Fun, Fatherhood, Family, Friends, Fitness, Finance and Faith July 2013

Fun: Fun is the prefix of fundamental. When is the last time you had a fall off the chair laugh by yourself? Laugh…it’s good for your health…There is comfort in laughing at yourself

Dad, what are you playing with your child? Immaturity is not encouraged but fun is. Spend some time in their world to build trust and relationship, not to revert or retrogress to childishness. You’d be the surprised the lessons in maturity that can be taught and received while playing a video game or board game or catch…

Funny Sermon by Christian Comedian John Gray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haJYtIsKyjY

Funny: Answers Given in a Bible Knowledge Test

1. The first book of the Bible is Guinness's.  In the book of Guinness Adam and Eve were created from an apple.
   (Hmm could they mean Genesis?)
2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of the Ark. Noah built the ark and the animals came on in pears.
3. Moses went to the top of Mount Cyanide to get the 10 Commandments.
4. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
5. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
6. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.
7. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the apostles.
8. The greatest miracle in the bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he actually obeyed him.
9. Unleavened bread is bread made with no ingredients.
10. A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony.
11. Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
12. Solomon had 100 wives and 700 porcupines.
13. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
14. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
15. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found Jesus sacked in the manager.
16. The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.
17. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

Fatherhood:

Here is an awesome collection of reunions of military men and their families:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9438508

Family: My brother in CHRIST has an awesome thing going on Facebook. He created a group for his whole family to connect together. There are many good uses for technology to enhance the family experience. A technological reunion could be the basis for a face to face reunion in the future. Go ahead and start your private family page…any opportunity to connect and love on family is good, no matter the medium

Here are some things you may want to know about Facebook groups:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZeaG5mspVU - How to set up a group

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2370501,00.asp - What to be mindful of

Friends: One of the best ways for a dad to model friendship to his children is to allow your children to see you interact with your friends, hear you speaking highly of, lifting up, strengthening the integrity of, looking beyond the faults of and sharing with your friends

Friendship Quotes:

 “Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” – Muhammad Ali

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”  - C. S. Lewis

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”  - Bob Marley

Fitness:

One of our most vital organs is our liver. Our livers work as an infiltration system that help us remove toxins from our blood stream and helps in the processing of food. We need to take care of them as environment and diet tend to weaken our overworked livers…

Here is are some tips on keeping our liver healthy:

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/liver-cleanse-foods/

Finance:

A great book to read with or play the audio for your children to help the understand how money works, along with the Bible, is Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Here is a search for it: https://www.richdadcoaching.com/unfairadvantage/?jadid=27567175846&jap=1t1&jk=rich+dad+poor+dad&jkId=8a8ae4cd3e48afc9013e6935e0314f11&jmt=1_e_&jp=&js=1&jsid=33180&jt=1&gclid=CMaPoKCSk7gCFcee4Aod9x8Axg

This book is a quick easy read and is eye opening…

Faith

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
(Mark 1:16-18)

Our ordered steps are relationships. Once captured by CHRIST, we are called to be captivating through the good news, so captives are captured unto freedom. To be caught by CHRIST is to be set free - Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Watchful Witness Wednesday February 15 2012

Quotes:

Where work falls short and ability or effort fails, unmerited favor guarantees sufficiency to succeed. Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Grace is more than a long term investment, it is eternal assurance and everlasting life insurance. We are beneficiaries in CHRIST’s policy if we believe   – Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Watching and Praying

HEAVENLY FATHER,

In the matchless name of Y’SHUA the MESSIAH and by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT in thanksgiving, supplication, reverence and humility, we prostrate our spirits, bow our souls and subject and present our bodies as living sacrifices before YOU, LORD. We honor YOU who are worthy of all worship, prayer and praise – True GOD…Uniquely GOD…Wholly GOD….HOLY GOD. We approach you seeking forgiveness for sins, iniquities and transgressions…things done or not done, publically or privately, covertly or overtly, on purpose or accidentally by commission or omission. Just as YOU always make a way for us, we trust YOU to make a place for us as the world more and more becomes foreign land. We ask that YOULORD to continue to be our banner even as our churches are banned from public schools. Please protect the congregations and pastors of these churches and repot them in new soil that they may flourish. Please ABBA, strengthen Christian marriages and families so that they minister hope and stability to the broader society. Please DADDY, increase the levels of creativity, ingenuity and opportunity among your people. Please heal our spirits souls and bodies, Oh LORD. We thank YOU for today LORD. We thank YOU for provision, vision and supervision. We thank YOU for guidance, protection, purpose and relationship. We thank YOU for YOUR Will and YOUR Word. WE thank YOU for YOUR Heart toward those that suffer, YOUR light burden and easy yoke. We love on YOU today LORD and trust YOU in JESUS name Amen

Thought Sparks: Did you notice?

