is going to reveal a lot about what the future is going to hold for each of us and unfortunately I don't think it is going to be anything except a multiplied black hole like the one we find ourselves in already! The best advice I can give to anyone is first and foremost make sure you are right with GOD bc he is GOOD.....ALL THE TIME!

4-30-11: Day 19 so I am almost halfway home, MAYBE! If I feel good enough at the end of 40 days I may go for more.....but that is a decision for 3 weeks from today, not today! I feel good. I played basketball yesterday and I don't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would today. That is a really good sign. I am trying to keep optimistic about everything but some things are much easier than others. I told myself I wouldn't go off on a rant today so let's just leave it at the world in general is in a very risky/depressive place right now if you can read the signs. Want the big one: How do you crush the middle class? Answer: By causing a housing collapse like none other in history. The construction industry as a whole fuels about 40-45% of ALL middle class jobs.....coincidence? I think not! But it is a beautiful day so I am going to get out and enjoy it! God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

4-23-11: Okay, I am at the beginning of day 12 of my fast and it is going surprisingly well, well at least the hunger part is. I am having a real difficult time dealing with the pain in my lower back from all the toxins being filtered through my kidneys faster than I can get them out of my body. But other than that it is going really well. And even that pain is not unbearable, just uncomfortable. I think a little uneasiness is a small price to pay to accomplish my ultimate goal. I began this as a way to kick start my weight loss but have found that if you are really serious about it that it goes much much deeper than that. It is a religious, mental, and physical journey that I should warn you should NOT be entered into lightly or on a whim. So that being said, I am off to start my day...remember God is good...ALL THE TIME! and I will write more later...so stay tuned.... :-)

4-19-11: Day 8 of my fast and this is getting harder than I thought, you see, I usually eat when I am bored and because I haven't had any work to do I am VERY bored so I don't know what to do with my time since I am not eating to fill the boredom! I think that is a big part of the fast is finding constructive things to do with most of the time you would normally spend eating. I mean I can only play so many games or read or nap...I need to find a job..but that will be so much easier when I get my health under control. I feel like I have lost control over every part of my life and the only thing I could control before was eating. So that became my new obsession, food. I might not have control of my personal life, financial life, business life or any other aspect, but dang it I could control how much I ate(usually WAY too much). And now that I don't have that luxury any longer I am finding myself getting extremely bored and with boredom comes the desire to eat, not because I am hungry mind you, but because I am just so bored and for so long that is what I did when I was bored. I know that even making the 8th day that I am on now is ONLY possible through the strength of God. My will is weak, my mind is strong and I HOPE that will be enough. Right now 32 more days seems like such a long way off! So PLEASE anyone who may be reading this pray for me! Pray that I will have the strength to seek God when I am bored instead of food. I see this fast as the first LAST desperate chance to save whatever life I might have left. I am smart enough to know that I can't keep putting this much stress on my already overworked heart and body and expect to have a life of any longevity at all. I fear if I fail at this fast I am sealing my fate.....so if anyone is reading this please pray and any emails of encouragement would be great! Thanks and remember God is good....ALL THE TIME! He never walks away from us it is US that walk away from Him.

4-17-11: Ok WOW! day 6 was a tough one! My family had a cookout today and I LOVE me some cookout! lol.....but with the help of God's grace I was able to not only sit with them while they ate, but sit with them without being hungry! I am finding that this is not as easy as I had hoped and that there is NO WAY I could do this on my own strength. It is only through prayer and God's grace that I am able to make it from day to day. So what I have been doing is just asking God for the strength to make it through THIS day, not all 40....and that is the biggest part of the journey, getting closer to God. I am looking forward to having some quiet meditation time, so I guess that is all I have for the day.....check back and I will be updating this blog as I need to put my thoughts into writing and if you would like to send me your stories or comments or encouragement you can do that from the contact tab on this page. Remember to pray for yourselves and each other.....God is good...ALL THE TIME!

4-16-11: I am on day 5 of my fast and it is so far going really well. I have not felt the pangs of hunger or the desire to give up. It is amazing the amount of extra(well we will call it extra) time you have if you don't have to buy, prepare, eat, and clean up for 3 meals a day(at least). And contrary to popular belief, I actually have MORE energy and feel MORE like exercising now than when I was eating myself to death! Now I am no fool, I know I will eventually eat again. That was/is/has been part of the plan all along. This is just my choice! Jesus did it, as did many others in his day for 40 days and nights including Moses. The Medical Establishment wants you to believe that fasting is horrible for you. WELL, let me tell you that all of my research and my personal experiences so far have been positive. There are HUGE benefits both mental and physical to doing a safe and well thought out fast. Besides the detoxification of your system, it gives your much over-worked digestive system a chance to heal. Along with letting your mind clear from having more energy going to "brain-power" than digesting. And of course there is the bonus of being a great way to help me on journey to getting my weight back under control. But that isn't what this about, well not totally anyways. I am doing this as part of my journey to self discovery and as a means to hopefully gain some perspective and clarity on my life and what direction I need to be taking. I am also doing it as preparation for what I really think is going to be a never before seen calamity in the US that will be indescribable when trying to compare it to any event in history. You don't have to believe me, the information is out there if you choose to find it, read it, and be willing to keep an open mind. I will use this blog as my journal for my fast as all the literature I have found says that a journal is VITAL to a successful fast. Check back in as I will be updating it at least on a semi-daily basis as to how the fast is going and more on what I think is going to happen in the US over the next year or so. Remember to pray for yourselves and each other remembering as always that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

4-12-11: Well I was hoping that with Spring getting into motion that I would be hearing more about upcoming business. So far that isn't the case but it is still early. I am coming along steady on losing weight finally! I guess that would have lots to do fact that I am eating better and getting WAY more exercise than I had been. WELL that is all for now sooooooo have a great week and always remember God is good......ALL THE TIME!

4-7-11: Good morning,

As we so often say among our church family, God is good! Do you really believe that? I do and God is proving it over and over again. This has been an exciting week with God opening doors for potential new ministry through our church. As we look toward our 80th Anniversary celebration coming up in 5 weeks, God is also opening the doors for new opportunities. Not only is God good, all the time, but He is showing us that He is good continually! I am so glad to be a part of Evanston Wesleyan Church and a part of the Kingdom of God. I hope you feel the same way and are looking around and asking the Holy Spirit to show you people in your life that need to learn how to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Remember, every name has a soul and you can help that soul know Jesus.

Be sure your calendar is clear for Sunday, May 15th. This will be our celebration Sunday as we look back over the first 80 years of ministry of Evanston Wesleyan and look toward the future. I would love to see our sanctuary packed out as we worship together. Phil and Rhonda Foley will be here to share their music with us followed by a picnic lunch. Please invite anyone you know who has attended Evanston Wesleyan over the past 80 years to come and worship with us on this special day. You don’t want to miss this great day of celebration!

Easter Sunday is only 2 weeks away, so be sure to be actively inviting your friends, family and neighbors to worship with us. Easter Sunday is a wonderful time to invite those who don’t have a church home to come worship with you. I really believe it is the Sunday that the most people are open to coming to church. They may not show interest any other Sunday throughout the year, so take advantage of the opportunity and invite them to join us. Help them hear the message of the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ by asking them to worship with you and us. One quick reminder before I wrap up this week’s update, our ladies meeting was postponed until this Saturday morning, so all ladies are reminded to meet at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday at the church to plan their upcoming activities.

Have a great week, enjoy the warm spring weather and always remember–God is good! All the time!

Pastor Jim

4-3-11: Well April is here and the cold weather is STILL hanging around.....I am hoping that it will break soon so I can start walking to help with weight loss and for some reason I just feel better in general when it is warm outside. I am exploring some new opportunities to make money so I can run this site without fear of how to pay for it every month...Like most people living from paycheck to paycheck each week I am operating on a due date to due date basis wondering when, if and where I will get the $ to pay the website each month. You know you would think, as I always used to, that $1 a day would be pretty easy to come up with.....NOT as true as I had thought because it is becoming harder and harder and it is ONLY through the grace of God that I have been able to do it as long as I have....On March 26th we celebrated our 3rd anniversary @ Christianity Connection.......and to me that is HUGE!!!!! seeing as how I personally have had little to no work in that time. But as I have said through God's grace somehow.....someway....the $ has been there each and every month.......proving to me beyond ALL doubt that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

3-31-11: Good afternoon,

Hello on this beautiful spring afternoon! As I look out my window, I see a lot of white which must be blossom from some kind of spring flower because I can’t imagine it could be anything else on the 30th of March. Oh, isn’t the weather in Indiana wonderful? I’ll make a prediction (based on no knowledge whatsoever, of course) – by next week it will be 10 degrees above normal. In fact I think we should check whatever the normal temperature is and expect it to be 10 degrees above or below. We are never at normal it seems.

Okay, I’ll stop ranting about the weather and get right to the happenings at Evanston Wesleyan. You are all to be commended for your participation in the teens silent auction over the past several weeks. I’m still waiting for final results but it appears that over $800 was raised. We will be able to make a big impact on the lives of the young people of this community thanks to your generosity. You have also been faithful in bringing the gift cards for Hephzibah Children’s Home. We will be presenting the cards to C. K. Chitty next time he’s in town so if you forgot to bring your Wal-Mart or Kohl’s cards be sure to give them to Angie by this Sunday. We will begin our next outreach focus this Sunday by distributing the baby bottles for the area LIFE Centers. Please take a bottle and fill it with loose change (of course bills are acceptable, too) and return it over the next several weeks. We will collect these bottles in April and May and then present them to the LIFE Centers of Indianapolis.

Our ladies group will be having a meeting this Saturday morning at 9:30 at the church. All ladies are invited to attend and find out how you can participate in upcoming activities.

This Sunday morning I will continue my message on our Divine Appointments with God. This Sunday we will look at how God wants to speak through us. Are you available for Him to speak? Be sure to be here Sunday to find out how to be sure you are available. Our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings has been going very well. I appreciate Mike Martin’s leadership with our children’s worship and I’m sure you do as well. Be sure to thank Mike for his hard work. This week, and for the next several months on the first Sunday of the month, our children will remain upstairs for the entire worship service. Mike and I both agree that it is important for our children to experience what adult worship is like to make the transition easier as they grow older. I plan to involve the children in all parts of the service so that they feel they are a part of what is going on. I am so excited to see the growth in the number of children attending on Sunday morning and am looking forward to what the Lord will do in their lives down the road.

Have a great week and remember – every name has a soul!

Pastor Jim

3-19-11: I started doing my part for the "Million Mile Prayer Walk" that our Church is participating in this year....I am on day 2 and you have the option of literally walking a mile while you pray, or pray what the equivalent to the walk would be which is 20 minutes......So far I have been doing the 20 minutes of Prayer. But as the weather permits I am going to start walking to help the Church, and my health in the process. I have a 40 day devotional and I am thinking by about day 10-15 I should be able to start the walking as the weather by then should be warm enough. Well that is all for now, remember to pray for yourselves and each other always remembering that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

3-15-11: Good afternoon everyone,

Well, I would say that the spring showers are upon us but they can’t technically be called spring showers until Sunday. Isn't it great? Only 5 more days and it will be officially spring. It’s been a long winter but we made it through and very soon the beauty of spring will be all around us.

I would like to encourage you to make a renewed effort as the weather warms to be faithful in your attendance to worship and discipleship opportunities. The rough weather this past winter has really affected our attendance, especially for our Wednesday night family activities. Spending time in worship and Bible study is vital to our personal spiritual growth, so I encourage you to be a part of as many growth opportunities as possible. God has been so faithful to our congregation through many rough days and I know it would please Him to see us being faithful to Him in return.

This Sunday following the worship service the teens will be serving a lunch to kick off their spring fundraiser. In addition to providing a meal for a donation, all of the silent auction items will be on display for you to bid on. We have a wide variety this year, from homemade items to items offered from local vendors, so be sure to take time to look at what’s available. All items will be open for bid until Sunday morning, March 27. After everyone leaves on the 27th Alli will notify the winning bidders. This is our most effective fundraiser and Alli and the teens thank you so much for your support and participation.

In the next week or so, you will be receiving a letter about our Homecoming Celebration in May. We will be celebrating our 80th anniversary as an organized church with some special friends. Mark your calendar now for May 15th. You won’t want to miss out on the celebration.

Have a great week! God is good, all the time!

Pastor Jim

3-9-11: Dear Friends:

George Scott, one-legged schoolteacher from Scotland, once came to the venerable missionary J. Hudson Taylor to offer himself for service in China. Taylor was impressed by the man’s willingness but had serious questions about his ability. He asked, “With only one leg, why do you think of going as a missionary?”

“I do not see those with two legs going,” Scott replied. His request was granted.

The good work of bringing spiritual redemption to the world will be done not be those who are most gifted, most talented, or best trained. It will be done by those who are most willing. That willingness includes the motivation to pray and to give, not only to go to foreign fields. For every missionary who goes abroad or every church planter in North America, there must be an army of willing souls who share the vision and are willing to support it—right from where they are. God’s resources combined with our generous giving could provide all the funding we need to reach the world for Christ!

As we conclude our study of The Generosity Factor this week, we’ll be reminded of the ultimate benefit of our generous giving: the salvation of souls.

Can we accomplish this mission in our lifetime? Yes, we can.

You are loved!

Pastor Jim

P.S. The wrong date was given last Sunday for the Ladies Craft Day at the church. The craft day will be this Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bring your favorite craft and join the fun. Stay all day or come for a few hours. If you don’t have a craft to work on Angie would love to have some help cleaning and organizing the storage rooms. Also, don’t forget the gift cards for Hephzibah (Walmart and Kohl’s) we are collecting this month

3-8-11: The rain continues and the basement flood does as well. I think we have finally pinned down the problem and now it is just a matter of getting it fixed as quickly as possible. Of course it isn't going to be easy or cheap, but nothing in my life ever seems to be, but that is how it goes as they say! I just keep remembering that God is good...ALL THE TIME...even when my basement is flooded! :-)

3-4-11 Well, a couple of days after just getting our basement all dried out from flooding, I hear now we are in for heavy rain for at least a couple of days this weekend and into next week.....GREAT! But, I know that at least the rain signals that the end of winter is FINALLY almost here. SO, if you want to look for a silver lining, I guess that would be it! But on the other hand, it looks as though I won't be getting any sleep tonight....someone has to keep an eye out and make sure the sump pump is working....this may not stop the flooding altogether but it will drastically reduce it.....So I guess I should nap today...A LOT!lol Well remember to pray for each other and always remember, even when your basement is flooded, God is good....ALL THE TIME!

3-2-11: Dear Friends:

At age sixteen Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian’s personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. When he finished, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. “My son,” he said, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss—it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.’ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage.” In the same way, when we have received God’s grace, mercy, and blessings, we want to pass them along. This week we continue learning about "The Generosity Factor" and we’ll discover the unbreakable link between God’s work in our lives and our work on behalf of others. We will realize that we have been blessed to be a blessing. What about you? Does your compassion toward others match the compassion that God has showed to you? Let’s talk about it this weekend. You are loved!

Pastor Jim

P.S. I want to encourage you to be praying for our community this week. Remember 20 minutes of prayer equals 1 mile of prayer walking. Lift your community up in prayer this week and see how God transforms you in the process. Let’s show our generosity this week by generously praying for others.

