Rev. Richard Summers's MySpace Blog |

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas 50 years ago for me....the memories...
Current mood:

blessed
Category: Life

Greetings Friends,
Merry Christmas to you all!
As a young child I had great memories of Christmas with my grandparents who raised me. I looked forward to the all the different holidays as a kid, but Christmas and Easter were the most special for me. My grand parents raised me in the Lutheran Church where as a young child I sang in the Choir since I was 5 yrs old to my young teens. While that was very special for me all those years singing God's praises.I just could not wait for Christmas to come fast enough every year.I would run to the big picture window of the California cottage house we lived in to see if up on the hill if the huge pine tree as was lite up yet. A man had a very very huge pine tree on top of the hill and he would use regular lite bulbs and colored them and at the top a huge star. You could see his pine tree for what seemed miles. At the time I lived in Los Angeles in the Echo Park area which had hills and valleys. Once I saw that the tree had been lite shortly after Thanksgiving and even sometimes at Thanksgiving. I would hound my grandparent, when are we getting our Christmas Tree? Most of the time they would tell me it's way too early.
However, when I was at school I could begin to see the beginnings signs of Christmas in my bedroom windows. My Grandma would use cotton on the window seals and small cotton balls for snow fall on the windows. Sometimes she use Glass wax with colors and stincles. On the window seals would be Snow men and Santa's and Raindeer with sliegh. Colors small Christmas balls would hang from wonderful colored ribbons. Its was so awesome and cheerful.
Grandpa would put up all the lights around every window and eve on the house. On the roof was a huge Santa and raindeer and slede ( Life size )and on the ground was old fashion Lamp post with holly and bows and snow with Carolers and in the distance were angels singing with their handbooks. My Grandfather also did a huge life like Nativity at the Chruch with full size stable it was huge with hay and all. Plus he decorated the Church with lights and the Church in those days used 20 foot real Christmas trees... it was awesome. All trees and green branches were real in those days.
Back at home grandpa put out a huge speaker with Christmas music and chimes on the hour of Christmas songs. One year someone called the police and we never played the music loud but it did carry throughout the hills and valley of Echo Park. My Grandma aways had goodies and hot chocolate ready for anyone who pops in. Everyday fresh pies and cakes and cup cakes were made just in case and she started this about 9 days before Christmas...wow! Okay, the police came along with the police Chief and he told us to turn the music down for now and they stayed and had some goodies from grandma delights. As they were leaving the Police Chief said when we leave don't worry, just turn up the music and chimes and Have a very Merry Christmas. I will never forget that year and what a difference from todays world. So, my grandparents whated to know who in the area was happy with the Christmas music and chimes. Guess who had to run up and down those hills and get a potion signed from around three hundred neighbors...me. I did find out that one family was the ones who turned us into the police and I was very hurt about it and sad as a young child but in those days no one was hateful or cruel with their words...not like today. Christmas was so very different then it is today, for about two weeks before Christmas people were coming and going bring and sharing food and goodies and spending a joyful time with all the neighbors and friends... it was totally different and it was truly about family and friends and real love shared....was everyone in the best behavior? No not always but you never heard that many complaints. Attitude and behavior and respect was what was taught back in those days...Thanks be to God!
On Christimas Eve we the whole family, Aunts and Uncles, grandchildren and great grandchildren went to Church at 11 PM but some years we were there at 7 pm for children services and 9 pm as my grandmother was the head of all Sunday School classes for children and youth. My grandparents kept the whole family together and really did suffer with the family when problems came to us and yet gave their lives for the God and the Church and community they loved. Back in those days their were no credit cards and people saved up money all year for Christmas. My Grandparents were NOT rich but knew how to save and plan things out. Wages were so small back then, yet people helped each other and really seemed to care for one another all year long. On Christmas Eve after Church we could sometimes come to Grandpa and Grandma's house and open ONE present each and other times if we got home early from a Church service we opened all our presents on Christmas Eve. Their were more kids and people then any house could hold.Packages everywhere for everyone, bikes, wagons, toys, clothes, and much much more for all the years they would make sure everyone had a wonderful Christmas both family, friends, neighbors, and many many Church familys....WOW! Those are just the small part of the memories of 50 + years ago of Christmas for me. Of course in life all things have to come to a close and as the 60's were fast approching and change was in the air and everyone turned sorta different and cold and selfish and people changed and neighborhoods changed. I lost my Grandparents in my early to mid-teens and in my early twenties I lost contact with the whole family. Today, I don't know who is still alive or who has gone on.... But the memories of those special HOLY Days will ever live in my soul.
Merry Christmas to all and May you make someones Christmas very special this year and not just someone you know but someone you don't and who needs a bit of Christmas Spirit and a little love.

