What's your Colt?
Sun, Apr 5 2009 11:00
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“Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are your untying the colt?’ They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’” (Luke 19:32-34)
We have all heard the story before. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives. He sends two of his disciples up to a house to untie their colt. They were going to take it. Then he tells them if they are asked why they are taking it tell them the Lord needs it. As you can see from scripture, the disciples did as they were told. If you look further you will see that we do not hear another word from the owners of the colt. Why?
Perhaps the owners had a vision from an angel earlier telling them if someone comes to get the colt, let them take it. We do not know the answer from scripture. What we do know is that because the disciples said the Lord needs it, they let it go. They did not ask for payment or even for the names of those taking it. They just let them take it. The Lord needed their help and they gave without hesitation.
Has the Lord ask you for something? Has the Lord asked you to do something that you wavered on? I know he has asked me before and I told Him it was not in my plan. We have all, more than likely, told God no. In this Easter season it is time to say, “Yes!” It is time that we stop worrying about what will happen or what other people will think. We should just rely on faith in God to see us through. What is the colt in your life? What is it that the Lord needs to use that you cannot seem to let go of?
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Worldly Goggles
Fri, Apr 3 2009 02:42
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“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”Psalm 118:22-23
In architecture the capstone is the center stone, the one that holds up a design. Without this stone in the middle, the whole structure would fall. This stone is of utmost importance in the design. So, then, why does this psalmist say that the stones the builder rejected would become the capstone? Not only that, but then they say the Lord has done this. It doesn’t make sense that a rejected stone is something that the Lord would use for such an important job. Or does it?
Throughout scripture God has always reversed people’s status. Off the top of your head I bet you can think of at least one verse. It was Jesus that said, “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30) Peter uses this same concept in speaking about the Christian Church (1 Peter 2:7). The Church took Jesus, someone whom the elite of the day rejected and arrested, and built a foundation upon Him. So do these words only refer to Jesus? I do not think so. When Jesus uses this analogy (Matthew 21:42), he is referring to us. So what does it mean?
For starters, whatever situation you find yourself in, Jesus will use it and you. In the world we live in, when we think of important people, we think of those in high office, the President, CEOs of major corporations. Jesus tells us we are missing something because of the goggles that we look through every day. We miss what Jesus would have us see in people, Him, and ourselves. We miss how we are all being used. God made that rejected stone; we have to take off the worldly goggles to see what He sees. Oh, what we could learn from Jesus, the ultimate cracked and broken stone if we only let Him open our eyes. How do we take off those goggles? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Easy, right?
Past and Present
Thu, Apr 2 2009 02:23
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I find myself at a frustrating point in my life. The career that I choose for myself vanished in a moments notice. I was laid off earlier in the month. For the past year I have been contemplating changing professions, that new profession being ministry. Problem with that is it takes a long time to become a minister. So, now I am stuck with trying to figure out what God is doing (good luck) and having to live what I have preached, walk by faith. I have to rely on the power of God to overcome this. I know that he will. However, this is more difficult than I imagined. I am trying to find the lessons in this situation, human nature is to say that I did something wrong or that along the way something happened to create this moment in my life. Therefore, I am sitting in a place that I know well and that knows me well, to see if here, I can find an answer from my past. Not much has changed since my days at this old ballpark. A new concession stand and new bases, but other than that it is the same. This is not where I found God although as a kid, this mattered more to me. See, by coming here I am trying to remember times when God was speaking to me but I was more worried about the count, than His voice. Perhaps, God was telling me twelve years ago that no matter how hard I try, His will for me is stronger when I was up for the all star team but never made it at this park. Or maybe God was telling me that happiness and love cannot be purchased when I would spend all my money on Fun Dip and Big League Chew for a girl that never showed interest back. For a fact, God was showing me how to be humble and apologetic in time of turmoil when I spent all week telling everyone that there was no way a girl could strike me out, underhanded. Only to have that girl blow three strikes by me, one of which I never saw leave her hand. On the other hand, maybe there is nothing to learn from these past memories, maybe they are just character builders, not life lessons.
You see, no matter how long, or how often, we look back on what we did in the past, God does not care. Jesus tells us that, “By faith son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5). So whatever I did or did not learn here in this park doesn’t matter anymore. I have asked for forgiveness and have been given that. What matters now is that I show the world I can make it on faith in Christ. What God wants from me now, is my strength in Him, so that others can see I do not rely on worldly means; my trust, hope, and courage rest in His hands.
Lord, I believe. I know that I have not been as faithful as You would want me to be but I ask your forgiveness and help. I pray that you give me the strength and knowledge that this journey requires. Lord, keep my head from the past and let me rest on the fact that the future is in Your hands, not mine. That because of my repentance and Your grace, what matters is the now, is not the past.
Picture by: Rupak, find more information at www.kamaldi.com
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Your Glory, or His?
Tue, Jan 13 2009 06:24
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Let me start by saying that this post will probably get me in trouble. Still, it has been laid on my heart to say.
I am really tired of those that want to share the Word with others making the same mistakes. Granted, the mistakes I see are mistakes to me. I can’t tell you what God has laid on your heart. You may be doing God’s will and doing it the way He told you. So, let the argument begin.
One hard thing for followers to maintain is being in the world not of the world. I struggle with this daily. However, you must, to a degree, step out on the edge of the two distinctions. Without doing that, you might not get noticed by those who refuse to come closer to the crease that you are standing on. The way I see it, they are not going to walk your way, you must walk theirs. Then the question is, how do you do that and maintain your "in the world" status?
There is on simple way, make sure your focus is ALWAYS on Christ and His good. It does not matter in what manner you do this as long as your focus is on Christ. In the last five years, we have been given so many new ways to find new believers. One of those ways is by blogging. One of the tendencies I see is that followers only stay in their close circle of blogging friends. If their blog gets noticed by someone else, great, it just seems that they are content with just using the platform to encourage current believers. Fine, if that is what God wants you to do then, so be it. That is not what God wants me to do, or what Jesus asks us to do.
Jesus said “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” (Matt. 4:19). He didn’t say follow me and we will encourage believers to be strong in me. Jesus wants us to find new people - save more people. It is easy to stay in your comfort zone and only put your voice out to those who want to hear it.
I do have a Christian group of online friends that I follow and talk to, but I also use all those tricks that the other bloggers use to get myself out there. Some of my friends might say I want the glory. I do not want the fame for myself, what I am putting out there is Jesus. I hope anyway. If you read my articles you will see that. If you do not see that, please let me know. I have wandered too far from the path.
My website, as you can see, is ChrisDepewWrites.com, my name, which I just attribute to my lack of real creativity in that department. Although, I can hear some saying that I am just making a name for myself. Is that really a bad thing when someone associates what I do with Christ? I join all the blogging catalogs and carnivals I can. I run ads on my website for revenue. It’s true. It is not free for hosting. Trust me, if I was making enough money from blogging I would not be an accountant by day. I want those who hate God and religion to see my site. They might take a ten second look and then be done with me, but they looked. I want to comment on teenagers who claim to be atheists blogs just in the off chance they click the link to my site. I write about the hard questions and subjects, sometimes, just to show up on searches about things other than God, Christ, and the church.
So, I make no apologies for having my name on my site or putting ads on my blog nor for advertising on Twitter. I do not try to keep quiet and not spread my blog all over cyberspace. I refuse. I will always promote with the best of them, all in the name of Christ. My challenge to all my Christian blogging friends is this; put your name out there, use some of the tricks that secular bloggers use to draw people to them. What, they cannot be used for good as well? Expand your site to those who do not know God. Just remember, you must remain focused on Christ.
God bless and happy blogging.
