What are you taking to Heaven with You?

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Another one of my favorite blogs. My Dad is my foundation of my Christian faith and walk. He raised me in a Christian home and was a great example for me to follow. When he passed away – my Uncle Andy told us how he started his Christian journey (it was after the death of my 10 day sister). In his last years who got the awful disease of Alzheimer’s and was challenging at times, but we also had some fun times. Below is one of them…. 

     I would like to share a recent story with you about an incident my Dad did,   but I have to let you know he has Altimerzzz (Alzheimer’s).   He knows me when I come to visit, so I am good with where he is at…   I have always told him that he is the Founder of GMM because Mom and he had me, but he still does not know what GMM is… (But all is good).
           Well recently, he loaded his Car with stuff to go see his Mom – his Mom is in Heaven.   My sister questioned, what he meant by that and he stated – “You know what I mean.”     Well we thought it was his time – we have heard of people who get close to going home (Heaven) that they know when it is time.   Well he did not go home – but we believe it is close.
          I have a good time with my Dad – he really made me laugh when we finally found what he had put in the Car.   When I arrived at my Dad’s home that afternoon and we knew that he was OK – my brother seemed to be missing some items so I asked him if he checked out the car.
          Well here are the items my Dad was taking to Heaven.

  1.  Pajamas
  2. Shoes
  3. Empty Medicine Holder
  4. T. V. Remote
  5. My Brothers Bills – not sure why he grabbed these but not a bad place to take them.
  6. Bath Room Scale
  7. Blood sugar Tester
  8. Razor
  9. And the Dog (Precious) – now if you knew the Dog – this was a good thing…  he did roll down the window for the Dog.

     What an assortment of items to take to Heaven…   just to let you know, his car has not been started for several years and it has a flat tire…. So no chance in him driving it.    We questioned him about the items – but he just smiled… and so did we.       My Dad raised us in a Christian family – so with this Disease I enjoy seeing that he still knows where he is going when he dies.  
          So it made me think – Do I have the Assurance that my Dad has about where I am going when I die…   and what will I take with me.   I believe I am going to Heaven – but what really scares me is that someday I will be packing a car with some stuff to take to heaven with me.

 So do you have that Assurance of your Salvation??

We do not know what life is going to bring and like my Dad you may have a Disease someday that will take your memory.

So today – make sure you know which direction you are going when you die.

Bobbyg

 

 

 
 
         

Response to: “True Identity” – What does this look like?

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**Bob thank you for your wisdom below on a response to “True Identity”.
I need to commit John 15 to memory: it’s that important. But in a sentence, I’d say:
My true identity is recognizable when I am fruitfully abiding in Christ, which follows from obedience, which follows from love, which follows from personally knowing God. 
 The calls to holiness you quote are SOLID.  But as I’m sure you are certain, it is not all about obedience to those qualifications for lay leadership, or any of God’s other Scriptural directions: we simply cannot be fruitful or obey or rightly love as he commands without knowing/loving God, and without abiding in Christ for the necessary strength/power to bear fruit. 
 Bob W.
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     I just got back from a great morning with my youngest Son at Crystal Lake – He fished and I pondered – the lake was perfect to do this – except my son only caught one fish…    My question to myself was:   What does True Identity Look like?  –  This is the GMM Conference Theme this year…    We will have several people helping us identify what that means – but me personally – what does that look like in my life…?
       One of the basic things that I have come up with is that we have to have a foundation that is founded in Christ…   We sang one of my favorite songs yesterday at church –   “We Believe” by The Newsboys and the chorus is one way of starting that foundation.

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

   Then the next thing I personally have to do is come up with a statement of faith for me….    The GMM Web site has our Statement of Faith – it is 5 items that unites us in one Faith….    this is what I would have to put as my core beliefs.

The above would be my start in my Personnel “True Identity”.

       But it has to be more then that…   there has to be a Character inside of me that is Christ Like… – so how do I get that….       Pastor Shaun has been preaching on 1st Timothy and yesterday he talked about the qualifications of Elders/Deacons – well this would be a good place to start.   You may not be looking at being and Elder or Deacon – but as Shaun stated there are some great qualities described that we as Lay People can look at..                    Below is a list Shaun came up with for someone like me….

