Financial Crisis...where's my credit card?

Are we really in a new financial crisis OR are we just realizing that the crisis is real?

Karen and I (and the children) went to the Mall on Saturday. Why would you do that, you might be asking? Well, we purchased some shoes online through J.C. Penny on Labor Day because the shipping was free and the shoes were buy one get one 1/2 off. Karen's shoes were a size too big, so we had to exchange them. Karen needs them to wear to our nieces wedding in two weeks....aren't you glad you asked.

So, we are at the mall (all four of us) and there were people everywhere. It was like the day before Christmas and people were spending money left and right and USING CREDIT CARDS! Now I understand that there is a difference in the type of credit we are talking about and yes, I know that this will "trickle" down to the average American if something is not done, but what is the doom and gloom all about. It doesn't seem to be slowing us down.

And then there is the price at the gas pump...I rode my bike into to work today, not because of gas prices, but because it is absolutely beautiful in Greenfield today....I love the Fall... but after the mall we needed gas and I went to "Swifty" and there was a line of cars getting gas. People are still buying gas...Swifty is cheaper if you pay with cash, there might be hope in that....but the gas prices don't seem to be slowing us down.

What about the light bill....We went for a walk last night and there were lights on in every house as well as T.V. sets or I should say "plasmas." Don't even get me started on the amount of cars parked in the Walmart Parking lot....it wasn't just employees.

This morning on Fox News the commentator was explaining it this way; The American financial house is on fire and we need to put the fire out so that it doesn't burn down the house....I say let it burn. It doesn't seem to be slowing us down.

O.K...I know I am just an ignorant American, but common...Don't blow me off but realize my treasure is not in this world, but in the next. I whole heartedly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I also know that this world is not my home, I am just passing through. I pray you do to.

Now go out and hoard up some money... You know I love ya, Don

PS - Lets not put all the blame at President Bush's White House Door-step...our country does not have ONE person that has that much power or that much blame! Oh yeah..."Obama is up in the polls...so was Kerry and Gore..."

A Remarkable Parrot - Friday Funny

Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.

The first said: "I built a big house for our mother."

The second said: "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."

The third said: "You know how our mother enjoys reading the Bible and she can no longer see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot recites it. There isn't another parrot like it in the whole world and it is truely priceless."

Soon thereafter, their mother sent out her letters of thanks.

"Milton," she wrote, "the house you built is so huge. I live only in one room, but I have to clean the whole house."

"Gerald," she said, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home so I rarely use the Mercedes. And that driver is so rude! He's a pain!"

"But Donald," she said, "the little chicken you sent was absolutely delicious!"

Have a great Friday! You know I love ya, Don

-P.S. - This story is not original with me, I stole it from someone much funnier than me....it is still one of my favorites!

Thomas Kinade Quote

The Children among all the Pumpkins at Iron Kettle

A Boat headed toward us on Keuka Lake.

Us with Vivian at Keuka Lake.

These are some of our vacation photos from last week. Dorothy Menning and My mother (Teri - Project Kenya on the right) taught me that God touches even the little parts of life. There was a small flower in the back yard of the house I was raised with the shape of a bell on its end. The flower was completely white, but it has a small green dot on the four petals. I remember these two woman telling me that the God that cared enough to put that little dot on everyone of those flowers in our backyard, cared enough for me to love me and die for me.

That touched me that day as a sixth grader and has stuck with me. I am reminded to take every gift from God and cherish it because God cares and loves. Thus, our vacation, our daily work, and every part of life is a treasure.

Thomas Kinkade wrote, "My life shines with God's radiant blessings when my heart is the color of joy." As the colors change to Autumn, lets remember God's blessings and radiate the color of His love in our life, our love and our worship.

You know I love ya, Don

Become a follower

Some have asked if I could add a "follower" bar to my blog. It is to the right. Lets see how good this is...thanks for all your great encouragement...I will keep on writing as long as you all keep on reading. You know I love ya, Don

Heaven, New York, and Welcome Home

(Click on the picture to see it fully)
I love this picture. I took it last week at Keuka Lake in Mid-State New York. I am standing on the pier about six feet off shore and the water is about 12-14 inches deep. The water is so clear, it looks as if it was only a couple of inches deep. The weather was about 75 degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky! We had a great time!



I think I love this picture so much because it reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." The water was so clear it was hard to tell how deep or shallow the water was. I think Heaven will be like that. God's love will be so deep, pure, and immersing that it will be overwhelming (in a good way - like a good cup of tea or slice of Karen's homemade cheesecake) and there will be family and friends along with Jesus, and we will have a new heart! I am looking forward to my new heart that no longer has a sinful nature.

It was also good to come home...I love going on vacation, but it is always good to come home and drink your own water, take a shower in your own shower, and sleep in your own bed. Heaven will be like that too. There will be no longing for something more or a desire to wander, but we will be home. We will be able to look around and realized we made it home because we trusted and believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (I pray I will get to see you there too.)

