VoD 6/30/08, Spiritual Warfare, and more

Ephesians 6: 16-18

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

I believe that this is the verse that Danny was addressing in small groups training last night! Awesome verse. I also absolutely loved small groups training. It's really funny how

God gives you confirmation through others that have absolutely no knowledge of where you are at and what is going on! My Mom on the other hand does and not even 2 weeks ago her and I were talking about spritual warfare and how Satan is going to do everything in his power to make you not want to do small groups..so far he isn't convincing me! It is also funny that we talked about that last night because I have been being attacked by Satan, he has been making me feel insignifigant and like a failure alot lately and I know it's not true but there is doubt when he comes and pushes and pushes at you. I am as of today surrendering that to God! God and prayer and my shield of faith that God will deliver me from satan and will restore my confidence in His plan and path for me! He has already presented me with an awesome job offer (which is one of the things that satan has been making me feel insecure about!).

For those of you who missed the Football game!

This picture was taken like a second before I recover that loose ball, how she didn't get a shot of me falling on it or my celebration...i'll never know!

Here are some other Various pics with me in the standing around watching the plays develop!

Verse of the day 6-26-08

Exodus 9:16

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Verse of the day 6-25-08

Psalm 25:4-6

4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

2 Years WOW! Congrats to the wife for putting up with me this long!

This is my absolute favorite picture of the two of us! I had this picture blown up and gave this to Diana for Christmas. The past two years have flown by and yes we have been through plenty of ups and downs but with God our downs seem so small and petty now. It has been an awesome experience witnessing Diana's hunger to grow in the Lord and I cannot wait to see what more comes of it in the next few years! She definately was a blessing from God at a time when I needed her most and even before we were married she has been there by my side through some rough obstacles and some very tough life altering decisions. I cherish her more than she will ever know and along with God she holds the keys to my heart!

A big huge thank you to my Mom (who I couldn't find a picture of from the wedding on this stupid computer), as well as Tom (Diana's dad) and Lynn (Diana's Mom) and especially Dave and Robin Hinman, They helped as much as anyone to make our day a special day and Dave only moments before we strolled out to the altar told me and I quote "Now is the time to run". He was only kidding and referring to the past October when I had postponed our wedding at the last moment. But they made it an awesome day!

Well I overcame the biggest obstacle in our marriage getting my wife to watch football, while she doesn't look very enthusiastic in the picture she should be the Buckeyes beat the crap out of Michigan for the 4th straight year. Oh btw the final was 14-3 Buckeyes.

She usually get so aggravated with me for making funny faces while people are taking pictures but sometimes it is fun to aggravate her! Love ya honey.

Wow a fun day at Kings Island, we have had a few of them the last couple of months and lucky for you guys we got pictures of me not in the waterpark, me with a shirt off is not a pretty sight!

Incredible Hulk (Movie Review)

Man I have nothing but great things to say about this movie! I am not a huge fan of the Incredible Hulk, but I do like the back story of it! You know man gets gamma ray poisoning he ultimately starts having side effects and when he gets really angry he turn into this big green monster (remind you of anyone?). Yes all of us get kinda ugly when we lose our tempers

Now I am going to give a review on this movie without giving too much away! First things first. If you haven't seen the new "Iron Man" movie go watch it before you watch the "HULK". There are a few key points where they interact and its great if you are a Marvel fan! Second the story action and acting in this movie rival that of "Iron Man" if you have seen it, this is that good! This one is a sequel to the last one with "Edward Norton" (American History X)(which btw if you haven't seen it rent it)as Bruce Banner. Like I said good story great action, and way better acting than the last Hulk movie! Go watch it!

Verse of the day 6-23-08

Isaiah 40:31

those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint!

How true is this verse! I find that if I keep my hope in the Lord so many daily strifes we come to are a whole lot easier! And man o man can he renew some strength. When the walking and running are left in God's hands you feel like you are flying high! and you are with the Holy Spirit! Praise be to God the Lord of all Lords and King of all Kings and the Heavenly Father of all Creation!

Verse of the Day 6-22-08

Ephesian 4:29-32

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

This is something that I really struggle with on a daily basis and I really have been trying to implement this verse daily into my life. I grew up with a father who I knew loved me but sometimes he didn't exactly show it or say it, and sometimes could be just down right harsh. I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago that I would lighten up on Austin and I have, but sometimes those feelings and maybe a little held over anger bleeds through. I love him and I hope he and Julie both know that! Sometimes I don't say it enough or maybe even act like it enough but if I were to lose them I would be beside myself.

Football Game update!

Well we lost again, but most of us had more fun in this loss than the previous three games combined, it was a very hard fought battle but our offense just couldn't put the ball in the endzone. We had the ball inside the five three times and miscommunication and turnovers killed our drives! But I did do a little stat padding of my own, I got my first big play of the season late in the third quarter. Kyle (our team owner) was play RE and I was playing DT and the Center for WV snapped the ball over the QB's head and he couldn't find it Kyle got into the backfield and the ball got knocked around a little on the ground and ended up rolling right towards me and my big butt was on that ball like white on rice, a glass of milk, a paper plate and a snowstorm! Dude I was so pumped up after that. I felt like I was out there and doing a good job! I jumped up and my celebration was that I aimed the football to heaven toward dad and my God. It was awesome! Can't wait till next week! Well I almost forgot a big thanks goes out to Pastor Ray and his lovely wife Melissa for making the trip down to watch the game, sorry you guys didn't get to see me play but I played almost the entire 2nd half!