All Believers Chart

Elders: From 1 Timothy 3

 Deacons: From 1 Timothy 3

All Believers
Above reproach (i.e., Blameless,but not sinless. No valid criticism.) Beyond reproach 1 Peter 2:12,1 Thessalonians 5:22, Romans 6:1-2
Husband of one wife Husbands of only one wife Genesis 2:24 – Believed to be the pattern since creation (i.e., one man to one woman), Ephesians 5:31
Temperate (i.e., abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use) Temperate Ephesians 5:18
Prudent (i.e., of a sound mind, be sensible) Titus 2:2 (men), Titus 2:5(women)
Respectable (i.e., well arranged, seemly, modest) Dignified 1 Timothy 2:9 (women), 1 Peter5:5
Hospitable   1 Peter 4:9
Able to teach   1 Peter 3:15, Titus 2:3 (women)
Not addicted to wine Not addicted to much wine Ephesians 5:18
Not pugnacious (i.e., pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome) James 4:1-2
Gentle   Ephesians 4:1-3
Peaceable   Ephesians 4:1-3
Free from the love of money Not fond of sordid gain Matthew 6:24
Manages his own household well Good managers of their children and their own households 1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 31(women), 1 Timothy 5:14(women), Ephesians 5:28-30(men)
Not a new convert (i.e., protect the new believer from conceit)    
Must have a good reputation with those outside the church Must also first be tested 1 Peter 2:12
  Not double tongued (i.e., saying one thing with one person another with another (with the intent to deceive)) James 3:1-12
  Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience 1 Timothy 1:18-20
  Not malicious gossips Titus 2:3 (women), 2 Timothy 3:1-5
  Faithful in all things John 15:1-11

       So as I look at this list – there is a place for me to start looking at what my Identity in Christ might look like….     There are few areas that really need some improving.  So now I have a base to what my “True Identity”  may look like and I can start working on it.

 What does yours look like?

I would really enjoy some feedback on your thoughts of:

How do you look at our own personnel Identity…

Please send me a note.

        At the GMM Conference on October 24th  we have a Great Speaker – Erwin McManus that will be sharing his thoughts on this topic,,, —-  Also some great Pastors during the pastors Blast…..   Hope to see you there…
 Bobbyg

Billboards that share Faith:

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       While on vacation in Whitefish MT. with our Friends from Oregon we came across a ½ circle filled with Ten Commandment ParkBillboards.  On these Billboards are the 10 commandments – and then there are 3 crosses – what a way to share your faith.  It is called “God’s Ten Commandments Park”…    There was a group that believed in a vision of putting the 10 commandments back into the view of the public and made their stand in Columbia Falls MT….    
          I always enjoy seeing The Boldness of people who share their faith and not going to the extreme of being offensive – this is one of those moments. 
          My personnel Prayer this year is being more Bold in sharing my Faith with those who are in Front of me.   This is a task that does not come easy for me – and I want to do it in such a way that is not offensive.  I believe that if people see that you have something different inside of you – that they will want to know what that is…   So I would want those around me to see – “Jesus in Me” – and would seek that difference in their lives. 
          One of the comments about this park by the Rancher that helped put it together is    “We have a First Amendment right to tell people about Jesus”.   And their group is doing this in a non-threating way. 

So how do we do this in our own personnel way……   I am not sure how I can but it has me thinking………..    Can I do the Same – Tell people about Jesus….

 Bobbyg

Is Christ Leading the WAY?

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     I am reading a Fictional book from D.J. Delbat “The Coil Series” about a Christian Group who is fighting the Battle for Christian who are in Need.  This has been a great series when you look at what is happening in the World today and especially in the Middle East.
          Corban Dowler in going through a War Zone at the present time with so much passion and love to save some Muslim Christians and get them the supplies they need.   He is dealing with the enemy constantly and the weapons he uses are non-threatening – they are tranquilizer guns…     
          What is so amazing about this story is that as he is going forward – he is constantly reminding himself that Christ has to have the lead and Christ is making a pathway for him to be successful in the mission he is on.   Then there are those around him that are considered the enemy and he is constantly trying to bring them to Jesus and His Salvation.     These are WOW moments for the book….  to be praying for the evil people of the world so that they will get to get to know Jesus and leave their past behind…   It is hard for some them because of how bad their past looks.. but when they have accepted Jesus – there past is gone and they have freedom.
          Now I need to bring this story to the present and ask the question: am I fighting the Battle as Corban Dowler is.   The last couple of Months have been In the fiery Battletough – my Blood Pressure is spiking – I have to tell you “I have not let Christ take the Lead in most of my battles”.   The times that I do – there is peace but it needs to happen more often….   Then this thing about praying for the enemy or those who need Jesus and they are right in front of me.  I really need to do this more often – especially those that I am in constant contact with at work/store/dining out/church/…….      But in the book – others that surround Corban Dowler are seeming him at work and trying to follow in his footsteps. 
          You know what:   WE CAN DO THE SAME…     We need to be praying constantly as we are in the Battle to be doing God’s will and letting him take the Lead.  Then we seriously need to be looking at those who are right in front of us – whether it be enemy or friend and if they do not know Jesus we must be in fervent Prayer for them..  When we are – then we will find those right moments to Share Jesus – they will come when you have that relationship with Christ in tune.. 

