Tonight #8 on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Econonmy."
#8 - "Try this at home with the Guys and Save $$$ on Water-Skiing." Its a lot more fun!
Great service this morning! Isn't that graphic (on my multi-media) of the bride being raptured up beautiful? I mean it really depicts the church as the bride like no other drawing or picture I have ever seen. I really believe we are close to the time of the rapture of the church. All signs in the bible point to it occuring between now and the next few years.
The renovation of the ladies restroom is going well. It ought to be really nice when done. Hopefully, we will be starting on the fountain in the courtyard sometime this month or March. That will be really nice also!
Tonight's service was good. Everyone ought to study the Tabernacle in the OT. The symbolism is beautiful. You see Jesus everywhere.
I hope you have a great Monday!
-Pastor Randy
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Some Saturday Thoughts...Top Ten List and Obama's Costly Abortion Decision
Today we continue our video series on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy."
#9 - Trade in your teen's car for a cheaper form of transportation.
Of course, it might help if they had some type of rider's training which might cost a little but is much cheaper than "Driver's Education." Remember, we are just having some fun. We will have #8 tomorrow on the "Sunday Wrap-up."
On a more serious note...and I mean very serious. One of President Obama's first acts in office was to strike down a rule Friday that prohibits U.S. money from funding international family-planning clinics that promote abortion or provide counseling or referrals about abortion services. The policy, referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was initially announced at a population conference in Mexico City. Reversing the previous administrations' stance on the policy was one of Clinton's first acts as president in January 1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush on January 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush's move a "legislative ambush." However, President Bush defended his action, saying, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion."
So what does this mean for you and I? Congratulations, your tax offerings and mine will be used to pay for hundreds of thousands and eventually millions of babies to be murdered around the world for the next four years (Obama's tenure). As a Christian and one who has God's Holy Spirit residing within, this makes me sick in my stomach...I am not exaggerating.
For you that profess Christianity but vote for politicians who are pro-choice, please consider what God says about human life inside the womb...or maybe you don't care what God says.
Psalms 139:13-18 "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there---you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Now that's pretty clear and very black and white! You and I and our government is paying for children to be sucked out of wombs and for scissors to be jabbed into the skulls of the millions of babies. These are just two of the procedures that are used to kill a baby in the mother's womb during an abortion. What are the consequences of a nation that promotes and pays for the killing of millions of innocent children? Seriously, I shudder to think what lies ahead of us as nation.
What are you saying Pastor? I am saying God won't look the other way. He hasn't in the past and He won't in the future. God told Israel long ago in Leviticus 20 that anyone that would hand over their seed(children)to the god Molech should be put to death and should be stoned by the people. In case you don't know, it is traditionally thought that children were burned alive when given to the god Molech. God says His face is against the person or family that offers His seed to Molech. God says in Leviticus 20 He takes this personally (the killing of a child). He says it is defiling His sanctuary and profaning His name.
God has not changed his mind. He has not changed. He still judges a people that chooses to put children to death. Can I ask you a question? What if on the ABC evening news, video was shown of little kittens being ripped out of the womb of it's mother? What do you think the reaction would be? You know, the PC crowd especially would go crazy! They would be boycotting ABC news and their sponsors the next day. However, as a nation, we choose to look the other way as millions of babies are being ripped and sucked to death out of their mother's womb...and again, we are paying for it to happen...you and I.
What can we do as Christians? Other than do everything we can to keep abortions from happening, I don't know. I think as a nation we are headed for national tragedies like we have never seen before if we don't repent soon.
-Pastor Randy
#9 - Trade in your teen's car for a cheaper form of transportation.
Of course, it might help if they had some type of rider's training which might cost a little but is much cheaper than "Driver's Education." Remember, we are just having some fun. We will have #8 tomorrow on the "Sunday Wrap-up."
On a more serious note...and I mean very serious. One of President Obama's first acts in office was to strike down a rule Friday that prohibits U.S. money from funding international family-planning clinics that promote abortion or provide counseling or referrals about abortion services. The policy, referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was initially announced at a population conference in Mexico City. Reversing the previous administrations' stance on the policy was one of Clinton's first acts as president in January 1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush on January 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush's move a "legislative ambush." However, President Bush defended his action, saying, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion."
