Here is a real problem in our society today, what are you doing about it? Identity theft.

Have you ever noticed that we get all upset over the state of the political situation, we get upset about the treatment or lack of treatment of certain groups of people? Some one will mention some issue on facebook and there will be a huge discussion with nothing actually being done. We all have issues in our lives that are there in the background and we don’t pay much attention ... << MORE >>

A man (Leo) that I knew had an idea for a product that would help farmers get more done with less physical work. Maybe he was basically lazy, I don't know. This man had very little formal education; certainly he did not have a degree in mechanical engineering, no training in hydraulic engineering, or any other university degree. He had not even finished high school. This guy had grown up a farm so he knew about ... << MORE >>

If I was going to run for the office of the President of the United States of American these would be some of my campaign platform issues. My main position would be to reduce the size of the federal government. While I have great concern for the well being of all people, I believe that self sufficiency should be the ... << MORE >>

Here is a conversation that I had with two of my Facebook Friends. I have not edited the conversation except to take their names out to protect them. One person says that she is a Christian and the other is a non-believer. I believe that this conversation is a good representation of goes on all across this country. My FB Friend says that she believes that Jesus Christ is the son of God, she also says that ... << MORE >>

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:3-5 NIV Holy Bible.

Have you ever really thought about these verses? God simply spoke and there was light, there has been light ever since. What good is light? Mostly we just take light for granted, the sun shines, the trees and ... << MORE >>

How much more can I learn when I believe that I don’t already know? How much more can you learn?

 2 "I am the most ignorant of men;
       I do not have a man's understanding.
 3 I have not learned wisdom,
       nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
 4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
       Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
       Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
       Who has established all the ends of the earth?
       What is his name, and the name of his son?
       Tell me if you know! Proverbs 30:2-4 NIV

As I look back on the recorded history of science I observe that major new discoveries nearly always involved going against the then current understanding of how things were. The men and women who made these advances had to have great courage. Their courage was needed not for the exploration or the investigation rather to face the inertia of the way things were. The reality of the time. In the sixties there was a popular saying “question reality.” On the surface the statement seems ludicrous. Then consider a time when the flat earth was reality. The reality was the earth being the center of universe with the sun and stars revolving around the earth. There were all sorts of ideas about how things happened that were considered reality. Sir Isaac Newton made a lot of observations and formulated some “laws,” described gravity and it’s nature, and is credited with forming the science of physics. Newton’s laws became the reality for explaining how many things in nature worked. Newton’s laws were reality. Along comes Alfred Einstein who questioning some of Newton’s laws and we get nuclear physics and quantum mechanics.

What is the lesson? Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Fermi, Pasteur, Teller, Einstein, and countless others were able to discover or describe new realities because they were able to learn. They were able to learn because they were humble. They knew that they didn’t already know everything.

How much more can I learn when I believe that I don’t already know? How much more can you learn?

Is your family at risk of identity theft ?

What is real? What is an allegory? Does anyone really know about angels or demons? Is there spiritual warfare? Marty Delmon is a consummate story teller and in her newest offering she tells a story that could be true. I am reminded of Ephesians 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and ... << MORE >>

As Pastor Dave was speaking about finishing well in the conclusion of his series on the life and ministry of Joseph my mind went back fifty years to a league track meet at the send of my sophomore year of high school. Just to put things into a little perspective. I trained for and participated in three events and never did very well in any of them. Physically I was somewhat suited if not talented for discus and shot put. Because I was a smart mouthed teenager (surly not a surprise to those who know me well) I was required to run a lot of laps hence I developed considerable endurance. Since I was not at all talented as a sprinter the coach deemed that I would be a miler, the longest race that we had.

Back to the track meet. I fell on the first turn of the first lap. Subsequently when I resumed the race I was about half a lap back from the leaders. I was able to run fast enough to avoid being lapped even so every other runner was off the track when I came down the home stretch. As I had always done I made my final kick (not a blazing thing at all). It was obvious to all that there was nothing to be gained. I was not going to beat any other runner. A funny thing happened; all of the spectators (not a large number) in the stands rose to their feet, cheered and applauded. Likely it was in relief that race was finally over. I don’t know. My point you ask, what did I learn? The only loser is the person who quits. It would have been much easier to just quit. Likely no one would have even noticed. I knew that I finished strong, I finished the race. Did I win a ribbon; of course not even then I may have learned more than the guy who did win, I don’t know. Maybe I did win something after all.

Pastor Dave’s point this morning was that it does not matter where we are or what has happened along the way we must finish the course and that is God’s will for each of us is to finish strong. It really does not matter how strong we start or what happens through out the course what counts is that we finish and that we finish strong. I am dedicated to that end how about you?

My good friend and sister in Christ Joyce Holroyd from West Virginia sent the following essay to me today and it really touched my heart. The essay made me think about my salvation, my walk with Jesus, my relationships, and my life. Have I surrendered, I want to. I have no idea if the circumstances of this story are true and I really don't care. I believe that it will touch your heart also. It made me think about fifty years of saying that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior. I really don't want anyone to see my files. Some has said the only way to change the world is to change yourself. Christ is the only way to change me, to make me a new person.<< MORE >>

Identity theft is happening and it goes much further than your bank account or credit card.

As believers we are living in this world and must be wise about the dangers that we face and identity theft is one of those dangers.

Identity theft is a huge problem and it is growing. While there are many things that you can do to minimize your risk there is nothing you or any one can do to completely prevent identity ... << MORE >>