I find great comfort in these words and as gaze into the this great picture. I pray the words and the picture will give you comfort that some day all believers will make it home....you know I love ya, Don

Seeking Forgiveness, a place to begin.

We are home from our vacation and I am thinking about worship services tomorrow. We are seeking the heart of God just as David pursued God's Heart. I was reading through 1 Samuel 28 and recalled a Beth Moore Study on King Saul's lack of pursuing God. I want to share with you my thoughts along with Beth's.

Saul expelled the spiritualists and the mediums from the land. A time later he asks God a question concerning the battle with the Philistines and God is quiet. Paul turns to an attendant and says, "go find one of those mediums I expelled...." (My Paraphrased version)

there are times when I forget Psalm 40.... and we have to wait patiently for the Lord. Sometimes it feels like we have to wait and wait and wait. At first we may wonder why we have to wait...in Saul's case we might even feel sympathetic towards him. God seems a little unfair, BUT GOD NEVER responds in haste, or flippant, or without regard to the response and outcome. Isaiah 59:1-3 gives a very valid explanation for God's occasional silence. "Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isa. 59:2)

Saul was being disobedient to God. He killed an innocent man, he slaughtered the priests, and wiped away an entire innocent village. He has some regret, but never truly repents or seeks righteousness. Its not that God does not hear the prayers of the unrighteous, but that He wont. (There is a thought to ponder for awhile.)

I can vividly remember times in my life when God seemed silent, and I realized He was waiting on me to confront and confess certain sins in my life. His silence suggested, I will not go on to another matter in your life, my child, until we deal with this one." - Beth Moore

The first prayer in our pursuit of God and one that God will always be willing to hear is a prayer of sincere repentance. Our reliance on God is demonstrated in our faith. Our submission to Him allows Him to bless us beyond our imagination.

Pursuing Him...you know I love ya, Don

Autumn, Fall, either works for me

(This image is from the Iron Kettle Website)



As I write this, we are in Mid-State NY. Karen's home town. It is a very rural community and so beautiful this time of year. So, we make it our family vacation to come and enjoy the fall or autumn. One of the places we will visit is the Iron Kettle in Owego, NY.



The children have a song they sing and the lyrics are:

"I like to roll in the leaves, feel the cool breeze, Stuff a scare crow top to bottom, You can call it fall, if that's what you please, But I say 'I like Autumn'."


There is something about Autumn or Fall that brings a renewing to me. I like the cool breeze and love the change of the foliage. It also signifies the holidays are just around the corner. There is school, football, pumpkins and pumpkin pie. There is also the end of summer and people get back in the swing of life. There is also a preparation for winter. I can't put my finger on it, maybe it is like colors...you just have ones you are drawn to.

There is something about the Fall season that I like and I am truly enjoying this year.

Looking for more to share on this topic and hope to post some great Autumn pictures soon.
Have a great Monday!
Don

Ipods, Itunes, Iphone, and I can't believe its not butter.

Matthew 6:26 - Jesus Said, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

There is a great deal of "I" in the world. It is not a new issue...Adam and Eve fell because of it and Noah suffered the flood because the world could only think of "I" and Moses smashed the ten commandments because of the "I" of the idolatry, and Jesus dealt with it in teaching His disciples that the birds do not think continually about "I" because God takes care of them.

I am sitting at the table and looking out the window at our bird feeder. There are 8 or 9 birds and they are beautiful and amazing. How much different would our world be if we stopped the "I" attitude and embraced the "Him" attitude. It would transform this entire planet. In fact, that is what we have to look forward to in the new heaven and the new earth.

I like my Ipod, Itunes, and even the butter that Karen buys for my cholesterol...BUT starting today, I have changed my attitude toward them to be a reminder that this world is not about me, but about Him and the future that all believers will share in the next world will be greater than anything we can imagine. I also know there will be no "I" but all about "Him."

Watching for the amazing, Don

Positives and Negatives

I have always loved the old saying, "Better to be positive and wrong than negative and right." This is so true for us today. We have no reason to be negative. Jesus Christ has transformed us through His power into His love for HIS purpose of redemption!

Enough could never be said about the power of being positive. God is positive and if you and I want to flow with Him, we must get on the same wave and ride the ocean current headed to eternity! I am not expressing mind control, but simply seeing the glass 1/2 full. It is being an all-around, positive person---have a positive outlook and attitude, maintain proactive thoughts and expectations, and engage in affirming conversation.

Jesus certainly displayed a positive outlook and attitude. He endured many difficulties including personal attacks. Yet in the midst of it all He remained positive, proactive, and affirming. How positive are you today? Remember Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."