So what does this mean for you and I? Congratulations, your tax offerings and mine will be used to pay for hundreds of thousands and eventually millions of babies to be murdered around the world for the next four years (Obama's tenure). As a Christian and one who has God's Holy Spirit residing within, this makes me sick in my stomach...I am not exaggerating.
For you that profess Christianity but vote for politicians who are pro-choice, please consider what God says about human life inside the womb...or maybe you don't care what God says.
Psalms 139:13-18 "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there---you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Now that's pretty clear and very black and white! You and I and our government is paying for children to be sucked out of wombs and for scissors to be jabbed into the skulls of the millions of babies. These are just two of the procedures that are used to kill a baby in the mother's womb during an abortion. What are the consequences of a nation that promotes and pays for the killing of millions of innocent children? Seriously, I shudder to think what lies ahead of us as nation.
What are you saying Pastor? I am saying God won't look the other way. He hasn't in the past and He won't in the future. God told Israel long ago in Leviticus 20 that anyone that would hand over their seed(children)to the god Molech should be put to death and should be stoned by the people. In case you don't know, it is traditionally thought that children were burned alive when given to the god Molech. God says His face is against the person or family that offers His seed to Molech. God says in Leviticus 20 He takes this personally (the killing of a child). He says it is defiling His sanctuary and profaning His name.
God has not changed his mind. He has not changed. He still judges a people that chooses to put children to death. Can I ask you a question? What if on the ABC evening news, video was shown of little kittens being ripped out of the womb of it's mother? What do you think the reaction would be? You know, the PC crowd especially would go crazy! They would be boycotting ABC news and their sponsors the next day. However, as a nation, we choose to look the other way as millions of babies are being ripped and sucked to death out of their mother's womb...and again, we are paying for it to happen...you and I.
What can we do as Christians? Other than do everything we can to keep abortions from happening, I don't know. I think as a nation we are headed for national tragedies like we have never seen before if we don't repent soon.
-Pastor Randy
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday Countdown...How to Save $$$ in a Lousy Economy
Today, I'm starting a top ten video list featuring "Ways Families Can Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy." Hopefully, these suggestions will help your family save hundreds of dollars.
10. How to save on doggy bones...(featuring my dog "Bear")
As you can tell, this isn't a serious top ten lists. We will try to have a little fun with this.
Praise the Lord, it is suppose to warm up this weekend. Maybe it will melt all the white stuff...bu then of course I might have to buy a bone for Bear. I hope you have a great Saturday. I plan to share a message Sunday AM called "The Wedding Invitation." I believe it is a timely message from God for us all. Sunday PM's message will be "The Power of the Altar." Come ready to worship and invite someone to come with you.
-Pastor Randy
10. How to save on doggy bones...(featuring my dog "Bear")
As you can tell, this isn't a serious top ten lists. We will try to have a little fun with this.
Praise the Lord, it is suppose to warm up this weekend. Maybe it will melt all the white stuff...bu then of course I might have to buy a bone for Bear. I hope you have a great Saturday. I plan to share a message Sunday AM called "The Wedding Invitation." I believe it is a timely message from God for us all. Sunday PM's message will be "The Power of the Altar." Come ready to worship and invite someone to come with you.
-Pastor Randy
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Great Encounter Testimony from Stratford Heights
Some updates on some prayer needs:
Debbie Ballard (my brother, Tom's wife) came home from the hospital after a heart cath came back showing no blockages in her heart. She has no chest pains and is feeling good. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
Anna Hilton is home after pace-maker surgery. She is doing well.
Please remember Amanda McClure who was running a high fever and sick in bed most of the week.
Thank you for the sympathy cards and phone calls from our friends and church family. Annette, Gabe, and I are overwhelmed with the love of God that has been shown to us. My mother also tonight told me she has received many cards from the people at Kings Point. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness toward her and your prayers for her. She is doing well.
Recently, I had breakfast with Dave Anderson. Dave and Missy are leading encounters and assisting in starting cells over at Stratford Heights. Dave led a men's encounter last weekend. He was telling me that last year at this time there was a little girl here in Cincinnati that had a tree limb fall on her during the ice storm and tragically took her life. Dave said her dad came to the encounter. At the encounter he stood up and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. His wife a few weeks before attended the ladies encounter. Dave said that these are just two of many people who God has changed through encounters at Stratford Heights over the past year.
