A Minute And A Half of God Stuff for 6/30/13 - Audio Podcast

God's timing is always right.  Check out the podcast.  It's quick... and fun!

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Rachel's Outing With Willie of Duck Dynasty

When Rachel suggested to Willie of Duck Dynasty that it would be fun to go see the Celtic Women concert he was a little standoff-ish, at first.

He said, "I ain't much for that kinda' fancy singin'. I'm happy right here wandering through the hardware section of Wal-Mart."

But they went and he was pleasantly surprised.

"It's hauntingly beautiful music," admitted Willie. And he added, "They really do have some lovely harmonies," as he wiped away a tear.

Rachel can be very persuasive.

A Minute And A Half of God Stuff for 6/28/13

This is both fun and encouraging... and it only takes a minute and a half!  Come on, take a listen!


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High Speed Scooter Danger

The senior citizens in Florida are just a bit more aggressive than they are in other parts of the country.  It has something to do with all the extra vitamin D they get from the sunlight. 

…And experts suspect that it may also be linked to constant exposure to no-holds-barred-bingo.

We got a first-hand lesson in this reality tonight while we were shopping.

A woman on a scooter drove straight at Rachel—who was simply standing still.  The aisle in which we were standing was wide enough to accommodate all of us, so, I thought the woman on the scooter would alter her course to the right or to the left and go around Rachel.  But the woman had a steely look in her eye and she kept bearing down on Rachel at speeds of up to 1 or 2 miles per hour.

As I watched all of this unfold it became clear to me that the woman on the scooter was not going to change course, so with no time to spare, I grabbed Rachel by the arm and yanked her off to the side of the aisle.

Then we stood there with our hearts beating quickly, thanking God we were alive.  (You’re nervous just reading about it, huh?)

When the woman on the scooter passed by us—I’m not positive—but I think she said, “Watch it, punks!”

(NOTE:  Okay, I may have made that “watch it, punks” line up in my mind, but, she did say something as she whizzed past us… at speeds of up to 1 or 2 miles per hour.)

A trip to Walmart can involve high speed “scooter danger” here in the sunshine state.

A Minute And A Half of God Stuff for 6/26/13 -- Audio Podcast

God doesn't ever make mistakes, we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Check out the podcast for a quick shot of encouragement!

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While Standing In Line

I was standing in line, last night, and the couple right behind me in the line was hugging and nuzzling and kissing. 

The situation was a little bit unusual for three reasons.  First, the behavior seemed to be a little bit more “lovey dovey” than would typically happen while standing in a line at a food joint.

Second, the couple was probably in their sixties.  Please don’t misunderstand.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a couple in their sixties being romantic.  In fact, I suppose it’s nice that they have such strong feelings.  It’s just that a public physical display like this is usually not typical for a couple their age.

But the third reason that this was unusual was that the couple was in my personal space.  At various times, as the line moved toward the counter, they were literally 4 or 5 inches away from me whispering sweet nothings at each other.  And by virtue of their proximity, sweet nothings at me too, sort of.

At one point, I turned around and smiled at them.  I figured seeing my face just inches from their own would make them self-conscious.

Nope.  It didn’t bother them one bit.  In fact, they just smiled at me and continued doing what came naturally.

I was finally able to order my food but, frankly, it was a bit of a letdown after standing in that line.

[ NOTE:  As you can imagine, I really wanted to take a picture of the couple but it didn’t seem like a good idea.]

Christianity Is Not Safe And Predictable

Because Christianity has been around for a long time some people mistakenly think that following Jesus is safe and predictable.  It’s not.  Following Jesus is good and right.  It’s meaningful and leads to a full, rich, abundant life.  But it’s not safe and predictable.

Happy Father's Day

A number of important life values were passed on to me by my dad without him ever talking much about them.  Instead he passed along these values in a more effective, persuasive and compelling way:  He lived them.  I was truly blessed to have a wonderful, loving, generous, responsible, courageous, honorable father. 

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

When Jesus Talks About Eternal Life

When Jesus talks about eternal life, he’s not just talking about an existence that goes on forever—that’s part of it—but the eternal life that He’s referring to also has to do with the quality of this existence.  It is life that goes on forever in the presence of God.  He’s talking about life forever in a very good way.  He’s talking about an existence that never comes to an end and it’s filled entirely with joy and love—in fact, the experience of sorrow and tears and negative feelings will not happen during this eternal life that Jesus speaks of.  It will be entirely good, sinless, meaningful, exciting and happy.