2-23-11: I haven't been feeling very well the last few days but I had some thoughts to pass on....I realized that I have been getting out the info about what I believe is coming for our nation without stressing enough that we, as Christians, have known that this has been coming for thousands of years. It is in the Bible. In several different places it talks about the "End Times" and what will happen leading up to and during it. So the things that I have been talking about should come as no surprise to those who are "Believers". The thing to keep in mind is that no matter what happens here that as Christians in the end we will WIN! We win because we will be with God in Heaven. No more pain or worries or doubts or fears. Just peace and love and joy for eternity with our Father in Heaven. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see......what a day indeed...God is good...ALL THE TIME!

2-15-11: Good afternoon,

Over the next several weeks, my updates will mostly be focused on my series of messages on the Generosity Factor that I am currently preaching. I will close each week with any updates on current activities. I pray you are having an exciting week and are enjoying the warm temperatures. John Wesley was fond of saying this regarding personal finances, “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” It is great advice, but someone has observed that strategy of most Christians today is to “Earn all you can, can all you get, sit on the lid!” Generosity does not come naturally to most of us. That is unfortunate, because it is the first law of economics in God’s kingdom. Time after time, God’s Word instructs us to be generous with what we have. When we do so, we honor God, impact others, and receive a blessing in the process. Over the next four weeks, we will explore this Generosity Factor and discover the incredible truth that God is most generous with us when we are generous with our resources.

And this is one promise of God that comes with a money-back guarantee! “Test me in this, ”God challenges in Mal. 3:10, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Let’s take the dare. Put the Generosity Factor to the test, and see what results. The impact on your life—and the world around you—will be greater than you can imagine. The ladies will be meeting at the church for a Girls Night for crafts, fun, fellowship and my guess would be a little craziness (sorry, ladies, I couldn’t resist adding that). All ladies are invited to join in the fun beginning at 6:00 Friday evening. Please bring snacks and drinks to share. Remember, God is good, all the time!

Pastor Jim

2-12-11: Well the Winter drags on and I have said it before but I have had enough with the cold already. It makes you wonder why people would CHOOSE to live here..lol! I guess there is just no accounting for why people will choose to live where they do, complain about it every year but despite that never seriously think about moving! haha....well I fall into that category I guess..I would say the overwhelming reason for most people is that leaving your family can be traumatic, even unbearable for a lot of people. I am not always convinced that that is a good thing though. There are certain instances where maybe the best thing for all parties involved is to live apart. I mean if no one ever left home then we would all be packed in places like sardines! And let us not forget that you CAN have "roots and wings" as it was so eloquently put in Sweet Home Alabama.....if you know what I mean then you are as big of a SAPPY MOVIE nerd as I...lol!!!!! Don't worry there is nothing wrong with that, despite what others have told you! LOL! Well I am off to tame the west in my video world.....remember to pray for yourself, family and all those who need it...God is good....ALL THE TIME!

2-8-11: So, I am off to do a small remodel job today and I am hoping that everything will go as planned with no major malfunctions. I always keep in mind that no one is perfect and that sometimes mistakes get made. I have been trying to have a better attitude as of late and see the more positive side of things. It is not always easy but I am trying and praying and hoping that I will get there......God is good..ALL THE TIME!

2-3-11: Well if you live anywhere in the Midwest of the US....let me start by saying..BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! If you live anywhere else just turn on your weather station and you will understand! lol..... Well it is very cold and everything has kind of come to a halt over the past few days. We are used to the cold and the snow and the ice....just not all at the same time! So stay in, stay warm and don't go out unless it is a real emergency. Use this time to cement your relationship with God, talk to your family about what your plan is in case there were to be a disaster and make sure everyone is clear not only about the plan but their part in it.....present them with different scenarios and come up with an action for each. What seems like silly game play may actually save your lives in the long run. Always first and foremost remembering that the most important thing is having a solid relationship with God. Pray for each other and remember to keep warm.....God is good...ALL THE TIME!

1-28-11: With all of the talk of gloom & doom that I have been trying to pass along to you, I often wonder if anyone who reads this thinks about me? What kind of person I am? Do I see any hope? Am I constantly discouraged about our rapidly approaching fate? And I think to myself, "WOW! These people, the ones who don't know me anyways, must think that I am the most depressing person in the world to be around....lol" Well I would like to think that I am quite the opposite. I try to be in a good mood as much as I can and try to make the people around me laugh, happy and hope they realize that even when the inevitable does happen that we still win....in the end all Christians will ultimately win because we will be in Heaven with Jesus...That one GIGANTIC ray of HOPE is all I need to keep me in a good mood, well most of the time anyways....I mean I am only human and like everyone else I have bad hrs, days, weeks..lol it is part of our journey. It isn't THAT we have these trials, it is how we choose to deal with them that is important. Never forgetting that being a Christian isn't a free pass on life's problems...it just means you have the comfort of knowing that God is right there with you and will never leave you and never give you more than you can handle...and I KNOW I KNOW a lot of us think "WHEW! God must think I can handle a TON!" lol and that is okay, doubt is a part of it. Every Christian at some time or another has doubts, well at least I and the ones I talk to do. Doubt is the best weapon of the enemy. Because if he can get you to doubt one part of your faith then maybe, just maybe, he can get you doubt other parts as well. And that is what he truly wants is to bring in enough doubt to cause you to abandon your faith. That is why as Christians we gather together for Church, Bible Studies and just as fellow Christians to help keep that bond of Faith strong. So remember as always to pray for yourselves, families and each other and never forget that God is good.........ALL THE TIME!

1-19-11: As we draw closer and closer to the inevitable decline of our State, Nation & World I often wonder to myself if I am or would be better off if I didn't know what I know? I mean I guess not knowing has its advantages, but I think that knowing and accepting has allowed me to come to grips with it and hopefully start to prepare, as much as one can, for the worst when it happens. Notice that I said "WHEN" not "if" because you have to look no further than the Book of Revelation to know that it is going to happen. The only thing is, is that no one knows when, except God. And in His infinite wisdom I think I can begin to understand why...If we knew when it would be too much of a temptation to just live however we wanted until it was almost time and then all of the sudden turn to God and want forgiveness.....by not knowing it is almost like incentive to help us live as much of a Christ-like life as we can. I can't say for sure that is the reason but in our limited capacity to understand it seems to make sense...as Christians there is a split as to how much, if any, of the Tribulation we may have to endure...I say whether it is none, part or all of it as long as I make it to Heaven that is all that matters. So I can not stress this enough...FIRST and foremost you need to be in the right place with God above all else. Once you have that, no matter what else happens, ultimately you win! So that is what is MOST important, not just because you may believe the end is near, but having a relationship with God makes your whole life better....Pray for your families and each other never forgetting that God is good...ALL THE TIME!

1-12-11: Good afternoon everyone,

Well, it’s time to get back in the routine of my weekly updates after a week away and couple of holiday weeks when I couldn’t figure out which day it was. I guess it’s good to get back in the normal routine, but I must say I’d trade this weather we came home to for the 60’s we enjoyed most of last week. The snow I see outside my office window is beautiful to look at but I’m looking forward to the beauty of spring – and the warmth as well.

I am so excited to see what God has in store for our church this coming year. Last week while we were at the Gathering Pastor’s Conference, I really felt God speaking to me about what He wants us to focus on as a church and how much more effective we can be in reaching our community for Christ. We cannot allow ourselves to get comfortable within our church walls. We must be looking outward to the community He has placed us in and share the gospel with those who don’t know Him. There are so many in our community in need of a Savior and I want to be obedient in leading our church to reach them. Please be praying for God to show you how you can make a difference. I will be sharing with our church over the next few weeks and months some new ways in which we will be reaching out and touching lives. I look forward to sharing these plans and ideas with you on Sunday mornings and hope to see you all regularly. I can’t wait to see what God will do! It’s His church.

Let me update you on a few schedule changes. Our teens were planning a chili supper for this evening before our Wednesday evening activities but due to the bad weather and roads we felt it might be better to re-schedule. The plan now is for the teens to serve the chili on Sunday immediately after the morning worship service. I think this will give more of you an opportunity to help the teens in their fundraiser and give us all a great fellowship opportunity. If we all give the teens a donation in the amount we usually spend on eating out on Sunday, they’ll have a great fundraiser. Please plan to stay after service this Sunday and support our youth group. The chili will be great and the fellowship even better. Besides, it’s not like we have to rush home to watch the Colts! Ouch!

Also, we were not able to work on all the Christmas decorations on Tuesday evening so we will try again on Saturday morning. We could use as much help as possible taking the tree and decorations down around the church. If you are able please meet at the church at 9:30 Saturday morning and we’ll get through it quickly. Thanks in advance for you help and support.

Once more item, please remember we are collecting hats, gloves and blankets for the homeless this month. Please bring youritems in and leave them in the foyer so we can deliver them to the mission.

Have a great week!

Pastor Jim

1-10-11: First and foremost I can not encourage people enough to make sure that your heart is right with God, if you have that then you already have EVERYTHING you need and you will ultimately win. That being said, I don't think that it means you shouldn't prepare, to the best of your ability, for what is going to inevitably happen..we know it is going to happen because Revelation is very clear about will happen, what isn't clear is if we, as Christians, will be subject to or spared from it. We have lived such a sheltered existence in the US for so long I am fearful about most people's ability to adapt if the worse does happen, making it more important than ever for people to make sure that you are right with God. Financial Expert Porter Stansbury is saying that the US is in for an economic disaster of Biblical proportions over the next 12-24 months. A disaster that will make the Great Depression seem mild in comparison. Not just a financial change but rather a drastic life change for us all. You don't have to take my word for it, all the information is out there if you know where to look. Check it out for yourselves and I think you will see the "writing on the wall" as plain as I do. Preparing now will not stop this out of control trainwreck from happening but it will allow you to come out of it hopefully alive and still able to care for yourself and your family. Self preservation is not a bad word.....as a matter of fact it is one we all need to learn........do what you can to prepare pray, plan and most importantly remember to get right with God.....remembering at all times that God is good...ALL THE TIME....and all the time....GOD IS GOOD!

1-7-11: Well I experienced first hand what happens when some people acquire a little power and what that can do to their judgment. It can be a dangerous and reckless, however I think the true test is how I as a Christian react when these things happen. I hopefully reacted in a way pleasing to God....even if everyone around me was wanting me to react in a less Christian way..lol....oh well we are after all only human. On a more serious note, I have been trying to warn, educate, however you want to look at it, people for the last several months as to the scary path our Country is heading down and I hope you all have been listening because the US as we know it is about to change drastically in the next 12-24 months. Do all you can to protect yourself and your families........I will go into more detail as the time draws near...just remember I don't take any comfort or pleasure in being right.....I am just trying to help everyone be aware so they can prepare as best as each individual possibly can.....First and foremost make sure you are right w/God.....Pray and remember He is a GOOD God and a JUST God.......Good Luck...we are ALL gonna need it!

1-1-11: Happy New Year! Hopefully it will be a better year for you than last year. Although, if you are like me and see the gas creeping higher and higher and the work sinking lower and lower it is pretty hard to have an optimistic outlook.....I have comfort in knowing that God is in control and He will never leave me or allow me to walk through anything alone.....that being said, that does not mean that I don't have the same worries as all of you...it just means that I have learned to lean on and trust what I know about God.....I have to go to work, and I use the term very LOOSELY, but I will write more later.....Have a great day.....God is GOOD!

12-30-10: Good afternoon to you all and Happy New Year a few day’s early,

By the time we all gather together to worship again it will be the beginning of a new year. It really is hard to believe how quickly we move through the calendar. I know they say that time seems to move faster the older you get but this is feeling ridiculous! The only good part about the calendar moving so fast is that in a short time we will be complaining about the heat instead of the cold. Now that’s a thought I could dwell on for a while. . .warm weather.

I trust you all had a great Christmas and will be having a good weekend celebrating the new year. Angie and I will be leaving early Saturday morning to attend a pastor’s conference in Florida next week, so please pray for us as we travel. Dan and Alli will be leading the worship service Sunday morning with Alli preaching. Be sure to come to worship and begin the new year with your church family. If you haven’t been as consistent in your church attendance lately, the first Sunday of the new year would be a great time to set a new pattern. We all need fellowship with our church family and the spiritual food that we gain from worship. I’m looking forward to seeing you all each Sunday in 2011.

Don’t forget that we are collecting hats, gloves, scarves and blankets for the homeless during the month of January. Bring these items and leave them in the church foyer and we will deliver them to those in need here in our city.

Have a great week and I’ll see you all on the 9th when we get back from Florida.

Pastor Jim

12-25-10: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hopefully, if you celebrate Christmas as we Christians do you will take time out today to think about the true meaning of the holiday. Enjoy time with your family, open presents and enjoy a great meal. And after all of the festivities of the day are over, take time to read Luke 2:1-20 and explain to your kids or friends who might not know Christ the significance of what God did for us to show His love.....what better way to end off the day that celebrates the birth of the Greatest Gift ever given. Be well and God bless you and your loved ones.....because he is good....ALL THE TIME!

12-17-10: Good afternoon,

Christmas is coming! I can tell because I am now officially caught in the middle of the hectic rush. That actually has nothing to do with shopping, it is more about a pastor’s convention right after Christmas that everyone here at work needs to have something printed for. I’m really looking forward to a few days out of the office next weekend. For those of you looking for my weather update this week I thought I would replace it with an update of the weather in my office – it is officially classified as snowed under! By the way, please don’t ask how I’m doing on my shopping list.

Now on to items more relevant for our entire congregation, are you ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior together? We have two great worship opportunities for everyone coming up in the next week or so. This coming Sunday morning, the 19th, our worship service will be focused on celebrating the gift of the Son of God, Jesus our Savior. We will be singing songs celebrating His birth and I’ll share a message of how Christ’s love changes the world. Please invite a friend or family member to come and worship with us. The love of Christ could change their world this Sunday and you could be a part of bringing that love to them. Next Friday evening is Christmas Eve and we will be gathering together at 5:30 p.m. to share a special worship time with our church family. Please be sure to make time for worship to be a part of your Christmas celebration. I know the saying gets over used sometimes but remember He is the reason we celebrate the season.

You are also all invited to join us for an all church fellowship gathering this Sunday evening at 5 p.m. We are gathering for a meal, songs and games at the Millersville Lodge (located at the corner of Kessler Blvd. and Emerson Ave.). Last year we had a wonderful time together and I’m hoping that you all will join us this year. It’s a great time to relax, laugh and get to know your church family. The meal will be provided for everyone, we just ask that you bring a dessert item to share.

Have a warm, safe week and I will see you Sunday morning as we gather to worship together.

Pastor Jim

12-10-10: Well if you haven't been paying attention: The Global Elitist are at it again. The newest plot in their attempt at World domination is water hoarding....yes you read that right...WATER...With 70% or more of this planet covered in the "wet stuff" you wouldn't think that would be possible. Take heed my friends I am not talking about just any water. Of the 70-80% of this planet that is under water only about 2% of that water is fit to drink. Experts are saying that over the next few decades all of the World's major conflicts will be fought over drinking water and access to it. The 2 biggest culprits that have been identified so far, outside or the Water Cartels, are T. Boone Pickens and the Bush family, YES...THAT Bush family. While Oil has been the hot button issue and people were fighting over it, the Global Elitist were changing laws and back-dooring themselves into the next BIG THING, water. Unlike Oil people can not live without water. Pickens lobbied and successfully changed the laws in Texas so that when he purchased land over the largest water table in the U.S. it was already on that book that NO MATTER where the water goes..if he can access from his land by drilling...it is ALL HIS! not just what is under his land, but HOWEVER much he can draw from as long as the DRILLING and PUMPING equipment is on his land. He also somehow got his ENORMOUS Ranch declared basically a small city so he could have the right of EMINENT DOMAIN to run his pipelines across your land and take it whether you want to sell or NOT! Now knowing this the Bush family not wanting to be out-done, rushed to buy somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 acres in South America, yes you guessed it, over a HUGE water table. Giving them the rights to the water and sell it back to locals IF they choose, or bottle it, ship it, and sell to the highest bidder wherever that need may be. Make no mistake people a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT will happen, just read Revelation and you will see it is very clear about that. It is up to us as Christians to decide where our loyalty lies...to the GLOBAL ELITIST who THINK they are God.....or to the ONE TRUE GOD Our Father in Heaven. Remember our God is a good and just God and only he knows if we, as Christians, will be spared of this eminent threat or if by His grace we will be raptured to Heaven before it ever happens. Until then, control what you can, your family, your space, your FAITH remembering always that God is good........ALL THE TIME!