Oh, yes forgive all the errors too....ho ho ho~
Loving the Jesus who came as a Child to Save us from ourselves!
Shalom,
Pastor Rick
Read the Christmas Story before you open up your gifts as my family did every year~

Currently listening:
A Merry Christmas with Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
By Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters
Release date: 2000-10-24

8:07 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, December 13, 2009

The third Sunday of Advent is JOY....do you have joy?
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Greeting's Dear Friends,
What a Joy filled time of the year. Our Jewish sisters and brothers celebrated Chaunkkah for 8 days and this Sunday in the same weekend we light the JOY Candle on the Advent Wreath in our Churches and homes. The Advent Wreath has 5 candles three of them are purple or blue. 1,. HOPE 2. PEACE then a 3. ROSE colored candle for JOY and then the 4. is puple or blue for LOVE and on Christmas EVE we light the Christ Candle. Some say the Advent wreath comes out of the German traditon but most all mainline Churches have this custom. What a joyful time of the year for both Jews and Christians alike. I think it is so awesome that this year it's all in the same weekend. The Joy of the Lord is really awesome as well. Looking at the Bible and reading the scriptures of just how much God loves us down through the ages and of course that love is even better when you have God's love and joy and peace in your heart. I had always known about God and Jesus Christ but knowning is NOT a relationship with God. You may know you have a car and like life you drive your car where you want it to go. But when you have Christ as your Savior and HE is in your heart and soul everyday and you pray ( TALK TO HIM AS YOUR BEST FRIEND) it really changes your whole life around. At one time in my life I was a very worldly person as a young man....what I would say is a FOOL and rebellious young man....stupid for the wrong things I choose in life. YES , I READ THE BIBLE AND WAS RAISED IN THE CHURCH BUT GOD REALLY DID NOT LIVE IN "my" WORLD. WOW! I'm so so so very thankful for the day I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. No, It didn't make me perfect but I made me understand the greatest GIFT I could ever recieve and it did change my life in so many many ways....Praise Be God! It was like having Christmas everyday know I was forgiven and I was given the gift of eternal life in HIM. Now for almost 35 years serving Jesus Christ has been such an awesome experince that I can't even put into the words that I feel everyday of the Joy of the Lord. I wish everyone knew the saving grace of the Lord and the Joy of His favor in their life..
I pray you will find that Joy and peace in your life today and everyday of your life.Shalom
Pastor Rick

Read the story in LUKE 1 and 2.

Currently listening:
Joy to the World
By Aretha Franklin
Release date: 2006-06-13

2:39 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The story of Chanukkah which is this Friday at sundown.
Current mood:

blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Dear Friends,
Jews and Christians are becoming closer and closer in out traditions of faith as well as we should. Isreal has an awesome history of God's protection and blessings through out the Bible. Hanukkah is a part of the history which our Jewish Sisters and Brothers celebrate today. The following is the story of Hanukkah which is as you will see spelled two different ways.

Chanukkah

Level: Basic

Significance: Remembers the rededication of the Temple after it was defiled by the Greeks
Observances: Lighting candles
Length: 8 days
Customs: eating fried foods; playing with a dreidel (top)

On the 25th of Kislev are the days of Chanukkah, which are eight... these were appointed a Festival with Hallel [prayers of praise] and thanksgiving. -Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud

Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

Chanukkah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.

The Story

The story of Chanukkah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks, in much the same way that Jews in America today blend into the secular American society.

More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees (no direct connection to the modern movement known as Chasidism). They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Seleucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated.

According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle. Note that the holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil, not the military victory: Jews do not glorify war.

Traditions

Our rabbis taught the rule of Chanukkah: ... on the first day one [candle] is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased ... [because] we increase in sanctity but do not reduce. -Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud

Chanukkah is not a very important religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu'ot. It is roughly equivalent to Purim in significance, and you won't find many non-Jews who have even heard of Purim! Chanukkah is not mentioned in Jewish scripture; the story is related in the book of Maccabees, which Jews do not accept as scripture.

