Horton Hears A Who…and God…could it be a Parable?

I was having a funny conversation with my wife last night.  I thought of the movie we saw recently on DVD (Horton Hears A Who), and started the conversation off like this:

Me:  “Did you know that I was thinking that Horton Hears A Who could be sort of a teaching block to get people to know God?”

Wife: “Oh this should be good (she says sarcastically)…continue…”

Me: “Well, When Horton hears the first sounds of the who’s he is listening to see what they are saying…think of us praying to God in this respect.  Next Horton tries to communicate back, and one of them hears him.  That’s us listening for God.  When the mayor of Whoville hears Horton he tells others, but they don’t believe him.  That’s people in denial or who don’t know God.  The Devil comes in to play when the Kangaroo tries to get the Vulture dude to get that speck and destroy it in the HOT BOILING LIQUID (Hell).  Of course those characters represent the Devil and all the bad demons with Satan.  Horton continues to get that mayor to get people to listen to him and respond back so the kangaroo will not boil them.  That’s God telling us that we need to minister to people and have them have a relationship with Him.  Finally the who’s talk to Horton and they are saved in the end from an eternal disaster.  That is people responding to God and being saved!”

Wife: “That was pretty good.  I thought you were going to tell a whopper, but that was pretty good.”

Me: “That’s how I think we could use that Movie/Story as a PARABLE!”

Wife: Laughs

R.I.P. Michael!

I remember begging my mom to let me stay up to watch the premier release of the Thriller video on MTV when I was younger.  Although, Michael had some very weird moments in time, he still left behind a plethora of music that will always stay around.  Michael you will be missed!

Anne Jackson cracks me up…

Anne Jackson cracked me up on her latest blog posting. Warning:  Do not drink anything when watching her video, or it just may come shooting out your nose.    Don’t say I didn’t warn you ahead of time!  By the way.  I have the book.  Do you?  Click on the link on my blog and it will take you to her book!

Jobs in these tough times…

Recently I was laid off from my job.  That put me in quite a depression state of mind, considering I really loved that job.  I have been reading more of the Bible since then and staying in touch more with close Christian friends.  This has seemed to help a bit.  I’m trying to find comfort in knowing that God will take care of me, but I struggle.  I was not going to post this, but I wanted to show you that I am human!  To any of you who recently lost your job or have been out of work for a while, you are in my prayers.  I pray that this economy will turn around, and people will start getting back to work soon.  I also pray that those of you in this situation stay strong in the Lord.  In these times I can’t help but think of the scripture from Philippians 4:4-7 that says:

^“4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”   (Philippians 4:4-7 The Message)

I encourage you all to take these verses and print them out and put them in your pocket/wallet/purse.  Keep them close and dear to your heart!

Bibe Poll

Online or Offline?…

Which one of these words (ONLINE or OFFLINE) describes your Bible reading/study the most?

My friend, Anne Jackson, wrote a great article that you should check out.  Also, comment here and let me know which word describes your biblical studying and what resources you may use both online and off.

I personally use many types, both on and off line.  One of my favorite sites is Biblegateway.  It has a plethora of different bible versions right at your finger tips for your biblical studies!

Life…

This week it’s supposed to rain a lot.  I’m so looking forward to this upcoming weekend.  No rain (according to the long forecast)!  Also, there are a lot of things going on this upcoming weekend:

• Playing Bass Guitar at Church worship services:  Sat 6PM, Sun 9AM and 11AM.
• Gig with Jazz Band Saturday night 8PM-11PM
• Guitar/Bass Guitar class on Sunday 4PM-6:30PM with the studio guys!

I’ll have a lot of time with God this week, at least that is my plan!  Lot’s of things going on in my life right now.  Pray for me.  Pray for the music.  And pray for the world!

Thanks!

Blessed…

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be blessed?  Well, let me tell you something that is going through me at this moment.  I have been wondering if my life as a worship arts member means anything to some of the other worship arts leaders in my local community.  Last night I realized 100% that God has been listening to my prayers and He has answered them!  During our rehearsal, one of the leaders expressed that she would love to have me play music and worship with her for many sessions in the upcoming months.  I’m not trying to sound like a prima-donna or anything, but I truly believe God has called me to share His music in our local church.  He has Blessed me with that talent!  I truly believe He wants me to let the people around me hear His word through Music!

My meditation today is a passage on being blessed.  I always have to remember, that when there is less of me, there is more of God, as it says in verse 3!

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Matthew 5:1-12 (The Message)

Matthew 5

You’re Blessed

^1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

³“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

⁴“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

⁵“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

⁶“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

⁷“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

⁸“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

⁹“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

¹⁰“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

^11-12“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Psalm 63

I was thinking of this Psalm again today (we read it during our Sunday Morning breakfast with the Worship Arts Team).  I pray that I can live a life like David some day (soon) and be as close to God as he was!  I seem to stumble.  Here are my thoughts on this passage below, and how I stumble:

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Psalm 63 (The Message)

Psalm 63

A David Psalm, When He Was out in the Judean Wilderness

¹ God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.

This scripture is very true!  I thirst for Him constantly!

^2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

This is very true in times that i am at Church (especially when I am on the Worship Team that weekend).  Other times outside, I waiver! 

^5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises!

Amen!
If I’m sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.

Not always True, although there are more times that I am thinking of Him then not thinking of Him when this happens.

Because you’ve always stood up for me,
I’m free to run and play.

This is where I stumble…That freedom (or my will) gets in the way sometimes!

I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.

Again, I do cherish Him, and want to be like Jesus!

^9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They’ll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.

I wonder if I am the “Those” at times?  Sometimes I feel like I have torn someone in two.  Especially lately.

My prayer is this:  God, please help strengthen me in your eyes.  make me the Iron Man you wanted me to be from day one of my existance!  Grant me that peace of mind that I may not rip people to shreds, verbally or emotionally.  Help me always remember to be like Jesus!  Amen!

The Devil tries to take control, but we have God on our side!…

I was reading a blog post by Anne, and was noting that the Devil does try to take control of us all the time! Thank goodness we have God on our side, and when we stay close to Him (God), we can combat that devil just like Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11:

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Matthew 4:1-11 (The Message)

Matthew 4
The Test
1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”

4Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”

5-6For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”

7Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”

8-9For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”

10Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

11The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.