12-7-10: Good Afternoon,

Well, it’s only two and a half weeks until Christmas! I hope you are using your time wisely in all your preparations because the time sure seems to be slipping by very quickly for me. Okay, I’ll admit it, what that really means is I have not started my Christmas shopping. I’m sure one of you will respond with how many shopping days I have left and then I’ll feel even more pressure! Seriously, it does seem so busy with activities that we hardly have time to enjoy the season. That’s why we have to concentrate very hard to keep our focus where it should be, on the gift of our Savior. Enjoy yourself this season and celebrate Him!

This Sunday we will continue our Advent theme by focusing on the joy that the birth of Christ brings. Be sure to join us in worship Sunday morning as we celebrate His joy together. Worshipping together is such an important part of our relationship with Christ and I’m so glad that we have the opportunity to worship together as a church family.

I have two activity reminders for you this week. As Angie mentioned on Sunday morning, the ladies will be gathering for a Christmas brunch this coming Saturday morning at the church. Come and join in the fun at 10:00 a.m. Bring a brunch food item to share and a Christmas ornament to exchange with the ladies of our church. I’m sure you’ll all have a great time. Speaking of a great time of fellowship, on Sunday evening, December 19th, we will all gather together for a church fellowship celebration. Plan to join us at the Millersville Lodge for some great food, singing, games and fellowship. Angie will have a sign up menu available on Sunday.

One more thing, the names are on the tree at church for our Christmas families we are sharing with this year. If you haven’t had a chance to take a name to buy a gift for be sure to get one this Sunday. The gifts need to be returned to the church by December 22nd. If you have any questions feel free to give Angie a call and she can explain the process to you.

Have a great week enjoying the season. He is the Reason for the Season!

Pastor Jim

12-3-10: Well winter has finally come and it looks like we are in for some snow this weekend in Indy....which depending on how you look at it can be a blessing if you like to see the wonderful white stuff everywhere! lol! Personally I do like the snow but I can live without the cold..If it cold snow and be like 75 degrees outside that would be perfect. Maybe in a perfect world someday.....anyways have a great weekend and if you happen to live where it is going to be snowing make sure you are careful if you have to get out in it! Pray for each other daily and always remember God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

12-1-10: Good afternoon to everyone,

Well, since it was pointed out to me on Sunday that I am in a bit of a rut starting out my updates by commenting on the weather, I’m not going to mention how gloomy it looks outside. I’ll just leave the weather analysis portion of my update out this week. I hope you are having a great day and a great week. We are now into what is probably the busiest time of year for most of us. There are family, work, school and church activities that crowd our calendars and I want to remind you to be sure and make regular worship and Bible study an intentional part of your holiday season. It’s unfortunate that Christians often let the true meaning of Christmas get crowded out of the season. Remember He is the reason for the season. Give Him that special place of honor he deserves just as the wise men did. We will be celebrating the Sundays of Advent over the next three weeks during our Sunday morning worship service and I’m looking forward to sharing with you each Sunday a special reason to look forward to the coming of Christ. This past Sunday we talked about the hope Christ brings, this Sunday I will be sharing a message about the peace He brings. Aren’t you thankful for the hope and peace we have in Christ?

IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR

I want to share a couple of activity dates with you so that you can mark them on your calendar. This Saturday morning at 10:00 we will be decorating the church for the Christmas season. We would appreciate all the help you can give, it will make the load much lighter for all involved. On Sunday evening, December 19th, we will have our church fellowship dinner to celebrate Christmas. Join us at 5:00 p.m. at the Millersville Lodge (at the corner of Kessler and Emerson) for an evening of food and fun. This is a great time to get to know your church family in a casual setting. Finally but most important, I want to remind you of our Christmas worship services. Sunday morning, December 19th will be our Christmas celebration service. e will focus on the gift of the Son of God. This is one of the Sundays that many who don’t normally attend worship do take the time to come. Plan on taking advantage of this time of willingness by inviting your friends and family who don’t have a church home to come and worship with us. On Christmas Eve at 5:30 p.m. we will have a candlelight service in the sanctuary. This is a special time to celebrate an intimate worship service with your church family. I hope to see you all at each of these times.

Have a great week and remember to celebrate the hope that knowing Christ brings.

Pastor Jim

11-25-10: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

As you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday today, providing it is thanksgiving where you live, take time to remember all that you have to be thankful for. Great family & friends, hopefully you have good health and all the other blessings that we enjoy and usually take for granted. Enjoy your day whatever your plans may be remembering as always...God is good...ALL THE TIME..and all the time....God is GOOD!

11-21-10: Well the chill is definitely in the air today. I sit here and look out my window and see a cold rainy afternoon. I know we need the rain but I’m not looking forward to getting outside this afternoon. The cold air does remind me that we are quickly approaching the winter season. We may not all like the cold and snow but we can all appreciate a different version of God’s beautiful creation. I’ll remind you of that when we have our first snowfall. Until then, keep a positive attitude and be thankful for the wonderful warm weather we had last week.

Speaking of being thankful, next week is the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope that you have some wonderful time with your family planned and trust that you will keep in mind how good God has been to all of us. Don’t let the busyness get in the way of being thankful and open expressing that thankfulness. With the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not be having our family night activities next week, November 24th. I know many of you may already be on the road traveling by Wednesday evening and those of you who are at home will probably be preparing to host dinner the next day. I have a feeling my wife already has plans for me every evening next week in preparation for our family gathering at our home.

The teens will be passing out the bake sale orders this Sunday morning. If you didn’t get a chance to place an order, please call Alli @ 362-7569 by Friday morning. They will begin baking Friday afternoon so there is still time to get your order in and support our teens as they raise funds for their winter activities. You can enjoy the tasty baked goods while supporting a great cause. I’m looking forward to seeing you in church this Sunday. Let’s all make an extra effort to attend worship over the next several weeks as we move into the Advent Season. It is important to keep the true meaning of the Christmas season at the forefront of our minds. There are so many distractions from the reason for the season, so let’s all make an extra effort to not let the season get out of focus.

Pastor Jim

11-16-10: Hello everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful week as the anticipation builds for the next big holiday, Thanksgiving. The one day we set apart each year to stuff ourselves with turkey and watch football, lol. Well that isn't all we do but it sure is a big part of it for a lot of us. This Thanksgiving when you sit down to you meal, hopefully surrounded by friends and family, please don't forget to say a blessing over the meal you are about to enjoy. Even people who don't normally attend Church will ask for a blessing on their Thanksgiving feast. When you do this year, if you do, please remember to to thank God for the sacrifice of his son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Without whom none of us would make it into heaven. He is the WAY and the LIFE and NO ONE comes to the FATHER but through HIM. So as you enjoy your meal this year mention this amazing gift as part of your blessing and maybe, just maybe, someone who doesn't yet know about Jesus will think to themselves, "WOW! I need to learn more about this Jesus person". On a totally different note, if you didn't catch Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura on TRU TV this past Friday, I can not urge you strongly enough to find it online. If you have Facebook it is really simple, just type in Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura on TRU TV. You can watch the entire episode there on the page. If you don't have Facebook, all is not lost..lol you can find it usually on YouTube or FederalJack.com Check it out and see what the real story is behind these FEMA CAMPS and how our government right now has over 90 facilities in this country set up to spy on people just like me and you with no Government over-site what-so-ever! If you pay attention and watch it with an open mind I think you will be just as frightened as I am. How many of your CONSTITUTIONALLY protected freedoms are you willing to lose under the guise of them allegedly "protecting" us. Well I don't know about you, but as for me I would rather have my freedom and face the danger than live in a Country that every move I make has to be okay'd by BIG BROTHER! Always remember to pray for yourselves and each other. Remembering that God is good all the time..and all the time....God is GOOD!

11-11-10: Veterans Day, how do you begin to show your appreciation for the sacrifice made by these brave selfless men and their families. Thank You seems so insignificant for the price these people pay. As a Vet myself I would like to personally thank all the men & women who have served, serve now and those who will serve in the future. The very freedoms that we enjoy everyday is provided on the backs of these brave people who so willingly go into battle and fight, and sometimes die, for something greater than Republican or Democrat. These brave souls have a higher calling, a call to defend life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It pains me that our country is so willing to shout out their support for these warriors when our life-style is threatened and then the same people will walk past a homeless Vet on the street saying, "get a job loser". OH how soon we forget the willingness this brave man or woman had to put their life on the line for us to find out that once they are beyond "usefulness" their country will abandon them when they need it the most. I have said it before and I will say it again, the single biggest mark on this country is the way it uses the sense of honor these people have until they can no longer give and then just tosses them aside as if they were just a tool that you no longer use. It is PATHETIC the way this country treats the people that have provided the very freedoms that you all love so dear. So on this ONE DAY a year, THIS DAY Nov. 11th, 2010....find a Veteran, THANK THEM for their service to our country and ask them "Since you so selflessly served without thought for you own safety to protect mine. Is there anything I can do for YOU?" It is the LEAST you can do to show your appreciation for the ones who make your dream of freedom a reality....Pray for the Soldiers, their families and each other always remembering God is good.......ALL THE TIME!

11-05-10: Good afternoon to you all on this beautiful fall afternoon,

I’m sitting here in my office looking out the window thinking just about 10 degrees warmer and it would be a perfect afternoon to sneak out for a round of golf. That opportunity has probably passed for this year but I can still sit here and think about it. Okay, I’ll stop daydreaming and get back to work.

We had a great time Sunday evening at our annual bonfire. The only negative was the lack of a bonfire but we still had a great time and a great turnout. Once again we had the opportunity to meet our neighbors, some new acquaintances and some renewed. I continue to be amazed at the response from the community to this annual event. Counties around the area continue to lift there burn bans and if Marion county follows suit by Sunday we are planning to have a bonfire following our Sunday evening Bible study this coming week. I’ll keep an eye on the updates and let you know if this is possible. One more comment about Sunday night, I’m not positive but I think whoever cooked the hotdogs pulled it off without burning them to a crisp. Pretty amazing, if I do say so myself! (my arm now hurts from reaching around to pat myself on the back)

This Sunday, November 7th, is the deadline to bring in the gift items for our shoebox gifts to send around the world through Samaritan’s Purse. These gifts will be distributed to children all over the world. We don’t know exactly where our boxes will end up but what an incredible opportunity we have to brighten the lives of children for a minor investment. If you have any questions about the needed items or how you can participate, please call Angie (255-9057) or Alli (362-7569) and they can fill you in on the details.

Have a great week serving the Lord. Remember to express your thankfulness and praise to God. He is worthy!

Pastor Jim

11-01-10: My post today is simply a letter I have sent today. It is as follows....I can not tell you how important this issue is to all of us REGULAR AMERICANS

To whom it may concern;

I would like to know what the Democratic Parties stance is on the Fair Tax. Why are your ads about it so negative? What is the problem? Is it that the Government will no longer have its “strong arm”(the IRS)? I would like to know as I am sure many other Hoosiers would why the Party is SO adamantly against an option that makes the system fair to everyone as well as doing away with the current tax code and the need for the IRS. Not to mention that the system as proposed would generate approximately $358 Billion more dollars than the taxes it will replace. It will also allow for everyone to participate at a fair rate. 23% is FAR less than what is currently coming out of paychecks when combined with sales taxes paid on purchases under the current system. It will also create the participation of any illegal people, tourist, and those here on Visa’s because they have to purchase food, gas and clothing just like we do. It would also include the participation of the 48% of Americans that currently pay no income tax at this time because of living at or below the poverty level and get all they pay back in the form of a return.

As for it bringing an undo burden on families or seniors that can’t afford it, that has also been addressed in the form of a PREBATE that will offset the cost to families that live at or below the Poverty level. I have seen your television ads preceding this mid-term election and I would like to say that I am appalled at the half-truths and omissions in your ads concerning the Fair Tax. First of all it is not an ADDITIONAL 23% on what is already paid as your ad leads people to believe. It is a National sales tax that replaces all taxes currently being paid under the current tax codes. Also the ads make no mention at all of not only that, but there is no mention of the pre-bates, the fact that you will never have to file a return again and that the tax is only applicable on NEW item purchases as well as many other omissions on the part of your ads. I suggest you go to www.fairtax.org and get all of the facts before you run your next ad. I can assure you that your ad does NOT speak for all Hoosiers. It isn’t even a fair representation of Democrats in this state. After seeing the unwillingness of the Party to even consider an option that makes it fair to all Americans, no matter what your income is, I am afraid I may have to reconsider my voting preference.

As far as I am concerned, you have done yourselves, Hoosiers and Democrats everywhere a dis-service for not even being willing to consider an option that not only will allow people to keep their entire paycheck but that would make the “Made in America” brand competitive again.

Very Disappointedly, Charles “Jody” May Concerned American

PS. I will anxiously await your reply as I believe my questions are valid and Indiana Democrats deserve an answer.

10-27-10: Good afternoon,

Well, did you hold on tight this morning and stay in place during all the high winds? It looked quite interesting outside my office for a while. I can usually see across several fields from my second story window but this morning I couldn’t even see across the street. I’m thankful for the well needed rain even if it did make for an interesting morning. I’m afraid it didn’t come in time for us to be able to have our bonfire but we will have a great time anyway.

Speaking of our Fall Bonfire, I mean Fall Bonfireless Celebration, are you planning to be here? I sure hope so! We have a great time eating, fellowshipping, occasionally singing (I promise not to lead) and at the end sometimes throwing marshmallows at each other. In case you were wondering about the marshmallow throwing, it is only done in the greatest spirit of love for one another. There’s nothing like a good marshmallow war to bring us closer together. I’m sure some of you are wondering what in the world I’m talking about and I guess the only way you’ll really understand is to come on Sunday evening and hang out with us. Our plan is to have lots of hotdogs (roasted on the grill) along with any other kind of food you choose to bring. Please bring some treats for the kids because we always offer treats to the kids who are there, along with any others who may be passing by. I look forward to this event every year because I always get to meet new people from the community as well as friends that you all bring with you. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and we’ll hang out as long as you want.

This Saturday morning we will be taking a group to the Shunem House in Noblesville to help with cleaning and yard work. If you are available to go and help please let Angie know (255-9057). The group is leaving the church at 9:00 a.m.

Have a great week!