So are you in that Battle today – and what does it look like?

Are you in Prayer and letting Jesus take the Lead?

Are you looking for those opportunities to share what Jesus has to give – no matter who the person is?

NOW IS THE TIME AND WE CAN DO AS CORBAN DOWLER DOES IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE

Bobbyg

The Extremes of God Working through us:

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   Sorry about taking so long to write another Blog….    I got caught up in the busyness of life and finally came to one of those calm moments – then I have been spending allot of time in Prayer for some major decisions that need to be made.
           While I was sitting there going through my notes – I came up with a couple of quotes that I had written down several weeks ago and wanted to write something about them.
           Here is the 1st one:
                    “A Christian had to be more tolerant of some extremes when waiting confidently on the Lord to work in the Heart”. 
          I really had to think about why I wrote this down and then it hit me that I was experiencing this NOW.   There are times when God has to put us through some Extreme situations to get our Heart in line with His.   My biggest Prayer at the present time as I go forward – is that my actions and wisdom will be His.  While I have been in Prayer – it has been a very tough couple of weeks for me going through some hard situations…  and I would call them EXTREME (Just ask those around me).    I have to tell you my Heart is GOOD now and I feel that I am in His Will as I go forward.  The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was myself and then seek the wisdom of my Greatest Advisors (Thank you Jason , Chuck,  Stephen and Grant).   So remember as you go through those hard situations – it may be God getting your Heart in line with HIS.
          Here is the 2nd one:
                    “As we are fellowshipping with those around us who are getting to know God, we may encounter some uncomfortable times with them in the Process”.
          This one is a big test on how God is working through you…                           As Paul had stated:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 >19 No man has any hold on me, but I have made myself a workman owned by all. I do this so I might lead more people to Christ. 20 I became as a Jew to the Jews so I might lead them to Christ. There are some who live by obeying the Jewish Law. I became as one who lives by obeying the Jewish Law so I might lead them to Christ. 21 There are some who live by not obeying the Jewish law. I became as one who lives by not obeying the Jewish law so I might lead them to Christ. This does not mean that I do not obey God’s Law. I obey the teachings of Christ. 22 Some are weak. I have become weak so I might lead them to Christ. I have become like every person so in every way I might lead some to Christ. 23 Everything I do, I do to get the Good News to men. I want to have a part in this work.
           When we fellowship with others – there will be times where we have to be obedient to what God is calling us to do.   When we meet people where they are – it can become extremely uncomfortable and take us way out of our Comfort Zones…   But as Paul – we must also do the same if people are going to See Jesus working through us.   WE MUST MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE –   **This one can me very hard for some of us to accomplish and some of us may not be able to get to that place.   But when we do  – it is an extreme experience never forgotten.

 So where are in you in either one of these situations?

Is God at work in you to let Jesus Shine through you?

When you get there – it is AWESOME!

 Bobbyg

Do we need Laws?

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      This is a discussion that I enjoy having with my Brother – and I tell him that I do not have to be under the Law….   Most of the time it was about something like the government making me wear a seat belt….   I have always felt that it should be my choice and not the government passing laws to make me be safe.   When I grew up – we did not wear seat belts and allot of the cars did not have them – so the Government should not be forcing Laws on me.   OK – that is the radical part of me speaking and that personality quirk has been corrected.   But I could have a great discussion with my Brother about the Law.
           But here is the question:   Do we need Laws – and should we Obey them?
                    The Scripture in Romans talks about us Obeying the Government, because God has put them there…

Romans 13:  1. Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God.   2. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.

      This one normally gets me on the right track – I do believe God is in Charge and the Leaders who we have today are put there by God….    So the answer would be “Yes” this Scripture will tell us we do need to Obey the Laws of the land.
           Pastor Shaun referenced a passage yesterday that did get me thinking about me Needing Laws.

Galatians 3:23-25 > 23. Before it was possible to be saved from the punishment of sin by putting our trust in Christ, we were held under the Law. It was as if we were being kept in prison. We were kept this way until Christ came.  24. The Law was used to lead us to Christ. It was our teacher, and so we were made right with God by putting our trust in Christ.  25. Now that our faith is in Christ, we do not need the Law to lead us.