Verse of the Day 6-21-08

Genesis 22: 1-18

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring [b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

How many of us would be willing to obey God and sacrifice one of our children? I mean actually sacrifice a child! That is insane, but Abraham actually did what God had requested of him and then God stopped him and rewarded him for his obedience.

For Diana

I used to believe a certain ex would be with me the rest of my life

That was until God brought me closer to my beautiful wife

He has shown to me that just like Him none compare to her

And that love is not a noun but an action of life, a verb

She keeps bringing out the best in me

finding new ways to open my eyes and see

Just how amazing that she is

And by my side she stands in all of this

Day by day she proves her love

by Gods' strength from heaven above

I couldn't have asked for more

For my beautiful wife, I thank you Lord!

Verse of the day is back!

Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Everyone should make this a daily ritual!

So Proud! and a little sad too!

Well, I wanna start by saying how proud I am of my wife! She has been absolutely phenomenal lately and she just keeps getting better and better and I didn't think that was really possible but I guess it is when you start mixing in more of God! I had to be out of town this last weekend as many of you know, and unfortunately I missed a really good sermon or at least that's what I was told! I am sure it was a great sermon Ray doesn't have too many bad ones....well ok none! But I get back from my trip and my wife is all excited about what Ray talked about and has said that he preached a little on nagging! Now don't get me wrong Diana can nag a little, but the thing is as she has gotten closer to God the nagging has been slowly fading away and she is a woman of very strong faith and she has been letting her issues with me go to God alot longer than just this weekend I can tell you that! She has been doing it for months! Which in turn has been helping our relationship tremendously! God has been moving in her for awhile now and I am just so glad that she is allowing Him to be in control and learning that He has whats best for us and our family in mind!

Now to the sad part, I already missed this last Sunday at CP now we are missing a second Sunday, my second in a row, because we are going to visit our old church, but I just found out that Dave Hinman is preaching and I couldn't be happier. Dave is on of the most awesome people I have ever met and he is a great man of God. I cannot wait to see him and his lovely family this weekend! So I guess while I am sad for not being at CP, I am also glad that I get to see them!

Football Game!! 6/21/08

Hey everyone, Please make a valiant effort to come out and support the Mt. Carmel Fire Semi-Pro Football team. It really is alot of fun. You can visit the website @ mtcarmelfire.org and anyone willing or wanting to sponsor the team can contact me to get more info. They have some pretty sweet packages available! You can also come out and cheer me on this Saturday 6/21/08 at 6pm @ Turpin High School as we play the West Virginia Crash and if you need directions you can get them off the website! Please come out and support us, we are a fairly new team and could use all the support we can get. See ya there! Oh I forgot to mention (this ought to bring out some of the guys from Men's Group) that we go to BW's after the game so don't forget to bring your appetite!

Small Groups!

Man I was really looking forward to small group training and it is really paying off! I am diggin this stuff! I know it is going to be alot of work but I think Diana and I will be ready for that challenge when that time comes! I am so siked about the training though, we are learning a ton of very valuable imformation...John should be charging for this class he is an awesome teacher! God knew what he was doing when he put John and Jan in CP! I love the place and cannot get enough of it. I could live in a big house with all of these people (oh wait that is God's plan in a few years). God is so wonderful and I love the change He is doing in me and my beautiful wife (she is amazing by the way) and her heart for God is growing everyday more and more! God is good!

A Little Sore Today!

Well yesterday I suited up for a football game for the first time in 14+ years ...I know scary huh, but it actually was alot of fun even though I didn't do much and only played a few downs (thank God) it was still awesome to just be a part of a team again! I am going to start going to the gym again to try and cultivate my skills and add a little more strength and to shed some of this belly! Well here are a couple of pics from the game!

Well I gotta run it's time to go praise God for my awesome life!

If you haven't heard it yet you are missing out!

I don't know how many of you listen to Klove or not but if you don't you should be because it truly is Positive and Encouraging! I absolutely love this new song by Lincoln Brewster and if you haven't heard listen to Klove they have been playing about once an hour. I don't think his new album comes out until like October but her played it for them live on-air and it is awesome!

