Awesome, awesome services today! I don't know, maybe, forty or more couples this morning renewed their vows in the Salt Covenant service. It was beautiful. Thanks to Tim and Teresa for putting it all together. They did a great job.
Tonight was just as powerful as our youth signed purity covenants in a purity ceremony. I appreciate all of the parents who came back to pray with their teens. Again, great job Hillary and Alan, Corina, Ken, and Jon.
Well, I guess the snow storm is on its way. Then, there is saying another one is coming Friday and Saturday. This is crazy! But, PTL, we haven't had to cancel any Sunday services yet!
Have a great week!
-Pastor
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Is Israel Getting Prepared to Strike?
From time to time, I like to run some up-to-date prophesy news articles in the blog. I thought the following article from Perry Stone was interesting. Remember, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem daily.
-Pastor
For the past three years, there have been numerous rumors that eventually the Israeli Air Force would strike five main nuclear facilities and several underground bunkers in the nation of Iran. Twice in the past, Israel dealt a blow to nuclear facilities in neighboring countries, including a sudden attack on a nuclear plant in Iraq in the 1980s, and more recently a facility being constructed in Syria. In fact, the Israeli strike in Syrian was so sudden that the air force was in and out before anyone in Syria realized what had occurred.
Some suggest that Iran has every right to develop nuclear power. However, this is not the real issue. The religious fanatics in Iran have stated numerous times that they desire nuclear power to create nuclear weapons to create nuclear warheads and thus become a threat to the entire Middle East and Israel. When the election was recently held in Iran, I watched and actually hoped that the opposing candidate would win. However, it appears that the fanatic Ahmadinejad was re-elected and has continued on his road to enriching uranium, including 5,000 centrifuges. Sources believe that in about 12 to 18 months, Iran will possess one to five nuclear warheads, capable of reaching Iraq, Israel, as well as parts of southern Europe.
I was informed that under the Bush administration, Israel requested to fly over Iraq but the former president was not ready to have a third front open in another Islamic nation. More recently, in the month of February, a source indicated that Israel had contacted the Obama administration requesting codes for certain weapons they had purchased but were not given the vital information. As a result of recent events in America and information released inside Israel, a recent Israeli poll indicated that only 6% of Israelis believe that President Obama would be supportive of the Jewish state in the event of a war with Iran. This is the lowest confidence number in Israel's modern history, indicating that the vast majority of Jews in Israel believe Obama is pro-Muslim and not pro-Israel, and he would not agree to any conflict in a Muslim nation (read Obama's statements made in Turkey and Indonesia to understand their concern). Thus Israel has begun to look at other sources and world leaders for permission to fly over their air space for a sudden strike against Iran.
Recently, it has been reported that Israel has moved a major submarine and two war ships through the Suez Canal, and into the Persian Gulf. This seems to be an early indication of preparation for a quick "surgical strike" against Iran. There would have been a time in which any strike by a Jewish nation would create a terrible uprising in the entire Islam world. However, the Iranians are Shiite Muslims and the majority of Muslims throughout the world are Sunni. These two branches of Islam have fought one another for 1,200 years! Second, the Persians are not Arabs and the Arabs consider the Persians as a separate ethnic race. Third, the Muslims in the other Persian Gulf States have never liked the Iranians and would not mind seeing the fanatical regime defeated, as Iranian fanatics could eventually take over the oil in the other Gulf States. Also, a conflict with Israel and Iran would raise the price of Saudi oil, perhaps to $200 to $300 a barrel and pour money into the coffers of the Royal Family. These combined reasons may be why Saudi Arabia is said to have secretly agreed to allow the Israeli pilots to fly over their air space if needed, to strike Iran.
We have recently seen hundreds of thousands of protesters, demanding death to the dictator Ahmadinejad in Iran. These are pro-democracy students and young people who are hoping for a political breakthrough and a defeat of the fanatical religious regime that holds a choke hold over the nation. I could be incorrect on my assumption, but I would not be surprised if Israel struck and the fanatical Iranian leaders were killed in the process, many Iranians would consider the Israelis as liberators, instead of invaders. Perhaps this is why the attack on Iran has been put on hold for a season and no war has transpired. It just hasn't been the right time.