         Laws were meant to help us identify our Sin nature and enlighten us to what causes us to stumble.   These are the areas that hinder our relationship with Christ – and these areas are different for each of us.    I used to have that terrible problem with the Seat Belt Law and would refuse to wear it.  It finally hit me that I was constantly looking to see if there was a policeman around –  when I would see one, I would put it on.  Then I had one of those moments that hit you hard (A Duhhhhh moment) why are you looking for a policeman – it was because the Holy Spirit within me was telling me I was wrong and I was not listening.
       It was then that I really understood what verse 25 was talking about.     We have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us in doing what is right – He identifies those areas that separate us from Christ.   

 So do you have those areas that the Spirit is talking to you…..?  (are you listening).   

When I Accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior – I was given the Holy Spirit to help me identify the Law.  I use to have several of those Gray Areas that I could justify as being right or OK…  The Holy Spirit gets me past them and gets me to do what is Right. 

**I still have issues with the Seat Belt Law – but I am getting better….. And as Romans above states: So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow:   It did cost me a ticket once – So I am learning…

 Bobbyg

 

Will you leave a Legacy? Nick is going to….

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      I have always wondered that if I were to go today – would I be missed and what type of Legacy would I be leaving.   Well a very good friend of mine is moving away at the end of this month and I would like to share a bit of his Legacy when he leaves.   My biggest hope is that when I do leave – mine will be almost up to Nick’s.
           I first met Nick when I started going to a new Church in town – it was meeting at the Theater…   When you arrived at the front door – there was Nick faithfully greeting everyone who came in.  The Children flocked to him to get a greeting and the people were met with words of encouragement as they passed through the front door.   He was my twin brother – He had the same hair cut as mine (none) and he had this designer face that was similar to mine.   Nick would have designed his own – where I had to pay for mine… 
           Then when I was blessed to get to know Nick – his Heart/Wisdom that can only come from a relationship with Christ came out and I encountered it.   He joined GMM (God’s Mighty Men) and became a Board Member – he will be missed.   The Wisdom of Nick’s that changed my Heart – was his view on Evangelism….    We did a study on Crazy Love with a bunch of guys – I had to call it Barbarian Crazy Love (we were Guys).   While we did this study – Nick’s view of Evangelism came out…   “Love Wins” (I believe this saying is from another book).    Nick’s thoughts were – Would it not be better to tell people that God loves all people and wishes them to be in Heaven – then we can tell them about Christ in a new way.      WOW – what a concept – do not tell them about their Sin – but that Christ loves them…  It is the approach I use today…. 
           Nick got into the Art Culture – he takes a pile of Scrap Metal and turns it into Pieces of Art or something useful.   GMM was blessed because he would make us a piece of Art each year to give away.   We would tell him what our Theme was and he would create something Awesome…   When you see Nick’s Art – You see Jesus and his Faith through his Art.   Many people have been blessed by Nick’s great works of Art and Wisdom.  While visiting Nick in his studio or encountering him at an Art show – they got to see Jesus….  
           One of Nick’s Special Gifts is Mentorship and Serving…   He has this gift of being able to connect with people.   During the time that I have known him – he has made himself available to help many people in His Service (Shoveling a side walk – Moving a Piano – Coffee or a Beer with a friend).    There have been several guys that have come through Nick’s life that he has mentored and given them his wisdom…. and Heart…    I am one of them…  and we are all different because of our experience of Jesus working through Nick to make us better.
           I could go on with the stories of Nick – but my biggest point in telling a portion of Nick’s Story is:     When we leave are we going to leave a Legacy such as Nick’s…     by the way he is moving to Spokane Washington.   
 

So think about it – if I were to move away or the best of all go see Jesus – would people have seen Jesus because of me.

So look at your life and the people you encounter – are you making a difference?

Bobbyg

After AD:

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     My wife and I watched the show on Fox News Last night about “Killing Jesus” – not sure about the whole story line and what was missing, but there was a part that really hit me hard.
          When they took Jesus and tortured him – it was the response of the Disciples that got my interest.   I know that I have read it a hundred times, but seeing the looks on their faces broke my Heart.  They did not know what to do – they were lost without Jesus to lead them and their Boldness went away.  It reminded me at times of where is my Boldness to tell people about Jesus.  That is an area that I have made a semi-resolution on this year (I am extremely careful when I make an Oath)…. “To be Bolder in my Faith”.   Wherever I am at – really look at the Pentecost 1people Jesus puts in front of me.
          As you know the rest of the story – the Disciples received a Helper – the same one that we have today and then went on to tell people about the Jesus they know.   Their Deaths were ones like we are seeing today overseas – with the persecution of Christians when they make a stand – beheaded or shot.
          