The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah (or sometimes called a chanukkiah) that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l'hadlik neir (a general prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking G-d for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time), and she-hekhianu (a general prayer thanking G-d for allowing us to reach this time of year). See Chanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings for the full text of these blessings. After reciting the blessings, the first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and the shammus candle is placed in its holder. The candles are allowed to burn out on their own after a minimum of 1/2 hour.

Each night, another candle is added from right to left (like the Hebrew language). Candles are lit from left to right (because you pay honor to the newer thing first). On the eighth night, all nine candles (the 8 Chanukkah candles and the shammus) are lit. See animation at right for the candlelighting procedure. On nights after the first, only the first two blessings are recited; the third blessing, she-hekhianu is only recited on the first night of holidays.

Why the shammus candle? The Chanukkah candles are for pleasure only; we are not allowed to use them for any productive purpose. We keep an extra one around (the shammus), so that if we need to do something useful with a candle, we don't accidentally use the Chanukkah candles. The shammus candle is at a different height so that it is easily identified as the shammus.

It is traditional to eat fried foods on Chanukkah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes (pronounced "lot-kuhs" or "lot-keys" depending on where your grandmother comes from. Pronounced "potato pancakes" if you are a goy.) My recipe is included later in this page.

Gift-giving is not a traditional part of the holiday, but has been added in places where Jews have a lot of contact with Christians, as a way of dealing with our children's jealousy of their Christian friends. It is extremely unusual for Jews to give Chanukkah gifts to anyone other than their own young children. The only traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money.

Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah (an illegal activity) would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top (a common and legal activity) whenever an official or inspector was within sight.

A dreidel is marked with four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham", a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil.

The letters also stand for the Yiddish words nit (nothing), gantz (all), halb (half) and shtell (put), which are the rules of the game! There are some variations in the way people play the game, but the way I learned it, everyone puts in one coin. A person spins the dreidel. If it lands on Nun, nothing happens; on Gimel (or, as we called it as kids, "gimme!"), you get the whole pot; on Hei, you get half of the pot; and on Shin, you put one in. When the pot is empty, everybody puts one in. Keep playing until one person has everything. Then redivide it, because nobody likes a poor winner.

You can play a virtual dreidel game here! Requires JavaScript.

Chanukkah Music

Ma'oz Tzur (Rocky Fortress)

The lyrics of this song date back to approximately the 13th century C.E. It is believed to be written by a man named Mordecai, because that name is encrypted in the first letters of the five stanzas. The music dates back to at least the 18th century, and possibly as far back as the 15th century. Most people are only familiar with the first stanza, which is reproduced below. This very literal translation is not what most people are used to seeing (it is usually translated as "Rock of Ages").

Rocky Fortress of my Salvation
It is delightful to praise You
Restore my House of Prayer
And there we will give thanks with an offering
When you have prepared the slaughter
for the blaspheming foe
Then I will complete with a song of hymn
the dedication of the altar
Then I will complete with a song of hymn
the dedication of the altar

Ma'oz tzur y'shuati
L'kha na-eh l'shabei-ach
Tikon beyt t'filati
V'sham todah n'zabei-ach
L'eit tachin matbei-ach
Mitzar ha-m'nabei-ach
Az egmor b'shir mizmor
Chanukat ha-mizbei-ach
Az egmor b'shir mizmor
Chanukat ha-mizbei-ach

A less literal but more singable translation:

Rock of Ages, let our song, Praise Thy saving power
Thou amidst the raging foes, Wast our sheltering tower
Furious they assailed us, But Thine arm availed us
And thy word broke their sword, When our own strength failed us.
And thy word broke their sword, When our own strength failed us.

Mi Y'maleil? (Who Can Retell?)

Although the translation is not quite literal, it's the closest thing to a literal translation I've been able to find. For some reasons, this popular Chanukkah song is usually translated with great liberties.

Who can tell of the feats of Israel
Who can count them?
In every age a hero arose to save the people.
Who can tell of the feats of Israel
Who can count them?
In every age a hero arose to save the people.

Hear! In those days at this time
Maccabee saved and freed us
And in our days the whole people of Israel
Arise united to save ourselves.

Mi y'malel g'vurot Yisrael
Otan mi yimneh?
Hein b'khol dor yakum hagibor, go-el ha-am.
Mi yemalel g'vurot Yisra-el
Otan mi yimneh?
Hen b'khol dor yakum hagibor, go-el ha-am.

