Hi Friends-
Did Norma or I screw up? Did we screw up somehow? Over the years, this thought has entered my mind.
My son, Joshua, was born with some problems.Over the years, we have had many challenges with that young man. The questions that have come into mind have been; "Maybe we should have been more careful at some of Norma's doctor visits and some of the tests she took? Maybe her diet? Maybe some of the cleaning material Norma used may have affected my son? Maybe the environment?
Maybe, Maybe, Maybe.
As I said, over the years, I have questioned how we may have screwed up. Like an unfill blank in a Fill-in sheet.
Then 2 Saturdays ago, As I sat in my church's worship service with the normal "fill-in" sheets we recieve with each service, Joshua sitting in the middle of us, I heard this :
This is the disciples talking to Jesus. " Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus,"But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:2-3
As these words,"...this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." were sinking in. I saw this little finger forceably pointing for dad to fill in the blank on the fill-in.
Literally telling me,"Pay attention, Dad!"
I broke into tears and put my arm around him and thought, "God has a plan for this little guy. Who knows,what they are or what they will be.I am looking forward to find out."
Thank you, God. For filling in the blank... answering my question.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love you, guys! Your irritating Friend- Derek
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Stephen King and
I read the 1st few pages of Stephen King's new novel," Under The Dome."
Then, I chose to read the Good Book... and read this.
How weird!
"For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning,which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other...Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating,drinking,marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. then the flood came and destroyed them all.It was the same in the days of Lot. people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all...
It will be like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed...
Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.
Luke 17:24,26-30,37
I am wondering,which is more scary?
Stephen King or Jesus's prophesies?
Your Irritating Friend-Derek
Then, I chose to read the Good Book... and read this.
How weird!
"For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning,which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other...Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating,drinking,marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. then the flood came and destroyed them all.It was the same in the days of Lot. people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all...
It will be like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed...
Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.
Luke 17:24,26-30,37
I am wondering,which is more scary?
Stephen King or Jesus's prophesies?
Your Irritating Friend-Derek
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Vampires vs Missionaries
Hi friends- Vampires or Missionaries? Which to choose?
Missionaries usually bring supplies, working hands, love and the "Good News" of eternal life with God.
Vampires bring need for your blood,strong hands,fear & seduction. News that you could live with them forever.
Both can be wanted.Possibly needed.
Which is Real?
Your irritating friend- Derek
Happy 4th of July weekend!
Missionaries usually bring supplies, working hands, love and the "Good News" of eternal life with God.
Vampires bring need for your blood,strong hands,fear & seduction. News that you could live with them forever.
Both can be wanted.Possibly needed.
Which is Real?
Your irritating friend- Derek
Happy 4th of July weekend!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"Keep away,...I am to sacred for you!"
"Keep away; don't come near me, for I am to sacred for you!"
Well, when I am getting my tail stomped (Son had surgery, laptop dead, business related problems, family stress, extended family stress,...etc.) by the trials of life... that is the last thing I would think of telling God.
But the Good book says there are those who DO!...Oh-oh... They do the vampire thing. Hang around graveyards, keep secret vigils. Meetings.Pursue their own imaginations & thoughts.You know,crazy stuff. Not necessarily, black magic stuff.(Play"Black magic woman" by Santana here) But things that are not good for them.Even somewhat benign. But, empty. Empty in the eternal scheme of things. All along God has his hands held out.
"Keep away; don't come near me, for I am to sacred for you!"Isaiah 65:5
Got to see Bill Maher's movie, "Religulous ". I loved the self-deprecating humor. But didn't agree with his conclusions. His conclusions seem to take on aspects of needing faith to believe. I believe he has his own form of faith. Whether he believes it or not. It may be to strong to say,... but I believe he agrees with the above scripture.
"Keep away; don't come near me, for I am to sacred for you!" Isaiah 65:5
Did you ever tell that to God? In one form or another? Maybe not in those exact words, but in your mind? Or possibly in your heart? Do you find yourself agreeing with Bill Maher? But, deep in your heart you know there is more to this world that what you have experienced?
God accepts you for who you are! Warts, fangs and all.
Reach out and grab his hand.
He loves you and your chubby irritating friend- Derek : )
Well, when I am getting my tail stomped (Son had surgery, laptop dead, business related problems, family stress, extended family stress,...etc.) by the trials of life... that is the last thing I would think of telling God.