My favorite verse is Hebrews 11:1 > Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
     When Jesus was killed – this is what the Disciples had to go on – and this chapter will give great examples of how to be successful.    I have to really focus on this verse when I encounter people who question me about my Faith…. and like the Disciples – I would want to have that Boldness to tell the people about the Jesus I know…

          Peter denied Christ 3 times before the day was over – and he is the Rock we look at…    I must remember – like Peter I do the same – but Also like Peter, he was forgiven before he failed and so am I.     Peter Confused

So this week – look for that Boldness to share Jesus with the person that has been put in front of you…

 Bobbyg

Brokenness covered with Intercessory Prayer:

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          It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote a Blog –  but it seems that there is allot of stuff going on in several lives of the people that I know….    In the last two weeks a couple of items – have stirred me on the stuff that happens around us.

  1.  The speaker a couple of weeks ago talked about Intercessory Prayer and that we all need it – especially when we are in hard times.
  2. The other was the song Broken Hallelujah:  What a perfect song for those who are going through some Trials and have questions as to why????

      A great verse on Intercessory Prayer is from Romans:
Romans 8:26    Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words.Prayer
     This is a prayer that we can pray for ourselves or for others who are in need of prayer coverage.   We do not need to know what the issue is – but we can be praying for the Holy Spirit to intercede…    But this is something that we all need to be looking for – and to help others get through their tough times.
 
Then this song came up this last Sunday and put a couple of my friends to their knees in what was being said.   Please read the Lyrics below and you will see that sometimes we are going through some really tough times with no understanding of why – except that God is going to make Beauty out of these broken ashes…   

 “Broken Hallelujah”

I can barely stand right now.
Everything is crashing down,
And I wonder where You are.

I try to find the words to pray.
I don’t always know what to say,
But You’re the one that can hear my heart.

Even though I don’t know what your plan is,
I know You’re making beauty from these ashes.

I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain.
On my knees, I call Your name.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.

You know the things that have brought me here.
You know the story of every tear.
‘Cause You’ve been here from the very start.

Even though I don’t know what your plan is,
I know You’re making beauty from these ashes.
 

So this week – please be looking for opportunities to bless someone with Intercessory Prayer – they need the coverage.

Bobbyg

Pier Pressure: Are you the one creating it?

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      In one of our First Tuesday night Bible study at Cheyenne Alliance – the topic of Pier Pressure came up.  We were talking about how it really caused allot of grief in the young and old.   My friend Jim H.  –   Stated that Pier Pressure was not a problem for him – he looks to Christ for his guidance.  One item that I responded with is:   We should be one creating the Pier Pressure and people should be looking at us for guidance.  As in my last Blog I talked about the importance of our Pastors and that we should be able to imitate them – the same is for us… 
           The speaker at our Church this last Sunday referenced a couple of massages from Luke 15: 1 & 2:  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.   And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”   Jesus was the creating the Pier Pressure in his days – and when you look at these verses – it was the Sinners who were drawing near to him to hear what he had to say.   The Pharisees hated it – the people were supposed to be imitating them.  So we should be having the same response as Jesus was having – people should be coming to us to hear what we have to say.
           Our GMM Conference Theme (True Identity) this year really hits home for me on what are people going to see in me when they look at me.   The world has characterized what a Man should look like – but it is really not who I would want people to see me as.   The Book “Wild at Heart” has come up recently because of a Speaker we would like to have at the Conference  to help us on the issue of True Identity.
           The Book identifies 3 areas we need to recapture as Men – below is a portion of what it is about.

  •  A battle to fight.
  • An adventure to live.
  • A beauty to rescue.

These are the core desires panting deep in the heart of every man. From the Amazon to Parliament, from the academy to the factory, these desires are universal, true for every man. And they are essential in order to live life as a man; they provide the power for his life. Misplaced, forgotten, or misdirected, they do not go away; they go underground and surface later in anger, addiction, and compulsion. You pay a high price when you neglect these desires. 
This has been a powerful book in redirecting me and where my passion falls.  There is allot more to the book then just this short blurb and it is a must read to see what needs to happen in redirecting the identity of the Real Man inside of us.

Now back to the main theme of this Blog. 

Are you the one Creating the Pier Pressure?

What does that look like?

Are your Sons/Daughters and the people that surround you seeing the real Person in you that is Grounded in

Jesus?

Bobbyg