Pastor Jim

10-26-10: Well as we get closer and closer to this years election the mudslinging is in full gear. I often wondered when any candidate resorts to that what he or she must have to hide to be trying so hard to divert attention away from themselves. Oh well, something to ponder I guess. Now as I have said numerous times in the interest of not wanting to alienate anyone, I or ChristianityConnection.com have no opinion of or endorse any candidate or party. I will only tell you as I always have to check the facts and decide for yourselves. Adding that the smart person will ALWAYS follow the money. A disheartening endeavor to say the least if you follow it all the way to the end. Because then you will find out as I have, that unfortunately the money trail for both parties lead back to the same people, the elite. Make no mistake the elite may at different times support one party or the other but their ultimate goal is and always has been single-minded. One world Government, one world currency and US serving them! That is just my opinion, so if you want to find out for yourselves the information is out there. Pray for each other and yourselves with the assurance that when all is said and done God's will, will be done. God is good......ALL THE TIME!

10-21-10:Good afternoon,

I trust your week is going smoothly and you are enjoying the beautiful colors and comfortable temperatures. It is finally beginning to feel like fall outside, the cool temperatures in the mornings are a just a glimpse of what is to come. Soon we’ll be longing for highs in the 60’s and 70’s. The changes in the weather make living in Indiana interesting. There’s sure no reason to get bored with the weather around here.

We are about a week and a half from our annual Fall Bonfire Celebration. Depending on how much rain we get between now and the 31st we may not be able to have the bonfire but we will certainly have our great food and fellowship regardless. I hope you have already been inviting friends and family to come and join us. The goal of this event is to build relationships with people in our community and show how much we care about them. Our church is a warm and friendly family and if we share that love and friendliness with our neighbors we hopefully will get a chance to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them as well sometime in the future. It may be that the relationships that we build during events like our bonfire open the doors for future ministry. I’m counting on each one of you to do what you do best, show how much you love Jesus by loving the people who come to our bonfire. Be watching for a signup sheet Sunday morning with a list of food items needed.

Angie also asked me to remind you of the work day at the Shunem House on October 30th. We need as many people as possible to go and help as we serve this home that provides housing for missionaries traveling through the Indianapolis area. Please let Angie know if you are planning to attend so she can RSVP for the lunch that will be provided.

One more reminder. The items we are collecting for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due October 31st. There is a list of suggested gifts to put in the boxes on the bulletin board in the foyer. These inexpensive items will bring a lot of joy to a child somewhere around the world.

Have a great week, I’m looking forward to seeing you in church on Sunday.

Pastor Jim

10-19-10: Well it doesn't look like our economy is getting or going to get any better, anytime soon anyways.

It is up to each and everyone of us to figure out how we can best deal with this. And unfortunately, it is only the beginning. Things are only going to get worse as we spiral toward a one-world government and one-world currency. The gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" is growing larger and larger. Gone are the days when $75,000 a year was considered upper middle-class.

As a matter of fact there is no middle class at all anymore! There are rich people and poor people with no one in between. And if you haven't figured it out "WE"(meaning about 95% of us) are not in the rich class. And I don't mean like professional athlete rich, I am talking about real rich, the kind of rich that only includes about 5% of the people. The ones that make the rules to benefit them and keep us down. And what is sad is we let them because we have let them convince us that "We the people" doesn't include "us" it is only for "them". The sooner we wake up and realize that part of their plan is to exterminate about 80% of us, the sooner we can come together united against the elitist who think of us as nothing more than servants for them, then and only then can we start to effect change that is fair to everyone not just a select few. If you think my numbers are wrong or that I am a lunatic do the research for yourself. Look at what the the UN says and has said in the past about "population control". Find out who the Bilderberg Group is and what their REAL agenda is. All the info is out there if you just look. People would like to think,"well they can't be evil because they aren't hiding, they meet in the open". Let me enlighten you on how and why that makes them all the more dangerous. If you want to lull people into a false sense of security you meet right out in the open as if you have nothing to hide and people will think you don't. If that is the truth then why is EVERYTHING discussed at their meetings secret to the point of ARMED guards protecting their privacy and making sure that nothing they have discussed for over 6 decades has ever gotten out to the public! Hmmmmm! sounds kinda fishy to me......remeber....All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing!

But the silver lining as always is that God is good......ALL THE TIME! Pray, meditate, ask God what HIS will is and everything else will become crystal clear!

10-15-10: Good afternoon to you all,

Well timing is everything! I looked at the weather in the area where we just took a cruise last week and there is a hurricane right over the sea we sailed on – I think we may have timed it just right, thankfully. I have no desire to meet Hurricane Paula up close and personal. Our ship already rocked a little, something tells me a hurricane might make it rock just a bit more.

Well, now it’s back to the everyday routine. I want to thank Dan for preaching in my absence and for all of you who kept things rolling while we were gone. It was a wonderful vacation! This week is a busy one and we have several other activities coming up soon. This Wednesday evening @ 6:00 p.m. the teens will be serving a Chili Supper in the fellowship hall. Please plan to come early for a meal prior to our Bible Study. The donations received from the dinner will go to support the activities over the next several months.

Also, later this week, Carl and Kelly Gosman are hosting a cookout at their new home in Arcadia. Everyone is invited to join them on Saturday evening 6:00 p.m. at 8989 E. 256th Street, Arcadia, IN. Please contact Kelly via email: kgosman7@hotmail.com or call 418-1675 for information, directions and to RSVP. Please bring chairs or blankets to sit on and cold drinks if you would like. All food will be provided. Our church bonfire is scheduled for Sunday, October 31st although the option of having a bonfire remains in doubt. Please pray for rain over the next couple of weeks so that it won’t be too dry to have a bonfire. We will have our gathering regardless of whether or not we can have a fire.

Be watching for more details to come. Have a great week and I’m hoping to see you and worship with you on Sunday. I will begin a new series of messages of ways we should express our thankfulness. Let’s call it the who, what and how of Thanksgiving. See you Sunday.

Pastor Jim

10-04-10: Been a rough year for us all and it isn't going to get any better w/the system the way it is now! People we need to repeal the 16th Amendment, vote in the Fair Tax, and remind our Govt. and Politicians that they work for US!!! not the other way around. We need to wake up and realize that we can not be afraid of the Govt. that is supposed to DERIVE THEIR POWER FROM US! For too long we have sat by and let them push around. The Fair Tax is meeting so much resistance in Congress because without the fear of the ALMIGHTY IRS how else would they be able to scare the public into submission. Think about it people, it is OUR lives that are getting worse, not theirs. Pray about it, think about it and study on it keeping in mind that God is good all the time and all the time.....GOD IS GOOD!

10-02-10: Good afternoon everyone,

I pray your week is going well and that you are walking close with the Lord. If you don’t feel as close to Him as you know you should, remember He never moves away from us. If the distance has grown, He is only a prayer away. Seek Him in all you do! Well, our study help group got off to a good start last week. We had 5 young people of various ages studying in the fellowship hall and receiving help and encouragement. I think it was very helpful to them and I am looking forward to seeing more young people take advantage of this opportunity every Wednesday evening at 6:00. The adults who gave their time are greatly appreciated and I know if you are able to help you will be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord as well. Come and see how you can help, we are not looking for geniuses, just caring people who are willing to sit down alongside a student and offer encouragement and maybe some help. Actually, if we have any geniuses available they would certainly be welcome!

As you probably know, we have been studying spiritual gifts on Sunday evenings during our Bible Study. This coming Sunday evening each person will be completing a Spiritual Gift Inventory to discover what their own spiritual gifts are. I encourage everyone who has participated in this study to be here this Sunday evening and if you haven’t had a chance to come yet please come this week and take the inventory, we’ll catch you up on the things we have already studied. It is important for every Christian to be aware of how the Holy Spirit has gifted them for building the church. Don’t miss this opportunity! Have a great week serving the Lord,

Pastor Jim

9-25-10: Good morning,

Well, late this evening Fall will officially arrive to be immediately followed by a forecasted high in the 90's. How is that for crazy Indiana weather? Don't you just love it? Actually the weekend forecast looks great.

This week, we begin a new ministry venture to the young people of our community. Starting this Wednesday, we will be inviting children and teens to come at 6 p.m. for assistance and support in their schoolwork. We are not really promoting it as tutoring, although it may be that in some cases, but are looking to be an encouragement and support system to the kids. As we progress and get more of a feel for the needs, we will be inviting you to be a part of this support system. I believe we can make a big impact in the lives of the young people in our community with this simple program. We plan to start small and simple one evening each week and see where the Lord takes us. If you have questions about how you can get involved or want to volunteer, please talk with Alli or Joe.

Have a great week serving the Lord, I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Pastor Jim

9-22-10: Another day, another dollar is what they say! Well whoever said that obviously hasn't had to make a dollar in past 3 years! I get so sick of seeing these so-called experts and their(or more likely the GOVERNMENTS) statistics on Unemployment and the progress on the recovery. First off let's talk about this "recovery", if there is recovery happening then why are we still losing jobs at a rate of more than 150,000 OVER per month what real experts say it should be to fuel a recovery, HUH! And how can you talk about recovery or stability when even those numbers account for around 250,000-300,000 jobs lost per month when things are so supposed to be normal! It is very obvious to me that these people have either forgotten what it is like or have NEVER HAD TO EXPERIENCE what it is like to make hard choices.....choices like....gas or food....pay bills or buy clothes for my kids.....have heat or have milk....MAYBE a criteria for so-called "serving the people" of this country should be that you have had to actually walk a mile in their shoes. We live in the richest country in the world with the LARGEST gap between the rich and poor of any country on earth. Which means all of those riches are divided amongst a SELECT FEW! And if you want to know how select, it is something like 5% of the population controls 97% of the wealth.....that means the other 95% of us don't even get invited to the table. Now let's talk about this imaginary 9.6% unemployment they want to trod out as a scapegoat disguise that "things are getting better". What they don't tell you is that 9.6% is the number of people ELIGIBLE for and receiving Unemployment benefits.....it doesn't include the following: people whose benefits have expired, people who weren't employed long enough in a certain time period to qualify, the millions of people working but making under poverty level wages, and finally they don't include people who were never eligible for benefits to begin with i.e.* self-employed. So when you add all of these in the TRUE numbers for unemployment are around 19-22% conservatively and 23-27% depending on who you ask. WAKE UP PEOPLE there is a major change on the horizon that is going to affect 90-95% of VERY NEGATIVELY.......we have to give up this SAD DEVOTION to a Political Party and pledge our allegiance to the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE & CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! YOU OWE YOUR ALLEGIANCE to the principles this country was found on...NOT TO SOME Political party or officials who don't give two-shakes whether you live or die as long as their families are okay! It is time to take a stand AMERICA and remember to NOT fear the Govt. because THEY work for US not the other way around...the Declaration of Independence CLEARLY says, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator(GOD) with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Read that over and over, let it sink in real good, think about what it means, and you will realize what needs to be done to secure our future.....always remembering that God is control and he is good....ALL THE TIME!

9-17-10: Good morning to all!

It’s a beautiful day in central Indiana and I hope that you are taking advantage of this wonderful weather to get outside and enjoy God’s creation. The temperature has been a little warm in the afternoon but there has been a nice cool breeze and the mornings have been cool and comfortable. They mentioned on the news that the official beginning of fall is only a week away. Wow! This year sure is flying past.

What a wonderful time we had last Saturday with the firefighters from our community. I hope you were able to join us and meet these public servants who do such a good job protecting us daily. The rain may have been a nuisance but we didn’t let it “rain on our parade” so to speak. The fire trucks lined up in front of the church and everyone had a great time! Thanks for all of your hard work making this happen and a great event. Special thanks to Dan, Bo and Zach’s dad, James for all of your grilling expertise. I didn’t burn a single hotdog – actually, they didn’t give me a chance! I’ll be posting some pictures to our church Facebook page in the next couple of days so be sure to check it out. If you have a Facebook account and haven’t joined the church group just search for Evanston Wesleyan Church and join the group.

Our next big event will be our annual fall bonfire on October 31st so be watching for details. This is a great outreach to our community and we need everyone to be involved to make it the best event it can be. Keep on trusting and serving God and I’ll see you all Sunday morning,

Serving Him,

Pastor Jim

9-13-10: Well even tho it rained Sat. Pastor Jim said that we had a wonderful turnout for the cookout and a great time was had by all. Proving that you don't have to have ideal weather to have a good time. Sat. marked another event that if you are old enough to remember what happened on 9-11-01 will be burned into your memory for as long as you live, the terrorist attacks that led to war now 9 yrs. old. Please let us remember the souls who lost their lives on that day without putting blame on all those of the Islamic faith. What happened that day was carried out by a select group that has misguided idea's about not only their own faith but what steps should be taken in order to make the point that their view is the right one. It is both tragic and horrible what happened on that day and has changed our lives forever. Pray for guidance and peace in a world that is steam-rolling towards the last days always remembering that is God is good....ALL THE TIME and he and he alone is our only hope.

9-8-10: A message from Pastor Jim:

Good afternoon, Can you believe how fast the year is going? It’s hard to imagine that we are officially finished with summer (at least if you use Labor Day as your marker) and now into the fall. It certainly felt that way this weekend although I’m sure we aren’t quite finished with the heat. If summer is over and fall is here then it must be time for our Annual Police and Firefighters Appreciation Cookout. This Saturday, September 11th, we will be hosting our 6th event. It seems to get bigger and better each year so I can’t wait to see how great this one is. In order to make this the best event it can be, we need all of your help and participation. The Cookout goes from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or as long as we have people hanging around. We will begin setting up around 10:00 a.m. and if you are planning to help, we really need you to arrive by at least 10:30. Angie can answer any questions about what is needed or how you can be of help so please give her a call this week if you don’t already know what you need to bring or how you can participate. I’m sure she will be thrilled to help you get involved. We have extra postcard invitations at our home and the church so please drop by and pick some up if you have some people you would like to invite. Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday and then again on Sunday, Pastor Jim

9-1-10: Another week and I think I find myself becoming more and more alienated in my thinking. I see the things I see so clearly but for some reason I think no one else sees things from my point of view. I think we are on a very slippery slope that is not going in a good direction and no matter how loud I scream the sky is falling it seems to fall on deaf ears. I can't stress enough the importance of this Fair Tax initiative. When the 16th Amendment was enacted it was only supposed to be a temporary way to help pay for the war. I don't know about you but I don't think 97 years later is temporary. Our Fore Fathers were smart enough to make it illegal because it isn't fair to ask people to pay the Government for the privilege to work. It wasn't fair then, it isn't fair now, and if the 16th Amendment were repealed it would not only leave more money in all of our pockets, but it would enable American Companies to be able to more fairly compete in todays Global Market. Visit www.fairtax.org for more information. Remember to pray for yourself and each other always mindful that God is GOOD...........ALL THE TIME!

8-27-10: Well friends sorry it has a been awhile since my last post....I was talking to a good friend about some of the thoughts I have shared w/you all about where I think our Country is heading, why I think it is heading there, and who is responsible.....and he told me that I should be wary of becoming too "political" as to not alienate anyone from my site. I fully agree with him that my site shouldn't be political....and my "site" won't be....but this is my personal journal...and in my personal journal I will express any and all thoughts that I want. I feel that my freedom of speech and expression is just as valid as anyone else's and I shouldn't have to censor myself because my journal happens to be on my website. I know that not everyone will agree with what I have to say or how I say it and that is fine...all that I ask is that you realize that I have the same right as anyone else to my opinions whether you agree with them or not. Remember to pray for each other and never forget God is good.......ALL THE TIME!

