Easter is not bunnies

  Easter is not eggs and bunny rabbits. It is something else. It is the day Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death, and the tomb is empty. Death couldn't hold Him. And that is what we celebrate at Easter.
   Sure, for the kids you have an egg hunt, but that is not the meaning of Easter.As the angel said, He is not here. He is risen.
   And todays sermon at church, yes, there is even a servikce this evening on Saturday, given by Daryl, was made more powerful because we serve a risen savior.

Question For Dear Pope

       I noticed reported in the Los Angeles Times this morning that the Pope has said that all the people in Mexico needed to overcome their drug problem was faith. Faith , dear Pope, is not the complete answer to the drug problem. Once a person is coming down from a drug habit maybe then faith to know that there is a better way to live comes into play. But as a primary solution to the large drug problem of the country of Mexico  is not faith. Faith in what? Faith, the way he uses it, comes out an empty word. Faith in what, dear Pope. faith in what? 

    Faith is in a person not in an problem. Maybe this is the understanding he has of the concept of faith. If so, shame on him. People look to him to be a bit more knowledgeable and doctrinally correct. Faith defined by the Bible is not a 'something out there".

   "But withoutt faith it is impossible to please God, for He who come to God must believe that he exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.

   No where in that line from the Bible (Which by the way is like God speaking to you) does it say anything about faith being a cure all for a drug problem.

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Forgiveness has blessings

Recently my pastor, pastor Joe, gave a sermon in his series on forgiveness mentioning the seven blessings of forgiveness. It was simple and easy to understand. Firstly, forgiveness deflects self-pity or pride. Secondly, forgiveness shows mercy by holding back what the other person deserves.Thirdly, forgiveness restores the joy of the relationship. Fourthly, forgiverness affirms love.Fifthly, it proves obedience.God has told us to forgive others. Sixthly, it restores fellowship. And lkast of all, it doesn't give Satan a foothold in our lives. It stops sin.
   More can be found concerning PAstor Joe and his fellowshipo at ACTS, a Church That Studies by going to the website http://www.achurchthatstudies.org/. You may find soem videos there that will help.

What has been going on

Hi. I want to step back a bit for this post and tell you what I, Dane, have been doing . I have been setting up web sites for my independent businesses. I have a golf site with the address http:///www.drsmarketplace.com. I also have set up a site with information about abdominal exercise. http://www.drsabsreview.com/. For those of you who like paid surveys I have set up a site at http://www.paidsurveyschool.com/ . For those who want to see about forex investing there is the site http://www.investmentspot.info/.

Forgive? Who Me?

   True forgiveness is hard. Oh, some may say, I forgive.But do they? The forgiver must be fit to forgive. It is not true forgiveness if you are not willing. And I am not talking about group forgiveness.

  By that, I mean, it is not a group of people forgiving another person for an act of mass murder. This brings to mind all the shootings here in the United States where a gunman comes in and empties his gun on a group of students. Then the other students say they forgive him. No, that is false forgiveness. In that case the students who are alive don't have the right to forgive. The deed was not done to them.

   You can only forgive a deed done against you personally. God forgives us because our deed, our sin, is toward Him.

   It is easy for a person to ask for forgiveness and very hard for the other person to forgive. True forgiveness cannot be granted until the perpetrator has earned it.. by that I mean, he must confess, repent and do restitution. Every deed has a effect. Every deed leaves a footprint.

   Forgiveness does not mean to forget what the other has done. You can forgive but not forget. Forgiveness is not based on forgetting. If you forget the same thing  may happen again. Remember the slight so that you can be careful not to do that thing again.

   But do your forgiveness with kindness. Don't seek to pay back in kind. We are not talking a tooth for a tooth here. We are talking allowing God to get into the picture and dispensing what needs to be dispensed.

   More later.

 

Looking For A Good Church

          So you find yourself looking for a good church to go to and hear about God and Christ. You are looking for a place where perhaps you can experience Christian growth. Or where if you are not a Christian you will have a chance to accept Christ and become a person God will spend time with.

     Reasons

       There are many reasons a person seeks out a church. A list of sorts is given below..

              I had a special need.............2%
              I just walked in.................3%
              I liked the Pastor...............6%
              I visited there..................1%
              I liked the Sunday School........1%
              A friend or relative invited me..79%

         It is important also that the preacher be preaching from the Bible.  And not just any Bible but from a version that is sound. There are mnany sound versions. The New king James Bible is a good one, as is the old King James. The New American Standard and the New International are aslo good. This is only a suggestion.

       Dress

         In some churches t-shirts, jeans, and even shorts, are appropriate. In others a suit and tie or dress would be more appropriate. In some churches anything goes. So, ask yourself, "What is right for me--dressy, casual, or both?"   

     Worship

   As for the worship you should be seeking, consider this: worship is the way we express our love and appreciation to God, as well as our awe of his works, and wonder of his ways. Consider what style of worship will allow you to most freely express adoration to God. Some churches have contemporary music, some have traditional. Some sing hymns, others sing choruses. Some have full bands, others have orchestras and choirs. Some sing gospel, rock, hard rock, etc. Since worship is a key part of our church experience, be sure to give the style of worship serious consideration.

      Doctrinal Belief    

     Also as to doctrine,it’s important to understand the doctrinal beliefs of the church before joining. Many people become disillusioned after investing a great deal of time in a church. You can avoid this disappointment by looking closely at the church's statement of faith. Before joining be sure the church effectively teaches the Bible. If you’re not sure, ask to talk with someone about this. Some churches even offer classes or written material to help you understand the church’s doctrine.

      This also is important to consider. You want your church to be a place where you can connect with other believers. Some churches offer a very simple ministry approach and others extend an elaborate system of classes, programs, productions and more. So, for instance, if you’re single and want a church with a single’s ministry, be sure to check into this before joining.

    Hang on. There is a bit more to consider when looking for a chuch.Make sure you make a checklist of the most important things you hope to see or experience. Then rate the church according to your checklist when you leave. But don't look for that perfect church. As the saying goes, any church that accepts me isn't perfect because I am not perfect. I am still growing in Christ likeness and it is a journey.

        If you still don’t know where to begin your search for a church, ask people you know—friends, co-workers, or people you admire, where they go to church. Satisfied customers, thery say, are the best source.

Bible Teaching

     You are called upon to teach the word to others. In order to do so you must know something about it. That is why I am so strong about Bible study. First you must get it into yourself.

      I have found a good web sited that helps me to read through the Bible systematically.It is http://www.youversion.com/. It has a drop down window from which you can chose the version of the Bible you wish to read. You don't have to start with the New King James (NKJ) or the New American Standard (NASV) or the International Version (NIV). There are many versions you can chose from. You will find them in a drop down window. Also the languages are ample.
     A digital book you can use  is This one which concerns 52 questions that a Bible teacher may come across in their teaching.
     No one said it was easy. But as you read the Bible you will find yourself changing. God will use what you are reading to do an inner remodeling of you.