Merry Christmas!

This video is an nice twist on the Christmas story.

Enjoy! Remember to give thanks to God for sending Jesus to save the world.

What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s always important to remember to give thanks to God for everything that He has blessed us with.

What has God blessed you with recently? Leave your story in the comments.

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A few weeks ago I stumbled across a music album on Amazon (click here) that is one of the best albums I have ever heard. I’ve been listening to it since I bought it.

There are a few songs that I’ve posted before that show how God loves us and wants us to rely on Him alone. This album goes well beyond those other songs I’ve mentioned before. This is definitely an album that I feel everyone should own and listen to closely.

Most notably, a large majority of people believe that God doesn’t hear when we pray. They believe that because they don’t see any immediate results, that they can’t see what He is doing that He isn’t listening to them.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Adam and Eve? The first people on the planet, the ones who lived in the Garden of Eden. They were the two people that literally walked with God.

Can you hear us cry?
Wishing we could turn back time
To feel Your breath when branches more
Take one more sunset walk with You

Must each tomorrow hold
Such brokenness untold
Can’t imagine how You could
See all of me, and say it’s good

When you read these lyrics, I can’t help but imagine what that is like. Being that close with God that you know He’s there with you when the wind blows gently through the trees, or feeling His presence when the sun is setting below the horizon and trading one beautiful wonder for another.

The song goes on to say that each day is “broken.” This is true for many, many people. As a whole, the events that took place in the Garden of Eden separated us from God in such a way that we can’t feel  Him in the wind, we can’t see His work in the sunset, and can’t see the beauty of the night sky.

God doesn’t want that for anybody. He wants us to see the world through His eyes. To see what He created, and most of all to love how He loves us.

You still love us more than we believed You could
Could there be something more
Will it ever be the way it was before?

Just as this line shows, regardless of our faults God still shows us a love that is unlimited. Nothing that we can experience on Earth can compare to how much God wants the intimate relationship that He had with Adam and Eve.

The most difficult challenge that a person has is learning to listen when God speaks. God hears all of our prayers and He responds to them in His own way and in His own time. We can’t expect Him to take care of things immediately. We have to have faith that God will come through for each and every one of us.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” –Matthew 21:21-22

Do you have any prayers that God has answered? Share your story in the comments.

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The opening verse specifically was sort of surprising for me to hear from a popular artist such as Chris Brown, however at the same time it’s encouraging to hear these kinds of messages being spread to the millions of young people who listen to Chris Brown.

You’ve got that smile,
That only heaven can make.
I pray to God everyday,
That you keep that smile.

Even though Chris Brown might not have intended the song for a Christian audience, this song is very reminiscent of how God looks at each of us and how He loves us. Even when all hope seems lost, God is right there by our side and willing to help us whenever we ask.

One day when the sky is falling,
I’ll be standing right next to you,
Right next to you.
Nothing will ever come between us,
I’ll be standing right next to you,
Right next to you.

With the exclusion of some lyrics in the song (specifically the line “You had my child” and the reiteration of “girl” and “baby”) the song is a positive message for people to be hearing. Even though Chris Brown has had some anger issues within the last couple years or so, it’s good for him to be showing some positivity through his music.

What do you think? Is Chris Brown turning a new leaf or just singing the songs given to him?

Leave your opinion in the comments.

A teenage girl about 17 had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year. She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn’t afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger. When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he was waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God’s protection. Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely. The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story. The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man one question. Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him, he answered, “Because she wasn’t alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her.” Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you’re never alone.

Keep the faith!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”- Deuteronomy 31:6

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In the fall of 1996 I joined the Boy Scouts of America as a young, 10-year-old Webelos scout. I joined 13 other boys  and started a journey that would make a significant difference on my life. Out of those other 13 boys, only myself and 1 other boy received his Eagle Scout award, the highest award in boy scouting.

After I turned 18 I continued with the scout troop and signed up as an adult volunteer. I spent the next 7 years helping to manage the troop and mentor to the boys in the troop. During this time, God showed me that He was going to make great things happen with the troop. I was thrilled about this! I watched the troop slowly dwindle from 60+ scouts to a meager 13. I was determined to see the troop return to its former glory and God was there to help things along.