8-14-10: Having a roller coaster week and I am not really sure how to deal with it. I feel like every time I think I am getting even or a little ahead, I always seem to get knocked back 3 more steps. I don't know what I am supposed to do. Or maybe I know exactly what I am supposed to do and I am just fighting it tooth and nail. Maybe what I really need to do is just take a few steps back and pray and meditate and listen to what God is saying. Either way I can't keep going in the direction I am. Pray for me and each other and remember as always that God is good...ALL THE TIME!

8-7-10: Well, another week over and I still can't figure out why when I was kid time seemed to go so slow and now it just flies by. I mean the year is already half over and in a blink of an eye it will be fall.....I feel anxious almost all of the time and I have no rational explanation for why. It is a vast understatement to say that my life hasn't turned out exactly as I thought, even though to be honest, I don't really know what I thought it would be like at 43 yrs old. You see for a long time I lived under the assumption that I would never live to see this age. My lifestyle, choices, and attitude were....so what, I want what I want and I want it now! I didn't care who I hurt or how as long as I got what I wanted. Not a very good attitude for a Christian to have, but keep in mind during this time I wasn't a Christian yet. I drank way more than any human should ever survive drinking, EVERY WEEK, I didn't go to Church. I didn't care about God!.........I will continue this and more in the coming days so as they say on TV stay tuned! And remember God is good...ALL THE TIME!

8-4-10: God is good.....ALL THE TIME! Too bad the same can't always be said for man and the way we treat or get treated by our fellow man. Free will is a gift from God and it is an amazing gift, but, I can't help but wonder how much less stressful life would be if we all did what was right all the time according to God's will. It has become more apparent to me that we have consistently and stupidly continued on a path further and further from God in this Country. What a great Country it is that could be so much greater if we just loved our fellow man instead of trying to find 100 different ways to cheat him or her out of what they have all in the vane effort for us to have more. People who seek worldly gain above all else SHOULD enjoy it to the fullest now because it is the only reward they have coming. And I can tell you on judgment day I wouldn't want to have to be them and try to explain to God the choices I had made in my life. As always remember to pray for each other and always always always those less fortunate than you....and being less fortunate doesn't necessarily mean having less you can be the richest man in the world but without God in your life you are less fortunate than the poorest man that knows God and walks with Him in his life!

7-26-10: WOW! I have been a little busy so I haven't written much lately. Not too much is going on other than work and this week is VBS at my Church. It is always a special week for my Church bc this is the time of the year that allows for the most one on one time with the kids of the neighborhood. The only time a lot of them ever go to or hear about Church. I remember as a kid that VBS was something we looked forward to every year. Pray for my Church and those involved in putting on the VBS that it will be a great week of God inspiring fellowship and fun....God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

7-14-10: Good morning to all,

Here we are in the middle of July, summer is quickly passing us by. It’s amazing how fast the calendar seems to move! I must be getting older because that’s the kind of thing I used to hear people much older than me say. Oh well, they say time flies when you’re having fun so I must be having lots of fun!

One of the highlights of the year at Evanston Wesleyan is Vacation Bible School and since summer is passing so quickly it must be time for VBS. In less than two weeks, we will begin the biggest outreach ministry that our church does for the kids in our community. In order for this ministry to be effective, we need everyone’s help. There are so many opportunities for you to be involved that I can’t possibly list them here, but Candy May can certainly tell you all about them. If you have not already talked with her about your willingness to help, please contact her at 574-0148 or < >candyandduane@yahoo.com so that you can be a part of the joy of this ministry. The dates are July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:45 each evening. We will be serving a meal at 6:00 and the program begins at 6:30.

Don’t forget about the school supplies for our outreach this month. We are planning to distribute them to the kids during VBS so we need them in hand by Sunday, July 25th. So far, we have only received a few items so we really need your help. Please drop them off in the church foyer so we can get them ready for distribution.

One more reminder from my wife – anyone interested in attending the baby shower for Christa Key this Friday evening, please meet at the church at 6:15. Christa and Eric will be welcoming their little boy in the next month or so and our church ladies have been invited to the shower hosted by Bethany Wesleyan Church where Eric and Christa now pastor.

Have a great week!

Pastor Jim

7-7-10: Good afternoon ,

Well, I think we can officially say the heat of summer has arrived. Isn’t this why we all love the summers in Indiana? There’s nothing like a little heat and humidity to bring out the best in all of us! Just remember in about six months when it’s around 5 below zero and the wind is blowing hard how much you enjoyed this heat. We just have to keep things in perspective – I’ll take the heat over the bitter cold any day.

I’ll be quick this week – I have a long to do list with a short work week. Please remember the list of school supplies I sent last week and bring those items in by Sunday, July 25th. Our Vacation Bible School begins on the 26th and we want to distribute the supplies that week to the kids. Speaking of VBS, please see Candy May this Sunday and let her know how you plan to participate. If you don’t have any specific role in mind I’m sure she will be more than willing to help you find your place. Let’s all work together to make this the most effective ministry time we have ever had through Vacation Bible School.

One more item I want you all to be aware of is the passing of Susan Cutsinger’s mother, Sharon Johns. Sharon’s struggle with ALS ended Sunday afternoon. Please be in prayer for Susan and her family during this difficult time. The viewing will be Wednesday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center at Floral Park, 425 N. Holt Road, on the west side of Indianapolis. The funeral will be Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m.

Serving Him,

Pastor Jim

6-30-10: Good morning!

What a beautiful day and I hear there are several more on the way this week! I hope you get a chance to get outside and enjoy the lower temperatures and humidity. Angie and I were walking last night and it felt so much better than it has over the last several weeks.

This weekend, we will be celebrating the 4th of July holiday – I hope you stop and take a moment to thank God for the freedom that we enjoy here in the United States. We are truly blessed. On Saturday evening many of us will gather to watch the Ravenswood fireworks display together. The show is great and the fellowship is even better. If you would like to come join the fun, plan to meet us in the parking lot of Riverwood Park (formerly White River Elementary School) on the corner of Crittenden and Haynes sometime after 8:30 p.m. The fireworks should begin around 9:30-9:45. Bring a snack to share with everyone.

Sunday morning we will follow our normal schedule of services so I hope you will join us for Sunday School and Worship before spending time with your family and friends celebrating the holiday. Angie shared with us this past Sunday morning about the outreach project for the month of July, providing school supplies for our neighborhood children. We plan to begin distribution of the supplies during our Vacation Bible School the last week of July we need to get started early in the month purchasing and bringing them to the church. I am including a list of supplies the children will need. Any of these items that you are able to purchase will be a great help to our neighborhood children.

Notebook paper – wide rule

#2 pencils

Pocket folders

Washable Markers

Crayons

Pencil Boxes

Erasers

Colored Pencils

Scissors

I appreciate all of you. I hope you have a great week and I am looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Pastor Jim

6-22-10: Good morning on a rainy Monday, Wow! We had quite a downpour this morning (at least where I was). It’s the first day of summer but it sure seems to be raining like it’s still spring. Oh, well, as they say, it’s Indiana so it will change soon. The temperatures sure are summer-like. I hope you were able to be with us yesterday as we celebrated our fathers and the dedication of the Sam Gann Memory Garden. If not, you missed out on some great worship, fellowship and food. A special thanks goes to all who prepared the food for our meal and for those who worked so hard at setting up before and cleaning up after the meal. You are greatly appreciated! Our family will be out of town this week from Tuesday evening through Saturday but the normal Wednesday Family Night activities will go on as usual. Come and join in the Bible Studies, Teen or Children’s ministry. It’s a great time to grow in your walk with Christ. We will be at attending the Weinmann Family Reunion at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee. I’m planning on some golf, fishing, family and food (in no particular order). It should all be very relaxing. I look forward to seeing you all next Sunday as we gather to worship the Lord together. Have a great week! Pastor Jim

6-18-10: You know I have spent a lot of time thinking about the state our world is in today, and what that means to me as I figure out how/if it ties into the Bible's description of the beginning of the end. I can honestly tell you that I am not a great source of knowledge when it comes to interpreting the Word of God. I can however offer this, my opinion, and you may take it for what it is worth. Does it really matter if this the beginning of the end? As Christians shouldn't we live EVERYDAY like it may be the day Christ returns? I know that I don't, I am ashamed to say, but, I need help every single day to do what is right. Maybe not with the small stuff.....but in my outlook on life in general....Things like WHY is it SOOOOO hard to relate to my family in the same way I do with my clients? Which one is the real me? The person I HOPE I am or the person I am AFRAID I am? I think the trick is that we have to learn to know the difference and work very hard on being the person we portray to the public all the time.....not that I am intentionally fake with them, but that I don't have the same level-headed judgment with my own family....If that makes sense to anyone but me! Pray for me to have the strength to overcome my shortcomings in the eyes of the Lord and I will do the same for you...always remembering that God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

6-16-10: Good afternoon to all, I trust you all are having a good week. We are moving toward a busy weekend at church and I want to be sure you all have the details on the activities. I want to try to keep these updates brief so I’ll move right on to the details of the upcoming weeks activities. This Sunday is Father’s Day and we will be honoring and recognizing our fathers during the morning worship service. Immediately following the service, we will gather outside the front of the church to dedicate the Memory Garden celebrating the life of Sam Gann. The Gann family has done a fabulous job creating this wonderful addition to our church, and I hope you will be able to be with us for the brief dedication ceremony. Immediately following the dedication, everyone is invited to join us in the fellowship hall for a luncheon. The church will be providing the drinks and meat and we are asking families to bring the following based on where your last name falls in the alphabet. Those names beginning A-G are asked to bring a salad of some kind, H-N are asked to bring a side dish and O-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Now, I know that some of you are famous for specialty dishes that may fall outside these guidelines. Feel free to bring whatever you like, we are just trying to be sure all the bases are covered. If I had my way, everyone would bring desserts but that wouldn’t be too healthy, would it? Our district women’s conference will be this Saturday morning, June 19th. Any ladies wishing to attend are asked to meet at the church at 8:00 a.m. this Saturday. You should be back early in the afternoon. One more note, the following Saturday, June 26, is the date we have committed to serve at the Shunem House in Noblesville. This is our outreach project for the month of July and we need everyone who is available to help. If you would like to be a part of this service project or want to know more details, please give Angie a call @ 255-9057. The plan is to meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. and carpool to the Shunem House. Well, that’s certainly enough for a “short” update, I’ll sign off now. Have a great week serving Jesus! Pastor Jim

I have been a bit lazy the past few weeks so I hope you have enjoyed these letters from my Pastor reminding us that God is good....ALL THE TIME!

6-9-10: Good afternoon,

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather the last few days – low humidity, comfortable temperatures and beautiful sunshine. I know it won’t be like that much for the next few months but I sure hope you were able to take advantage of the last couple of days and spend some time outside. Angie and I were able to take a long walk last night and it felt so good after the high humidity of last week.

I was so excited to see some new faces in Sunday School this last week. If you have never taken the opportunity to join in Sunday School or one of our other Bible Studies on Sunday evening or Wednesday you are missing out on a great time of learning and fellowship. Why not plan to come this next week and see how much you benefit from the time spent. I don’t think you will be disappointed!

Our busy summer is underway. Our family will be gone to Tennessee for a few days later this month following District Conference and then again for a week in July. The last week in July is when we have scheduled our annual Vacation Bible School. I’m sure Candy May will be recruiting help soon, so be thinking and praying now about how you can be involved. We need everyone on you! You will be so blessed if you take the time to help out.

Well, that about does it for my short note this week. These updates are supposed to be short and sweet and to the point (kind of like my sermons????) so I’ll sign off now. Have a great week!

Pastor Jim

P.S. By the way, have you been praying for what we know God’s will is? If you missed the message this last Sunday the answer to that question is that God’s will is that all will be saved. We should all be praying that He will help us bring someone to a relationship with Him.

6-01-10: Memorial Day was a good day and let me start off by personally thanking all of the men & women who are serving now and that have served in the past. You have done your family and your Country proud and deserve to treated as the Heroes that you are everyday, not just 2 days a year. People who have never served can not fully comprehend the sacrifice that not only you but your families make. I think it is a shameful plight on our Nation how soon they forget what you were willing to give up for them. If you don't think that is true, just look up the numbers on homeless Veterans in this country. The same people that selflessly risked their lives, in peace time & war, to ensure your way of life that have no place to sleep tonight! Even those who joined to "ONLY" pay for college knew there was a chance they may be called upon to defend our Nation, and how does our Nation thank them? Well I would encourage you to find a Viet Nam era Vet and ask them. I find it repulsive that I seem to be the ONLY one that thinks that if a young man or woman is willing to sacrifice their life for us, whether they go to war, or just take the responsibility of saying, "YES, I will serve", those individuals should never have to worry that they will have a home to live in, a job to do, or means to live on. Everybody loves our Soldiers when they are in harms way.....maybe it is time to extend that love to GRATITUDE and really take care of our HEROES the way they take care of us.........God is good...ALL THE TIME!

5-27-10: Well the Fair Tax initiative is gaining strength I am very happy to report. I have even seen/heard of TV commercials supporting it. That is a good first step, but we can not afford to let let up on this or let it be forgotten. It is time for all Americans to stand up and re-claim the power "of the people, by the people, and for the people". We have to let our government and politicians know in one resounding voice, "We will not go quietly into the night, if you don't heed our warnings on how we feel OUR government should be ran, then we WILL replace you". Whether people want to admit it or not this country, our country, WAS founded on Christian principles with Christian idea's and yes BY Christians! Fifty six men signed the Declaration of Independence, of those ALL were Christians, ranging from four full-time preachers, many who were children of Clergymen, and all regular Church attenders. The ratio of Believers to Non Believers was far greater in the Founding Govt. than in the Colonies themselves. As a matter of fact ALL of the two hundred four men credited with structuring our Govt. were Christians and believed in only one God....our God....and he is good........ALL THE TIME!

5-18-10: People I am strongly recommending that all of you visit www.fairtax.org READ the information and see how this plan could not only eliminate the IRS,income tax, capital gains tax, as well as others, but see for yourself how the Fair Tax as proposed would generate about 358 Billion dollars more a year then the taxes it replaces while improving life for the MILLIONS of people in this country that live at or below the poverty level by allowing them to keep their ENTIRE paycheck. Allowing our entire National Debt to wiped out in as little as 37 years. A plan that is so simple that Politicians won't believe that it can work. A plan that will finally make the Made in America label competitive again. Allowing a future for our children and grandchildren that doesn't include crippling debt that we dumped on them. There are many pro's to this option and the only con is that the Govt. would have to close the IRS...what a shame! www.fairtax.org read it, study it, tell all of the politicians in your state that you support a Fair Tax and if they won't act on it to put it to the people and let US vote on it...afterall "WE" the people means all of us not just the politicians! Pray for guidance from God and allow your children's children a chance at a life w/out a national debt that can never be paid any other way.........and first and foremost always remember God is good........ALL THE TIME!

5-13-10: Well the Spring rain has come on with a vengeance but it should make for some pretty flowers and trees. You know friends I have tried to keep my personal views to myself about a lot of things but some things you just can't keep quiet about without driving yourself crazy! We live in a very dangerous and imperfect world and it will never change if we do nothing to change it. It isn't enough anymore to sit idly by and complain about what it is wrong! We have to try to figure out how to fix it if for no other reason than to ensure that we had at least done everything within our power. It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all. We are on a fast track to a One World Govt. and One World Currency and it is like no one can even hear the train barreling down the tracks! You can no longer sit by and take at face value everything the government allows you to see on the News! It is not only your RIGHT but it is your RESPONSIBILITY to your children, grandchildren, and yourself to question what your government is doing in your name and voice your opinion if you don't like what you see! People it is time the citizens realize that the Politicians work for US! We do not and should not work for them! How can I be the only one outraged that our government bailed out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and STILL expects you to pay your mortgage every month! Seems to me if your tax dollars bailed THEM out, then you have ALREADY paid it!!! And that is just the first very small drop in an enormous bucket! The worst thing to happen to this country since WWII was taking us off of the gold standard in 1971, at which time we started printing money with no tangible assets to back it up i.e.* gold! The idea of a one world government and currency is not a new one....but it does have a very real chance of success if we stand by and do nothing to stop it...and a very good first step is to drop to our knees and turn to God who is, after-all, good...............ALL THE TIME!