Any strike will be sudden and direct. Nations such as China, Russia, the United States and the EU will not allow a war to stretch for a long time, especially since Iran provides 40% of the oil to Russia and China. However, the sudden strike will cause markets to rattle around the world.
Some suggest that Obama has asked Israel to wait until the end of the year to give time for secret negotiations and democracy protesters to create a more open atmosphere for talks to ensue. It seems that only time will tell, but we may see fireworks over the Gulf in the near future.
Perry Stone
-Pastor
For the past three years, there have been numerous rumors that eventually the Israeli Air Force would strike five main nuclear facilities and several underground bunkers in the nation of Iran. Twice in the past, Israel dealt a blow to nuclear facilities in neighboring countries, including a sudden attack on a nuclear plant in Iraq in the 1980s, and more recently a facility being constructed in Syria. In fact, the Israeli strike in Syrian was so sudden that the air force was in and out before anyone in Syria realized what had occurred.
Some suggest that Iran has every right to develop nuclear power. However, this is not the real issue. The religious fanatics in Iran have stated numerous times that they desire nuclear power to create nuclear weapons to create nuclear warheads and thus become a threat to the entire Middle East and Israel. When the election was recently held in Iran, I watched and actually hoped that the opposing candidate would win. However, it appears that the fanatic Ahmadinejad was re-elected and has continued on his road to enriching uranium, including 5,000 centrifuges. Sources believe that in about 12 to 18 months, Iran will possess one to five nuclear warheads, capable of reaching Iraq, Israel, as well as parts of southern Europe.
I was informed that under the Bush administration, Israel requested to fly over Iraq but the former president was not ready to have a third front open in another Islamic nation. More recently, in the month of February, a source indicated that Israel had contacted the Obama administration requesting codes for certain weapons they had purchased but were not given the vital information. As a result of recent events in America and information released inside Israel, a recent Israeli poll indicated that only 6% of Israelis believe that President Obama would be supportive of the Jewish state in the event of a war with Iran. This is the lowest confidence number in Israel's modern history, indicating that the vast majority of Jews in Israel believe Obama is pro-Muslim and not pro-Israel, and he would not agree to any conflict in a Muslim nation (read Obama's statements made in Turkey and Indonesia to understand their concern). Thus Israel has begun to look at other sources and world leaders for permission to fly over their air space for a sudden strike against Iran.
Recently, it has been reported that Israel has moved a major submarine and two war ships through the Suez Canal, and into the Persian Gulf. This seems to be an early indication of preparation for a quick "surgical strike" against Iran. There would have been a time in which any strike by a Jewish nation would create a terrible uprising in the entire Islam world. However, the Iranians are Shiite Muslims and the majority of Muslims throughout the world are Sunni. These two branches of Islam have fought one another for 1,200 years! Second, the Persians are not Arabs and the Arabs consider the Persians as a separate ethnic race. Third, the Muslims in the other Persian Gulf States have never liked the Iranians and would not mind seeing the fanatical regime defeated, as Iranian fanatics could eventually take over the oil in the other Gulf States. Also, a conflict with Israel and Iran would raise the price of Saudi oil, perhaps to $200 to $300 a barrel and pour money into the coffers of the Royal Family. These combined reasons may be why Saudi Arabia is said to have secretly agreed to allow the Israeli pilots to fly over their air space if needed, to strike Iran.
We have recently seen hundreds of thousands of protesters, demanding death to the dictator Ahmadinejad in Iran. These are pro-democracy students and young people who are hoping for a political breakthrough and a defeat of the fanatical religious regime that holds a choke hold over the nation. I could be incorrect on my assumption, but I would not be surprised if Israel struck and the fanatical Iranian leaders were killed in the process, many Iranians would consider the Israelis as liberators, instead of invaders. Perhaps this is why the attack on Iran has been put on hold for a season and no war has transpired. It just hasn't been the right time.
Any strike will be sudden and direct. Nations such as China, Russia, the United States and the EU will not allow a war to stretch for a long time, especially since Iran provides 40% of the oil to Russia and China. However, the sudden strike will cause markets to rattle around the world.
Some suggest that Obama has asked Israel to wait until the end of the year to give time for secret negotiations and democracy protesters to create a more open atmosphere for talks to ensue. It seems that only time will tell, but we may see fireworks over the Gulf in the near future.
