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How can we save some money these days?

Tony Morgan has some great suggestions…get a read right here.

Over the last few days I have been thinking about the brevity of life and how quickly life can change. Last week my family had the opportunity to see old friends in Florida and remember things that happened 15 years ago as we were growing up together. Never mind the fact that we were 24 & 25 and they were 14 & 15 at the time. We spent time laughing, sharing how God had changed us and molded us into what he desired. We were introduced to husbands, wives, and children that we had never met before and realized again that “there is a time for every season under heaven” as the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us in the Old Testament.

Prior to being in Florida I talked with a man who was about to undergo open heart surgery and facing uncertain days. The anxiety of the unknown and the concern for how the loved ones were affected was evident. He has since had a tremendous recovery and is making strides each day. But, the conversation caused me to think about my own heart and how would I hear the conversation if I were on the other end of the phone listening.

While in Florida we received the news that a twelve year old girl in our son’s class had passed away suddenly. I am thankful she knew Jesus, quite well I might add. She was healthy, vibrant, athletic and unaware that her days were numbered as they were. As I sat through her funeral service and listened to twelve year old kids remember their friend and adults speak words encouraging words concerning this young lady I was struck with the keen awareness that my life is also moving to a culmination point.  Now, this is not a surprise to me as someone who walks with people in times of hurting.  I will tell you though the thought was driven home with force during that one hour period of time.

Last evening or should I say early this morning I received a phone call from a very troubled and hurting young soul who was calling “one last person.”  We talked briefly. I was able to get enough information to let this person know I was calling the police so protection and help could intervene. The next few hours were long with several phones calls and searches.

I guess the events of the last week or so have reminded me of the importance of living for the Glory of God and an audience of one. I have been reminded that I must seek to make my life count for His name and live well, by God’s strength and the Spirit’s indwelling. Because one day, sooner than I realize, I too, will leave this earth. I hope that when God chooses to call me into His presence I will be able to die in a manner that honors Him the most.

In the mean time though “…I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” 2Tim. 1:12

Phil. 1:6 -And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you (me) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

I am speechless right now. This 15 minute video is overwhelming to me. I am so thankful that our family is part of the Compassion movement. My wife and children have encouraged this for several years in our home and this real life story will help us all to understand the impact we can make on the world from right where we live.

Please watch this video.

A seventeen year old girl, a Muslim convert, is told she must return to her parents even though she is afraid for her life. A judge in Orlando ruled today that Rifqa Bary must return to Ohio where she will be placed in foster car. Read the story here.

This past week our family had an opportunity to visit with some dear friends in Florida.  Amy and I moved to Dade City, Florida in July of 1993. We had been married around two years and First Baptist Church of Dade City called me to be the Student Pastor of the church. We did not know anyone in the church or the area when we moved to Florida. It was a new experience in faith for us as a young married couple. That was sixteen (16) years ago and three children have been born since then into our family. We had four wonderful years there.

It is amazing how there are some relationships you just step back into after many years of being out of contact and feel like nothing has ever changed. We have been blessed with those types of relationships and friends through out our ministry. On this particular trip we spent time with Bill and Beverley Hild, the former pastor I served with in Dade City, for a few days. He is now the Sr. Pastor of FBC Sarasota, FL.

I had the privilege of meeting and talking with the staff team at FBC Sarasota about how God is moving at LifePoint Church and about our exciting journey as a family. I am thankful for the opportunity to give a word of testimony about the glory of God and the power of His call.

Thanks Bill and Beverly for investing into Amy and me all those years ago and for all you are doing today to minister to our family today.

More Florida stuff later.

Foxnews.com has a story that is very interesting about the decline of Christianity in the United States. HEre is a sample of what is written.

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists.

Other headlines:

1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women.

3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition.

You can read the rest of the article here.