5-5-10: Well work is erratic as always, and I haven't been adding much on here because well frankly, not a lot is going on right now. I have been enjoying the Spring weather and getting out more. That is a praise in itself seeing as how this time last year I had no reason or desire to go outside. You know I have heard that 1 in 4 Americans suffer from some sort of Mental Disease or Defect. The most common being depression. I never realized till having to struggle with it myself how much it consumes your life and manifests not only emotionally but physically. Depression hurts! It causes very real physical pain that isn't always talked about. I don't have any answers or magic solution, becoming a Christian won't assure you a pass on depression, anymore than it will assure you that you will be rich! God will be there to go through it with you, to help you, to give you something to lean on......and that my friends is what makes God good.....ALL THE TIME!

4-30-10: You know I have been asked about some of my posts in this journal, as to how people might react. I tell people time and time again that being a Christian doesn't mean that your life is automatically perfect. I still have the same financial, emotional, and everyday worries and problems as everyone else. The difference is that I know I don't have to go through these situations alone, God is always with me, giving me strength and comfort. The way you can tell is the way people react to certain situations, do we always understand the outcome, NO! Are we always happy with the outcome, NO! But I do believe that no matter what the outcome that God is in control. I am not supposed to understand everything about God. You believe through faith. And because Christians are HUMAN!!!!!! sometimes that faith is stronger and sometimes because we are human it is weaker....remember this....WE change, God doesn't....God was, is, and always will be God.....and he is good.....ALL THE TIME!

4-24-10: Work is finally starting to pick up, although my site or e-store have yet to generate anything. Don't get me wrong I am no televangelist asking for all of your money, I would be more than happy if the site just made enough to be self sustaining. But even if it doesn't I have resolved to keep it going for as long as I am able. Monthly visits have steadily risen each month and just being able to get the Word of God out to literally thousands of people since I started my site is amazing. Proving to me time and time again that God is good......ALL THE TIME!

4-15-06: Sitting at my computer and thinking about all the things that I need to do and starting to feel a little overwhelmed again, like always. Good thing that I have the assurance that God is always with me. I need to remind myself of that constantly....You would think that it would get easier and that you when you know, you know.......but I am finding that I do have to remind myself....and I am learning that it isn't a bad thing that I do........it is as simple as this...God is good...ALL THE TIME!

4-6-10: Spring has sprung and thankfully God has blessed me with enough work to get by. I realize more and more each day that God is good....all the time! and those aren't just words. He is good all the time.....if you pay attention and look close enough you can see his hand in every part of your life. Even when you don't know it, or can't see it, or even can't believe it...he is there...watching over you, going through the fire with you...because he loves us that much! If you think about it, how AWESOME is that! Take time out of your day EVERYDAY to thank God for all of the things you have...friends, family, and the promise of everlasting life in Heaven....God is good....ALL THE TIME!

3-29-10: Well Easter is coming up this week and the time we celebrate Christ's triumph over death. I think it is good that we have Easter and Christmas as a time to celebrate together, but it seems to me that the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ is something that should be celebrated by all Christians in their everyday life as well. The sacrifice that was made so that we could live with God in Heaven for eternity is the most amazing gift of all. So as you gear up for the holiday this weekend with family, friends, and your Church family, try to remember that we should celebrate the miraculous gift of Christ everyday....because after all, God is good....ALL THE TIME!

3-23-10: It sounds strange to me sometimes when I hear people, other Christians, talking about the good that comes from even the worse of situations that we face in life. I mean I know they are right and it is true because it draws us nearer to God. It's just that sometimes it is hard to see the good in some things. I think about things that I have went through that at the time I couldn't/didn't see anything good that could come from it, but looking back on those situations now I clearly see good that has come out of the tragedies in my life. Proving once again that God is good........ALL THE TIME!

3-18-10: It seems that with the Spring business is finally starting to pick-up...there is at least the potential for work where there hasn't been in awhile. Thanking God for that and for the great weather we have had lately. God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

3-13-10: Well Spring seems to have finally gotten here to stay and that means warmer weather, longer days, and a new sense of optimism for me! I don't know what it is about the Spring and Summer months that always seems to make everything seem like it is going to be okay, but I will take it! I am really TRYING to a better job of reading at least one Bible verse everyday and remembering to pray as much as I can. I am also learning that I should pray as much when something good happens as I seem to with the bad things. I am ashamed to say, but when something good happens in my life, praising God for it isn't always my first thought.........I need to work on that! We are so quick to go to Him when something bad or tragic happens, we(I) need to be as quick to go to Him when something good happens. That is what the Bible means when it talks about praying constantly...it doesn't mean literally "non-stop" it means to pray to God about all things, good and/or bad......and remember as always God is good.....ALL THE TIME!

3-8-10: I think the reason that I sometimes feel that I don't get an answer, isn't because there is no answer, but maybe it just isn't the answer that I want to hear. Or maybe I don't spend as much time praying and reading and studying the bible as I should. Do any of us? I mean really? If you look inside yourself at the things we allow to get in the way of the time we could be spending with God. And I am not throwing stones here because I am guilty of it myself. I think we would all benefit from spending more time reading the Bible, studying his word and talking to Him. That is all he wants is for us to just talk to him as we talk to each other. Praying should be constant....and remember God is good..........ALL THE TIME!

3-3-10: I am kinda torn as I write this. First off, all praise is to God that a member of our Church family, Joe Miller, came through surgery well and is now starting his recovery. God has done and continues to do amazing things in Joe's life. The conflict I feel is that I sometimes wonder if maybe I am doing something wrong. I don't know if I should have these feelings of being forsaken, but I am after all only human. I feel like sometimes the real me is trapped inside this cage..and I really want to get out, but I don't know how. I can't find the door no matter how hard I try...and even tho I know that I am not alone and God is always with me, I just don't always feel that way. Like maybe I am not the person I should be or that maybe I am a lost cause. I want to do the right things and live the right way. But am I really? How do I know? What do you do when you don't know even know for sure inside yourself? Now I know the answer from some would to be to pray. But what do you do if you pray and aren't sure what the answer is or aren't sure you would know the answer if you did get it? My job is non-existent, personal life is in a shambles, I don't even like leaving my apt. that I am in serious jeopardy of losing because my job is non-existent. Where do you turn when you feel that you have no where to turn? And even through the unsureness and confusion I still know in my heart God is good......ALL THE TIME!

2-25-10: Another week almost gone and things are going about the same, work is slow, weight loss is slow, weather is yucky! But in spite of all of this I still have hope that it is going to be a great year. We are so blessed in so many different ways that it seems odd that we want to focus on and use all of our energy towards emphasizing the bad....I sometimes wonder if that isn't Satan's way of trying to get a foothold...... by saying "well ya these 100 things in your life are going well....but what about this 1 thing that isn't?......isn't that what is important?" We seem so ready to blame God for the bad in our life, but we are never willing to as readily thank him for all of the good. That is something I think we can all work on....so instead of dwelling on the negative things that are going on in your life, try this..when you feel the negative starting to get you down...make a list of all the things that you do have...if you REALLY try I think you will find that things you do have far out number the ones you don't....God is good....ALL THE TIME!

2-18-10: Ok, I think it is time for me to answer some of the criticism I have been receiving. I haven't jumped on the Help Haiti Bandwagon because the Church I attend and the Wesleyan Church as a whole are participating in several different charities raising money for the Earthquake victims, and since I have a link directly from my site to not only my Church's home site, but also the American Red Cross, I didn't feel it necessary to try to lure people to my site for selfish reasons using a tragedy as the catalyst to get more hits. Ofc I think we should all continue to pray for the people of Haiti, and ofc I think we need to do what we can help. That being said, I would never make light of any tragedy or try to use a tragedy as a publicity tool to grow my site. If you would like information on what you can do to help click either link on my site. The American Red Cross link on my Prayer Request page or you can click on the Footer on any page and be taken right to the Homepage of the Wesleyan Church. Pray for the people of Haiti and their families, as well as each other, and remember God is good.......ALL THE TIME!

2-14-10: Happy Valentine's Day! I am sure the Greeting Card people and Chocolate people are raking it in hand over fist today! I always find it odd that we feel we need a DAY to celebrate love. If you truly live a Christian life then EVERYDAY should be a day to celebrate love. And shame on us for making people think there is something wrong if they don't have a Valentine! Maybe there are people, like me, who have chosen to be alone at least for now to straighten on my own life before involving someone else in it! So if you are like me and happen to be single on this SUPPOSEDLY most romantic day of the year allow me to tell you that you have nothing to be ashamed of. You are loved EVERY second, minute, and hour of everyday by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! God is good........ALL THE TIME!

2-05-10: Haven't had a lot going on recently, I am still struggling with my battle to lose weight. It is so hard to have the desire to exercise when the smallest basic movements cause you pain. In my head I see it all so clear....so easy.....no way to get through it but to do it......but i am finding that it is so much easier said than done...........the mental will is strong...the physical will on the other hand.....well let's just say has something to be desired. Once again i find myself wondering if maybe i am leaning too much on my own strength and not relying enough on God? Or maybe i am just using that as an excuse, maybe i know exactly what God is telling me and just choosing not to do it! I battle with this on an almost daily basis...........i am not sure what the outcome will be yet...all i can do is keep praying.....listening.....and hoping that i am doing just what he wants, the way he wants, and get comfort from knowing that all things are done is His time, not ours! God is good........ALL THE TIME!!!!

1-28-10: I think it is safe to say that at sometime or another we have all asked, "why am I here?".......well the short answer is that you are here because this is where God wants you. Figuring out our place and purpose in life is something we all struggle with. The most comforting thing is to just know that you are not alone in your pondering of the "GREAT UNKNOWN" and what this life here on Earth means. You are not alone because millions of other people are wondering the same thing at the same time you are. And I think that is a big part of our lesson is this life.....searching for the answers...maybe not knowing all the answers is exactly how God planned it. His understanding is far superior to ours and when we try to fit him into this neat little package that our simple minds can understand and explain.....we fail! That is simply because we are not supposed to understand things in the same way he does because his knowledge, love, and compassion are as infinite as He himself is. Take comfort in knowing that he is always with you and watching over you and loving you in a way we can't even begin to comprehend. Keep asking questions and searching for answers, there is nothing wrong with that.........and remember.......God is good....ALL THE TIME!

1-24-10: I have been trying to decide where my life needs to go. I feel lost, like I have something more to offer, but I don't know how to go about doing it.....I just feel like there is more....more I should be doing.....more I could be doing.....so if you are or have been feeling that way...know you are not alone. Pray....meditate.....talk to God.......listen to what he is telling you....and if you are confused and don't think you know what the answer is......what he is telling you to do.......don't be discouraged....it will come to you in His time! Our time frame is not always the same as His and we don't always understand immediately, maybe because we are hard headed, or slow learners, or just resisting what we know it is he wants for us because of fear or whatever other reason. Just know you aren't alone in the way you feel....pray for yourself...pray for others...and don't be closed off to listening to what he has for your life. And as always..........God is good......ALL THE TIME!

1-16-10: The new year is in full swing now and the holidays are behind us. Keep remember all year to thank God, not only for what you, but for what he is going to do in your life as the year goes on. My goal this year along with still going on my effort to lose the weight is to keep a thankful attitude all year for the things that i do have. Also to make an effort to mend some fences in my family as well as with others. It is not going to be easy and I am kind of reluctant to even put it down on here. If it is out there it is something I have to accountable for. But maybe that is good thing. Just remember to always thank God and love your family. They may not be the best family in the world but they are the one you were given! God is good ALL THE TIME!

1-6-10: Moving towards the end of the first week of the new year and I am actually looking forward to making some real and major changes this year. I am pondering a new career which is both scary and exciting. I am still moving along on my journey to lose this enormous amount of weight. Not going as well or as fast as I hoped but any progress is better than no progress, or worse yet going in the wrong direction. I am going to try to have a more positive outlook not because it is a resolution....but bc it just makes life better. I can't wait to see what direction God will lead me, not only in my spiritual life, but in my everyday life. Look forward to updating this journal and my site as the year goes on and hopefully get the remaining chapters of the Bible on....a process that is taking much longer than i had anticipated.........Have a great week everyone! God is good.........ALL THE TIME!

1-1-10: Ahhhhh! The start of a new year! In all reality it is just another day but somehow we see it as a new beginning. A chance to be better than we were before. Making promises to ourselves, resolutions, most of which will be broken by days end! I am encouraged by how hopeful we all seem to be on this day! I wish we could carry that feeling with us all year long! If we treated everyday as a new beginning how much better would this world be. And if you think about it is really! Everyday that God grants us is a new beginning! It is through his grace alone that we all awoke this morning. So as you enjoy your holiday and relax today please try to keep in mind that everyday we enjoy on this planet is a new beginning given to us by Almighty God! Happy New Year everyone and may God bless you and your families everyday bc he is a good God......ALL THE TIME!

12-26-09: Now that Christmas is over, try to make a point of reminding yourself everyday of the gift of Jesus Christ. The gift he gave to us is an everlasting gift that we should never forget or take for granted. Imagine if you were in the most wonderful of places, heaven, and chose to come to Earth, not only to live, but to die, on purpose so that we could live with him for eternity in Heaven. How amazing his love for us is to knowingly come and subject himself to all the temptations of man as well as the pain and torture he knew would happen at the end of his life! That is something we should remember every single day, not just on Christmas & Easter, or on Sunday morning in Church. So make you resolution this year that you will make a conscious decision to remember everyday the gift that God gave us all when he allowed a virgin to become pregnant with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

12-19-09: Less than a week left and as that day draws closer the madness increases...traffic, crowds, anxiety...let us not to forget amongst all the chaos to thank God for our many blessings. Sit down with your children share the story of Jesus' birth from Luke 2:1-20, instead of reading say oh, The Night Before Christmas.........or why not both! I know your kids would love that. The good thing about the REAL Christmas story is that you can share it with kids of all ages, even big ones like us! lol....If you remember to keep God first and foremost in your life then you already have the best present you could ever hope for! God bless, and Merry Christmas!

12-15-09: Well as I motor closer to the Christmas holiday I have lots to be thankful for, work is picking up, I have a great family (most of the time..lol), a great Church. This year seems to have flown by. As you get older it seems that time speeds up where as when you are younger it seems to drag on and on. Have a very Merry Christmas and please remember to keep the true spirit of the holiday present. Teach your kids that it isn't only what you get but you can give that makes this such a special time of year. Pray for those less fortunate as well your blessings and make sure to be mindful of how great it is to be part of the family of God. Have a great day!