Lincoln Brewster - Today Is The DayFrom the album Today Is The Day
Here we go!Oh, oh, ohOh, oh, ohOh, oh, ohI’m casting my cares asideI’m leaving my past behindI’m setting my heart and mind on You JesusI’m reaching my hand to YoursBelieving there’s so much more Knowing that all You have in store for me is goodIs good Chorus:Today is the day You have madeI will rejoice and be glad in itToday is the day You have madeI will rejoice and be glad in itAnd I won’t worry about tomorrowI’m trusting in what You sayToday is the dayOh, oh, ohOh, oh, ohToday is the dayOh, oh, ohOh, oh, ohI putting my fears asideI’m leaving my doubts behindI’m giving my hopes and dreams to YouJesusI’m reaching my hand to YoursBelieving there’s so much more Knowing that all You have in store for me is goodIs good Chorus:(Guitar interlude)(2x’s)I will stand upon Your truth.(I will stand upon Your truth)And all my days I’ll live for You(And all my days I’ll live for You)Chorus

In The Past

In the past I have done some thing I am not proud of and have hurt people I cared about in the process, but it was just that in the past! For years I have wanted more and more, not only in my heart but in my financial state as well! Finally after years of just going through the motions I have devoted myself to furthering my relationship with Christ and I am loving every minute of it! Though it seems every time that I get closer to Christ, Satan comes along and tries to make other things get you down! Right now I am second guessing myself, I had two driving jobs offered to me basically within days of each other and one of them allowed me to be home in the evenings and the other I would've been gone M-F and would be home saturday and sunday! The driving job was only supposed to be a stepping stone to me getting back into sales. I really miss selling insurance and I feel inferior as a truck driver and very unchallenged! I also feel like I am wasting the talent that God gave me and that my knowledge is just going to waste as well. You know this pretty head of mine needs to be put to good use! I love the challenge of capturing the sale it is really overwhelming and exciting! I was reading my bible as I have been almost daily (which is a huge improvement for me...thanks Chris for brainwashing me lol) and I came across a familiar verse Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." King David had pretty much all his heart desired and more. He was a faithful man of God and yet he sinned and asked God's forgiveness and God honored that and David was one of the most successful men of the Bible. So what does that mean for the rest of us? I have Jesus, but I want to be able to provide better for my family as well! I feel like I am not succeeding in that and it is really bothering me! Diana for far too long has had this huge burden on her shoulders and I feel bad about it! I am kind of lost in this decision and Diana gave me her opinion and it was not what I expected, nor what I was wanting to here! I know it is tough for her to back me up on a decision like this but the answer she gave me on is one I have heard before and after you hear it so many times you really just stop caring what the outcome is going to be! If that is what God has intended for us than so be it! Who are we to try and change what He has in store for us! He has a plan for all of us and it is up to us to pray with him to determine what it is!

Movie Review

Chronicles of Narnia

Prince Caspian

Well I enjoyed this a heck of alot more than I did IJ4.

There were a ton of biblical refrences in this movie but the two that really stuck out to me are...Late in the movie Azlan(the lion/which has biblical similarities to Jesus) asks Lucy why it took her so long to come to him and she says "I believed but the others weren't so sure" and Azlan replied "If you believed all of this time why did it take you so long to come to me". Man that seriously sent shivers down my spine! Another cool moment was at the very end, one of the mice gets his tail cut off in battle and Azlan heals it and makes it grow back, similar to Christ healing the soldiers ear that Peter cuts on the eve of Christ's death. Phenomonal movie kid safe minus a little violence that kids can see on the news every night! Take the family out to see it!!

Movie Review!

Indiana Jones IV

Well let's start with this! I was highly disappointed with this since it was a George Lucas film. At the end I was half expecting Gweedo to jump out of a corner and start blasting at Indy! While the action was exceptional the story somehow got left way behind! It starts out pretty interesting and then out of nowhere it turns into Men in Black meets National Treasure! Not very appealing to me and not your typical Indiana Jones movie! I give it a 5 out of 10

Verse of the Day

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Well this is in honor of us being without electricity for 11 hours. Even though it was dark last night watching the lightning for a couple of hours was AWESOME. I love thunderstorms. Austin and I sat up watching the lightning flashing across the sky last night. God sure has made some miraculous things! It just amazes me that the bible is one of them yet it goes so unoticed to so many, yes it is man written but spoken through men from God to get His eternal point across! Having Jesus light your path is a pretty awesome thing! God is good!

Verse of the Day

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy.

This is the Amplified Version, I just love what it says that we are a dedicated nation, "God's Own Purchased" special people and we are the ones chosen to display His wonderful deeds and His perfections! Wow this is such a powerful verse! God is AWESOME

Verse of the Day

Psalm 3

1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. ~KJV~

A New Song!

How Can I?

(Verse 1)

How can I stumble

How can I fear

With the Lord of Lords

Drawing Near

(Verse 2)

How can I falter

How can I stray

With the King of Kings

Hearing me pray

(Verse 3)

How can I struggle

How can I fail

With the cleansing blood of Jesus

Shed upon three nails

(Verse 4)

How can I wander

How can I be lost

With Jesus paying with His Life

A heavenly sacrifice on a cross

(Chorus)

How can I question your love for me

When everywhere I look

You are all I see

How can I question my faith in you

When everything you touch

Has your glory shining through

Verse of the day!

Something new for me today, I am going to start posting some of my favorite bible verses on here and these two are perfect suit for today! If the don't speak to you nothing will!

Psalm 118:24 "Today is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" ~NIV~

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." ~NAS~

Enjoy