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Uncomfortable Moments with God
Sun, Jan 4 2009 05:05
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Surely, you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is the mystery made known to me by revelation.
Ephesians 3:2
Paul has been imprisoned for speaking for Christ. "Surely we have heard", he says. That sounds like he put the announcement on Twitter and the whole world re-tweeted it. Perhaps that is why he is in prison. He says that God gave him these things to tell and even though he has been imprisoned because of them, he calls it God's grace. He is so excited to be in prison for Christ that one might think he was crazy, just crazy enough to pay attention to.
Paul is definitely not in his element. He should be out walking amongst the people, preaching the good news, not behind bars. Having to be uncomfortable is part of growing in faith. I was never fond of sharing my faith openly with other adults. It always became a very uncomfortable situation for me. I had worked with youth before and found this enjoyable, it just seemed very unsettling to share with other adults. Then, through a wonderful man named John Robbins, God sent me on an Emmaus weekend. Here my faith grew through having to share my faith story with people my age and older. It was the best time of my spiritual life. Paul was certainly uncomfortable being in prison. However, that is where he found himself and praising God for the opportunity. He had grown because he saw what God was doing. He had seen Roman soldiers listen and accept the story of Christ. Other prisoners were also listening to what he had to say. This was all God's grace at work.
Next time you are in an uncomfortable situation, look for God's grace, it is there. See how he is working through you. See and feel the transformation. Use your uncomfortable feelings as Paul did. It starts with one person; can you be His hands today?
What's in your Tackle Box?
Sun, Dec 7 2008 07:15
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As I am sitting in the stadium seating of a United Methodist Church attending the annual conference there are a few things that come to mind I speak on now. Before all that, let me say that I love the Methodist Church. So please do not think this bothers me bad enough to change my mind on the whole denomination. However, in my first hour and a half of this conference these were a couple of observations that might need to be addressed.
What is it with all the preachers/politicians? You’re a minister; you are not running for office. With God’s grace and will, I too one day will be a part of this conference as a clergy and not a layperson and there are many reasons that I made that decision none of which include politics. Leaving corporate America is the first reason that comes time mind. I feel that it is damaging my relationship with God. There are so many politics that have to be played it makes life a constant struggle. From where I am sitting looking at the politics and preacher/politicians in thousand dollar suits, I am not sure it is any different. I am done with a life that requires me to have the nicest suit to advance. Tell me, how are the meek, the weak, the weary going to be able to relate to you as you speak from a place you made so different from theirs? Is this how Jesus conducted himself? I think we need to address this matter before it gets out of hand.
The next issue I bring to light is stadium seating. Oh, stadium seating, good for a movie theater, poor for a church. How do you get close and build relationships that matter with your brothers and sisters when you are separated from them by a plastic armrest? It makes it more difficult from this comfy, slightly reclined movie chair. They sure don’t make you want to jump and shout to the Lord. If you are lucky, you might stay awake. Matter of fact, they make a great spot to take a nap between sessions at this conference. Bring the pews back. Where on Christmas morning it is so packed you have to put your arms around possibly two people you don’t know, just so you can breath. Please put pews in your new mega-churches, please.
Bottom line, with all the things that we add to worship, we seem to have lost a vital part. What is that? New believers. That is our job as the body of Christ, right?
“Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people”. (Matthew 4:19 NLT) I think we need to change lures.
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How do you search?
Tue, Oct 28 2008 09:33
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Jeremiah 29:13
“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with your whole heart.”
If you have ever played on a sports team you know one of the first things a coach tells his team, “ You got to give it one hundred percent”. This letter that Jeremiah writes was in many ways a pep talk for the people that Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile. However, there are two keys points that draw my attention.
You would think a good pep talk would not have a qualifier. That being, when you search yes, you will find, but only if you seek with your whole heart. Simply put, we cannot find God by halfway attempting the process. Sort of like having a search party for a missing child with no search dogs, something is missing. Have you ever truly found God before? Had him speak to you? I have and let me tell you, he does not halfway tell us it is Him. It is stated so simply, God will not reveal Himself to us unless we are committed to finding Him. So, next time you are seeking God remember, bring it all or do not bring it at all.
The other thing that catches my attention is that it says, “When you seek”. Well, is it not our duty to always be seeking God? The answer is, yes. However, God has been through the fall of man. He was there; he knows what is in our hearts. He knows that we do not always seek him. Funny thing is, He leaves it up to us. That is how much God loves us. He let us go. What is that old saying? If you love someone, let him or her go and if they come back then they truly love you. Think about that. I know I come back time and time again, what about you?
“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with your whole heart.”
If you have ever played on a sports team you know one of the first things a coach tells his team, “ You got to give it one hundred percent”. This letter that Jeremiah writes was in many ways a pep talk for the people that Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile. However, there are two keys points that draw my attention.
You would think a good pep talk would not have a qualifier. That being, when you search yes, you will find, but only if you seek with your whole heart. Simply put, we cannot find God by halfway attempting the process. Sort of like having a search party for a missing child with no search dogs, something is missing. Have you ever truly found God before? Had him speak to you? I have and let me tell you, he does not halfway tell us it is Him. It is stated so simply, God will not reveal Himself to us unless we are committed to finding Him. So, next time you are seeking God remember, bring it all or do not bring it at all.
The other thing that catches my attention is that it says, “When you seek”. Well, is it not our duty to always be seeking God? The answer is, yes. However, God has been through the fall of man. He was there; he knows what is in our hearts. He knows that we do not always seek him. Funny thing is, He leaves it up to us. That is how much God loves us. He let us go. What is that old saying? If you love someone, let him or her go and if they come back then they truly love you. Think about that. I know I come back time and time again, what about you?
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Winds of Change
Mon, Oct 13 2008 11:49
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It is almost as if I am not suppose to figure out my plan. As if the constant swirling of possibilities and open doors will never end. Once I think I have it figure out things always turn in a new, mysterious way. I was once told that God doesn’t throw in these situations, it is the devil trying to make it more difficult for me to decide that His work is for me. For now that is the theory I am going with, for several reasons. As always I am open to any discussion of this matter.
I decided many months ago now that I am going to forego my education in accounting for seminary and follow a calling that I have ignored for a long time. I knew that things would be difficult from a current career path situation. I am slated and was being groomed to be the next controller. The company that I work for is not going to be happy that I am not going to continue with my accounting education. They didn’t hire me to be a preacher; they hired me to be a financial wizard. All of that, I was giving to faith and was not worried about. I was going to go about my business and start seminary and eventually tell them that I was leaving them to follow my heart and my Lord. They would understand once I left and I had a church to go to. I should have known that would not be the end of this, there had to be a twist like a lemon in a glass of gin.
There was a heavy air lying around in my office last week. So thick even that I was having a hard time breathing. Something was not going to be good about this week. You know those heavy eyes dog get in the heat of summer, the controller had those eyes this week. As if her master had just banished her from the shade of the front porch. An afternoon just like most afternoons is when it hit. Our controller announced that she turned in her notice. She was leaving us.
I am not a fan of change. Some change is good; some change is just down right stressful. This change is going to involve a choice for me, or a forced move anyway. Either way it boils down to this; I have everything that I ever wanted, one year ago, at my fingertips, and I am not happy. This might sound odd but just give me a minute. I already don’t have enough time for my family and now if I add this extra responsibility and also seminary classes I really will not have time. Then again, I might be worried about nothing. They might bring in a new controller and leave everything as it is. I guess only time will tell. I do know that God is with me and he will show me my way. It was once said, "I know that I can handle anything that God gives me, I just wish he didn't trust me so much".