E-Flash From Dan, June 14, 2013

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Next to Christmas and Easter what is the greatest day of celebration on the calendar?  That’s right, you guessed it!  Father’s Day!  Everyone knows that widely accepted fact, right? 

We will be honoring our dads at the services this Sunday (June 16^th) 9am or 11am.  I sure hope you are planning to be here.  You won’t want to miss it.  In fact, why not plan on bringing your dad and we will celebrate and honor our dads together?

If you would like to hear some more details about the services this Sunday, click on the link and take a listen to the “What’s Coming…” podcast with Lisa Roule, Stephanie Chiocca, Nick Chiocca and myself.  (It’s a lot of fun.)

Link….  http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=mediaplayer&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/mediaplayer.php&id=20130614120646058AF2

Of course, our number one priority is always to worship and honor our Lord.  But, as you know, He has told us to honor our parents and so we will make that a part of our time together this Sunday, too.

I’m looking forward to seeing you!

Love and blessings,

Dan

What's Coming Up 6/16/13 with Dan, Lisa, Stephanie & Nick?

You'll enjoy this podcast.  Click on the link and take a listen!

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Our Time of Prayer And Fasting

While I am joining with many others from the church (First Church of God, Oak Lawn) in this time of fasting and prayer, today, I am allowing the occasional moments where I feel a bit of hunger—and, therefore, think about food—to be a prompt for me.  I’m using these thoughts to prompt me to pray. 

I am praying continuously throughout the day for the specific people who are on the list that I placed in the “God Box.”  And I am praying for all the names in the “God Box.”  Even though I don’t know the names, I’m lifting them before God.  He knows them.

All of you who are participating in the fasting and prayer with me are on my mind, as well.  Thank you for responding to God’s leading.  Please know that I’m praying for you all today!

God is hearing our prayers, we know that’s true.  Let’s believe that He is going to work in mighty ways!

Time And Attention To The Important Things

Everything in life is not equal.  Some things are more important than others.  People who are serious about living lives that matter—living with wisdom—understand that one of the great challenges of life is to give the most important things of life the time and attention they deserve.

E-Flash From Dan, June 12, 2013

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Tonight, at Next Step, we will begin our time of prayer and fasting together, as a church.  Of course, everyone is always free to pray about anything that they want to bring to God.  But we believe our church has been specifically called by God to enter into this time in order to ask God to move in the lives and hearts of our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. who are resistant to the saving truth of Jesus.

One time, when Jesus’ disciples were unable to heal a boy, they asked the Lord, “Why couldn’t we heal him?”  Jesus told them that this type of work requires “prayer and fasting.”  (See Matthew 17:21)

All of us know people who are resistant—perhaps even vehemently resistant—to the things of God.  These folks may represent cases that require “prayer and fasting.” 

We have a “God Box” in the church lobby into which scores of names—which will remain private—have already been placed.  A prayer team already met at the church on Tuesday morning and prayed over the names in the God Box.  We will continue to pray for these people over the next couple of days asking God, who knows each one by name, to bring the circumstances into their lives that will remove their resistance to Him.

Do you feel prompted by the Spirit to participate in this time of prayer and fasting?  I hope you do.  We will begin tonight (6/12/13) at Next Step.  You are invited to join us (6-8pm).  If you cannot make it tonight but still want to join in the fast with us, please do so.  We will begin the fast this evening and we will break the fast on Friday.

If there is some reason why you are unable to fast from food, perhaps you could fast from something else during this time, e.g. television, and still join with us.

We serve a mighty, prayer-answering God who tells us in His word He desires that all men would be saved.  (See, 1 Timothy 2:4)  I am believing that He is going to do great things.  I am trusting that hearts will be touched, eyes will be opened and lives will be transformed!

To Him be the glory!

Love and blessings,

Dan

First Church of God

Oak Lawn, IL

Sharing Helpful Words

Words can flow off of our tongues and fly off of our keyboards quite easily.  But we remember that words can have great potency, right?  Let’s think about how our words might bring encouragement, kindness, hope, truth and assurance to others.