Perry Stone
Monday, February 8, 2010
An Upclose Look at Life in Present Haiti
Please continue to remember the people of Haiti in your prayers and our missionary friends, Willem and Beth Charles. Recently Beth wrote my wife, Annette, a long e-mail. Much of it was very personal regarding what is happening in Haiti right now and in their own family. I am sure Beth would not mind me sharing the stark reality of the nightmare that is Haiti at the present. Beth mentioned that the nation is now experiencing the second wave of death and burial with those that were injured during the earthquake. The third wave is still to come which is death by disease & lack of sanitation. Beth mentioned that in her children's school only fifty-eight of the 285 students are survivors of the earthquake. Her son, David, is one of two from his class of 17 while Stephen is one of four out of 27 remaining from his class. They are the only missionary kids attending. Willem and Beth's Mountaintop Ministries campus has become a huge command center for the army (h.s. & m.s. building, office buildings & soccer field) as well as a first response team, Crisis International that is also a command center & housing medical teams from all around the world (all of the elementary building, tents pitched wherever there is a place). National workers who lost their homes are also staying on the campus in the art & music rooms. The elementary library has become the school offices & our kids have the chapel area for classes.
Beth mentions that money here is still in short supply. Grocery stores are open with limited hours and with limited supplies. Gas for cars and cooking is finally available again. She says, "We have had electricity for four days straight! In all of my years of living in Haiti, I am not sure I have ever seen nonstop electricity like this! We were set not to have electricity for months. Praise God!"
Beth goes on to add that Culligan water is being delivered again & vegetables & fruit are in abundance.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
-Pastor
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday Wrap Up
Great services today! This morning, we had three young people receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord!
Tonight's P&W service was really good! It seems like the time flies by when we do these services. I couldn't believe the service lasted a little over an hour. Really, it seemed like thirty minutes. People really entered in and worshipped. Not a bad crowd either, especially for a super bowl night.
I only have two words regarding the Super Bowl..."who dat!"
Everyone have a great week! Let Christ shine through at work, school, wherever!
-Pastor
Tonight's P&W service was really good! It seems like the time flies by when we do these services. I couldn't believe the service lasted a little over an hour. Really, it seemed like thirty minutes. People really entered in and worshipped. Not a bad crowd either, especially for a super bowl night.
I only have two words regarding the Super Bowl..."who dat!"
Everyone have a great week! Let Christ shine through at work, school, wherever!
-Pastor
Friday, February 5, 2010
Countdown to Sunday
Good AM everyone! Please continue to remember the family of Rex Wilson in your prayers. Rex passed away early Wednesday evening. Rex was a great guy, a very humble man who was a servant. Rex was our assistant head usher for a few years at KP and also served on the Church and Pastor's Council for awhile. Rex's father is or was a pastor in Berea, Kentucky, where the services are being held this weekend.
The snow, sleet, ice, and rain is coming, I guess. Three to five inches they say. We plan to have services as normal Sunday but if we have to cancel or change the times we will send out e-mails, put it on the website and church answering machine, and ask you to please call those people who do not have the internet. But hopefully we will have time to get the parking lot and sidewalks cleaned off and the roads will be in good shape.
It may be Super Bowl Sunday and my Colts might be the favorites, but I'm anxious to worship Sunday. Why?
The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake!
The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Your name is holy! -Psalms 99:1-3
Have a great weekend! Oh by the way, Colts 31, Saints 17
-Pastor
The snow, sleet, ice, and rain is coming, I guess. Three to five inches they say. We plan to have services as normal Sunday but if we have to cancel or change the times we will send out e-mails, put it on the website and church answering machine, and ask you to please call those people who do not have the internet. But hopefully we will have time to get the parking lot and sidewalks cleaned off and the roads will be in good shape.
It may be Super Bowl Sunday and my Colts might be the favorites, but I'm anxious to worship Sunday. Why?
The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake!
The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Your name is holy! -Psalms 99:1-3
Have a great weekend! Oh by the way, Colts 31, Saints 17
-Pastor
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Get the Rocks Out!
Matthew 13:3-6 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed...Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root."
Rapid, quick spiritual growth is not always a great thing. Here we see that seed combined with just a little soil causes quick but limited growth. The problem comes when the seed is not allowed to grow deep roots. The end result is the destruction of the seed due to the scorching of the sun.
I believe the rocks are bondages and strongholds in people's lives. These people gladly receive the Word of God when it is taught or preached on Sunday mornings. They feel good about hearing the word but aren't successful in obeying God's Word because of the strongholds. Of course, the solution is deliverance...they must be set free so God's Word can be rooted in the believer's life. Real deliverance comes as we daily die to the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." [John 8:31,32]
I want to encourage you today to get rid of the rocks. Let "the Rock" crush the rocky places in your life and set you free so that God can put His Word deep into your spirit.
-Pastor
Rapid, quick spiritual growth is not always a great thing. Here we see that seed combined with just a little soil causes quick but limited growth. The problem comes when the seed is not allowed to grow deep roots. The end result is the destruction of the seed due to the scorching of the sun.
I believe the rocks are bondages and strongholds in people's lives. These people gladly receive the Word of God when it is taught or preached on Sunday mornings. They feel good about hearing the word but aren't successful in obeying God's Word because of the strongholds. Of course, the solution is deliverance...they must be set free so God's Word can be rooted in the believer's life. Real deliverance comes as we daily die to the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." [John 8:31,32]
I want to encourage you today to get rid of the rocks. Let "the Rock" crush the rocky places in your life and set you free so that God can put His Word deep into your spirit.
-Pastor
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Would you Give a Year's Salary to God?
Our cell lessons on tithing and giving this month have been great. I have heard many testimonies from KP family members on how these lessons have been very helpful, informative, and inspiring. We had a great fifth Sunday giving day this past weekend after my message on God's Sufficient Grace. I'm blessed to pastor such wonderful people who respond to the word of God.
Its important that OUR MOTIVE in our giving is right...that we are kingdom- and people-minded. Many, many people pray for financial increase, but the question to ask yourself is, why do I want more? It is good to examine your motives sometimes. Do you want more material possessions to adorn your life, or do you have specific ways you want to promote God’s kingdom and bless people?
Pastor Rick Warren tells the story of how God spoke to him and his wife right before their church began their third building program. God told him to give his year's salary toward the new building. He discussed it with his wife and they obeyed God. Weeks later he received a call from a book publisher asking him to write a book. The book was called "The Purpose-Driven Life" which went on to become one of the best-selling books of all time. From that time on, Pastor Warren has never taken a salary from his church and until this day has a set salary he receives from the proceeds of his book.
Would God speak to me and tell me to give a year's salary to His work? Why not? The widow in the bible gave all she had which was proportionally more than what Rick Warren gave. God wants to grow our faith and if we will hear his voice He will ask us to give to Him something that will cost us greatly. And one more thought here...we don't necessarily have to wait to hear God's voice before we give. There are times the compassion of Jesus in us compels us to give. Have you ever been there? I have and its in those times I don't need to wait for God to speak to me, He already has through the love of Christ He has put in me.
Have a great Wednesday!
-Pastor
Its important that OUR MOTIVE in our giving is right...that we are kingdom- and people-minded. Many, many people pray for financial increase, but the question to ask yourself is, why do I want more? It is good to examine your motives sometimes. Do you want more material possessions to adorn your life, or do you have specific ways you want to promote God’s kingdom and bless people?
Pastor Rick Warren tells the story of how God spoke to him and his wife right before their church began their third building program. God told him to give his year's salary toward the new building. He discussed it with his wife and they obeyed God. Weeks later he received a call from a book publisher asking him to write a book. The book was called "The Purpose-Driven Life" which went on to become one of the best-selling books of all time. From that time on, Pastor Warren has never taken a salary from his church and until this day has a set salary he receives from the proceeds of his book.
Would God speak to me and tell me to give a year's salary to His work? Why not? The widow in the bible gave all she had which was proportionally more than what Rick Warren gave. God wants to grow our faith and if we will hear his voice He will ask us to give to Him something that will cost us greatly. And one more thought here...we don't necessarily have to wait to hear God's voice before we give. There are times the compassion of Jesus in us compels us to give. Have you ever been there? I have and its in those times I don't need to wait for God to speak to me, He already has through the love of Christ He has put in me.
Have a great Wednesday!
-Pastor
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