Looking over what I am writing it sounds like I haven’t fully given into His plan and that I am still worried about the how and not the now. I am struggling with what to do. Is this a blessing and God’s plan, or is this a diversion; something to make me question my call and show me that I can still have all that I use to want, all those things, the life, money, and car. All of them, dangling in front of me like a carrot in front of a donkey. I am in deep prayer and hope that you will save a small window for me in your prayers as I am sorting out the new changes in my life and what my calling truly must be.
I decided many months ago now that I am going to forego my education in accounting for seminary and follow a calling that I have ignored for a long time. I knew that things would be difficult from a current career path situation. I am slated and was being groomed to be the next controller. The company that I work for is not going to be happy that I am not going to continue with my accounting education. They didn’t hire me to be a preacher; they hired me to be a financial wizard. All of that, I was giving to faith and was not worried about. I was going to go about my business and start seminary and eventually tell them that I was leaving them to follow my heart and my Lord. They would understand once I left and I had a church to go to. I should have known that would not be the end of this, there had to be a twist like a lemon in a glass of gin.
There was a heavy air lying around in my office last week. So thick even that I was having a hard time breathing. Something was not going to be good about this week. You know those heavy eyes dog get in the heat of summer, the controller had those eyes this week. As if her master had just banished her from the shade of the front porch. An afternoon just like most afternoons is when it hit. Our controller announced that she turned in her notice. She was leaving us.
I am not a fan of change. Some change is good; some change is just down right stressful. This change is going to involve a choice for me, or a forced move anyway. Either way it boils down to this; I have everything that I ever wanted, one year ago, at my fingertips, and I am not happy. This might sound odd but just give me a minute. I already don’t have enough time for my family and now if I add this extra responsibility and also seminary classes I really will not have time. Then again, I might be worried about nothing. They might bring in a new controller and leave everything as it is. I guess only time will tell. I do know that God is with me and he will show me my way. It was once said, "I know that I can handle anything that God gives me, I just wish he didn't trust me so much".
Looking over what I am writing it sounds like I haven’t fully given into His plan and that I am still worried about the how and not the now. I am struggling with what to do. Is this a blessing and God’s plan, or is this a diversion; something to make me question my call and show me that I can still have all that I use to want, all those things, the life, money, and car. All of them, dangling in front of me like a carrot in front of a donkey. I am in deep prayer and hope that you will save a small window for me in your prayers as I am sorting out the new changes in my life and what my calling truly must be.
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Time
Fri, Oct 3 2008 05:42
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I am sorry for not being able to post on here like I want, but I am having such a blast raising my daughter Ella Grace that I can't pull myself away from her or my wife to blog. I hope that you understand. This weekend will have a new post up. I hope to have several devotions done. So keep an eye out. Thanks for reading.
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Be careful what you twitter
Sat, Sep 6 2008 12:16
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As most know, I love to twitter. It has become very addictive and it is just mindless fun. Most of you also know that I am a fan of mindless fun. I have many Christian authors and writers that I follow and that also follow me. This is great, I learn many things from people that have been writing for a long time. However, you must choose your words wisely when you are updating your twitter.
On an update September 5, 2005, I said that my boss was in a "pissy" mood. A nice young man that I follow had a problem with me using that word. He said that between my bio and my post these words were, "an interesting combination". Those words being, Christian, trying to make a change, and pissy. First off, pissy, really isn't a word, especially one that I should use in any of my writing. This was twitter for Budda's sake. (They take our God's name in vain, so I take theirs). At first I thought well, he is telling me that pissy was not a Christian word to use. I am not sure what strong words were back in Jesus's day, but I bet He had to use a few to make some points. I am way to lazy, on my birthday, to actually pull references from scripture to back this, if I am wrong, someone will tell me.
He said what he told me was not that it was un-Christian to say that, it was just interesting. Fine, we will leave it at that, but, as God always does, He instructed, and this man followed through on giving me a passage to read. That passage is Romans 14:22, from the NLT it is this; "You may have faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is right".
I am a big fan of Paul, if he had t-shirts I would have one. This passage is compelling to say the least. I love it for a couple of reasons. First, Paul is saying you who have faith walk side by side with God all the time. So, if you feel and think something is fine to be doing great, who would know better than you. Secondly, I see the second part of this passage as a mantra for activist groups everywhere. If you truly believe something is of God, just as Tom Petty put it, don't back down. You will be blessed for not condemning yourself for feeling and fighting for something strongly.
Having faith is possibly the hardest thing I have to do day in and day out. This world does not make it easy for anyone to walk by faith. Everywhere we go we see things that say, 'do this and you will have wealth'. 'Drink this and you will look like Hannah Montana'. As followers of Christ, we should know and always rely on the fact that nothing of this world can fill us and make us whole. We will forever feel empty and always be searching for more if we don't have faith. Why else have faith? Because it makes our decisions of right and wrong easier. God is right beside us, He tells us what is good and right, we just have to have the faith that He is there and he is helping us. The only catch, says Paul, is that we should keep it to ourselves. Just because you saying pissy is okay, does not mean it is okay for someone else. So, don't think that your way is the only way. God has a plan for all of us. Yours is much different from the person in the other room. The only correct answer is what God tell YOU. Just make sure you seek God on every challenge and every decision.
"Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is right". God has given me an opportunity to change America with the Constitution Party. I know God wants to see a change and he told me so. I am now the Chair of the Constitution Party of Alabama. We work on restoring the faith of the country and the rights that the country was founded on. People matter and the Constitution Party agrees with that and agrees that the two party system could care less about what the people want. I will not put myself down for working with the CPA. Nor will I stop working on what I have started because other people say that it is wrong. It doesn't matter what the GOP says, it matters what God says. Blessed are those who stand up for what God wants and what God tells them is right. I suggest you ask God what is right and fight to make it so. That way God will have a bigger window into people's lives. That is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. Make disciples of men. When God told me that I needed to help the Baldwin Campaign I signed on. If I can get one person to see it God's way, I have done my job.
Thanks to my Twitter friend for giving me this passage to share, it was great one.
On an update September 5, 2005, I said that my boss was in a "pissy" mood. A nice young man that I follow had a problem with me using that word. He said that between my bio and my post these words were, "an interesting combination". Those words being, Christian, trying to make a change, and pissy. First off, pissy, really isn't a word, especially one that I should use in any of my writing. This was twitter for Budda's sake. (They take our God's name in vain, so I take theirs). At first I thought well, he is telling me that pissy was not a Christian word to use. I am not sure what strong words were back in Jesus's day, but I bet He had to use a few to make some points. I am way to lazy, on my birthday, to actually pull references from scripture to back this, if I am wrong, someone will tell me.
He said what he told me was not that it was un-Christian to say that, it was just interesting. Fine, we will leave it at that, but, as God always does, He instructed, and this man followed through on giving me a passage to read. That passage is Romans 14:22, from the NLT it is this; "You may have faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is right".
I am a big fan of Paul, if he had t-shirts I would have one. This passage is compelling to say the least. I love it for a couple of reasons. First, Paul is saying you who have faith walk side by side with God all the time. So, if you feel and think something is fine to be doing great, who would know better than you. Secondly, I see the second part of this passage as a mantra for activist groups everywhere. If you truly believe something is of God, just as Tom Petty put it, don't back down. You will be blessed for not condemning yourself for feeling and fighting for something strongly.
Having faith is possibly the hardest thing I have to do day in and day out. This world does not make it easy for anyone to walk by faith. Everywhere we go we see things that say, 'do this and you will have wealth'. 'Drink this and you will look like Hannah Montana'. As followers of Christ, we should know and always rely on the fact that nothing of this world can fill us and make us whole. We will forever feel empty and always be searching for more if we don't have faith. Why else have faith? Because it makes our decisions of right and wrong easier. God is right beside us, He tells us what is good and right, we just have to have the faith that He is there and he is helping us. The only catch, says Paul, is that we should keep it to ourselves. Just because you saying pissy is okay, does not mean it is okay for someone else. So, don't think that your way is the only way. God has a plan for all of us. Yours is much different from the person in the other room. The only correct answer is what God tell YOU. Just make sure you seek God on every challenge and every decision.
"Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is right". God has given me an opportunity to change America with the Constitution Party. I know God wants to see a change and he told me so. I am now the Chair of the Constitution Party of Alabama. We work on restoring the faith of the country and the rights that the country was founded on. People matter and the Constitution Party agrees with that and agrees that the two party system could care less about what the people want. I will not put myself down for working with the CPA. Nor will I stop working on what I have started because other people say that it is wrong. It doesn't matter what the GOP says, it matters what God says. Blessed are those who stand up for what God wants and what God tells them is right. I suggest you ask God what is right and fight to make it so. That way God will have a bigger window into people's lives. That is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. Make disciples of men. When God told me that I needed to help the Baldwin Campaign I signed on. If I can get one person to see it God's way, I have done my job.
Thanks to my Twitter friend for giving me this passage to share, it was great one.
Comments (9)
It's been awhile, I know
Fri, Sep 5 2008 07:56
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I promise to get back to blogging as soon as I get some more time. With my job, the campaign www.baldwin2008.com, and life. I haven't had much time. Look for an entry sometime this weekend as I turn a quarter of a century old. I know, it is hard to believe.
Just thinking
Mon, Aug 4 2008 12:32
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Something that I don't do on this blog is just type as I think and let that be a blog entry. So, here it is. Chris Depew not typing something up in another program and then editing it five-six times before it ever gets to his blog.
There is something on my mind that I just have to put down. For me there are two "parts" if you will of my life. One is my personal life with my wife and daughter. The next would be my professional life or work life. My work life is to be the best accountant I can be. I am on the road to being controller of a company and everything seems to be going smooth. Or is it. Then my personal life is excellent. I could not have hand picked a better life with my family. My wife is amazing and my daughter is the same. There is not one thing that I would change. My aforementioned professional life might need some adjustments.
I love where I work and what I do. It is fun and exciting and I am never bored. The people are great and I have lots of room for growth with my company. However, there is this void that can't be filled with what we do. Some tell me that you just go to work and come home. It doesn't matter what you do, you just do it and take the money and move on. Well, I can't do that. I have a calling to ministry that I can't figure out and my mentor seems to have too much to do so that is a little frustrating. Then there is my writing. I love to write more than anything in the world. When I write it is like every sentence is filling the void that feel up to the brim. If I had not answered the call to the voice in my head that told me to start writing, I would be institutionalized right now. Writing grounds me. It makes me vulnerable and I like that. See, in the corporate world you have to hide so much of yourself in fear that people might not like it and then they will have this preconceived notion about you and will never win from that point forward. I put everything that is me and all that is my heart on the screen when I write. I think that my call to ministry is my writing, but I can't tell. I have looked for open windows for a career in writing and it is just not materializing. I know I am not on my time but this sure is slow. I wouldn't be so impatient about this if it weren't for one thing. I need to figure it out and get my education scheduled. I am at a point in my accounting career where I need to go back and get my Master's so that I can sit for the CPA exam. If God is calling me away from that, I need to know where to so that I don't waste money and time on a Master's in Accounting. If my dream where to come true today. I would get a writing contract for a magazine for a column and I would then start my Master's of Theological Studies and eventually I would end up teaching theology at the college level. That is my dream. I just wish I knew if that was God's dream too. I know my dreams don't mean anything if it isn't what God has in store for me.
There is something on my mind that I just have to put down. For me there are two "parts" if you will of my life. One is my personal life with my wife and daughter. The next would be my professional life or work life. My work life is to be the best accountant I can be. I am on the road to being controller of a company and everything seems to be going smooth. Or is it. Then my personal life is excellent. I could not have hand picked a better life with my family. My wife is amazing and my daughter is the same. There is not one thing that I would change. My aforementioned professional life might need some adjustments.
I love where I work and what I do. It is fun and exciting and I am never bored. The people are great and I have lots of room for growth with my company. However, there is this void that can't be filled with what we do. Some tell me that you just go to work and come home. It doesn't matter what you do, you just do it and take the money and move on. Well, I can't do that. I have a calling to ministry that I can't figure out and my mentor seems to have too much to do so that is a little frustrating. Then there is my writing. I love to write more than anything in the world. When I write it is like every sentence is filling the void that feel up to the brim. If I had not answered the call to the voice in my head that told me to start writing, I would be institutionalized right now. Writing grounds me. It makes me vulnerable and I like that. See, in the corporate world you have to hide so much of yourself in fear that people might not like it and then they will have this preconceived notion about you and will never win from that point forward. I put everything that is me and all that is my heart on the screen when I write. I think that my call to ministry is my writing, but I can't tell. I have looked for open windows for a career in writing and it is just not materializing. I know I am not on my time but this sure is slow. I wouldn't be so impatient about this if it weren't for one thing. I need to figure it out and get my education scheduled. I am at a point in my accounting career where I need to go back and get my Master's so that I can sit for the CPA exam. If God is calling me away from that, I need to know where to so that I don't waste money and time on a Master's in Accounting. If my dream where to come true today. I would get a writing contract for a magazine for a column and I would then start my Master's of Theological Studies and eventually I would end up teaching theology at the college level. That is my dream. I just wish I knew if that was God's dream too. I know my dreams don't mean anything if it isn't what God has in store for me.
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Church Building Campaign Devotion
Wed, Jul 30 2008 03:50
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I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3John: 4
As a new parent one of my goals is to show my daughter the truth of Christ and His way. Sometimes it becomes very challenging. Even though she is not talking yet she is listening to every word I say. One day all those words make up the language that she will use. Also, my actions are the actions that she mimics. Therefore, it is very important at this stage of the “game” that I act out the truth and the way in front of her. One day she will use what she has learned and become a great follower of Christ, or that is the prayer anyway. Truly, it would make me the happiest man alive if I were to know when she is grown up, she is still following the lead of Christ.
As a church we have the same responsibilities. Maybe not on as grand a scale, but it works the same way. We have to show and do the things that we wish younger generations will pick up on. We have to set up places and ways for them to grow. One way to insure that our children have a place that they want to worship in is to build that place. They do not have the means of doing this for themselves. We do. Remember, the church that we build is not for us, it is for our children. If we want to have them walk in the truth, following after us, then we must give them a place to grow. We must stop thinking about what our needs are today and start thinking about the needs of the people that will love this church for generations after us.
One day when we are in heaven Jesus may ask us to look back to earth with him. Then he might show us all the people that worship in our church and the good times they have in His name. Then Jesus might say to us, “You gave them that place to worship and learn about the truth”. Don’t tell me you will not hit your knees and thank him for the means in which to help build their church. Our call is to make disciples of Christ. We are his hands; we must do what is needed to make disciples.
3John: 4
As a new parent one of my goals is to show my daughter the truth of Christ and His way. Sometimes it becomes very challenging. Even though she is not talking yet she is listening to every word I say. One day all those words make up the language that she will use. Also, my actions are the actions that she mimics. Therefore, it is very important at this stage of the “game” that I act out the truth and the way in front of her. One day she will use what she has learned and become a great follower of Christ, or that is the prayer anyway. Truly, it would make me the happiest man alive if I were to know when she is grown up, she is still following the lead of Christ.
