Insert Creative Title Here

Insert Creative Title Here

Present your what?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. - Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? - Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Have you ever spent time trying to "get more of God?" We go to conferences, seminars, conventions and more trying to get filled up with more of God. Do we realize what God really wants is for us to give everything to Him? If we present our bodies to Him - all of it - then He can use us to accomplish His purposes. Doesn't that sound reasonable?

He has already given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). What more could He give us?

Passion

To continue my thoughts about church..........

We have certainly lost our passion for reaching the lost. I have lost my passion for reaching the lost. In fact do we have passion about anything? Were is the passion for serving God? Where is the passion to worship Him? Where is the passion to live a life wholly dedicated to Him?

Frustrated with the Church

I have become increasingly frustrated with the church. By that I do not mean the entire church - the full body of Christ - even though it has serious issues as well. What I do mean is the church I attend. The doctrine that is being taught is something I can agree with less and less. For instance, I do not believe in the tenants of Calvinism. I do not believe them to be scriptural. Particularly the belief that those who come to God are those who were chosen beforehand - predestined to come into God's kingdom; those not chosen are relagated to Hell. I believe that every human being has an opportunity to accept the work of Christ on the cross - His atoning sacrifice - and be "saved" or born again. I don't see in the scripture that He died for some, but that He died for all.

To be continued..................

A New Year

School started yesterday morning for our household. We are back into the grind of getting up at 4:45 and going to bed before 9:00. Kayla has to be in bed by 7:30 with lights out by 8:00.

Getting up at 4:45 has been tough so far. But it does give me the opportunity to read my Bible after I shower. I can eat and read in a leisurely manner. That is a much better way to start my day than the normal "rushing around trying to get everyone out the door" routine of last school year.

Starting my morning in the Word and finishing the day in the Word has been a good thing. I have found that if I systematically read through a book at a time that I learn more. I am reading a different book in the morning (usually from the New Testament) than I do in the evening (usually from the Old Testament). Plus I read one Psalm at each sitting. At some point I plan to incorporate a noon scripture reading as well, perhaps reading a chapter of Proverbs at that time.

Gomers

I posted my blog address on the boards at Thirdday.com. I suppose since I did that I should put a new post here to say "hi" to all the Gomers. Maybe I can update this a little more often and let you in on my life - as dull as it is.

Ciao

Umpire Camp

I had the privelige of attending an umpire camp in Richmond, Kentucky this weekend. All KHSAA umpires have to attend a mechanics camp periodically in order to work post-season games. I did not attend because I want to work post-season games this year - which I can't anyway because of travel plans. But a''s a rookie umpire I wanted to learn more about my craft. I did find that I have a lot more to learn.

The staff of the camp was very impressive. Sam Holbrook a MLB umpire was the chief instructor for the weekend. Also on staff were current Southern League umpire Scott Kennedy and his younger brother, Jack Kennedy, a former professional umpire. Each of these men spent time with me, and the other campers, helping us in hands on training and in informal conversations. One can read lots of books, magazine articles, watch videos, etc., but cannot gain the same level of knowledge from these sources as one can from one-on-one instruction.

I really appreciated the time and the sacrifice these men made to be part of my training. I look forward to further clinics from these guys and other Kentuckians involved in professional baseball.

WUA - Professional Umpires Hold Spiritual Retreat

WUA - Professional Umpires Hold Spiritual Retreat

Here is an article written by Rick Roder, who is also one of the writing team for Rules of Professional Baseball: A Comprehensive Re-Organization and Clarification, also know as the Jaksa/Roder Manual. The other writer being Christopher Jacksa.

As an amatuer umpire, I am pleased to see an organization that ministers to professional umpires. No matter what your profession is, the spiritual side of your life must be cultivated as well.

Hail to the Redskins

This is old news now, but I'm beyond thrilled to have Joe Gibbs back in the capital city. His hiring brings immediate respect to a team that has spent the last 11 years losing it. I believe that he can put the Redskins back in the playoffs his very first year.

Is this "my church?"

The church. Is it incorrect to say "that is my Church?" Do we go to "our church?"

The church does not belong to us. The church belongs to Christ. In fact we are the church. As disciples of Jesus, we are members of Christ's body, the church. We no more own the church than we own Christ.

I will no longer say that a building is my church. The building is not the church and neither of them belong to me. I belong to Christ and I will follow His commands.

Solo Christos