But the Good book says there are those who DO!...Oh-oh... They do the vampire thing. Hang around graveyards, keep secret vigils. Meetings.Pursue their own imaginations & thoughts.You know,crazy stuff. Not necessarily, black magic stuff.(Play"Black magic woman" by Santana here) But things that are not good for them.Even somewhat benign. But, empty. Empty in the eternal scheme of things. All along God has his hands held out.
"Keep away; don't come near me, for I am to sacred for you!"Isaiah 65:5
Got to see Bill Maher's movie, "Religulous ". I loved the self-deprecating humor. But didn't agree with his conclusions. His conclusions seem to take on aspects of needing faith to believe. I believe he has his own form of faith. Whether he believes it or not. It may be to strong to say,... but I believe he agrees with the above scripture.
"Keep away; don't come near me, for I am to sacred for you!" Isaiah 65:5
Did you ever tell that to God? In one form or another? Maybe not in those exact words, but in your mind? Or possibly in your heart? Do you find yourself agreeing with Bill Maher? But, deep in your heart you know there is more to this world that what you have experienced?
God accepts you for who you are! Warts, fangs and all.
Reach out and grab his hand.
He loves you and your chubby irritating friend- Derek : )
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Winning Play
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."2Cor:16
You know sometime we need to hear Good news. Something positive. Something good. Other than you had a boil removed. Or that you finally wash that piled of clothes in the corner of the bathroom that was starting to move. Or that your uncle no longer makes unusually large noises.
But, news that encourages. uplifts. Puts a smile on your face. Like a winning play!
Ok...I have a friend whose church this past weekend had 91 people turn there lives to God! Plus, had 21 people get baptized! And the church where I attend 19 people got baptized!
That is what I am talking about. Sounds like Good news to me!
The repenting, turning your life to God, is when you feel and know God has come into your heart. You feel different. A veil has been removed from your eyes and you see things differently. You know if you were to die today, you would go to heaven. Cool, huh?
As you probably know, baptism is telling the world you are a follower of JC. I am not talking about the rapper(Beyonce's husband), but Jesus Christ.
Some people will think this stuff is crazy. And you know what? Sometimes, it sure can seem that way. But it was what God set up when he huddle up with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He drew a diagram of this winning play. Like in a basketball game.
He had Jesus doing the Cross thing. The Resurrection thing. Then the Holy Spirit coming through and dunking into our hearts as we ask him to.
Keep in mind, the devil is playing zone. (I understand he looks like the robot devil in the Futurama show) Trying to keep whoever from opening their eyes, minds, and hearts to the Good news. But, he is no match.
I know it sounds wacky and crazy but if you look into the good book. you'll find this stuff.
You know... is there really anything more important than knowing where you are going to be if you were to die today? Probably not.
I Thank God for his winning play.May we be renewed day by day!
Your Irritating Friend
You know sometime we need to hear Good news. Something positive. Something good. Other than you had a boil removed. Or that you finally wash that piled of clothes in the corner of the bathroom that was starting to move. Or that your uncle no longer makes unusually large noises.
But, news that encourages. uplifts. Puts a smile on your face. Like a winning play!
Ok...I have a friend whose church this past weekend had 91 people turn there lives to God! Plus, had 21 people get baptized! And the church where I attend 19 people got baptized!
That is what I am talking about. Sounds like Good news to me!
The repenting, turning your life to God, is when you feel and know God has come into your heart. You feel different. A veil has been removed from your eyes and you see things differently. You know if you were to die today, you would go to heaven. Cool, huh?
As you probably know, baptism is telling the world you are a follower of JC. I am not talking about the rapper(Beyonce's husband), but Jesus Christ.
Some people will think this stuff is crazy. And you know what? Sometimes, it sure can seem that way. But it was what God set up when he huddle up with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He drew a diagram of this winning play. Like in a basketball game.
He had Jesus doing the Cross thing. The Resurrection thing. Then the Holy Spirit coming through and dunking into our hearts as we ask him to.
Keep in mind, the devil is playing zone. (I understand he looks like the robot devil in the Futurama show) Trying to keep whoever from opening their eyes, minds, and hearts to the Good news. But, he is no match.
I know it sounds wacky and crazy but if you look into the good book. you'll find this stuff.
You know... is there really anything more important than knowing where you are going to be if you were to die today? Probably not.
I Thank God for his winning play.May we be renewed day by day!
Your Irritating Friend
Monday, March 29, 2010
Resurrected or Zombie?
Friends-Ah, Resurrection Sunday is this Sunday...