Did You Notice:  the shortness of tempers and the increase complaining lately? Believers, we should quietly listen and address complaints with hope. We are not salty instigators. We are peace-makers

Did You Notice: the way GOD has been using and blessing humble Christian athletes lately? Believers, it is a good time and gateway to further conversation with primarily men about the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST

Men's Ministry Monday February 13, 2012

1 Timothy 4:6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.


Accountability is a vital part of Christian brotherhood. There are times when we brothers need redirection to right thinking as opposed to desired affirmation. This especially true when emotions are elevated. We do this when we match up how a brother may want to react to a situation to how the wisdom of the Word states we react. The Word ought to be part of the discussion preemptively in some cases. 

In the prior verses, false doctrine and legalism is described. Accountability in these cases redirects our brothers toward the loving and safe boundaries that sound doctrine and the freedom that Grace affords. Brotherhood clearly is good ministry and good ministry involves serious discussion that encourages right thinking...gracious godly thinking. We are not called to be worldly 'enablers' toward hollowness but godly 'encouragers' toward holiness. That is an important part of brotherhood

"We need accountability. Left to our own devices, we will soon devise or succumb to all kinds of evil. As Christians we know that we need other believers to hold us accountable to the standards of Scripture. Passages such as Ecclesiastes 4:12 remind us that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The Bible tells us that “iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17) and that we are to “stir up one another to love and good works…encouraging one another” (Heb. 10:24-25). Life is far too difficult and we are far too sinful to live in solitude. We need community. We need accountability. And God has anticipated our need by giving us the local church as the primary means of this accountability." - Tim Challies in Escaping Anonymity, Tabletalk, April, 2009, p. 70. 

Let's be accountable


I love YOU and I love you


Jeremy A. Maynard

Trivia, Terminology and Tough Question Tuesday January 3 2012

Trivia:

Question: How many disciples were named James?

Answer: Two: James the Elder,  the son of Zebedee and James the Lesser or Younger, the son of Alpheus [and Mary – JESUS brother]

Terminology: Sola Fide

Sola Fide – [One of the five Solas] means salvation by faith alone. This is the clear understanding that those that are saved are saved by faith in the finished works of CHRIST and nothing else. No personal works - mere belief in CHRIST is enough to be saved from the Hell all sinners deserve and will receive otherwise

Tough Question: Did Nicodemus accept Christ?

Answer: It appears so.

We are familiar with JESUS’s dialogue with Nicodemus in John 3:

John 3:1-21  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  (2)  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  (3)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  (9)  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  (10)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  (11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  (13)  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  (14)  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Nicodemus seemed to have an affinity with JESUS after that encounter. He seems to attempt to defend JESUS before the Pharisees in John 7:

John 7:50-51 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)  (51)  Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

Finally, he was as it seems closely involved with CHRSIT’s burial in John 19:

John 19:39-42  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.  (40)  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.  (41)  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.  (42)  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

There are also some stories in early Christianity that Nicodemus was baptized and left the Sanhedrin and baptized by Paul and John as so was Gameliel secretly***. It is worth further investigation J

I love YOU and I love you

Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

***Stephen: Paul and the Hellenist Israelites by John J. Pilch

Men's Ministry Monday January 2 2012

Philemon 1:17-19 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. (18) If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; (19) I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

Paul is truly behaving CHRIST-like with regard to Onesimus, the debtor-slave who ran away but is now convicted and saved and ready to return to Philemon [a man of GOD], who he owes. Paul is standing in the gap ensuring a new convert is received as a brother and that any hindrances are removed. In 2012, we need to protect our brothers and sisters. True love with discernment concerns us about the safety of the brethren

We are to do the best in creating a safe environment for the brethren – not just in our presence but going forward outside of our physical reach. This is done by:

1)      Listen intently enough and long enough to discern potential issues as fully as possible

2)      Speaking well of your brother when he is not present

3)      Be considered about hindrances and address them

4)      Give the new convert opportunities to serve

5)      Present your brother as receivable to others

6)      Use your influence to bless and protect

7)      Take the time to pray with and for your brother

Being your brother’s keeper is not cliché, it is active and creates safety. It is love…

Protect the Onesimus-es in your lives…

I love YOU and love you

Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Thirsty Thursday – Clear Clean Cups – The Cleanliness That is Truly Godliness, Not Next to It

Luke 11:38-39  And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.  (39)  And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

We are to live inside out and turn the world upside down – which is truly right side up!