I am going to make a conscience effort to be positive, proactive, and affirming...come on and join me. You know I love you and we can do this together....Don

New Sermon Series on King David / Pursuing God's Heart

Park Chapel is starting a new sermon series for the next six weeks. We are going to "pursue" the heart of God much like the example of King David.

The following is some biographical information on King David...

The biblical King David of Israel was known for his diverse skills as both a warrior and a writer of psalms. In his 40 years as ruler, between approximately 1010 and 970 B.C.E., he united the people of Israel, led them to victory in battle, conquered land and paved the way for his son, Solomon, to build the Holy Temple. Almost all knowledge of him is derived from the books of the Prophets and Writings: Samuel I and II, Kings I and Chronicles I.

David was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse from the kingly tribe of Judah. He was also a direct descendent of Ruth the Moabite. David began his life as a shepherd in Bethlehem. One day, the prophet Samuel called him out of the field and anointed him without the knowledge of the current king, Saul. David simply returned to his sheep. His first interaction with Saul came when the king was looking for someone to play music for him, and the king’s attendant summoned the skilled David to play for him. Saul was pleased with David and kept him in his service as a musician.

The first time David publicly displayed his courage was when, as an inexperienced boy armed with only a stick and a few stones, he confronted the nine-foot, bronze armored Philistine giant, Goliath of Gath. After skilled warriors had cowered in fear for 40 days, David made a slingshot, invoked God’s name, and killed the giant. After this, Saul took David on as commander of his troops and David formed a close friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan.

To read more click on this link...Jewish Virtual Library.

Striving for excellent worship, because He is an EXCELLENT God!
Take Care, Don

Friday Fun - Dr. Phil???

I don't watch Dr. Phil and know very little about him or his family....so this is not an endorsement by any means...A friend sent this to me and few weeks ago and I still get a chuckle when I read it, so I am sharing it with you...

By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find
inner peace. Dr Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to
finish all the things you have started and have never finished.
So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished,
and before leaving the house this morning,

I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel,
a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my
old Prozac prescription, ate the remaining triple-fudge cake, the rest of the
cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.
You have no idea how REALLY good I feel right now!

Have a great Friday and I pray that this little laugh will make you feel good right now...You kow I love ya, Don

- I would love to hear some of your funny stories...put them in the comments area.

I Lift My eyes Up

There is a new chorus that Dean Nester has introduced me to titled, "I Lift My Eyes Up." It iis based off of Psalm 121.

There is a Spiritual blessing in the pure ability in lifting our eyes up. Yesterday, Alice, our two year old greeted me at the door. She called out, "Hello Daddy. I love you Daddy" The best and greatest words. Needless to say, "I loved hearing it."

At that moment the text of this chorus became clear to me...no matter what I may face or what issue I may have, when I lift my eyes up to God and say hello "Abba Father" (Daddy) he will swoop me up and hold me tight carry me through every moment because He loves hearing it too.


"I lift My Eyes Up" is by Brain Doerksen and this is a link to a YouTube video of it.

These are the lyrics:

I lift my eyes up to the mountains,
where does my help come from?
My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven,
Creator of the earth.

O how I need You Lord, You are my only hope;
You're my only prayer.
So I will wait for You to come and rescue me,
Come and give me life


Wallow in His love today and don't forget to look up and say, "Hello Daddy."

You Know I love ya, Don

Change, Challenges, Stretching, and Hope!

This morning I learned that a ministry friend of ours is moving to a new congregation after 14 years. God is leading him to a new work and he is leaving with a strong reputation along with that is a large congregation that will have a hole, but also a fantastic legacy of worship and declaration of how much God is worth in their lives. Well done!

This got me to consider God's work and the Kingdom we all minister in. I am continually amazed at how God does not see a plurality of churches, but one church in the singular. There are times when God paints a new picture for a congregation and the minister is not in the picture. Praise the Lord, He also is painting a new picture for another group of believers with that minister in the picture with a totally new (and often renewing) abundance of life. Jesus told Peter, "I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her." (Don's Paraphrase) The unity we share is also proportional to the abundance we grow and stretch.

Change is the hard part of the equation. It is hard to process the abilities and education that comes with change. I have discovered that as we change, we are challenged and with challenge comes growth. I think this is much of what Paul was talking about in Romans chapter 5. Paul's words of challenge and growth guides us to a production of "Hope."

The key to this equation is to not compromise on doctrine. The only way to know if you are not compromising is to know what the Bible teaches. Thus, a believer needs to be in the word daily and sometimes more than once a day. There is also a deep need to listen to God in prayer. I have found some of the best counsel in this world is to wait and listen to God's direction. There are also times that waiting for God is the hardest challenge. God's timing is so perfect, that I often get anxious and jump ahead or not move at all.

What I like most is that Jesus truly grants his words of Matthew 11:30, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (NKJV) It is not about us AND we are not alone in the process. WOW! That will preach.

Have a great Monday and you know we love ya,