Sh'ma! Ba-yamim ha-heim ba-z'man hazeh
Maccabee moshiya u'fodeh
U'v'yameinu kol am Yisrael
Yitacheid yakum l'higa-el.

A popular less literal but more singable translation:

Who can retell the things that befell us, who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid
Who can retell the things that befell us, who can count them?
In every age a hero or sage came to our aid

Hear! In days of yore in Israel's ancient land
Maccabeus led the faithful band
Now all Israel must as one arise
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice

Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah

There are many variations on this popular Chanukkah tune. I've provided singable versions in both English and Yiddish. The lyrics of these two versions don't really correspond to each other, but both versions speak of the fun of the secular trappings of the holiday, with slight reference to the religious aspects.

Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the hora
Gather round the table, we'll have a treat
Shiny tops to play with, latkes to eat

And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago

Chanukkah, O Chanukkah
A yontev a sheyner
A lustiger a freylicher
Nito noch azoyner
Ale nacht in dreydl shpiln mir
Zudigheyse latkes esn mir

Geshvinder tsindt kinder
Di dininke lichtelech on
Zogt "al ha-nisim," loybt G-t far di nisim
Un kumt gicher tantsn in kon

Recipe for Latkes

Currently listening:
Erran Baron Cohen Presents: Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah
By Erran Baron Cohen
Release date: 2008-11-18

2:21 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, December 06, 2009

2nd Sunday of Advent....."Peace" were is it?
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Greetings Friends,
This is the second Sunday of Advent where we light the second Advent Candle of PEACE in our Advent Wreath in our churches or our homes. With the times we live in today it seems we have very little hope to look forward to much less any peace. Why just look at the news reports and see a world full of wars on everyside, middle east, our home life, our communities filled with violence, our personal relationships, our family life filled with strife and anger seem to be the rule of the day on everyside by the actions of people.
While we each year pray for Peace in our world and lives. God can and will grant PEACE in our lives if and only if we surrender and follow His commandments and statues and decrees. Listen, Jesus himself said, "I have come not to bring peace but the sword". What is the sword? The WORD of TRUTH. Listen, if you live your life your way and not by God's commandment or by the lessons God teaches in His Word by the history and stories written down for every generation to learn from then expect NO PEACE in your life.
Please look what happens to a people in Psalm 78 over and over again. They (Isrealites) knew God and has seen over and over again His blessings and they turned their backs on GOD and yet had the nerve to ask in a mocking way in verse 19, If God could provide them a table in the midst of their wilderness? Please read on....as you will see the whole Psalm is about the people then and now the people of today. Yes, even us as Christians and Jews are still not trusting in God and turning His stories into, well that was the past thing I use to believe in. WHAT? Then, I wonder why we are in the mess we are in today. Yes, God can and will give us HOPE and Peace in our personal lives if we surrender to Him and Jesus can be born in us today anew. If we continue like the people of old and turn and go our own way, then we can't blame the devil and surly we can't blame God for his judgements on our lives. Listen, today if you have sin, bondages, relationship problems, or in need of healing of the soul or need a help from God because your children have turn away from Him or maybe your need a job or any situation that is distroying your spirit, your hope , your peace, your joy.....Then for GOD sake, return to HIM and read His Holy Word and Pray and Give Him thanks everyday and see if He won't do what He promises. Trust Him and return to Jesus your first love becasue He first LOVED you.
Blessings, Pastor Rick Church Goers BE real and show love to all!

Currently listening:
Peace Like a River
By James Lucas
Release date: 2004-06-22

2:32 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, November 29, 2009

"Hope" 1st Sunday of Advent...what are you hoping for?
Current mood:

hopeful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Greetings to you all,
    This is the first Sunday of Advent and the 1st candle we light is the candle of HOPE. Today God knows we need hope in our lives with all the situations each of us face daily. The ancient days of Isreal the people were under oppression rule and were waiting for a Messiah that God had promised the people. The people lived under great darkness and fear and each day was filled with overwhelming stresses of life from the market place to the Roman oppression. These ancient peoples were always looking for hope and while at times in their past they had abandon their faith and turned to fears of their situations down throught the centures. God was always there and ready to help but they became arrogant at times. God had promised HOPE for them and yes God delivered that HOPE by the birth of Jesus Christ.
    Hope is not what you think about in the future but Hope is the promises by God through the WORD of GOD. The book of John says the WORD became flesh, living, breathing and full of grace and love and mercy in a time of great darkness. Today, we see great darkness all around us in every area of life and some would say they don't see any hope or their situations are too great too overcome. The Great and Awesome News is there is always HOPE in Jesus Christ and if we would trust what He teachs in the Bible we would see that hope in a very dark world. John talks about the light can overtake the darkness and I don't know what your hoping for this Christmas season. I do know it's not about things or gifts or shopping madness or even food and drink with celebrations. It's far far more then this. God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world but to SAVE it. Save it from what? Save it from ourselves, our fears, our hopelessness, our failures and most importantly our sins. This is the true HOPE for every humanbeing now and forever.
    Every morning when your eyes open you have another day of HOPE and God has given you and I another day to serve HOPE through Jesus Christ. ADVENT means coming and if you read your Bible you know their was a first coming of Jesus by his birth and soon their will be another coming of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the Bible says, every knee WILL bow and every tongue will confess. You may think well I have heard this for years and years and for centuries. Listen, have you noticed the world has totally changed and the signs of His second coming is at hand. The news is media is filled with Bible prophesy for today with the middle east and Jews wanting to build a Temple while the U.S. wants a peace treaty that will cut Isreal into peices and split the state of Isreal. YOU don't know but your HOPE is NOW and HAS COME. Don't be fooled by worldly wisdom because the Bible has always had the answers for life and living and our HOPE....Jesus Christ. Our Blessed God knows every thing about us, our thoughts, our deeds, our hopes, our dreams, and the only way you and I are going to find HOPE will be by TRUSTING IN GOD'S WORD AND THE PROMISES OF GOD. So, I ask you again, "What is your HOPE"? During this Advent and Christmas season. My Prayer is that we get really serious with God and really faithful in learning the truth of God's Word. Attend a good Bible based Church and remember that those in the Church are not perfect but forgiven just like you. Paul said they are your brothers and sisters in the faith and they are to be loved with all their imperfections and so it should be with the whole world. They shall know us by our LOVE and our HOPE in Jesus Christ and His forever Gift of Salvation. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the ONLY HOPE FOR YOU LIFE. There is NO other way, as some would tell you. Jesus said, I'am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE AND NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME."
Hope your Advent season will be a learning experince and that you will be blessed by the Spirit of God.

Shalom,
Pastor Rick
Bible Text: John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God. The Word was present to God from the beginning. All things came into being through the Word, and apart from the Word not one thing came into being. Whatever came to be in the Word found LIFE, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
"Christ Jesus our Light and our Hope will COME Again".

Currently listening:
O Come Emmanuel
Release date: 2002-11-21

8:10 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Christians are selling out their birthright? Yes....
Current mood:

enlightened
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
    This message is for the "Christians" who don't understand that they are selling out their birthright for a form of religion rather than revival in their Churches. I just heard this powerful sermon from World Revival Church in St. Louis, MO. Pastor Gray spoke about our Churches in America are dead and are not doing what the Holy Spirit of God wants because they are too busy with their own personal preferences and cultural ways of the world in the Church. Christians who attend church want things their way and complain about things like the sermon is to long, the music is too loud or the Pastor is this or that.
    Listen dear friends, we live in a day when across America people are starving for help from their bondages, and stressfulness, addictions and hurting deeply from the empty hole in their soul and when they come to a "Church" that is ruled by the people and pastors rather than the Spirit of God then we have sold out our birthright. No, it is not the devil but the people, self-righteous, religious folks who would rather take the Bible legally so that people who don't act the way they should act are not acceptable in their churches.
    Jesus warns with WOE unto them that do this, not just the people who want to attend Church and want the service or mass to end quickly so they can go play in the world some more. They want the Pastor to preach a watered down Gospel and say things like their is no hell or your okay, I'm okay while they cloth them selves with white robes but are rotting in the inside and not giving attention to those in need.
    Remember the Story in Genesis 25:27-34 Esau sells his birthright to Jacob over a quick meal red stew because he was famished. This was an oath but Esau saw no value in his birthright. Listen, Christian its not about YOU or ME. Our birthright came from Abraham, King David and Jesus Christ because of GOD'S promise not our own will. All that are in this story in Chapter 25 are like the Christians of today in America hurry up and get it over with in Sunday Morning meetings. We don't want to wait upon the Lord for the sake of anyone else who needs our prayers or in our Churches which God want to move upon and through revival. We have the mindset that we want it our way and not God's way. In the book of Hebrews the early Christians understood their birthrights and were willing to be beaten, stone to death, tortured, jailed, and they cut them into body parts, because they would not sell out their birthright of God's moving in their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's promises. So what is keeping God from moving in your Church, personal preferences, cultural reasoning. People are dying spiritually all around us with depression, addictions, stress, broken families and relationships, loss of jobs, homelessness,and on and on. HOPE is their only answer in Jesus Christ and God wants our Churches not to be a religion but a place of healing and revival. CHRISTIANS LETS NOT LOOSE OUR BIRTHRIGHT BUT LET OUR CHURCHES BE HOUSES OF PRAYER, FASTING, HOPE,FORGIVENESS AND ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO HIS WILL AND NOT OUR OWN. WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK WHEN LIVES ARE BEING SAVED AND REVIVED FOR THE WHOLENESS OF LIFE IN CHRIST IS POWERFULLY WORKING IN OUR CHURCHES. Amen?
   My prayer is this blog will make us all think twice when it come to the true meaning of what it means to be a Christian and its not just on Sundays either and its not our will but the will of God for us to love the oppressed and make our Churches healing centers of the soul that all may know God's healing touch.