As a church we have the same responsibilities. Maybe not on as grand a scale, but it works the same way. We have to show and do the things that we wish younger generations will pick up on. We have to set up places and ways for them to grow. One way to insure that our children have a place that they want to worship in is to build that place. They do not have the means of doing this for themselves. We do. Remember, the church that we build is not for us, it is for our children. If we want to have them walk in the truth, following after us, then we must give them a place to grow. We must stop thinking about what our needs are today and start thinking about the needs of the people that will love this church for generations after us.
One day when we are in heaven Jesus may ask us to look back to earth with him. Then he might show us all the people that worship in our church and the good times they have in His name. Then Jesus might say to us, “You gave them that place to worship and learn about the truth”. Don’t tell me you will not hit your knees and thank him for the means in which to help build their church. Our call is to make disciples of Christ. We are his hands; we must do what is needed to make disciples.
A little devotion for you
Fri, Jul 18 2008 01:39
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If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
James 2:8
James 2:8
“That jerk threw me under the bus today, I hate that man so much!” Without a doubt I have said that on more than one occasion. It is hard to treat everyone the way that you treat yourself. To love everyone seems like, at times, the last thing that you want to do. In life you are going to be wronged sometimes, daily. People mess up. So what could you possibly do or think that would make you love everyone all the time.
Now I am not saying it is even possible to love someone all the time or even for a moment. But one thing I try to remember is this; we have all done something that hurt someone else. If you were wronged yesterday then, so be it. When is the last time you did something wrong to someone? We just have to work toward not hurting people. We all live on this earth together. As long as we are working on being easier to love, we are doing our part. It is a learning process that takes time. Everyone can’t be on the same stage. The next time someone hurts you do not get mad and say things that you regret. Just look them in the eye and say, “That’s alright, I use make a point of hurting people.” They might just ask you why you used the phrase “use to”, giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place by sharing your belief.
Now I am not saying it is even possible to love someone all the time or even for a moment. But one thing I try to remember is this; we have all done something that hurt someone else. If you were wronged yesterday then, so be it. When is the last time you did something wrong to someone? We just have to work toward not hurting people. We all live on this earth together. As long as we are working on being easier to love, we are doing our part. It is a learning process that takes time. Everyone can’t be on the same stage. The next time someone hurts you do not get mad and say things that you regret. Just look them in the eye and say, “That’s alright, I use make a point of hurting people.” They might just ask you why you used the phrase “use to”, giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place by sharing your belief.
Amazing
Mon, Jul 7 2008 02:21
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My wife is the most amazing person I have ever met. She is able to pull out the best things from the worst situations. I envy her for that. She inspires me in everything that I do, including my writing. Last night, after a weekend of contemplating my purpose for writing, we had a conversation. This conversation was not about my writing but, my life and how I was living it. She told me that I was over thinking everything. I was analyzing too much. She said, “Just be”. I did not understand how right she was until I woke up this morning. This is where my revelation began.
Up to this point my writing was an analysis of various things and a critique from a Christian perspective. Mainly, they ended up as a more of a tell-all of how Christ’s side was not represented in whatever situation I found myself. What my wife made me realize was that the world does not need to hear about how bad Christ is needed on earth, we turn on the television and see that. The world needs to hear all the times that God IS present because God IS in the tragedy; it just depends on how you are looking and what you are looking for. For instance, I love writing about “Corporate America” and how God isn’t in the lives of those that run the “empire”. That is all completely backwards. People want to know that there are “Christ things” in a seamlessly godless situation, not how He is uninvolved. We all know this world is evil and sadness reigns over too much of this big round ball.
All in all, my wife, by having a simple conversation, and asking me to always be the man that she sees every night when I look at our daughter and know God is good, just, and right. She made me understand that I have to stop finding places that need God and start looking at all the places God is already. Thank you Sweetheart, I owe you everything, and I plan on giving it to you one memory at a time. I love you.
God, are you up here?
Fri, Jun 13 2008 03:21
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“I sought to hear the voice of God, and climbed to the topmost steeple. But God declared, ‘Go back down again, I dwell among the people’.”
I want you to read that again and this time think about how true it is. Think about how Jesus lived, who he spent time with. I can’t take credit for that quote, it is from Louis I. Newman. Truer words might have never been spoken. Maybe it is not that they are true that makes it interesting. Maybe it is that we are not told bold truths anymore. We would rather just make things “softer”. Jesus walked on the same earth that we do, he did not set up camp and build a huge church in his home town. He went to the people. To the people that in his day others would say were worthless sinners. I know what you are saying, “things are different now”. Are they?
Are we getting to the people that Jesus says we are to care for the most? How many random; homeless, sick, oppressed people do you see walk in your doors every Sunday? If I were to try and put myself in their shoes the best I can, I would look at us and be so intimidated that I would be able to walk. I know that I have been in the room with some very important people in the business world and you just almost cannot say anything without wetting yourself. I have been there, have you? We all go to church in our “Sunday best” but, what for. We are to show our best to the Lord, and we know that He is present in our services, but is this enough? Don’t you think that He would be more impressed if we were in holey jeans and torn t-shirts but had in tow the homeless, needy, and the hurting? I think that he would not even notice the clothes are our back at that point. Why, because they were his ministry. Those of us that are fortunate enough to be able to go work every day and provide for our families are to take care of them. Jesus made the rich man give all that he had to the poor and then, walk with Him.
If we put ourselves on pedestals and act like the godliest of God’s people how are those who don’t know God going to find him in all YOUR “glory”. You see by living lives full of things, with all our focus on things, others can’t see that what we really live for is God. When someone thinks of you are they going to think of the nice suits that you wore every day or the car that you drive? Or will they remember the compassion you show and your gentle words on a tough day. You see that is what Jesus did. He spread God’s love to a world that needed it so bad. Is that not what we are called to do as FOLLOWERS of Christ? Do as he did? Try it; it might be easier than you think, with His help, of course.
We have to find a way to bring our big or small churches to the people. Make it easy for them to come to us. Finding ways to get people close to the love of God should be our number one priority in church today. Why is it that it seems that most places are more worried about attendance or an issue that is going on in the world today. Who cares, lets save some souls. My suggestion is to start small groups. They are perfect for bringing in people that are not comfortable in church as we know it. If you do try it, let me know how it works. Lets bring God to the people who need it. We can't sit in our pews anymore waiting for them to hear God. We are his voice they have to be able to hear us.
I want you to read that again and this time think about how true it is. Think about how Jesus lived, who he spent time with. I can’t take credit for that quote, it is from Louis I. Newman. Truer words might have never been spoken. Maybe it is not that they are true that makes it interesting. Maybe it is that we are not told bold truths anymore. We would rather just make things “softer”. Jesus walked on the same earth that we do, he did not set up camp and build a huge church in his home town. He went to the people. To the people that in his day others would say were worthless sinners. I know what you are saying, “things are different now”. Are they?
Are we getting to the people that Jesus says we are to care for the most? How many random; homeless, sick, oppressed people do you see walk in your doors every Sunday? If I were to try and put myself in their shoes the best I can, I would look at us and be so intimidated that I would be able to walk. I know that I have been in the room with some very important people in the business world and you just almost cannot say anything without wetting yourself. I have been there, have you? We all go to church in our “Sunday best” but, what for. We are to show our best to the Lord, and we know that He is present in our services, but is this enough? Don’t you think that He would be more impressed if we were in holey jeans and torn t-shirts but had in tow the homeless, needy, and the hurting? I think that he would not even notice the clothes are our back at that point. Why, because they were his ministry. Those of us that are fortunate enough to be able to go work every day and provide for our families are to take care of them. Jesus made the rich man give all that he had to the poor and then, walk with Him.
