Tag: Faith

I Met 3 Warriors Today…

January 9, 2023

Today in the GREAT State of Texas, I met 3 warriors. I would like to tell you about them…

The 1st Warrior, wow what a warrior he is! At the age of 15 & 16 & 17, he made a series of bad decisions. Drugs, Alcohol, Rebellion, and Anger caused him to lose his freedom and spend time in the the Juvenile Courts, “Juvy” Detention, and then as the Judge said to him, “Big Boy Jail”. So he joined the Army, then became an Army Ranger and served in US Special Operations for over 10 years. In his post military career, went back into a life of mischief, then Christ changed his life. Now he Pastors one of the nations largest Prison Ministries, and completely has an ETERNAL lease on his call. He said to me today, “I am ADDICTED to Prison Ministry!” He went from fighting the law, to fighting for freedom, to taking it to the enemy of our souls! As of today, I get to call him friend!

The 2nd Warrior, wow what a warrior he will be! This warrior is young, and still finding his way. At age 15 & 16 & 17, he made a series of decisions that didn’t land in jail behind metal bars, but has landed him behind bars of an emotional and spiritual nature. He is plagued with rejection, insecurity, fear, and loneliness. He is surrounded by people that desire to see the King work in him and through him, but haunted by a past of mediocrity and lack of excellence. He feels like he doesn’t measure up in many avenues of his life, yet he hears all the time that he is Kings, and that there is a plan that will be great, if he will simply stay on His path. He is going from “How will I make it, to I hope I make it, to I know the King is not giving up on me – I WILL MAKE IT! This warrior is finding his identity, and you will know him soon enough!

The 3rd Warrior, wow he doesn’t feel like a warrior most days, because he feels like inside the armor he wears, there is just child. Scared, humbled, confused, paralyzed by fear, called by God, overcoming the noise of his own mind, ready for the calling and the passions to line up, hoping, yearning, grasping for constant truth, longing for a relationships that surpass the surface of life, and so many other self afflicted wounds. Yet with all of it, he has a confidence, still that the King has called him and desires to fulfill that call. This warrior, is me.

Today, I realize that warriors come in all shapes and sizes, in all stages of life. Warriors believe they are never out of the fight. You see the warrior keeps on fighting and never gives up. The warrior never surrenders. The warrior doesn’t leave their brother behind. The warrior carries the warrior that is wounded, broken, on his last breath. The warrior gives quickly and receives only what he has to in order to live another day. The warrior is not afraid to stoop to a place of humility and service, and not afraid to give their life for another. The warrior doesn’t keep a record of wrong, but lives his life in love. The warrior fights for the heart of the King, because the King is LOVE. The warrior is powerful, because the warrior’s King is LOVE! The warriors greatness is not in his own ability, but in the GREATNESS of the KING!

You see the 2nd and 3rd Warrior, want to be like the 1st Warrior, fiercely fighting for the King.

The 2nd Warrior is on his way to being like Warrior #1, as he fights for the King.

The 3rd Warrior is simply try to stay in the fight for the King.

But here is the real TRUTH…

All three of us are SIMPLY the King’s Sons!!!

The King loves His Sons, and simply wants the Sons to keep their eyes on Him!

Because, the King is Worthy!

Because the Sons lead the way to the King!

Because the King gave His life for them!

Because the King is Love!

So how about it WARRIOR – SON… Never Give Up, Never Surrender, Never Quit! You are more than an overcomer!

Make Your Mark

June 4, 2021

Are you a catalyst? Do you change your surroundings or do they change you.

Let’s do a science experiment today. Take a pot, any size and boil some water in it. First take some sliced carrots and put them in the water, 11 minutes later, what happens – the carrots get soft. Next take same boiling water and put some eggs in there for 11 minutes. What happens – the eggs get hard. In both scenarios the surroundings changed the product.

Now take some boiling water and put some coffee grounds in for 11 minutes. Amazing what you find, the water is completely changed – taste, color, and smell. The product completely changed its surroundings! Sounds like a catalyst to me!

Webster’s Dictionary says, “Catalyst: something or someone that causes events to happen with itself being changed.”

Kathy Lee Clifford once talked about the lasting impact that her late husband and NFL Great Frank Gifford had left on people. She said, “Frank’s world got smaller, as his God got bigger!” She then went on to talk about a trip that she and her husband went on the Holy Land. They visited the spot where David defeated the giant Goliath. For Christmas that year, graduation, and birthdays – Frank gave people stones. A picture of faith that represented to Frank of making your mark, having purpose, and being whom God made you to be! 

You can find that video here: (http://www.today.com/video/watch-kathie-lees-touching-tribute-to-husband-frank-gifford-506707523589) 

Many of us are looking for the next place to leave our mark. To make a difference. To be the next greatest in the field that we find ourselves in. I want to challenge you to something a little more meaningful than money, position, sport, or title. Something deeper than all of that stuff that you cannot take with you when you die.

I had a mentor/coach tell me once, “Dan, you are going to the wrong thing – people will be mad at you. You will do the right thing, people will be mad at you. You will do nothing at all, people will be mad at you. So you should just go ahead and do the right thing after all!” You are going to leave a mark, a good one or a bad one. The important part is are you going to make your mark for yourself or for the Kingdom of Heaven!

Acts. 13:36 (NLT) says this, “…after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died…”

We all end up in the same spot when it is all said and done, standing before God, facing the music as to how we “Made our Mark”. So, the question of the hour is will we live for us or will we live for the One who died for us? One you answer that question. I just know that I want to live for the One who died for me and saved me and changed me!

Don’t settle for letting life soften or harden you, but take “the will of God for your generation” – and change it!

FAITH

April 13, 2020

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen!” This week during our staff prayer time, God brought this verse to my mind and I just began to pray the prayer of faith for my family (both wife and kids, as well as our church family)! As I prayed this passage of scripture, I believe the Lord gave me a couple points of insight that I would like to share with you this morning!

1st – Faith is the catalyst in our life to have us watch the hand of God move on our behalf. Faith is the reassurance that God is at work in the situation that seems unmovable. Faith is the “nudge” in which we begin to act on the belief that “the One who started a work in us, will be faithful to complete that work!”

2nd – “The substance of things hoped for…” Substance is the matter of which something is made. Think about this with me…what are you made of…better yet, Who were you fashioned after? “Let us make man in Our image!” You are fashioned after God who created the universe! How amazing is that! Someone said to me this week that they felt like a disaster every time they went to the Word. I quickly reminded them that “God is closest to the broken and contrite heart”––that is right where God wants you. You feel like a disaster? AWESOME! God is getting ready to make a mighty move of faith!

3rd –  “…the evidence of things not yet seen!” What do you see in our church? What do you see in your family? What do you see in your your circumstance? Do you see God anywhere? Do you see any evidence that He is working in the scenes? Remember, faith is evidence. Sometimes you have to look for evidence––the little signs––the little points that God is at work! Even in the midst of the “stay at home” advisory and the spread of the virus. Your Faith can increase, and be apart of the increase of God’s presence all over the world during this time!

This week, why don’t we all pray for God to increase our faith! In essence, we are asking Him to increase our matter––our substance! Then you are asking Him to increase the evidence of His moving in and around us! Guess what? He wants too!

Praying for you & with you! Let’s keep increasing our faith in Him, and decreasing the you and me! Have a faith-filled week!

COLORS

April 4, 2020

Colors

Colors are such a sign for the seasons.

Think about… Summer – bright colors white, green, orange, purple.

Fall – earth tones of orange, brown, red, amber.

Winter – deep and dark colors, black, gray, navy blue.

Spring Time – Light colors, pastels of blue, green, yellow, pink, purple, and green!

Colors tell us where we are and what time the season is. But then, we begin to blend in with the settings around us! And in this season of spring, we find ourselves in a “Stay at Home Advisory’, blending in out of necessity for life. We are now having to be intentional about those COLORS we love to see here in New England – the white and grays of winter, to the greens, yellows, oranges, and pastels of spring.

How does this affect us as Christians? We could say that red is a Christians favorite color, because of Calvary. We could say that white is a Christians favorite color, because of Redemption. We could say that blue is a Christians favorite color, because someday we will be caught up in the sky with our savior! All are true, but think about this…

We are called to be a peculiar people! To not blend in! To be different! This week as we begin to celebrate the Easter season, the thought crosses my mind, “What do people see when they look at me, a Christ Follower?” Do they see traditional or contemporary, how about a style of music, a particular political bent? Does my family not just look different, but act different and actually walk the as Jesus walked? I want to encourage, us both, to take an inventory of our hearts and lives. “Match our colors with Christ, not our surroundings!”

Easter is literally 1 week away! Find a friend, neighbor, co-worker, relative, and invite them to church online, over the next several opportunities through Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter! I heard a friend say this week, “Let’s have a virtual cup of coffee together over Zoom or Facetime.” They “go” to church together! We all need to hear the story of the resurrection this season, the testimony of life and togetherness – it is coming back! Even though you may think they will not come, invite them and see what God does!

Let’s get out of our comfort zone to see Jesus change lives! Have a colorful week this week!

No Matter Which Bed You Are In…

August 23, 2019

Today has been a “Bungee Cord” kind of day. I sat in 2 different Hospital Rooms before lunchtime. One was on the Oncology Floor of a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with Stage 3/4 Cancer. The other was with a mom who was holding her 5 weeks premature newborn. Some serious emotions and thoughts entered into my head as I sat with both.

On the Oncology Floor – My friend is bound and determined to beat cancer! He has high spirits and giving his everything to do whatever necessary to “Kick Cancer in Nodes” (His saying, as the cancer is in his lymph nodes). I walked out in wonder…How would I be in that bed? Would I have the peace to face this the way he is? Would I have the confidence in FAITH and MEDICINE that he has? For I would not like to choose the bed he is lying in right now.

 

In the NICU – I sat with a precious little one and her mom, the peace and serenity that both of them had. Newborn sleeping against her mother, mother nestling this little life in the opening gates of this world. As I listened to the unfolding events of the prior 72 hours of intense medical procedures to guarantee this little one a fighting chance, not to mention helping the mother to stay alive. How would I be,watching my sons, my daughter, my wife lying in that bed? Would I have had the same peace, in the same situation? Would I have maintained the same trust in FAITH and MEDICINE? I would not have chosen this bed for the start of my own 3 children.

Back to the morning of this day – I started my drive to the hospital(s) this morning listening to a sermon by Pastor Michael Todd, (Click Peace Under Pressure to view)… Guess what his inspiration was all about… Peace and the Holy Spirit!

As he shared, and I have read and preached about countless times along the way…

John 16:31-33 (MSG)

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” 

John 16:31-33

Well, the message for me was loud and clear… “Dan, be at PEACE! I got this!” – Jesus

I am not sure what bed you are lying in right now. Frankly, the beds we find ourselves lying in tend be overwhleming. I want to encourage you to lift yourself up and ask the “Comforter” (AKA…Greg – listen to the sermon above, Paraclete, Holy Spirit) to walk with you and lift what you cannot lift!

Guess what – He Will!