12-08-09: This is a good week business wise and I am so thankful for that. As we all know money doesn't have to be a priority, but unfortunately it is a necessity. Keeping that frame of mind in a country that is so affluent that often your status in the community is measured not on you but what you have. Which is another reason that as a nation, claiming to be a Christian, is a mockery to God. Yes, we have many many Christians living in the US and I am so glad of that. But to say we are as a nation Christians simply isn't true. Under the guise of "PC"(Political Correctness) non-Christians have been able to move this country almost 180 degree's from the principles we were founded on. Not celebrating the good Christian founding fathers, no, instead we choose to focus on the only 2 that weren't Christians...74 chosen, 55 would accept, of those no more than 38 present at any one time...and of those present 36 Christians - 2 non-Christians. Do you ever hear of that in school NO...instead you hear a twisted version that our founding fathers not only accepted but endorsed the separation of Church and State and that is just an out and out LIE! But they count on the fact the forgotten Founder's the Christians one will never be studied because they are not found in mainstream scholastic studies...what a sad sad thing that all these great men should be pushed aside to make it easier to bypass the real principles this great nation was founded on....one nation UNDER GOD........hold these words dear Christians because there may come a time they to will be in jeopardy of being erased from the History books in the name of political correctness!

12-03-09: Well with Thanksgiving behind us thoughts will now move to Christmas. As you are doing your shopping this year, remember that this holiday is not about toys or Santa or candy canes, it is about the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Instill in your children that it isn't about what you get but what you are willing to GIVE that is the true meaning of this season. There are many ways you can give; help out at a homeless shelter, donate food, clothes, and other items, spend time with an elderly neighbor or relative. You would be surprised how much you can actually give to a lonely person just by showing them someone cares. The best gifts in this world come from the heart. Caring for and about someone is the best present you can give them. Yes getting presents is fun and makes you feel good, but I promise you if you GIVE of yourself to others who really need and might not otherwise have it you feel so much better. The joy that the littlest thing to you can bring to someone else is hard to explain. Donate some of your gently used toys to a shelter or orphanage where kids have nothing and you would be amazed at the impact that has. Things you don't even give enough thought to to use or even care about might be the best thing they receive this year! So yes enjoy your holiday season, be thankful for what you have and receive, but please remember the true spirit of this season comes from giving of yourself to make someone else feel like "YES! someone does care about me, I am loved" God bless you and your family and remember to keep "Christ" in Christmas...it isn't the "Holidays", or "X-mas" it is CHRISTmas and that is what it should be all about Christ our Lord!

11-26-09: Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Had a nice visit w/family today and some good food too. I am going through a rough patch right now but like all things this to will pass. Taking a day to reflect on all I have to be thankful for and the people that I should be thanking more and probably never could enough no matter how hard I try. It's a funny thing how 2 people having a conversation can see the exact same subject in such totally different perspectives. Sometimes the points don't come out the way they should or are misinterpreted, however the confusion starts in the end we are all still family and that is what matters the most. So be thankful, tell God how much you appreciate the people in your life even when you don't agree or see things from the same vantage point. In the end your family is all have. They may not be perfect, no one is, they may frustrate you and make you crazy but when all is said and done you trade them for all the gold in Fort Knox. God Bless each and everyone of you and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

11-22-09: Another week over and as we enter this week of Thanksgiving please take time to reflect on all of your blessings big and small and give thanks for them to the ONE true God! This week has been both productive and a little scary. Scary in the sense that I am in serious jeopardy of eviction. Productive bc as he always does God has opened a window and provided me w/at least the possibility of some income. It is becoming ever harder to pay all my bills in this recession but i am determined to keep this site going for as long as i possibly can through the grace of God. I have donate tabs throughout my site if you would like to make a small donation to help fund the site. For $1 a day i can keep it running, unfortunately with all my other bills and expenses it is becoming harder and harder to come up with that extra $1 a day. God is good and has provided for me thus far and I have 100% faith in him and my eternal life with him and that if it is his will somehow, someway, the funds to keep this site going will be there. I am thankful for my family, friends, our soldiers and veteran's, but most of all i am thankful that i know when this life is over i will spend eternity in Heaven w/Jesus. What a day that will that be! God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

11-16-09: Well another week has started and as always i am thankful to God for the things that i have. Good family, friends, and the best Church family you could ask for. But i am really starting to realize that i have lots and lots more to be thankful for.......i have food to eat, beverages, and a roof over my head(for the time being). Things we take for granted everyday. The air we breath, walking, being able to think and appreciate these things......i/we should be thankful for all of these things......yes even the bad things....bc it is through the bad things that we grow and learn to appreciate the good things all the more. Remember to be thankful in ALL things....Praise God for everything in your life.....and please remember that when you lay your head down on your soft pillow, in your warm bed, after having a nice meal....that not everyone is that blessed......and when you say that bedtime prayer ask God to please keep a watchful eye and protecting hand on those who are weak, homeless, and not as fortunate as you. God Bless you and your family!

11-11-09: Remember to honor all Veteran's, not just today but, everyday. It is because of their sacrifice that we enjoy our freedom. So as a Vet myself let me be the first to say Thank You to anyone who has served to protect the greatest nation on God's Earth. Whether you served in peace-time or war. You chose to put yourself in harms way and die if need be so that others could live and continue to enjoy the freedom those that came before you fought so hard for never once thinking of their own well-being. There is no greater sacrifice any person can make than the decision to serve their country. Knowing full well that if the situation should arise they will be there to rise to challenge and call and defend our freedom, to the death if necessary. There is a tradition of those who have heard and heeded that call in my family and I am very proud to come from a long line of men and women who were not afraid to answer that call. Also let us remember it is not just the Soldier making a sacrifice, but their family as well. These Fathers, Mothers, Sons, & Daughters, that have such great patriotism that they are willing to be supportive and loving and understanding to the passion their loved one has to protect not just theirs, but yours, and my freedoms! We owe these people our very lives and I think it is an insult to them, us, and our forefathers for how we treat our Military men and women after they get beyond what is seen as a useful "GI"(government issued piece of equipment). The very men and women who have proven they would gladly give their life to protect ours and would do it again, only to be treated less like heroes and more like outcasts when they get beyond a usefulness to the government. It is my personal opinion that if you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this country in good times or bad, then this country should be willing to make some sacrifices for you.....No Vet should ever be homeless or go hungry or not get FREE medical care for the rest of their lives. No Vet should ever have to worry if they can find employment to take care of themselves or their families. These people, even the ones that served in peace-time....answered that call not knowing if they would have to see combat or not! But did it none the less because they believe in something bigger than themselves, something bigger than our government, a LOVE OF THIS COUNTRY and the principles it was founded on. I say if you are willing to die for me, I should be willing to take care of you for the rest of your natural life! Wake up America! If we continue to let our Vets feel like they don't matter when we don't need them..how can we expect them to fight for us when we do! So again allow me to say THANK YOU to all who have served in combat or peace-time..THANK YOU for your sacrifice...THANK YOU for your patriotism..and THANK YOU for allowing me to be free....If anyone out there has a decent treadmill they would like to donate to me to help me on my journey or know where I can find really cheap..please email me the info to jody@christianityconnection.com HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!

11-10-09: Jus a quick little note to let everyone that know that you should be thankful everyday for all of the things we have instead of being so focused on the things we don't have. If you think God isn't working in your life right now this very second....put your hand to your mouth.....exhale.....and if you feel a breath leave your body......then God is working and he is good. I am going to try to be more positive, see the good in life and people, and be thankful for all of the blessings I have that I take for granted everyday! This is what I am praying for....maybe it works for you....maybe it doesn't.....that isn't for me to decide!

11-7-09: hey been kinda out of it for a few days...a lil under the weather if u will. but i wanted to post a little update about what's goin on! business, blah! personal life, DOUBLE blah! but as always God is good and continues to bless me. I am thankful for the things that i do have and even tho i have alot of things goin on ik that he is still there. he never makes me face anything alone and will make a way as he has always done.

11-01-09: waiting for the Colt's game to start, GO COLTS! I went to Church this morning and surprisingly enough I remembered the time change so I didn't show up an hour early. Work is starting to pick up some again which is always good and I thank God for that! God is good all the time. Church went well Pastor Jim has us focusing on being thankful in all things, both good and bad, and I am not sure how well that will go for me. I try to find good in all things but sometimes it is pretty hard. But then again if being like Jesus and leading a Godly life was easy, everyone would do it! And everyone should try.......and that is what I am going to do......try...and pray....and lean on God to give me the strength to find the good and be thankful in all things. Because without his strength I know I am doomed, bc I certainly don't have the strength to do it on my own.

10-27-09: well i am watching tv again, like always, just thinking about how funny it is that i have lived here for going on 9 years and in all that time i have only had 2 kids come to my door on Halloween. my Church is having our annual bonfire to give the kids an alternative to running all over the neighborhood. fun, games, and candy! as well as fellowship! i think it is the favorite thing we do as Church for a lot of people bc it allows us some real everyday life time with the people in the neighborhood. most of which would never have any interest in the church or hearing about God on any other day of the year. i am praying that my finances improve as i am sure a lot of people are right now. it is becoming harder and harder to maintain the site and pay for it every month. but i am hoping God will provide as this my way of giving back to and helping grow God's family. my portion of the great commission. well that is all i had to get off my chest for right now, oh and i have been able to start doing exercise again! God is good all the time!

10-22-09: sitting in my living room watching the ultimate fighter. i am not having much luck finding a way to have a constant flow of income. i have to admit that the stress is starting to get to me. as much as i try to not let it get it to me that feeling of helplessness is not one i am very fond of. i am by no means worried about God providing for me, i have total faith that he will, but even knowing that i think it is still normal and okay to be nervous. remember being a Christian doesn't mean you won't ever have a problem. the comfort you have is knowing that God is right there with you, guiding and protecting you. and even tho i let the stress get to me sometimes it is that assurance that he is always with me that allows me to weather these storms! God is good...............ALL THE TIME!

10-19-09: Had a pretty good weekend considering my Mom was in the hospital, work has dried up (AGAIN), and I had a stomachache! But even with all of that I went to bed last night with a sense of peace and calm that I haven't had in so long I can't remember when I had it last, if ever! It was like all of the sudden, everything was ok! I mean it isn't, by far it isn't....but that was level of peace I felt. I have daily talks with a good friend, who's name I won't mention here, and he and I talk a lot about what it means to be a Christian, if we are in fact doing what is right, if there is a chance we might not be saved at all! I think with the world in the state it is right now and not looking a whole lot better a lot of people are questioning that. I worry that maybe when people see me if they really see a person that is "saved" or do they see no difference in the way I am from anyone else they see everyday? What do you do when you pray and don't feel like you have gotten an answer? or don't understand what the answer is you got? I hope that I have and am doing the right things! Does it matter what people think at all? Isn't all that really matters is that God knows my heart, and since he is the ultimate judge, is that all that matters? I ask myself these ?'s constantly and you know what, I DON'T KNOW! and I think that is ok......I don't think I am supposed to know all the answers. But then again, maybe I should know some of them! lol.........anyways, that is where my head is tonight!

10-17-09: Another week gone and I am wondering how it got so cold so fast! lol......what happened to Fall? straight from Summer into Winter...no fair! I must admit I have kinda slacked off on the exercise this week. Stress from other area's of my life have taken precedence. I have been praying for the strength to be able to exercise no matter what else is going on. It seems to be a pattern that I let other things distract me from the goal of losing the weight. It is something that has plagued my journey from the start. A vicious circle of......well mainly.......not having that same concern for myself that I do for others....I REALLY need to work on that!

10-13-09: As I had expected I was in severe pain Sunday. So much so that I had to leave Church early. This battle with the weight thing is going to be so much harder than I had anticipated. The good thing is that I am starting to get some encouraging comments from people. Knowing that people, even if it is only a few, are praying for me and hoping I succeed has been a great boost to my confidence. Almost making the pain worth it. I know that the more I can do and make myself do the better off I am going to be in the long run. I just wish that people who have never been where I am could understand just how HARD that is! Not all overweight people are lazy, and eat all the time, and just don't care....and all the other things that people think about me. The truth is I don't eat very much and I don't eat very often and that is part of why I have so much trouble with my weight. Not eating regularly and not eating enough is JUST as bad for you as overeating. I won't go into all the reasons why I eat the way I do, but ALL of them are NOT my fault. Like the up to 15%(not 9% which is what the government wants you to believe) of unemployed people in this country today, the economy has made it impossible for me to always eat everyday the way I should and still keep a roof over my head! But even as I go through these everyday trials I know I am not alone, God is always with me, right there by my side, seeing me through when I feel like I just can't go on anymore. Pastor Jim is right! God is good, ALL THE TIME!

10-10-09: Well I finally got my E-store up and running and I am expecting great things from it. i will be sharing more of my thoughts later but for now i am just going to sit back and relax and reflect on what God has done for me this week and look ahead to what is to come next week. Went and hung out at my parents for awhile w/my son today and played w/some of the nieces and nephews it was a pretty good time but i am beat now! lol i played some basketball and some game similar to horse shoes w/beanbags and a goal with a hole in the middle of it...... i am painfully not good!!!!!!! lol well have a good night everyone i am off to bed..Church tmw!

10-07-09: as always God is good all the time! Remember to pray for your enemies or those who you don't agree with as well as the people you cherish. It is easy to pray for the ones you love, but the true mark of a Godly life is having the strength to pray for those you disagree with and mean it. That is the hard part, it isn't enough to just pray for them, you have to mean it. We are called to live our life as Christ did. Even on his way to the cross he prayed for forgiveness for those persecuting him. What an amazing way to live your life. Instead of being full of contempt and hate for those around you that you don't see eye to eye with pray that God will bless them in the same way you ask him to bless you. I know it isn't easy because I am dealing with this issue myself. With God's strength and guidance we can all make this a better world. May God bless you and your family!

10-02-09: another week gone and as i sit here i find it amazing how fast time goes by the older you get. it seems like when we're kids everything is so far away, birthdays, summer break, holidays......but as we get older in the blink of an eye another week, month, or even year has passed. i think the hardest thing for us to comprehend as Christians, well as human beings, is the concept of forever! an eternity in heaven with God sounds so amazing and so unbelievable all at the same time. i have tried to imagine what that would be like and every time i do it not only scares me but also gives me a humongous headache......lol but with the same faith that i whole heartedly believe what the Bible says i believe in eternal salvation. sorry i don't have an update on my weight this time, as i have been pretty busy and haven't had time to weigh myself, or maybe i am afraid of that also, hmmmmm?????? well anyways keep praying, read your Bible, and remember to be thankful for the blessings you have and give thanks to God for them!

9-28-09: well business is leveling off and i must say i was surprised that it lasted that long. a mini recovery so to speak. the blessings that God has granted me continue to be abundant. good friends, family and Church that so many people don't have and really do need. i wonder where i would be now if i hadn't made my way back to Church on the Sept. Sunday following that day we will never forget. that tragedy is what got me in the doors but i assure it isn't what has kept me there for the past 8 years. a greater understanding of what i would be giving up in the next life, the desire to grow in my relationship with God and to spread his message have all played a role in my continuing to go. but people remember Church isn't just a building you go to on Sunday. it is a way of life, the way we present ourselves to others on a daily basis the other 6 days of the week. our obligation as Christians isn't met when we leave that door on Sunday, it is just beginning. it is easy to project a Christian attitude when surrounded by Christians in a Church building. but what sort of image do you project on Tuesday or Thursday or Friday night? that is the real test. that is when people who might not go to Church and are on the fence of making that choice see you. and when they see you, are you projecting that same Christian attitude as in Church on Sunday morning or are you projecting something that you would never do in Church. maybe you should think about and pray about how you present yourself to others once you are outside of the Church doors, i know i do! and on another topic, i am happy to report that i dropped nearly 2 pounds this week and hey, that's a start!