If we put ourselves on pedestals and act like the godliest of God’s people how are those who don’t know God going to find him in all YOUR “glory”. You see by living lives full of things, with all our focus on things, others can’t see that what we really live for is God. When someone thinks of you are they going to think of the nice suits that you wore every day or the car that you drive? Or will they remember the compassion you show and your gentle words on a tough day. You see that is what Jesus did. He spread God’s love to a world that needed it so bad. Is that not what we are called to do as FOLLOWERS of Christ? Do as he did? Try it; it might be easier than you think, with His help, of course.
We have to find a way to bring our big or small churches to the people. Make it easy for them to come to us. Finding ways to get people close to the love of God should be our number one priority in church today. Why is it that it seems that most places are more worried about attendance or an issue that is going on in the world today. Who cares, lets save some souls. My suggestion is to start small groups. They are perfect for bringing in people that are not comfortable in church as we know it. If you do try it, let me know how it works. Lets bring God to the people who need it. We can't sit in our pews anymore waiting for them to hear God. We are his voice they have to be able to hear us.
I need help!!!!
Wed, Jun 4 2008 07:29
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I am currently in the process of getting 5000 signatures on a petition that will allow Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party to be on Alabama's ballot. If you would like to sign or if you would like to help collect please contact me. Also, check out the Constitution Party's platform and check up on Chuck Baldwin. If you want a conservative in office and you don't have one to vote for right now, you might like Chuck. Thanks. Please look at the links below.
http://www.badwin2008.com/
http://www.constitutionparty.com/
http://www.badwin2008.com/
http://www.constitutionparty.com/
Really...me? Are you sure?
Sat, May 3 2008 01:03
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This is just a little more personal than I have been before on my blog. But I don't question things that are laid on my heart anymore. This is the condensed version of this story. I figure if someone wants to know more they can email me. I have several fears about posting this all of which I am giving over to the Lord right now. I thought you might want to know that. Thanks for reading.
In the world that we live in we rely on our own smarts and abilities. It is not easy to rely on someone else for anything. The biggest issue being, who do we trust. Unfortunately this fear transcends into my faith. For a major portion of my life my faith only went so far. I didn’t seek God’s council on many very important decisions. Fortunately, God is just and fair. I have survived my own decisions and live a wonderful life with my wife and daughter. In more recent times I have turned over completely this void that I had been feeling in my life.
This void was major, it had a lot of mass. I had been making my own decisions in order to fill it and it just wasn’t working. One day God spoke to me. It was more of a calming than a voice in my head. He told me that that I had to give all my life to him. I had to let him use me for His will. Here is where my life began changing. I hit my knees and pray harder than I had ever prayed before. I told God I understood and that I was tired of making my own decisions. From here on out I was going to seek your council first and your council only. I will put all my faith in your hands and not some of it in my own.
Since this event, I have felt my void, slowly but steadily, filling in with His wisdom and His will. I have heard my call from God into his ministry and to His work. In the past I thought I heard God calling me to ministry, but always pushed it to the side- it was not what I wanted. This time I said, “Yes”. I don’t know what is in store for me but for the first time in my life I know that I am doing His will and not mine and I am okay with that. I finally have found peace.
Psalm 31:1-5;
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to same;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
In the world that we live in we rely on our own smarts and abilities. It is not easy to rely on someone else for anything. The biggest issue being, who do we trust. Unfortunately this fear transcends into my faith. For a major portion of my life my faith only went so far. I didn’t seek God’s council on many very important decisions. Fortunately, God is just and fair. I have survived my own decisions and live a wonderful life with my wife and daughter. In more recent times I have turned over completely this void that I had been feeling in my life.
This void was major, it had a lot of mass. I had been making my own decisions in order to fill it and it just wasn’t working. One day God spoke to me. It was more of a calming than a voice in my head. He told me that that I had to give all my life to him. I had to let him use me for His will. Here is where my life began changing. I hit my knees and pray harder than I had ever prayed before. I told God I understood and that I was tired of making my own decisions. From here on out I was going to seek your council first and your council only. I will put all my faith in your hands and not some of it in my own.
Since this event, I have felt my void, slowly but steadily, filling in with His wisdom and His will. I have heard my call from God into his ministry and to His work. In the past I thought I heard God calling me to ministry, but always pushed it to the side- it was not what I wanted. This time I said, “Yes”. I don’t know what is in store for me but for the first time in my life I know that I am doing His will and not mine and I am okay with that. I finally have found peace.
Psalm 31:1-5;
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to same;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
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Corporate America
Thu, Apr 24 2008 08:10
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I have just left my desk in the middle of corporate America to try and find some peace. Corporate America never stops - it is never still. There is constantly bickering and fighting between the ranks. Corporate America needs God's love more than any "institution" that I know of. In the life that it demands you don't have time stop and enjoy anything but the next report or email. I can't live this life forever. I don't think I am going to make it.
So, I have found my peace in a local park under a beautiful pine tree. I finally feel like I am away from everyone and everything, never mind the miles of asphalt and plastic picket fence that is just a few feet away. Here is where I can really focus on what matters in life. I turn off the blackberry, the radio, and my busy professional life. If only for thirty minutes, I need this. God and I talk during this time. Today He reminds me of what the psalmist said in Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God."
You see, corporate America is so lost because no one living inside it can be still. You can't feel the presence of God that is always present if you can't stop and listen. The psalmist knew of wars coming and he also knew that he would feel God when the war was still. It is no different now, we have wars that we fight everyday in corporate America. One that comes to mind right now is one between us accountants and upper management. They want to know why we report certain numbers in a certain manner. Our response is, "Because GAAP said so". It is everyday all day. If corporate America wants to end the "wars" and the stress. They must be still and know that God is with them.
Comments (1)
Life.....
Wed, Apr 16 2008 10:02
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God never told anyone that life would be easy. He didn't say that things would work out good in everything we do. All we know is that we will be blessed. Blessing come in many different ways, I guess. Some times prayers are answered with a "No". I have a devotion on this blog that is all about how faith is hard. I have to re-read that all the time. Lately is seems that my prayers are being answered in ways that I can't see or just not being answered right now. I am not one to question God, but it would be nice to find out what I need to do next. Oh well, I need to live what I write and wait for God to do things in his time. That's all for now. Oh, one more thing. Please keep my sister Stacy in your prayers. She is giving a talk on Friday at a Chrysalis walk. I am proud of you Sis. If you would like more information on the Chrysalis walk please see the Emmaus Community link on my blog. 
The Profit
Fri, Apr 11 2008 08:04
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As I was sitting in a well know burger company's dining room enjoying a hamburger that I should not have been eating, something caught my eye. Almost half way up my cup there was a picture of a cup filled with ice to that point. Similarly, near the top was another picture of a cup with a line with liquid up that the mark indicated. At first glance you might say that they are informing you, the consumer, how to optimize your hydration efforts by indicating the perfect amount of ice and the perfect amount of fluid. However, and this is where the accountant in me speaks, I realize what they are really there for. They are there to optimiz the profit out of the drink for their workers. By profit I mean the money that is left over after you pay the bills and wages for that beverage. The worker's wages, not the cup's. Has the world come down to this, looking at even the smallest things and trying to study it so that we can expend as little effort or money as possible in order to get the most benefit?
Then I start to think about religion and our faith. Have we reduced this down to the smallest sacrifice in order to get the full benefit? Do we spend just enough time on our faith so that we can call ourselves christians and feel good about it? I hope not, but I think there is a majority of people that have. I know at times I have. There have been many times in my life when I have just gone to church and prayed every now and then so that I could say I had a relationship with God. Have you done that?