For a few years things didn’t pick up much, however within the last two years I was actively involved with the troop, our numbers began to climb. We accepted a group of 7 boys from a local cub scout pack and then had 1-2 more scouts join shortly after them. Within the next year we started receiving interest from scouts looking to transfer into our troop from other local troops. Before I left, we had climbed from 13 boys to 25.

God was finally starting to turn things around and bring the troop where He wanted it. Unfortunately, around that same time I was falling away from God and needed to be pulled back into His fold. So He allowed me to be separated from the troop. After the initial shock wore off and I had learned to hear His voice once more, I started to watch the slow decline of the troop I dedicated so much of my life to.

Please note that these are my observations and opinions. None of these examples are intended to blame or put-down those involved.

I hope that by posting these observations that other scouters might recognize some similar patterns in their own troops and work to prevent what has happened to my troop. I will also point out that I believe that God has some say in the current state that my troop is in. He has shown me that there is still hope left for my troop, and that He still has plans for it.

This list is in no particular order.

• Respect

One of the most important things that I have noticed while being in the scouting program, is that respect goes a long way. It is quite true that when you give respect, it is returned to you.

During my early years in the troop and for a couple of years as an adult, the scoutmaster–Mr. Clark–was a man who gave respect to everyone and he in turn received respect from everyone. He was one of the best men to have ever served as scoutmaster of a boy scout troop and I am proud that he served as my scoutmaster. Mr. Clark knew the best way to lead a troop was by example. He let the youth leadership plan, manage, and operate the troop while letting the adults handle the behind-the-scenes work. Mr. Clark was willing to let a scout fail so that he could help them learn.

One of his famous lines is this:

“Every boy who goes through scouting leaves with more than he came with.”

When Mr. Clark stepped down as the scoutmaster of the troop, it was uncertain how things would progress. The troop committee and other adult leaders decided upon a new scoutmaster. He had previous experience as the cubmaster of a cub scout pack and was thought to be the best candidate. I will admit that I hoped the position would have been awarded to me, however that was not in the cards.

Donn started out with his head in the right place. The transition from one scoutmaster to another was practically seamless, however at the same time strife began to trickle up through the scout ranks.

Unfortunately, there were many scouts who were not happy with the new scoutmaster. I know at least two scouts quit the scouting program because Donn became the scoutmaster. When I asked them why they decided to leave the program, they both told me that they didn’t have any respect for Donn because he didn’t show any respect to them.

I did my best to patch holes that were made and overall the troop ran smoothly. Aside from a few rough spots, the boys still enjoyed the program as a whole and would vent their frustrations to me. I always did my best to show respect toward each boy and always lent an ear to what they had to say.

Respect is the key to a strong mentoring relationship with scouts and is fundamental to the operation of a successful boy scout troop. When the scoutmaster has the respect of his scouts, the troop will thrive and grow exponentially.

• Women

This topic may be touchy for some readers, however I do not believe that women should have any involvement on a troop level. I do not mind if women are involved on a committee, district, or council level but they do not have any place with a boy scout troop.

The boy scout program was designed as a place for boys to come together and have a safe place to be mentored by men. When boys reach a certain point, they begin to separate from their mothers and learn to stand on their own. Sir Robert Baden-Powell realized this as did the founders of the Boy Scouts of America. They need positive male role models to help them become men of character.

One of the first problems I have noticed with mothers who insist on being involved with a boy scout troop is this: their children cannot separate from them and learn to handle things on their own.

In my former troop, the scoutmaster was allowing one of the mothers to become significantly more active in the troop. Her children would constantly attempt to undermine the youth leadership and when they didn’t get their way, they ran to their mother for support. They have yet to learn the simple lesson that they will sometimes have to listen to leaders they don’t agree with. Unfortunately I fear that these boys never will learn that lesson.