9-19-09: well it has been a busy week, and i am hoping that transpires into a profitable one. but only time will tell if that will be the case or not. God has blessed me with good friends and family and now i am starting to be blessed even in my business. i am starting to walk more which in itself is a blessing that i can and that it helps me with starting to lose the weight. that is another thing that only time will tell if it is working or not. since focusing on praying and reading more scripture i am finding more comfort and that things that bother me aren't bothering me as much any longer. i think that being comfortable in my own skin is not easy bc i am harder on myself than anyone even if people don't think so. well i am not sure what next week will hold but i am sure i will be handle it with the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ! have a great weekend and don't forget to pray and read your Bible.

9-14-09: you know it is funny how things can look so different from one day to the next. God blesses each of us on a daily basis in ways we don't even realize. Friends, family, pets, all the things we just take for granted. it is always so much easier to find the negative, no job, failed relationship, problems with my weight but even in the midst of all the turmoil God continues to bless us. if you look hard enough you can find good in anything. the problem is that no one wants to look for the good bc we would rather focus on the negative. Matthew 5:1-12 is called the "be"attitudes....i never really thought about what that meant...it simply means that as a Christian this is how your attitude should "be". God blesses the poor bc they realize they need him, he blesses those who mourn with comfort, he blesses the meek by allowing them to inherit the earth. in short people, God blesses those who live life the right way, the Christian way, the GODLY way. changing isn't easy, if it was everyone would do it. dare to be different, dare to be Christ like, dare to be Blessed! have a blessed day!

9-11-09: As you go about your day today please join me in first and foremost remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. For me it has been a pretty busy week. I am hoping that busy translates into profitable. I must admit that I am struggling greatly in one area, one that is important, and that is my prayer and scripture time. Pray for me, that God will give me strength and willpower, not only to lose weight but to be a good a faithful servant to him. I think it is harder for all of us to pray and read the Bible when everything is going well, or even ok. That is something that needs to change dare we start viewing God more like a "genie in the lamp" that we only need when things are bad, instead of as our Creator and Heavenly Father who we need everyday, all day. I find that one of my biggest triggers for overeating is stress. Finding a way to manage my stress may be a huge key to helping me on my journey to the massive undertaking of weight loss I have embarked on. It is definitely something to think about. Well I am off to my busy day, God Bless and have a great day! We will not forget!

9-6-09: It’s been a busy week work-wise. That is always a good thing. I have been in a lot of pain this week. It is getting harder to walk as the pain in my knees get worse. I am finding that there isn’t a lot of helpful info out there. Plenty of opinions and nonsense and everyone seems to know what “you should do is” but unless they know the individual situation they really don’t know. It is very easy to tell someone “well what you need to do is exercise” or “You know, if you lost weight that would help the pain in yours knees”. Well jeez Mr. or Mrs. Wizard thank you for that insightful tidbit of info. Now, would someone mind telling me…..HOW do you lose weight if you hurt too bad to exercise? HOW do you get yourself to do the right things when they hurt so much that it causes you to get depressed and then you just want to eat more because you are depressed. It is a vicious cycle to get stuck in that I wouldn’t wish on anyone and I know I am not alone! There has to be someone else, many others, out there going through the same things I am. No offense meant, but I am getting really tired of someone who has been 150 lbs. there whole life trying to tell me what I need to do to lose weight. HOW IN THE WORLD can they know what I am going thru. The good thing is that I have prayer, a small but great Church family, and that gives me so much comfort. I shutter to think where I would be without God in my life. I sometimes look back on my life, the things I have done, the choices I have made, and I know that the only reason I am still here is like a lot of people it took a national tragedy to get me back to Church and realize that there is more to life than just what happens in my small sheltered world. Even with that peace and comfort I am still desperately looking for someone, anyone, that can help me figure out something I can do that is beneficial as exercise without putting me in so much pain that I want to just lay down and do nothing at all!

9-2-09: the world lost a good man on Sat. L.D. Moline, the man that got me started in the electrical business passed away due to complications from cancer. Lenny was a good man who valued family above all else. If you worked for him now or had worked for him in the past you felt like you were part of his family. After I left working for Lenny and many years later ventured out on my own to start my own company, like a surrogate father Lenny was there to answer all of the simple, silly, and sometimes downright stupid questions I asked him. Me, my brother Duane, Charlie, Bond.....and countless others owe our career to the man who always seemed to have a smile on his face no matter how good or bad his day went. I still remember like yesterday when my son was born on April 15,1986......I spent a week off of work helping with getting things set up at home and Lenny, being his family conscious self, paid me hour for hour the same hours my brother worked that week because that is who i was working with at the time. But looking back I am not really all that surprised that he would and did do that because that was just the kind of man he was. I don't know where LD stood with God, but as a Christian I can only hope that he is in the cradling arms of God watching over his family in Heaven the way he did here on Earth. Rest in Peace Lenny, you will be greatly missed!

8-28-09: You know the saying goes that God works in strange and mysterious ways. I have found that to be true as he continues to bless me even when I feel don't deserve it. I am struggling more than ever with what to do about the weight and how I am going to get it off when I just don't feel like doing anything. But in the midst of all of this God has blessed me with an abundance of work. So even when I am struggling and feeling less worthy than ever God still blesses me. Maybe not exactly in the order I would like, but blesses me none the less. I am thankful and confused at the same time, and I think that is okay. Being a Christian doesn't mean knowing or understanding how and why God works on our lives in the way he does. I think it is more about realizing that it is through his grace that these things happen. How else would you explain my explosion of work in the midst of one of the worst economic times in our history. That being said, I still need to figure out what I am going to do to help me lose me weight when I have to fight for the energy to do everyday things and can't even consider the possibility of exercise. I want to, need to, have to find a way to and these things I know. But how do you do that if you can't physically do it? If anyone is reading this and has any suggestions PLEASE feel free to email them to me.........

8-22-09: well another week ending and as i look back i can see just how big this adventure i am going on is going to be and how much of a role God "has" to play in it. i find that i am going to have to pray for strength for even the little things. the will to eat right, exercise, and the spiritual well being. it seemed so simple in the beginning, if i put this on my website i have pressure to succeed and i am held accountable. that has always worked well for me, that feeling of being accountable. not so much to myself but that feeling of not wanting to let someone else down, in this case whoever might be reading this. at first it seemed like such a good motivator. but what i have found is in my case if i can't see, touch, or at least hear from the one or ones i am trying not to "let down" it is much much harder. praying on this is going to be my salvation literally, bc if i don't get this under control i will die. and while as a Christian the prospect of death is no longer a point of fear bc i will be in Heaven, i don't think i should nor would God want me to do anything to intentionally speed up the natural process. and i do always have that fear in the back of my mind of "what if" and we could all make that into a long list of things...i wonder if i heard from anyone who might be reading this whether it be encouragement, suggestions, or even criticism if that can kick start my incessant need to not let anyone down. oh how i wish i could have that same need to succeed for myself.........maybe there is a reason i don't?

8-17-09: nothin exciting to report today, like most days i spent the majority of the day closed up inside. i find myself becoming more and more content to just stay inside and not even look at the outside world. i am running my business as a shut in. having other people do the work, keeping less money for myself, and even having the builders mail the checks to me to keep from having to leave if i don't have to. sometimes i go days without even speaking to anyone. sometimes i visual my life different than it is, i am outgoing and personable. successful with no money troubles. and then i wonder if my life were what we as humans consider as perfect. would i have time for God? would i still rely on him as much if i didn't have the problems i have? the easy answer is yes. but i really don't know. part of my struggle with my own Christianity is am i a Christian for the right reasons or out of necessity? i struggle everyday with this and can only hope that it is for the right reasons. all i can do is pray, study the word and hope to hear what God has to say.

8-15-09: Feeling a little discouraged today. It seems every time I think I am moving forward, somehow, someway I always seem to get knocked back. I question an a regular basis if I am doing things right. The way I live my life, my walk with Christ, my lack of willpower with my weight. I don't have the answers but I have lots of questions. And I think a lot of Christians have these same questions, and I think it is ok too! Being a Christian doesn't mean I have stopped being human. It doesn't mean all of my problems magically disappear. But what if you sometimes you don't feel like there has been any change? What if you aren't sure if what you think is the right thing, isn't? And am I the only one with these doubts? Studying the Word of God, praying, going to Church.......am I just going through the motions? If I am where I should be with God, why can't losing the weight be easier?

8-12-09: I wasn't sure what to do when I first started this journey, or this journal. It always seems like I have so many ideas churning around in my head and then when I sit down to put them on paper, WHAM!, I draw a total blank. First of all, the weight issue is going to be a massive undertaking. Do I have the willpower? God will never forsake me, but will I forsake him? It is a vicious circle to be caught in when you eat because you are stressing and you are stressing because you eat. That causes you to get depressed about the way you look which in turn makes you want to eat for comfort. I think for far too long people have not understood that until you deal with the issues that cause the overeating, dieting won't work. Then you have to deal with other Christians saying well your body is a temple, and gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, so you feel by being overweight you have not only let yourself down, but you have let God down. Causing depression and triggering the overeating all over again. So what message are we sending as children of God? Are we telling people that if you are overweight you can't be a Christian? You can't get into Heaven? I don't know about you but I would hope as a Christian I am ENcouraging, not DIScouraging to any and every person that is seeking to know God. Remember it is NOT our place to judge, only Jesus will do that, and on that day do you want to hear job well done good and faithful servant! Or do you think you are going to hear depart from me for I never knew you! I don't know about you but as for me I truly hope my life reflects in such a way that I am going to hear those beautiful words good and faithful servant!

8-7-09: Been sitting around thinking about what to write, or if to write, who knows. I know it is been a shift from praying for the strength to lose the weight to praying for relief from the pain. I have always thought of myself as someone with a high tolerance to pain and maybe that is true, maybe that is why I continue to push myself through the pain. Pain that I can only imagine would keep a lot of people from moving at all. I really hope that doesn't become the case with me. It is very hard to motivate yourself to something, ANYTHING, when you know it is going to hurt the entire time you do it as well as for hours, or in my case days, after you do it. Before people are so quick to judge I think they should try to put themselves in my position. I would say "walk a mile in my shoes" but to be quite frank I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone else. I don't know how I got to this point and that isn't even really important now what is important is that I find a way to remedy the situation before it is too late!

8-5-09: Well as another day closes about all I can say is it is HOT! and STICKY! here. We have had a pretty mild Summer but this month the humidity has come in with a vengeance. I have started doing some stretching exercises and as I thought it has done much yet to help the pain in my knees. I am hoping someone out there has a suggestion for something that actually works at relieving the pain. There has to be something out there that can help the pain until I can get rid of enough weight to alleviate the pain. I have to say the prayer and scripture has helped greatly with the mental part of this journey. Now I am hoping for something that can take care of the physical part. Well I am off to take care of some paperwork that might actually result in some income, Wish me Luck! lol.........

8-03-09: Well the weekend is over and it is back to the "grind". I think I did pretty good this weekend. My knees are giving me a lot more problems than I had anticipated. So I think I am going to take it a little slower on the walking schedule and spend some extra time working on stretching to see if I can make any progress in the pain department that way. I spent most of my weekend like any other, watching TV, catching up on chores, and just being my normal lazy self. As part of my daily regiment I am going to make a better effort to incorporate prayer and scripture into my daily schedule. I have proved time and time again that I can't do this in my own strength so now it is time to turn to the only solution. I can't do it in my strength but if I am faithful and diligent I can do it in His strength. God is always there for us. He never goes anywhere, we walk away from him but he is a constant beacon of Love, Strength, and Compassion always willing to take us back if we will allow him to work in our lives. I am ready! Well that's all for now!

7-31-09: Well sorry I missed a day but I was kinda busy all day and by the time I finally got home I didn't really feel like sitting at the computer. I got a lot accomplished. Did some good walking. Enjoyed the weather and actually did some work too. I worked all day today too. Good exercise and gets me out of the house, but boy do I pay for it when I get home. My knees are aching, my back hurts, and I am almost too tired to make anything to eat! Luckily pre-packaged meals are great for nights like tonight. I am wondering why sometimes things don't work out the way we think they should and other times they do when we least expect it. I am thinking more and more that I maybe someday I would like to get married, but until I get my own issues worked who would have me????????? Hmmmmmmmmm! A good ? to ponder while I relax the rest of the night...........G'night and God Bless!

7-29-09: today was not a good one. i was on my feet for too long, did too much walking, and my knees are killing me! i got a lot accomplished but i am paying for it now. i must admit i am a bit discouraged at the obstacle my knees are being. praying helps my state of mind and is comforting but i still have to push the pain. i am not sure how long it will last or how bad it will it get, but i am going to keep going until i get past it or am unable to walk at all. i am going to research some natural pain relievers and get off my feet. so in the immortal words of Porky Pig....THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

7-28-09: Okay day 3 and so far I have decided that walking is my best option so far, no matter how much it hurts. I have started to take suggestions from people on stuff that has worked for them as well as some people who think I am nuts, stupid, or just plain too lazy to do this. Well even though I had prepared myself, or so I thought, for they "nay" sayers and people who would hope that I will fail, I must admit it still stings a little. But I keep on keeping on and I know with God's help that it will be a sweet pill to deliver when I get to show them the new me and say, "I TOLD YOU SO!" What a great day that will be if I am not just kidding myself. And I hope I am not!

7-27-09: Well I am starting my day off with my normal routine and am down to the last thing on my list before I head out to take care some errands and that is to pray.....Well the "cat is out of the bag" so to speak because the people in my inner circle have found out about my little experiment here. I am not sure how I feel about it.......maybe I will have a better take on it after I pray and have some time alone with my thoughts.....so bye for now but I will be back to let you know what my plan is as soon as I figure it out myself. So I am off to take care of my errands...have a great day......12:00 p.m. I am back from running my errands and although I feel really tired and sore I got some good walking in. I am trying to come up with a plan for how to lose this weight. Problem #1- Because of years of abuse my knees are shot making it hard for me to walk. The desire is there! I want to do this!!!!! But I am just not sure how yet. A pool would be a great idea if I had access to a private pool I could be in by myself, but since that isn't an option.........I am going to have to find some form of exercise that I can do that is low to no impact right in my home. Any suggestions?

7-26-09: Today I decided that I was going to make a change in my life. I am not going to sit around any longer feeling sorry for myself. If I don't take charge of my life, then who will!! It is going to be tough and I am going to need to help. And lots of it!! I realize that when all is said and done that I hold the key to my future and at present my future is death by heart attack if I don't change soon. I went to Church this morning like every Sunday. The message was about living your life as a Christian. How do you practically live a Christian life? Pastor Jim, our Preacher, as always seemed like he was talking to directly to me. I think the reason I take so many of the sermons personally is, well, the shame I feel. I feel like I have not only let myself down, but my family, friends, and even the Church. I look around and wonder why I have so much trouble when it comes to my weight when I am so disciplined in the other parts of my life. I don't know if I will be able to do this or not. But I do know I have to try! And if I don't try nothing is ever going to change. You know I have found in my life that many things scare me. Or maybe they do and I just tell myself they don't. But the thought of doing this, being exposed, accountable, not too mention letting people see what I look like, scares me to death. So much so that I didn't even tell the people closest to me that I was doing it. I guess that time will come when it comes. Well that is all for now, I don't know if I will write more today or not.

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