To God be the glory!
-Pastor
Debbie Ballard (my brother, Tom's wife) came home from the hospital after a heart cath came back showing no blockages in her heart. She has no chest pains and is feeling good. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
Anna Hilton is home after pace-maker surgery. She is doing well.
Please remember Amanda McClure who was running a high fever and sick in bed most of the week.
Thank you for the sympathy cards and phone calls from our friends and church family. Annette, Gabe, and I are overwhelmed with the love of God that has been shown to us. My mother also tonight told me she has received many cards from the people at Kings Point. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness toward her and your prayers for her. She is doing well.
Recently, I had breakfast with Dave Anderson. Dave and Missy are leading encounters and assisting in starting cells over at Stratford Heights. Dave led a men's encounter last weekend. He was telling me that last year at this time there was a little girl here in Cincinnati that had a tree limb fall on her during the ice storm and tragically took her life. Dave said her dad came to the encounter. At the encounter he stood up and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. His wife a few weeks before attended the ladies encounter. Dave said that these are just two of many people who God has changed through encounters at Stratford Heights over the past year.
To God be the glory!
-Pastor
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Ministry of the Altar
The Golden Altar of Incense >(located just outside the Holies of Holies in the inner court of the Tabernacle)
Many churches today don't understand the ministry of the altar. Many do not even have altars in them. To understand the role of the altar, we don't need to look any further than "The Golden Altar of Incense" as described in Exodus 30:1-6.
The Golden Altar of Incense was placed against the veil of the Tabernacle. Behind the veil, unseen by human eyes, was the Mercy Seat, where the blood offerings were placed on the Day of Atonement. There was something else in this little room behind the veil, called the Holy of Holies. The Shekinah Glory of the presence of God dwelt there. The only access to the glory of God was through the veil.
In a sense, Jesus is the veil. It is through Him alone that we access to the riches of God through prayer - John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; 26. The Lord Jesus is the only access that have into the hidden riches and glories of the Lord - 1 Tim. 2:5.
It is not an accident that the Altar of Incense was placed just outside the Veil. Think of prayer like you would of a wall outlet. When we take a plug and place it into the wall outlet, we are able to tap into the hidden resources inside the wall. When we take the plug of prayer in the hand of faith and use it properly, we find that prayer does change things and that there is great potential in praying to the Lord.
So in summary, we as royal priests of God offer up prayers at the altar to Jesus who has torn down the veil and serves as our mediator before the mercy seat of God, our Father. I encourage you today to make an altar of prayer somewhere and enter into the Holies of Holies, the presence of God Almighty. What a great privilege we have!
-Pastor Randy
Many churches today don't understand the ministry of the altar. Many do not even have altars in them. To understand the role of the altar, we don't need to look any further than "The Golden Altar of Incense" as described in Exodus 30:1-6.
The Golden Altar of Incense was placed against the veil of the Tabernacle. Behind the veil, unseen by human eyes, was the Mercy Seat, where the blood offerings were placed on the Day of Atonement. There was something else in this little room behind the veil, called the Holy of Holies. The Shekinah Glory of the presence of God dwelt there. The only access to the glory of God was through the veil.
In a sense, Jesus is the veil. It is through Him alone that we access to the riches of God through prayer - John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; 26. The Lord Jesus is the only access that have into the hidden riches and glories of the Lord - 1 Tim. 2:5.
It is not an accident that the Altar of Incense was placed just outside the Veil. Think of prayer like you would of a wall outlet. When we take a plug and place it into the wall outlet, we are able to tap into the hidden resources inside the wall. When we take the plug of prayer in the hand of faith and use it properly, we find that prayer does change things and that there is great potential in praying to the Lord.
So in summary, we as royal priests of God offer up prayers at the altar to Jesus who has torn down the veil and serves as our mediator before the mercy seat of God, our Father. I encourage you today to make an altar of prayer somewhere and enter into the Holies of Holies, the presence of God Almighty. What a great privilege we have!
-Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Satan's Onslaught Against My Father
Before I go any further, I ask everyone to remember my sister-in-law, Debbie Ballard in prayer. Debbie has had pain in her chest and a very high blood pressure since Sunday. Tonight, her doctor decided to put her in the hospital in Marion, Indiana, and run a stress test on her tomorrow (Wednesday).
___________________________________
My father was one of the healthiest men you would ever meet. I cannot remember dad being sick while growing up. He fell off a truck at Kroger one time in his 30's and hurt his back pretty bad. But even then, God healed him and he fully recovered. But at around 54 years old everything changed.
Looking back now on all that dad went through over the last fourteen years, I can see the fingerprints of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." I absolutely believe that Satan targets God's people that are fruitful in the kingdom of God. I believe that there are modern day Jobs that God allows Satan to try and test in order that He (God)may be glorified through man's good works.
Dad's illnesses were more than just a man growing older. Dad within a fourteen year period had one physical problem after another. It started with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease followed by Diabetes. Then, a few years later the Doctors found cancer in one of dad's kidneys. After the surgery, I can remember the Surgeon telling us that dad's tumor in his kidney was the size of a football. So he had to remove the entire kidney. At around sixty years of age, dad had a heart attack while living in Terre Haute. They put to stints in dad's heart. Afterwards, dad really worked hard watching what he ate and exercising often. But a few years later, the Parkinson disease began to slow him down physically and mentally. Finally, over the last 18 months, my father had an infection throughout his body that contributed greatly to his death.
Dad's life was a fruitful one, even the years when he was sick. He multiplied himself many times over as he led people to Christ, discipled people, pastored and planted churches. Dad planted churches and sent people out into the ministry that planted churches. When a church is planted it is like planting a tree that bears fruit season after season. Satan hates and detests people like dad who are fruitful and multiplies many times over what God gives them. He will attack them and try them with regularity in order to cause them to become discouraged and to work less for God.
As it was said many times during my father's funeral service last week, he never complained through the fourteen years of sickness. He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked "Why." As the scripture says, "Endure hardness as a soldier," and dad did that understanding that his battle was not against "flesh and blood" but demonic powers that could not be seen with natural eyes. Through it all, Dad "...fought a good fight...finished [his] course...[and] kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was a overcomer through Christ Jesus.
Some of you that are reading this blog today need to hear a word from the Lord. He is saying to you "Don't give up! Keep fighting! Keep battling!" As you do this your life is producing fruit. Just because you may not be able to see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not happening. Yes, Satan is attacking you and you may be getting discouraged. But keep going to church. Keep giving. Keep teaching. Keep praying and keep sharing Christ. Remember, your enemy is not flesh and blood and remember you are an overcomer because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).
___________________________________
My father was one of the healthiest men you would ever meet. I cannot remember dad being sick while growing up. He fell off a truck at Kroger one time in his 30's and hurt his back pretty bad. But even then, God healed him and he fully recovered. But at around 54 years old everything changed.
Looking back now on all that dad went through over the last fourteen years, I can see the fingerprints of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." I absolutely believe that Satan targets God's people that are fruitful in the kingdom of God. I believe that there are modern day Jobs that God allows Satan to try and test in order that He (God)may be glorified through man's good works.
Dad's illnesses were more than just a man growing older. Dad within a fourteen year period had one physical problem after another. It started with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease followed by Diabetes. Then, a few years later the Doctors found cancer in one of dad's kidneys. After the surgery, I can remember the Surgeon telling us that dad's tumor in his kidney was the size of a football. So he had to remove the entire kidney. At around sixty years of age, dad had a heart attack while living in Terre Haute. They put to stints in dad's heart. Afterwards, dad really worked hard watching what he ate and exercising often. But a few years later, the Parkinson disease began to slow him down physically and mentally. Finally, over the last 18 months, my father had an infection throughout his body that contributed greatly to his death.
Dad's life was a fruitful one, even the years when he was sick. He multiplied himself many times over as he led people to Christ, discipled people, pastored and planted churches. Dad planted churches and sent people out into the ministry that planted churches. When a church is planted it is like planting a tree that bears fruit season after season. Satan hates and detests people like dad who are fruitful and multiplies many times over what God gives them. He will attack them and try them with regularity in order to cause them to become discouraged and to work less for God.