Hope you all have a Blessed Lords Day with a new insight and a goal set on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Blessings and Shalom,
Pastor Rick

Currently listening:
Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord
By Made Popular By: WOW Worship
Release date: 2008-05-01

3:18 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Choosing Words Carefully......
Current mood:

hopeful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Dear Friends,
Most recent information came to my e-mail box concerning conferences the past month and I read words that were used by preachers and activists on blog writings. While we are all use to hearing hate filled messages from preachers, some political persons, and radical groups on both sides. You would think things would change after the hate crimes bill was past.
However, in reverse from some of the groups that are pro-lgbt rights and lgbt Christian groups are using words for their lectures and conferences like;
Anti-..hetorsexism using words in their speeches like, Christian Fundamentalist Terrorist and the list of words goes on and on. On both sides of this radical calling of names or usage of words only fuels more hate and more dis-trust among human beings. Everyday in the news we see people using hateful words and someone is killed or injured. As CHRISTIANS we are not to use words that kill or distroy period. Thou shall not kill does not mean just murder but it also means killing of the spirit of another human being if you would know the hebrew meanings.
I don't care if your a preacher, teacher, politician, mother, father or child. Using words that are hatefilled in nature will bring violence and more hate no matter how it is used or what it is use for, sermons, conferences, any platform for speaking is wrong. As Christians, Jesus taught us to LOVE those who are your enemies and do good to them. This was not just a suggestion but a commandment. I hope and pray no matter who we are or what we represent or stand for we choose words of love and compassion rather than words of hate towards all humanity. Amen!
Thanks for reading this and God Bless you all,
Pastor Rick
Psalm 27:4-6

Currently listening:
Word Of God Speak - The Worship Session
By Todd Fields
Release date: 2007-04-10

9:41 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP4OvUU-ZHU

Sunday, November 08, 2009

"Through The Fire" By The Crabb Family (FULL)

The Crabb Family is a group of young people that are truly annointed by God. They know what it is to suffer and yet remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. As I go through my time of health problems and suffer this song they sing means so much to me. I hope it will for you too. Blessings to you all, Pastor Rick

2:28 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Making an impact on todays youth..."A generation for Christ"!
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Greeting's Everyone;
Often, I think the Church has failed in many ways to reach out to the youth of today. Often we have been judgemental of our youth
for a number of reasons, by the way they look or act or by the way they have been raised. God does have a plan for their life and wants to impact them through us. Taking the time to listen to them, I mean really listen to them. Praying for them and telling them that while we have often failed in our own lives as Christians and not set a good example for them. God still loves them and if they are willing they can do a much better job for Christ then we have done in our generations past.
My Friends, God wants to use the youth of today to show the world just how powerful the Holy Spirit is in their generation. God wants to bring a new revelation to the youth of the world to make so awesome changes in our world. This will not happen at all if in our Churches and communities if we don't show them our un-conditional love. God wants to use them in a mighty way. No, we don't always have to agree with them about everything they do or say but lets leave that up to God and the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Now is the time to really reah out in your Churches and Neighborhoods to let them know just how much God's love will change their lives and love them beyond measure.

Let's do a better job than we have in the past.....Amen?

Thank you for reading this and let's get busy for God's youth.
Shalom,
Pastor Rick Like the picture Jesus wants us to impact the world.

8:55 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos