Ok, what happened to using common sense?  What I am about to share reflects my own personal opinions.  Today I received a most interesting article via email.  We are so out of whack as a culture that I find myself really struggling, at times, to keep a biblical perspective on all the garbage that is being spewed forth from our so-called leaders of our country.  So, here it is.  Take it for what it's worth.  By the way, this doesn't represent anyone else associated with New Hope!  Let me know what you think. . . 

If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn't buy one.

If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

 

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.

If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

 

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.

A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

 

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.

If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

 

If a black man or Hispanic are conservative, they see themselves as independently successful.

Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

 

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.

A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

 

If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.

Liberals demand that those they don’t like be shut down.

 

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.

A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

 

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.

A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

 

If a conservative slips and falls in a store, he gets up, laughs and is embarrassed.

If a liberal slips and falls, he grabs his neck, moans like he's in labor and then sues.

 

If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.

A liberal will delete it because he's "offended".

I know.  It's been a while since I last blogged.  Vacation.  Empty mind...whatever...  Now, I'm back and boy am I excited.  Here's why.  For 19 years now our church's primary focus has been to Honor God by being a family of growing disciples of Jesus Christ, engaged in worship, instruction, fellowship, service, and witness.  We have spent the past 16 years targeting families with kids.  On three occasions we have constructed usable space on the 10 acres God provided for us many years ago.  The latest project is focused upon giving our children's ministry and our youth ministry dedicated space so that they can continue to share Christ with these important people. 
Last week we learned that we had been granted the coveted 'permit' to begin the foundation for this ministry center that will be connected to our current facility.

Some people will say that this is a poor time for a church to be building, what with the economy in such bad shape.  Others will say that it is bad timing when all you want is something frivolous.  And they would be right, if that were the case.  I don't want to give my resources to something just to say we have it.  BUT, this expansion is anything BUT frivolous.  It is a vital piece to our ongoing Mission as a church.  We are in the business of helping people to moving from discovering Jesus Christ to growing to maturity in Jesus Christ.  That continues to be the 'heartbeat' of New Hope.  With this new expansion, we will be able to provide more productive space, not only for kids, but also for adults! 

Frankly, I want to be a part of something that is so beneficial to families in our community.  The amount of money is enormous, but, our God is abundantly rich.  It is thrilling to watch how, once again, God will use the people of New Hope to bring the finances in to cover the cost.  Once again we will see our Heavenly Father multiply the gifts that will honor His Son, Jesus Christ.

Now, let's dig some dirt!!!!

This blog is to let you know that I will be away for several weeks teaching my granddaughter to say "papa"!!!  Sheila and I are so looking forward to spending time with our kids in Atlanta.
I will be back writing blogs after the fifteenth of September.  O, by the way, just want to remind you that what you read on this blog is of my own making & thinking.  It doesn't necessarily represent the thoughts, opinions, or beliefs of those I hang with at New Hope!!!!

See you down the road...

I find it most interesting what is producing the greatest fallout for our politicians - health care.  I laugh when I read what the 1500 page document called "Health Care Reform" proposes.  And while all attention is being given to this ten ton elephant, billions of dollars continue to be thrown into the vat of nothingness called 'Stimulus'.  I still wish our government would have simply sent every American taxpayer $438,000.00 and then taxed each of us 50% of it.  We would have had over $200,000 per taxpayer to invest in our own economy.  Just imagine how many clunkers would have been traded in on new vehicles.  Imagine how many new houses would have been snatched up.  Imagine how many companies would have had to increase payroll to service all the stuff Americans would be buying, not to speak of the increase in personal investments. 
Just imagine if our government would simply regulate the amount of health insurance premiums and open the doors of every State to allow all insurance companies to compete for our health care coverage.  In Oregon alone, we could repeal our wonderful State Senate's idea of everyone paying for pregnancy coverage not to speak of the limitations that prohibit insurance companies from coming into our state.
Just imagine how quick some taxpayers would run through their money and have to get back to doing real work.  Just imagine if our government leaders would let normal, regular, conscientious Americans like you and me to have the freedom to make our own decisions which would be far better than the ones coming from Elitist, hermetically sealed individuals who live on a different planet from those of us who live life on planet earth everyday.
Ok, I know that there are many of you out there who could shoot holes in my imagination.  There are others who probably think I sit in my office too much.  But, let me have my personal dream.  When I watch, listen, and read what our government leaders are doing (like the IRS writing checks to prisoners and dead people to the tune of over $400,000 this past week), I think the idea of stopping our leaders in their tracks with recalls and then stopping the payments of so-called 'stimulus money' to black-hole entities such as car companies, banks, and investment firms. 
Frankly, I know I can make much better decisions for myself and my family than what these self-centered, thoughtless, and self-bloviating individuals are making.
Now, I feel better.  What do you think?

