It has been one of those interesting weeks – especially in our country and the decision that came down from the Supreme Court.   At the same time I have been reading a book from Erwin McManus (just getting started) “An Unstoppable Force”.  They really have me thinking about my impact on the World around me.
             I have had several conversations in the last few months about my personal spiritual growth and what I am working on this year.  I believe that allot of Christians including myself have not spoken out about what we believe in and have bought into the aspect of being Politically Correct or being Tolerant.  So this is my year for me to be bolder in my faith – but in such a way that Christ shines through me.  If I am going to see change in the World today – it must start with me.
                One of the quotes that I underlined in the book is:  “Species that do not adapt to change do not survive because change is an ever-present reality” & “When relationships become stagnant and the community of Christ closes itself to the outside world, the result is an institution rather than a movement”.  That has to go for me also – if I am not aware of what is going on around me in life and I am not adapting – then I am going to become stagnant and non-effective.   
                So going back to the Court decision:  I listened to a good pastor friend of mine (Pastor Velcro) on a Video about the subject and he was excellent – a few of his points really encouraged me.    First of all if this really surprised me – then I really need to pay attention to what is happening in the world.  This should not have been awakening when the decision came down – it has been in the works for a very long time.   The book I am reading also mentioned the same thing about Prayer being taken of our School system – it should not have surprised me. 
          Then Pastor Velcro stated – this does not change his beliefs and this should not change what I believe in.  “YUP”              The biggest thing we must remember is the Greatest commandments:    “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”   This is a must if I am going to be effective in the world that surrounds me. 
     So as I am looking at how I am going to go forward – I must remember that God is in Control and he knew this was coming – so my response has to be in Love.   It did not surprise God of the decision my Country would make – our country has the freedom to make choices and this is the choice they made.  

 So as you respond to a decision that you may not agree on – remember the World is wanting to see how you Respond!

As Pastor Velcro finished his talk – “I feel Loved”.

My question to you is:  So do those around you feel loved? 

Bobbyg
 

       I had the pleasure of moving my youngest Son back to Spearfish this weekend, he has been living with us for a little while.   Not that I wanted him to go – but it is a great feeling to watch your Son’s go forth in life on new Adventure’s.  He will do great and we were blessed to have him come to help us through a tough time. 
                 My friend Jim S. helped with the move – he had the pickup to carry all the stuff, but we had a great talk driving up there and back.   On our way back we went through the Black Hills, across parts of Nebraska and back into Wyoming.  We had this conversation about the uniqueness of the terrain and why did God make it this way.   He must have had a reason… from the great mountain scenes to the rolling prairies in Nebraska and then back into Wyoming by Lusk.   Well we finally came up with and Answer:   We really do not know why God made the different terrains the way He did – but He had a reason…. 
           Then our conversation went to the uniqueness of all the people that God has put around us and it reminded us of our upcoming theme “True Identity”.   Our Speaker – Erwin McManus – will be talking about how God has made us Unique, but the conversation was:   “How do we deal with all the different personalities of people that God has put in our lives?”   When you look at the people that surround you – they are all unique in their own way – some we like and others…. well we adjust.
         I have the pleasure of working with a large group of guys in my ministry that are all different.  What I really enjoy is seeing what God has put together as a Team and seeing all the those different parts coming together as one.   God has given us all different Gifts and a Soul that are unique…    So my biggest question to myself was —   “How am I dealing with those people around me that I need to adjust too?”     It took a while – but it is really easy – I have to look at their Uniqueness and know this is God working through them.  Then I can smile and know that God is at work with all of those people that he has put in my life, even that ones that I have to adjust to.     I do have to remember  that this includes my family – church – work – ministry and those he puts right in front of me – they are all God’s Creation.

 So my question to you is:   How do you deal with those people that God has put in your life – that require you to adjust?

Do you look at them as one of God’s greatest Gifts to you?

He has made us all unique for a reason – so enjoy those people God has put in your life.

Bobbyg

          I have had one of those weeks that I would like to turn back the clock and start over…   Have you ever had one of those?     I started the week with several of my family members have some major sickness issues and did not know what to do.   Basically the only thing I could do is Pray – and that means I have no control in helping fix the problems.    Then I changed my work hours last week to take care of issues that needed to be taken care of.   You know when you make changes at your work place – not everyone likes it.   They could have at least just kept quiet instead of telling me about it.  
          But that is how life goes sometimes…    the Job factor…   but not so intense.
           Then this last weekend came – there was a joyous time of seeing my grandkids – my granddaughter is turning 10.  The same age as me – well I tell her at least our last number matches.    Then my wife wanted to finish the weekend and go see 3^rd day at Red Rocks for our 40^th anniversary.   Yes there is someone who can put up with me that long.   I do not do well with driving in extremely large traffic jams and then to navigate through an extremely large crowd… and what about the bathroom break!!   If I had my choice we would have went to a secluded spot and listened to 3^rd Day on the way there.
           As you can see – I really wanted to turn the clock back, well not really.  I made it through it all and do you know what it is like to worship with 9,500 other christians – AWESOME – Especially with the one who has been by your side for 40 years and at Red Rocks?   God has truly blessed me.
           You know we are going to have weeks like this and the thing that matters, is how do we finish them.   You know Job had to go through the extreme when problems came his way, but in the end he pleased God and was blessed in many ways.  
       We have to do the same and make it through those tough weeks and finish well.    In the end the most important thing I have to do is stay focused on Jesus and he will get me through all of this… and he did.

 So looking back at all of this – my question to you is?

What do you do to make it through those tough weeks – the ones you would like to turn the clock back and start over?

Is your focus on Jesus and Prayer?

The most important thing that we can do is please Him and we will be blessed.

 Bobbyg 

 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

       While on vacation in Whitefish MT. with our Friends from Oregon we came across a ½ circle filled with Billboards.  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

     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 tough – 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

   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 1^st 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 2^nd 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

      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

      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

     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 people 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.    

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

 Bobbyg