The gospel of Jesus is not cut and paste. It is not a, 'take what you like and leave the rest for the people who like that' faith system. Jesus says that we are to love everyone. Not just the people who call themselves christians. He meant the non believers too. The liars, cheats, homosexuals, adulterers, everyone. We can't study the gospel enough in order to shave it down to the smallest expenditure and still get the full profit which is our salvation through Christ. We have to give all, not looking for any profit, and in return for going "bankrupt" to the Lord, we will gain the greatest profit of all; eternity.
What are we going to do......
Thu, Apr 10 2008 12:42
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A USA Today report about graduation rates across the country caught my eye today. Here is the link so that everyone can read it http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-06-20-dropout-rates_x.htm .
Ok, it says that
What is it going to take? I am not sure I have the answer, but I know one thing, we have to get them to stop believing in this make believe world that recording artist have made up. Now I know, if you know me I have always said that it doesn’t matter what you listen to or what video games you play, you are who you are and those things don’t shape you. Well, they shape you when you don’t have role models at home or in church. If you honestly believe there is a life out there full of parties and hundred dollar bills flying around with half naked girls dancing for you with out working hard, you are wrong. Most everyone that is reading this knows that to be fact and I am not talking to them. I am telling them to join a group, a community, something that teaches that it takes hard work to make it in the world. You have to go to high school and college. You want to play like they do on TV fine, but you have to work hard too.
Washing cars and serving hamburgers hoping that one day you will get a record deal is not a way of life. You will not make it. Now, is music the only thing that is wrong with this picture? No. I pick on music right now because I want to. So, what am I going to do about it? I am going to find a program where I can tell a low income kid that they can make it. That they don’t have to hope for a record deal, they can be where I am without that, it takes work, hard work. Nothing I have was handed to me by anyone other than God.
God and my hard work have gotten me where I am. In the end it comes down to you wanting more for yourself. As an individual, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to be whereever you want in the world. If you want enough money to throw the best parties, make it happen. Stay in school, find a good job and work at getting to that point. It will not be handed to you. The world is not a free ride. Get an education and get a job, all while living with and through Christ and you will never have worries. That is what I believe, that is how I live.
Funny......
Fri, Mar 28 2008 01:41
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I will start by saying that I am neither Republican or Democrat, I vote for person. If I had to pick a party it would be the Constitutional Party. But this was too funny to pass up.
Open Doors....or even a window
Sun, Mar 2 2008 07:24
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I am trying to follow what I know is God's calling on my life. This is perhaps one of the toughest things to do. The only thing harder was not following his calling. I am not one to sit around and wait for things to happen, I have never been that way. But, I am not on my time anymore I am on His time. I must always remember that. So, I sit and wait for open doors. One thing is certain, this time I am ready to dive head first through that door, unlike every time before where I slammed the door shut in front of me, saying, "that is not what I want". My prayer right now is that I will soon find that open door, heck even a window will work, so that I can feel that I am completing His tasks for me. What an amazing feeling, doing what you know God put you on this earth to do. Please if you pray, and I hope you do, pray for everyone out there today that needs to feel God, pray that he will come upon them like a warm blanket and wrap them in His glory. Amen. 
Scare at the office
Fri, Feb 29 2008 03:01
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We had a major scare at the office where I spend too much of my time. I had to send an email out to the powers that be. That email is below. Let me know what you would have done it that situation.
To whom it may concern,
In recent days I, Chris Depew, have been a witness to a great travesty. Here at JIT working late, as the accounting department often does, I found myself in need of some good java. Being the great company that it is they provide this black gold for its employees in the form of little square packages. So, into the upstairs “break area” I go to brew up some magic when I open the drawer to find no little square packages in front of me. At first I was a little mad that whoever had made the last pot did not go and get a new box and bring it upstairs. Then I realized that was me. I rarely get mad at myself so, I just went downstairs to fetch a box. As I am strolling down the stairs I think of the warmth and comfort that I will soon be privy too and find a little joy. However it is short lived when into the downstairs “break area” I go and see one box of my little dry awake juice. ONE BOX!!! How could this be? What will we do? The panic sets in. I think, is there a coffee shortage? No, there is no coffee shortage. The shortage seems to end as soon as you walk out of JIT’s front doors. After all, everyone knows that one box of coffee is only going to last two maybe three days. It will take that long if not longer to order more. There has to be some action taken. So, after bringing most of the one box of coffee upstairs and brewing a pot, I sat down with coffee in hand to type this email. Now, I know that coffee maybe on the not-so-important list for some people, however there are many here that really need that dirty water. So please I beg of someone, can we make sure that we always have enough coffee here so that we don’t come to an instance where we are completely out? Please?
Chris Depew
Accounting
To whom it may concern,
In recent days I, Chris Depew, have been a witness to a great travesty. Here at JIT working late, as the accounting department often does, I found myself in need of some good java. Being the great company that it is they provide this black gold for its employees in the form of little square packages. So, into the upstairs “break area” I go to brew up some magic when I open the drawer to find no little square packages in front of me. At first I was a little mad that whoever had made the last pot did not go and get a new box and bring it upstairs. Then I realized that was me. I rarely get mad at myself so, I just went downstairs to fetch a box. As I am strolling down the stairs I think of the warmth and comfort that I will soon be privy too and find a little joy. However it is short lived when into the downstairs “break area” I go and see one box of my little dry awake juice. ONE BOX!!! How could this be? What will we do? The panic sets in. I think, is there a coffee shortage? No, there is no coffee shortage. The shortage seems to end as soon as you walk out of JIT’s front doors. After all, everyone knows that one box of coffee is only going to last two maybe three days. It will take that long if not longer to order more. There has to be some action taken. So, after bringing most of the one box of coffee upstairs and brewing a pot, I sat down with coffee in hand to type this email. Now, I know that coffee maybe on the not-so-important list for some people, however there are many here that really need that dirty water. So please I beg of someone, can we make sure that we always have enough coffee here so that we don’t come to an instance where we are completely out? Please?
Chris Depew
Accounting
Letter from God
Tue, Feb 19 2008 07:55
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If God were to write me a letter I think this is a little of how it would go. I think I might have been a little more kind than He would be, but I don’t know. I don’t want anyone to think that I can think for God, this is more of a self examination more than anything else. I truly have no clue what God would say to me if he could write me a letter. So, with no further ado, this is what I think God might say to me today.
Hey Chris, my Son, how have you been? I have been talking to you, but you don’t seem to listen. I see that our daughter is growing up. I know that you have what it takes to show her how to grow in My way and walk with Me daily. You have shown in your daily life that you can walk with Me. However, you really have been quiet lately. I have given you untold blessings, have you looked around you and seen the devastation? I have spared you from all of that. Your Bible has been lying in the floor board of your car for months. You have thought several times about taking it in and doing some reflecting, but you haven’t. You seem to think that you don’t have time for me anymore. You know that I don’t like excuses. How dare you not spend time with me daily after all I have given you?
One of the gifts that I gave you and you use well is your strength in faith. You know that I will always be there for you and you show that proudly. People do notice that you have something different. But trust me, Chris; it will pass if you don’t keep up with what I am saying. You have been thinking about where I want you in this life, where you think that I need you. I have to ask that you trust your faith and just see it through. My scriptures say that all things will come to those that believe. It will be no different for you.
You haven’t been to Sunday service in several weeks. I don’t care for that. You need the time with other believers. You go to work everyday with non-believers and the only way to re-charge yourself is with believers. There are some tough times with your home church right now, I know that. They are growing. If your heart is leading you in one direction then, go. If your heart is in me, I am in your heart and it will not lead you astray. Always listen to your heart.