The Powerful Teaching of Jesus

Part of what made Jesus’ teaching so powerful was that his teaching was not primarily about helping people learn new facts; it was primarily about changing lives.  John Ortberg writes, “No one took notes when Jesus taught.  Why?  Because it is natural to automatically remember what changes our lives.”

You're Here On Purpose

I believe that every person exists on purpose, no one is an “accident.”  Your circumstances may be strange and uncomfortable, your existence may be unlikely or hard to explain, but you are here because God wants you to be here.  Everything that God does is intentional and purposeful, that includes you.

Dan and Vic Podcast, Interview with Carly Jones

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Being Redeemed

When the Bible talks about the predicament of sin, there are frequent references to slavery—in other words, that’s how controlling and pervasive sin is.  Jesus paid a price to obtain our release from sin.  He paid the ransom.  That’s what Christians mean when we say that we are redeemed.

God's Agenda, Not My Agenda

Every now and then I feel this impulse to help God in areas where: 1) God doesn’t need my help; and 2) I’m, frankly, powerless to do anything.  The wiser course of action is for me to pay attention and do what He prompts me to do instead of trying to create my own agenda.

God Loves Me No Matter What The Outcome

Some lessons I've recently learned.
Romans 8:38-39

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The Boys Get A Squirrel

While standing outside enjoying the sunshine, I suddenly heard a scream followed by crying.  I looked toward the corner of our yard, the area from which the scream originated, and I saw Rachel pointing at the ground and crying.

“What happened?” I asked.

She started yelling at Jasper and Jake, who were standing nearby, “Bad!!! Bad!!”  And then in a long wail she cried out, “Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!?”

Looking toward her feet I could see a puffy squirrel’s tail and I realized that Jasper and Jake (“The Boys”) had gotten a squirrel.  I had seen a squirrel earlier in the day prancing along the top of our fence.  I’m frequently amazed the squirrels dare to play on our fence and in our yard.  Doesn’t word get around the squirrel community that this is not a squirrel-friendly area?  It seems that there is poor communication within the squirrel community.

Rachel was very upset.  We clearly have a conflict of intentions within our household.  “The Boys” consider it to be their duty to keep other animals out of their yard—especially squirrels and birds.  Rachel, on the other hand, believes it is her duty to love and protect all the animals in the world.  (By the way, for Rachel, this even includes insects.  We can’t kill a spider in our house if she’s around.)

Well, the Boys looked very proud about getting their squirrel, sure, but they will probably find that it’s not worth having Rachel mad at them.

Perfect Love And No Fear

In the Bible stories, over and over again people are told, “Do not be afraid.” There’s a lot that could be said about fear, but the simple point of this brief post is this: God loves us.  And God’s love is perfect and complete.  “…Perfect love casts out fear…” 1John4:18.  …So, do not be afraid.

The Distraction of Too Much Info

Because the media is now set up in such a way that it must churn out “content” continuously, a lot of what is labeled “news” in our culture is actually unnecessary information.  Let’s make an effort not to let the “noise” distract us from what is really important.

I'm Home From The Angiogram Procedure

I had the angiogram procedure, last night.  (That makes two angiograms in less than two weeks.  But who’s counting?)  The cardiac team: 1) “installed” another stent; 2) they did an “angioplasty” on an artery (that’s the technique where a balloon-type device is used to open blockage); and 3) they did a rotor blade technique to open up blockage in yet another artery.  (The rotor blade is like a tiny drill and… well you get the picture.)

I woke up 3 times during the angiogram process.  That’s not a joke.  I really did.  And I can report to you that it was… um, what’s the right word…? Oh yeah: TERRIBLE!!!  It felt like some people were on the inside of my body (which they were) poking a pencil into my heart.  (They weren’t poking a pencil they were just drilling through build up in my artery.  It’s similar.)

But I’m still here and now the pain from the procedure is gone and I am feeling much, much better.

I got home a couple of hours ago.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who was praying for me.  I cannot tell you how much I love you and appreciate your support.

And, of course, I thank God for His mercy.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Love,

Dan

Bringing Something Good Out of Something Bad

After being reunited with his brothers, Joseph says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen.50:20).  Joseph’s comment is a reminder to us that God can even take the bad intentions of others and use them to accomplish good.  God’s ability to craft something good out of something bad is very encouraging to me.