"Oh, God! He is going to write about Jesus. How he was supposedly resurrected from the dead. Dude, he's dead. Leave him in the ground. Get over it!"
Hey, man, not only did he rose from the dead , many of his homeys were raised out of tombs and cruised around the city.Went to the outdoor mall. Grabbed a cup of Jewish grind. Lots of people saw them. (See Mathew 28:52-53)
"Are you telling me Jesus was a zombie?"
No, dude. he rose from the dead without the gruesome Hollywood make up. Check this out!
"...The Angel answered and said to the women,"Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for he has risen."
...Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, " Do not be afraid, go and take my word to my brethren.."Matthew 28: 5-6,9-10
"Whoa, angels now?"
Well, they are in the book. Anyway, he didn't take a chunk out of the ladies. Not saying he wasn't hungry from being in the tomb for 3 days. But, I am sure the ladies had a granola bar or some type of lozenge in their purses to tie him over til later.
Plus, if he had that gnarly zombie look, do you think the ladies would have grabbed a hold of him?
"Oh, God! He is going to write about Jesus. How he was supposedly resurrected from the dead. Dude, he's dead. Leave him in the ground. Get over it!"
Hey, man, not only did he rose from the dead , many of his homeys were raised out of tombs and cruised around the city.Went to the outdoor mall. Grabbed a cup of Jewish grind. Lots of people saw them. (See Mathew 28:52-53)
"Are you telling me Jesus was a zombie?"
No, dude. he rose from the dead without the gruesome Hollywood make up. Check this out!
"...The Angel answered and said to the women,"Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for he has risen."
...Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, " Do not be afraid, go and take my word to my brethren.."Matthew 28: 5-6,9-10
"Whoa, angels now?"
Well, they are in the book. Anyway, he didn't take a chunk out of the ladies. Not saying he wasn't hungry from being in the tomb for 3 days. But, I am sure the ladies had a granola bar or some type of lozenge in their purses to tie him over til later.
Plus, if he had that gnarly zombie look, do you think the ladies would have grabbed a hold of him?
Not only he rose from the dead, he was lifted up to heaven. (See Acts 1:9-11)
So, if I wanted to leave him in ground , I can't. He's not there. He is in heaven seated at the right hand of father God.
Jesus, the Father and the Holy spirit give each other knuckles when we do something right in their eyes. Kinda cool, huh!
So, dude,I am not over it...I'm into it! : )
Resurrection Sunday is this Sunday. He's alive. He loves you. And he won't bite you! : )
Your irritating Friend
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Some sat in darkness and the deepest of gloom...
Friends-
"Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom..."
Do you feel that way right now? We can get upset, depress and sick(Especially if your child hacks in your face!) with life circumstances, because we don't know exactly what the future entails.We think we do, but we not quite sure.In fact, we don't.
God knows. He is not surprised by what is happening to you. To this world,... this nation. The chains that the world and men are trying to to put on us. The funny thing is, as long as we cry out to God he will save us.Whatever our circumstances are. Check this out!
"Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the most high. So he subjected them to bitter labor;they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried out to the lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." Psalm 107: 10-16
Some of us are not necessarily prisoners or have rebelled all out against his word or despised his counsel. Or have we? Maybe in a small way. Maybe in a large. Only God and you know.
But what is comforting is that he understands our failings. We just need to cry out to him.
He will break down those gates and cut through those bars of iron. "Ironman" has nothing on him.
He will save you, he will save me.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."Genesis 50:20
Comforting.
God loves you and he loves this irritating friend of yours!
"Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom..."
Do you feel that way right now? We can get upset, depress and sick(Especially if your child hacks in your face!) with life circumstances, because we don't know exactly what the future entails.We think we do, but we not quite sure.In fact, we don't.
God knows. He is not surprised by what is happening to you. To this world,... this nation. The chains that the world and men are trying to to put on us. The funny thing is, as long as we cry out to God he will save us.Whatever our circumstances are. Check this out!
"Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the most high. So he subjected them to bitter labor;they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried out to the lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." Psalm 107: 10-16
Some of us are not necessarily prisoners or have rebelled all out against his word or despised his counsel. Or have we? Maybe in a small way. Maybe in a large. Only God and you know.
But what is comforting is that he understands our failings. We just need to cry out to him.
He will break down those gates and cut through those bars of iron. "Ironman" has nothing on him.
He will save you, he will save me.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."Genesis 50:20
Comforting.
God loves you and he loves this irritating friend of yours!
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