I learned. It used to tick my father off if I left the water constantly running from the faucet when it was my turn to wash the dishes. Instead of turning the faucet on and off for long periods of time, I learned to used one of the dirty cups or bowls and clean the inside of it. Then I would put warm soapy water and a wash cloth in it. Then I would soap up, in order, the other cups, bowls, dishes, utensils, etc. After completing the cleansing of everything else, then I would clean the cup with the soapy water that was already in it. I finally, rinse everything soupy and neatly stack everything on the dish rack. However, the cups and glasses…get this…I ensured were upside down…so that what was inside would leave no spots…suffice it to say this pleased my father. His smile was a greater compliment than words…dish washing and water conservation 101…

We are to live inside out and turn the world upside down – which is truly right side up! We communicate that way in all aspects – speaking of living inside out. Out of abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. From out of our heart, which in my B. C. spoken word days I used to call our infinite midpoint, our character and motives power and propel our expressions – word, gesture, deed, action and non-action.  The commitment to true cleanliness must be from our core. It must not be confused with vanity which is a perverse outside-in pseudo-cleanliness. That is what JESUS is claiming of the Pharisees. They were more about appearances than holiness, perception than reality. It is like an adolescent shoving everything under the bed… or cologne on stink. Legalism, materialism, vanity, nit-picking others, micromanaging and the gamut of idolatrous mascara that we use to make ourselves look good are the same as putting cologne on stink…we needed cleaning

Pastor A. R. Bernard's talk about wisdom last night with the Advanced Team of the International Christian Brotherhood contained a gem that he has inculcated during Sunday service several times before but nails the issue on the head.  He said to us:

“You can sound good but [it is hypocritical if] your life does not match up. Those who lust truth want to make it a part of their appearance. Those who love truth want to make it part of their character”

We are to live inside out and turn the world upside down! We love JESUS, who is the Truth! We have been washed by Blood of CHRIST inside-out…Hallelujah! We are being cleaned internally to be filled with what will be used to clean others…We are set upside down through sanctification after being rinsed by the Word to not only be counted as spotless but to be used…Hallelujah to be filled…and emptied and filled…only the Blood of JESUS can clean us clean enough…only through the rinsing sanctification of The SPIRIT and inverted placement to remain spotless can our Heavenly FATHER smile on us and lift us up and use us and sip from us and refill us…Hallelujah! This type of clean is godliness, imputed not man-ufactured…we are humbled not arrogant that the PARACLETE is call alongside us. Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It is godliness. It is HIM in us willing and doing HIS good purpose. He has made us new, knowing the world is attracted to shiny new things…HE has cleaned us and is cleaning us so other can be cleaned and rinsed and used…speak clean, live clean, walk clean, work clean, pray clean, preach clean and Hallelujah evangelize clean…in JESUS name…

We are to live inside out and turn the world upside down – which is truly right side up!

I love YOU and I love you

Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Watchful Witness Wednesday 10-19-2011

Quotes:

The best two ears for listening to GOD are your open and submitted heart and your open and studied Bible – Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Your heart is the shape and size of your closed fist. With it are you grasping truth in humility or are you clutching self-absorption in pride? I admonish that you hold fast to that which is true – Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Watching and Praying

Heavenly FATHER,

In light of Grace and Mercy, we thankfully approach YOU in all humility with the eyes of our faith wide and transfixed on YOUR Sovereign Goodness…we thank YOU ABBA for the stability and equipoise of YOUR love and forgiveness. We confess and YOU have forgive our sins of commission and omission…of overt and covert action…of arrogant over-aggressiveness and docile complacency…of making our work an idol and our over-entertained laziness…of pseudo-pious legalism and rudderless rebellion…Hallelujah…the Cross is a leveler and the bubble of the holiness of YOUR Will is central! For YOU alone can make the crook ways straight! Now we are free…free…free and unfettered to observe, discern an seek YOUR face in life, which is prayer without ceasing! Hallelujah! By leading of the HOLY SPIRIT unto testimony and the finished pouring out of CHRIST, we are victorious over-comers…more than conquerors! We watch, pray and can do all things through CHRIST – powerfully, lovingly by YOUR wisdom! Help us to maintain our families as we serve YOU! Help us to stand while those in judicial high seats of scorn ‘legally’ graffiti the palatial edifice of YOUR design. Strengthen us to fervency in the active and directive involvement of the futures of our children modeling and subordinating responsibility. Help us to display generational honor, where our elders are esteemed…not just in our family and the church but in the community…we love you LORD and thank YOU for YOUR peace, wisdom, joy, faithfulness, holiness and love in JESUS name…Amen  

Thought Sparks: Minister Did You Notice?

Have you noticed: Judges are making law regarding the family in opposition to GOD and the Constitution and ruling that children are to be taken away from Christian parent worldwide? Let us pray for an out-breaking contagion of family worship, where families minister to and with other families beyond the walls of our church homes…

http://www.lineoffireradio.com/2011/10/19/dr-brown-interviews-attorneys-rena-linavaldsen-and-scott-lively/

Have you noticed:  The arrogant and nonchalant yell of some teens and young adults who act out even in church, who need encouragement and responsibility to help them mature? Let us pray for, pray with, listen to and love on them consistently…

Have you noticed: That with so many younger people struggling that our seniors and golden saint are being ignored in society? Let us honoring the elders, pray with our elders, run errands for and visit our elder…we may glean some real wisdom and quality friendship

I love YOU and I love you

Brother Jeremy A. Maynard