Ok, Sheila and I went to the 'fair' here in Hermiston.  Yes, I ate stuff that probably shouldn't be consumed, but, hey, it's the fair!  We walked around and saw all the animals, exhibits, and even watched a hypnotist in action.  It still amazes me that people are so willing to have themselves put under the control of a complete stranger. 
We saw a number of friends from New Hope as well as others from within our community.  Unbelievably the weather was decent and we could enjoy the time without melting under a blazing sun.  We especially enjoyed seeing all the entries from New Hope people.  What a collection of creative talent!!!  Congratulations to each one who participated this year.
Now, back to the Hypnotist.  I have seen this done on TV, but never in person.  As I sat there and laughed along with the crowd I also started thinking about what was happening in front of me.  There was a group of younger people on the stage.  The lady doing the show asked each of them to put themselves in her hands completely.  As usual, I was skeptical, thinking that it is all rigged in some way.  But,  as the show continued I saw with my own eyes that this was completely real.  No faking.  As I walked away from the demonstration I found myself doing some serious consideration about the whole hypnotic experience.  Here was a group of individuals who without reservation put themselves in a situation where they acted out what they were told to do.  It didn't matter what the instructions were, they did each one without hesitation.  Each one had no knowledge of their behavior at the moment.  The crowd loved it and laughed at their antics on stage.  Only later would the participants learn what exactly they had done.  Some, I'm sure, would be embarrassed when shown the video that was made.
Two distinct thoughts flooded my mind:  1)  This is exactly how the world system functions every day.  Without thinking, they live according to the counsel of their father, Satan.  It just comes naturally.  No resistance whatever.  The fact is every human being without Jesus Christ is hopelessly lost;  2)  This is also how God through His Holy Spirit wants to fill the life of each of His born again children.  He wants the place of the Hypnotist.  He desires that each of us be as willing as those people were on the platform.  Totally willing to be controlled. 
O, by the way, there was one individual on stage who clearly wasn't in complete submission.  The Hypnotist moved him to the end of the row and stopped including him in the rest of the show.  Made me think whether that is what God has to do with some people who appear to be participants but really aren't.
What do you think?

I have watched the program 'Are you smarter than a fifth grader'  a few times.  It is intriguing to see if I can answer the questions that are posed.  Too often I am glad that it's not me in front of an audience!  I can only imagine how embarrassing it would be to flub a simple answer that everyone else seems to know.  With all the lights, cameras, people, not to mention the pressure of the moment.  But, hey, it's only a game...right?  Not when money's on the line.  I can just see teachers all over America laughing their heads off as adults take their turns being humiliated night after night.

Then I stop and think about the 'spotlight' my Heavenly Father is going to shine on me one day.  No cameras, no loud music, no game show host, no screaming crowd.  Just Him and me.  Face to face.  One on one.  And that conveyor belt.  You know, the one that will send all of my earthly stuff through His personal furnace designed to incinerate everything but the stuff that brought honor to Him.  Everything...that's right, everything.  Gone.  Everything that I thought was so important.  Everything I accumulated.  Everything I believed was worthwhile.  At the end of the conveyor belt, after the furnace, my personal Heavenly Father will escort me there to pick up what is left over.  I wonder if he will have me scrape off the ashes and dump them into Hell.  Or, maybe one of the angels will have that responsibility.  Or maybe God will do it, Himself.  I don't think God will be doing it, though.  I think maybe He will be focusing on all the tears that will be gushing out of my eyes...maybe, that's what He means when He says that He will wipe away all our tears.  You think?

Let me know what you think.

Wow, summer is flying by.  Frankly speaking, I have a love/hate relationship with summer.  It's a great time for people to take that much needed vacation for refreshment.  I love hearing about all the places different families have visited.  I enjoy hearing all the details.  On the other hand, I become a little disappointed when so many are gone so much.  I miss seeing all the people who call New Hope their church when they are away.  Some of whom I haven't seen since June!  But, that's just one thought I have this time.

The real issue that I am wrestling with right now is the fact that so many parents see church as the opportunity for free child care.  The observation I make from week to week throughout the year is that we have many children coming to the offered programs here at New Hope and the few adults willing to invest in the shaping of kids' character through the teaching of God's Word.  Ok, I understand the need to have a break from being with the kids all the time, but, when it comes to instilling God's principles into children, New Hope offers some great opportunities to do that through Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, along with the upcoming Sunday Morning on Sunday Night Worship that will begin September 20th. 

Frankly, I wish that our children's director, Dorothy, would have a list of willing adults including parents who want to be involved in the spiritual education of our kids.  This is the best investment any parent/adult could make.  What an opportunity for kids to see their parents personally sharing Jesus Christ. 

Now, lest you think that I'm not sensitive to the need of having a break from the kids, I'm not.  But, imagine how strengthening it would be for so many families when parents are right there with them.  Of course, that means, maybe, that dad & mom will have to jump into God's Word to answer the invariable questions that will come.

So, what do you think?  Am I out of bounds?  Am I just spouting from my soapbox?  Let me hear from you!