You love to write for a reason, don’t second guess it. You are so quick to pass over things that you don’t think fit into “your” life, whatever that is suppose to mean. There is one big thing that I think every time I whisper it in your ear you completely dismiss without trying to logically think about. You know what I am talking about don’t act like you haven’t heard it. I have been softly saying this in your ear for years. You just think that it would be too much work and it doesn’t fit in your plan. I hate to tell you, you don’t have a plan, it is my plan. The faster that you give in to My will the faster you will find and know what true happiness is all about. There is one quote that floats around in your magnificent head, “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called”. I couldn’t have put it better Myself.
Chris, believe me when I tell you, just keep your faith. Please don’t loose me, I will never loose you. Stay strong in my Word and keep it close. Spend more time with the family and less time with the numbers. Happiness is just around the corner if you do as I say and live as I have lived. I love you more than you know and I will take care of you. Please listen when I talk and take action. I don’t have much time to win people over to me and I need your help. You are my hands, use them, you are my feet, walk with me, you are my mouth speak for me.
Yours in Heaven,
God
Hey Chris, my Son, how have you been? I have been talking to you, but you don’t seem to listen. I see that our daughter is growing up. I know that you have what it takes to show her how to grow in My way and walk with Me daily. You have shown in your daily life that you can walk with Me. However, you really have been quiet lately. I have given you untold blessings, have you looked around you and seen the devastation? I have spared you from all of that. Your Bible has been lying in the floor board of your car for months. You have thought several times about taking it in and doing some reflecting, but you haven’t. You seem to think that you don’t have time for me anymore. You know that I don’t like excuses. How dare you not spend time with me daily after all I have given you?
One of the gifts that I gave you and you use well is your strength in faith. You know that I will always be there for you and you show that proudly. People do notice that you have something different. But trust me, Chris; it will pass if you don’t keep up with what I am saying. You have been thinking about where I want you in this life, where you think that I need you. I have to ask that you trust your faith and just see it through. My scriptures say that all things will come to those that believe. It will be no different for you.
You haven’t been to Sunday service in several weeks. I don’t care for that. You need the time with other believers. You go to work everyday with non-believers and the only way to re-charge yourself is with believers. There are some tough times with your home church right now, I know that. They are growing. If your heart is leading you in one direction then, go. If your heart is in me, I am in your heart and it will not lead you astray. Always listen to your heart.
You love to write for a reason, don’t second guess it. You are so quick to pass over things that you don’t think fit into “your” life, whatever that is suppose to mean. There is one big thing that I think every time I whisper it in your ear you completely dismiss without trying to logically think about. You know what I am talking about don’t act like you haven’t heard it. I have been softly saying this in your ear for years. You just think that it would be too much work and it doesn’t fit in your plan. I hate to tell you, you don’t have a plan, it is my plan. The faster that you give in to My will the faster you will find and know what true happiness is all about. There is one quote that floats around in your magnificent head, “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called”. I couldn’t have put it better Myself.
Chris, believe me when I tell you, just keep your faith. Please don’t loose me, I will never loose you. Stay strong in my Word and keep it close. Spend more time with the family and less time with the numbers. Happiness is just around the corner if you do as I say and live as I have lived. I love you more than you know and I will take care of you. Please listen when I talk and take action. I don’t have much time to win people over to me and I need your help. You are my hands, use them, you are my feet, walk with me, you are my mouth speak for me.
Yours in Heaven,
God
Life is choices
Thu, Jan 31 2008 01:53
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There have been many things said about life so the topic I speak on is not new. Dorothy Parker said this of life, “Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song, A medley of extemporaneity…” I personally like the way that Will Rogers put it, “Half of our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time that we have rushed through life trying to save.” These are all good, however what if life is not all that complicated. Maybe we can trace it down to just one type of event, say, choices. I say that life is a series of choices all strung together so that they create who we are, what we do, and how we do it. Just take a minute and think about how many choices that you have to make on any given day. Better yet, think about how many choices that you made yesterday. I am sure that you can come up with several in your head. If one was to examine closer they would see that they made choices about making choices and so on. Everything that we do is because of a choice that we have made. For most of us yesterday began as a choice to get out of bed for the day. Then every step you take from then on out is a choice, you chose to do what you are doing. This might seem good, you might say “big deal”. Well, what I want to extrapolate on is what happens when you make one small, seemingly insignificant bad choice and how that affects the rest of your life. This is just to simply illustrate how we need to be more cautious in our everyday choices that we might say does not mean much at the time. The best example that I can come up with is of the last people to have won the big lottery. They made a simple, everyday, run of the mill choice to stop in to a specific store and purchase a ticket. They could have been doing that for years but it was that days choice that led to the ultimate outcome and life changing event. Our founding fathers putting pen to paper to sign the declaration of independence. The list goes on. So, next time that you think it doesn’t matter what color shirt you wear one day think, what if I meet someone that can change your life and you only meet them because you to were wearing the same shirt and in line together at Starbucks. Far fetched? I don’t think so.
Faith is Hard
Mon, Oct 22 2007 07:38
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Now look, I told myself that I would not make this into a devotional blog but, there is no way for me to stop the Lord from speaking to me during the day. This was in my head and I had to put it down. So, don't expect this all the time but when the Lord calls I answer.
In Mathew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us that we shouldn’t worry about anything. Anything he says. Our heavenly Father takes care of all the animals and they don’t store up food or do anything to prosper but they are given food to eat. So, if that is the way God wants us to live our lives then we don’t have to worry about going to work, or waking up, or “providing” for our families, right? Well, to me what Jesus is saying is that for those that can live by faith he will provide. That includes your job, or business, or career. He made those things possible for you. See, God doesn’t want us to have to worry about the things like clothes, food and shelter because he will provide a means for us to be clothed and sheltered. If we are so worried about the things that we need to survive, we will not have the strength or mindset to focus on our relationship with God. Now, if you can think for a moment about all the things that you worry about with your professional life and also imagine everyday having to worry about food and clothes for you and your kids, are you going to want to take time for God? Will you have time for God? No, I don’t think you will. What Jesus is asking us to do is to let go of those worries, he knows that we need these things to survive. Then focus on Him, your family, and the means that he has provided for us to take care of basic necessities. With your faith, coupled with your efforts on earth with the work he has provided He will bless you more than you can know. All other things will come. That is what Jesus meant by “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.” (Mathew 6:33-34 NRSV)
In Mathew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us that we shouldn’t worry about anything. Anything he says. Our heavenly Father takes care of all the animals and they don’t store up food or do anything to prosper but they are given food to eat. So, if that is the way God wants us to live our lives then we don’t have to worry about going to work, or waking up, or “providing” for our families, right? Well, to me what Jesus is saying is that for those that can live by faith he will provide. That includes your job, or business, or career. He made those things possible for you. See, God doesn’t want us to have to worry about the things like clothes, food and shelter because he will provide a means for us to be clothed and sheltered. If we are so worried about the things that we need to survive, we will not have the strength or mindset to focus on our relationship with God. Now, if you can think for a moment about all the things that you worry about with your professional life and also imagine everyday having to worry about food and clothes for you and your kids, are you going to want to take time for God? Will you have time for God? No, I don’t think you will. What Jesus is asking us to do is to let go of those worries, he knows that we need these things to survive. Then focus on Him, your family, and the means that he has provided for us to take care of basic necessities. With your faith, coupled with your efforts on earth with the work he has provided He will bless you more than you can know. All other things will come. That is what Jesus meant by “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.” (Mathew 6:33-34 NRSV)
Just getting started
Thu, Oct 18 2007 09:00
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This first post is going to serve as an introduction to my little space of the web. It is not much, but I like it. I am just a normal guy that has decided that his voice needs to be documented somewhere (I don’t have room in my head for it anymore). The plan is to look a little deeper into some issues that Christians as a whole might not like to look at. There will be some random things as well. But, for the most part I want this to be my view on somethings that need addressing. I hope that you enjoy.
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