Another problem with women being involved is that the rules fundamentally change for everyone in the troop. No longer can the troop simply select a campsite and camp. They have other requirements to keep in mind. The women have to have their own area for sleeping (their own room in a cabin, or they have to be x-amount of feet from the troop if tent camping). They have to have separate bathroom facilities (requiring a campsite with male/female lavatories or a campsite that can accommodate this requirement).

The woman that was able to work her way into the adult leadership had a very poor choice in wardrobe. Oftentimes when she was in her scout uniform, she would leave the top buttons undone to allow some cleavage to show. Whether this was intended for the adults, boys, or both I do not know, however I do know that it was highly inappropriate and was a distraction to the entire troop. Thankfully, one of the scouts was brave enough to mention that to her and for a few weeks she did button the top buttons of her uniform.

After a while though, she was back to her former ways when in uniform and was even more poorly dressed when out of uniform. This woman is highly manipulative and I watched as she slowly worked the adult leaders to her side.

From the reports I hear out of the troop, she has not changed and is simply continuing to make advances to take control of the troop. In my personal opinion and from what I have observed of her, she is strikingly similar to the serpent from the book of Genesis:

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.”  –Genesis 3:1a

Overall, the boy scout program is designed for boys to have positive male role models to teach them leadership and character. The scoutmaster and other adults I grew up with did just that. They used teachable moments and taught me more than scouting itself.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

These are more effective than 911

When -

You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation’s and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul’s secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS

For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

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This work is not mine and was simply sent to me.

Two Traveling Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a
wealthy family.

The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the
mansion’s guest room.

Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole
in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,
“Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but
very hospitable farmer and his wife.

After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels
sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and
his wife in tears.

Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in
the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how he could have let this happen.

The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.

The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and
you let the cow die.

“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.

“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was
gold stored in that hole in the wall.

“Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his
good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.

“Then, last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death
came for his wife I gave him the cow instead.

“Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things  don’t turn out
the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that
every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it
until some time later…

Some people
come into our lives
and quickly go.

Some people
become friends
and stay awhile…

leaving beautiful
footprints on our
hearts…

and we are never
quite the same
because we have
made a good friend!!

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That’s why it’s called the present!

I think this is special…live and savor every
moment… This is not a dress rehearsal!

Right Now -

-somebody is thinking of you.
-somebody is caring about you.
-somebody misses you
-somebody wants to talk to you.
-somebody wants to be with you.
-somebody hopes you aren’t in trouble.
-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
-somebody wants to hold your hand.
-somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
-somebody wants you to be happy.
-somebody wants you to find him/her.
-somebody is celebrating your successes.
-somebody wants to give you a gift.
-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
-somebody loves you.
-somebody admires your strength.
-somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.

SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU TO SHARE THIS TO THEM

Never take away anyone’s hope.  That might be all they have.     AMEN

After accepting this truth, I found that it was much easier for me to accept my circumstances. A couple of months ago I found myself becoming bitter toward the scoutmaster of my former troop and the person who I believe is responsible for some of the negative opinions that were made against me. Knowing that I didn’t want to become hateful toward the scoutmaster or the other person, I began praying that God would teach me how to forgive them.

One of these nights I was listening to some worship music and heard God speaking to me. He took me through a short train of thought where I came to realize that His justice is perfect. I knew that night that God was working in my favor and would do what He needed to do.

The next blog post I plan on publishing is a list of observations that I’ve made about my former boy scout troop and the downward spiral it has taken over the last few months. One of the next blog posts I plan on publishing is a list of observations that I’ve made about my former  boy scout troop and the downward spiral it has taken over the last few months. With any luck, other scouters will see the post and make any changes to their own scout troops if they see similar patterns emerging.

Regardless of the fact that I stepped down from active leadership, God still has plans for my former scout troop just as He had plans when I was actively involved. He placed my brother in charge of the troop as the senior patrol leader; one more step toward stalling the inevitable. Unfortunately, there have been some new developments that cause me to believe that the troop has finally tapered out of its slow decent and is now in a nosedive.

Through it all, God remains faithful to those who trust in Him.

What are some ways that God has been faithful to you? Leave your story in the comments.

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Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh
until you can’t stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship

Have you ever had a friend that made a huge difference in your life? Share your story in the comments.

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