As it was said many times during my father's funeral service last week, he never complained through the fourteen years of sickness. He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked "Why." As the scripture says, "Endure hardness as a soldier," and dad did that understanding that his battle was not against "flesh and blood" but demonic powers that could not be seen with natural eyes. Through it all, Dad "...fought a good fight...finished [his] course...[and] kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was a overcomer through Christ Jesus.
Some of you that are reading this blog today need to hear a word from the Lord. He is saying to you "Don't give up! Keep fighting! Keep battling!" As you do this your life is producing fruit. Just because you may not be able to see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not happening. Yes, Satan is attacking you and you may be getting discouraged. But keep going to church. Keep giving. Keep teaching. Keep praying and keep sharing Christ. Remember, your enemy is not flesh and blood and remember you are an overcomer because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Video Tribute, Don Ballard (Dad)
Top Ten Observations Today
10. The parking lot and sidewalks looked pretty good today. A special thanks to Frank Jones, Mark Bowers, and Ken Brumfield (and Jonathan) who worked hard clearing off sidewalks and putting down salt on the parking lot.
9. Amazing service this morning. Dan and Nancy Keaton ministered wonderfully in song and testimony. I think it was good for me to share publicly about dad.
8. The crowd this Sunday was really down. As a church, we are going to have to do a better job of doing evangelism and inviting the lost to church. We will be doing some things over the next few months to incite this. WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME...WE ARE SUPPOSE TO GO AND COMPEL THEM!
7. I appreciate all of you who shared your hugs, kind words, cards, and love today. I don't know what people do without a church family.
6. Great service tonight! I appreciate our youth and what they did this weekend. It is so very important to disciple our kids and give them opportunities to do evangelism. Thanks so much Corina, Mark, Gerry, and Wilma for going with the youth.
5. Brother Aker taught on the first three verses of Matthew 17. Good, sound bible teaching. I love it! I am a great football fan, but I wouldn't have traded hearing God's Word tonight to be a part of the world's big party.
4. A few years ago, we did a Super Bowl party type ministry thing. But people would leave after the food and watching the first half of the game without participating in the ministry thing we did. And I'm not talking about people who were visitors but this was church folks. Kind a makes you wonder who their serving...self or Christ?
3. Please remember Anna Hilton in your prayers. She will be having surgery to put in a pace-maker tomorrow. Also remember, Imogene Halcomb in your prayers this week.
2. Thanks to everyone who gave a little more than usual in an offering today for the Keatons.
1. I believe Arizona just might come back and win this game!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
-Pastor Randy
Top Ten Observations Today
10. The parking lot and sidewalks looked pretty good today. A special thanks to Frank Jones, Mark Bowers, and Ken Brumfield (and Jonathan) who worked hard clearing off sidewalks and putting down salt on the parking lot.
9. Amazing service this morning. Dan and Nancy Keaton ministered wonderfully in song and testimony. I think it was good for me to share publicly about dad.
8. The crowd this Sunday was really down. As a church, we are going to have to do a better job of doing evangelism and inviting the lost to church. We will be doing some things over the next few months to incite this. WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME...WE ARE SUPPOSE TO GO AND COMPEL THEM!
7. I appreciate all of you who shared your hugs, kind words, cards, and love today. I don't know what people do without a church family.
6. Great service tonight! I appreciate our youth and what they did this weekend. It is so very important to disciple our kids and give them opportunities to do evangelism. Thanks so much Corina, Mark, Gerry, and Wilma for going with the youth.
5. Brother Aker taught on the first three verses of Matthew 17. Good, sound bible teaching. I love it! I am a great football fan, but I wouldn't have traded hearing God's Word tonight to be a part of the world's big party.
4. A few years ago, we did a Super Bowl party type ministry thing. But people would leave after the food and watching the first half of the game without participating in the ministry thing we did. And I'm not talking about people who were visitors but this was church folks. Kind a makes you wonder who their serving...self or Christ?
3. Please remember Anna Hilton in your prayers. She will be having surgery to put in a pace-maker tomorrow. Also remember, Imogene Halcomb in your prayers this week.
2. Thanks to everyone who gave a little more than usual in an offering today for the Keatons.
1. I believe Arizona just might come back and win this game!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
-Pastor Randy
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