     Have you ever had a 'slump time' in your life?  Let me explain before you answer.  My idea of a 'slump time' is a period of time in my life when emotionally I'm not on my A game.  I feel worn out.  I feel exhausted.  I don't want to do anything.  I want to just veg out and be totally unproductive.  I find in those slump times that I am more focused on myself than anything else.  I find that God seems to be far away (He isn't, I just feel that way).  Physically, I feel worn down.  Mentally, I'm fried.  Spiritually, I feel dry as dust.  I also notice that my slump times tend to arrive after facing numerous burdens, disappointments, and discouraging situations.  Sometimes it's because of enormous stress over things that I can't have control over.  Sound familiar?
     Something I've noticed about my 'slump time', almost all of it has to do with a word I've used much in this blog, so far.  FEELINGS.  That's right.  Real feelings.  Not accurate, but real, none the less.  The more I feed them the more down I become.  The more I dwell on them the more bleak my life seems to be.  What a waste.  But, it's real.  And it has to be dealt with.
     As I am working through my slump time I have found several things to be of real help to me.  I get into the Bible for me.  No sermon prep, just reading some familiar Scriptures that God has written that speak to my heart and soul.  I then sit and listen to some sermons from a pastor that God uses to enrich my emotions.  No, I'm not going to tell you who it is.  You have to find your own.  But, this guy seems to be able to connect me to what I seem to need at the moment.  The cool thing is he doesn't even know I exist which is just fine with me.  Another action I take is to share my slump time with the one human being who can empathize with me, my wife.  O, I find myself pouring out my feelings to my Heavenly Father who always cares even when I don't think He does!! 
     Finally, I know that my slump time is subsiding because I find myself writing again.  As you can tell, it's been a number of days since my last entry.
     So, what about you.  Do you have 'slump times'?  How do you cope?  What have you found that works for you?  Let me know.  I love hearing from you!!!

Ok, I am really on a 'soapbox' today.  I am sick and tired of reading, watching, and listening to the lives of individuals who have died in recent times being made out to be gloriously wonderful people.  Frankly, as I have endured this media packaged barrage, I am angry that our culture (I am part of that culture) has elevated certain notorious people into Sainthood.  I know, some people will call me judgmental.  That's alright.  God teaches us in His that judging the unbelieving world is His to do.  But, when it comes to anyone who claims to have a relationship with Him, we are told specifically to look out for each other and to hold each other in the Family of God responsible for their actions.  I expect others in the spiritual family to check on me from time to time just to see how I'm doing.  Hence, my frustration with the current situations. 
People talk about individuals as though they can live however they wish, morally and otherwise, and then somehow at the end God is supposed to welcome them with open arms.  Now, before you start writing your retort, let me point out that I agree that only God can know the heart of any person, me included.  Yet, He gives us clear indicators in the Bible that describe what a follower of Jesus Christ looks like.  But, I become angry when a 'minister' says in a eulogy that we are to put down our stones about the lifestyle of one such person this week.  I am angry when a minister makes all of us out to be 'narrow-minded, judgmental' indivduals who can't wait to destroy a person's reputation.  Good night, the person did that themselves. 
Alright, now that I got that off my chest, these past several weeks have served as a glaring reminder that life ends when God says it ends.  And that as followers of Jesus Christ we need to do some self-examination regularly to make sure we are representing Christ appropriately in our everyday lives!  I am so glad that God has given us the Holy Spirit as our conscience administrator who knows every secret we keep.  Personally, I have found Him to be accurate 100% of the time.  My prayer is that when I leave this earthly life no one will have to make up stories to try to convince people that I deserve to go to Heaven. 
There, I feel better now.  What do you think?

Hi:
I just read that tomorrow(Wed. July 8th)there will be a 'once in a lifetime' occurrance.  At 4:05:06 we will have the following alignment of time & date:  04:05:06 07/08-09.  Ok, ok, it is really offbeat, I know.  But, it has caused me to stop and think about the 'once in a lifetime' events that have occurred in my personal life.  There are seven of them that rise to the top for me:  1. My day of birth.  They tell me I was there, I just don't remember it clearly.  I am so glad that my parents chose to have me!  2.  The Sunday in 1960 when I gave my life to Jesus Christ.  I will never forget sitting there with my dad and telling him I wanted to go to Heaven.  3.  The day I met Sheila at Bible School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1971.  On out first date(she didn't know it was our 1st date) I told her that she was the one God brought into my life to be my wife!  4.  June 23, 1973.  The day Sheila became my wife for life!  5.  September 14, 1977.  The day our daughter, Stephanie, was born.  6.  July 3, 1980.  The day our son, Christopher, was born and St. Helens became an afterthought!  And, 7.  November 21, 2008.  The day we became grandparents when our 1st, Jordyn, was born.

I have to tell you that there have been lots of 'once in a lifetime' occurrances down through the years, but, for me the ones that stand out all have to do with relationships.  Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about how important relationships are in this life.  As I consider them I am challenged by the Holy Spirit to make sure that I am giving 100% to each one.  Not to waste them or take them for granted.  I am finding myself wanting to take advantage of each one so that I might store up riches that won't shrink in value or be burned up when life is over.  Ok, ok, I know that I am sounding like I'm at the end of my life.  I'm not, as far as I know.  BUT, who knows?  Maybe I am. . .

Why don't you think over the top 'once in a lifetime' events you've had in your life.  Let me know what you think, OK?