What to do, When You Don’t Know What To Do…  

October 24, 2018

What to do, When You Don’t Know What To Do…

Several years ago, I have had a couple of powerful moments with my kids. One morning my daughter says to me, “Daddy, did you have good dreams?” “No”, I replied, “I didn’t have any dreams.” She quickly responded, “That is sad, everyone needs dreams!” Stunned and struck with the enormity of my 3 year olds’ wisdom. Then, 2 days later, my son hit me with a big question. “Dad, have you ever let a team down that was counting on you to win?” “Yes son, more times, than not”, was my reply. The fragile thoughts of an 8 year old, desperately wanting to be older and better than he feels on the inside! “How do you get past that Dad?” “Well son……………………”

Have you ever had those thoughts yourself! Have you ever measured the surroundings of your world and wondered exactly what do with the fact that you are dreamless, that you feel like everything in the world is crashing down on you. These feeling are not just for the young at heart or the young in body! These feelings are for those that have a heartbeat. Whether young or old, rich or poor, married or single, you will find yourself asking the question “What do I do, I do not know what to do?”

Scripture answers that question for us in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30(Click to read.). No I am going to let you read it for yourself, but I want to give you the answer to the question…

Look at verse 3…“Terrified, he begged God for guidance!”

There was a King in the Old Testament named Jehoshaphat. He was a good king. He made his fair share of mistakes in his life. Especially in the last years of his life. It would be safe to say that he didn’t end as strong as he started. But God gave him hope!

In 2 Chr. 20, we see King Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah hemmed from every side. Death was imminent. There was no way, except for loss of life. But tucked away in this short chapter of scripture, contain an incredible miracle that is applicable to you and I today…

2 Chronicles 20 (NLT) War with Surrounding Nations

1 After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.”

3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.

5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

  1. Look to God for help!

Vs. 12 – “O our God, we do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

King Jehoshaphat knew from his time in dealing with King Ahab, that he had to keep his eyes not on the surroundings, the people, the situation, but on the voice of the Lord!

2 Chr. 18:4, “Jehoshaphat added, “But, first let’s find out what the Lord says!”

The question was, “What should we do?”

If you cannot “hear” the word of God, then read the Word of God! He is speaking!

You do it now, fasting locks in the yield for later!

 

13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.

 

15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

 

  1. Fear Not!

Vs. 15 – “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

King Jehoshaphat knew from his time in dealing with King Ahab, that he had nothing to fear if he stayed with God’s plan!

2 Chr. 18:31, “But Jehoshaphat call out, and the Lord save him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him!”

Joshua 1:8&9 – 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

You do it now, fasting proves faith, trust, and strength later!

16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

 

  1. Keep your eyes on God!

Vs. 17 – “…watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you!”

King Jehoshaphat knew from his time dealing with King Ahab, that he knew of being solely committed to God!

2 Chr. 19:3 “…you have committed yourself to seeking God!”

We have to keep our eyes on what is important! That would ultimately be HIM!

You do it now, your eyes will stay on Him later!

18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.

20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

  1. Have Faith!

Vs. 20 – “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm!”

King Jehoshaphat knew this from his time appointing judges in the land.

2 Chr. 19:11 “Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right!”

Heb. 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see!”

You do it now, your faith will continue to grow later!

21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

Now!

Vs. 22 – “At the very moment…

You do it now, HE WILL DO IT LATER!

23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. 29 When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

We are all going through stuff! As a church we are going through some very difficult financial hardships! Some of us are going through family crisis! Some of us have been to the Dr. recently and the outcome seems unchangeable. When you are going through it and you lose the dreams, and you feel lost in the middle of such familiar surroundings…When You Don’t Know What To Do…Remember…

“He Believes In You!” (Click to watch and listen!)

Special Forces…

January 20, 2018

I grew up in a military family. I was surrounded by men and women who have served and protected our country. For the better part of the my first 25 years of life, I learned words like honor, code, respect, and valor.

In being around those men and women, one thing I saw everyday was the ability to follow orders that radically changed life’s trajectory. I said goodbye to friends, watches families leave safety and security and learned to deal with good-byes (which aren’t very fun today). I had to learn to trust in the silence of not always knowing or hearing the answer or understanding it.

Then I read this 3 verse passage and realize that all of those lessons learned aren’t just a military family’s mindset, but a set of values learned by ones that truly set out to accomplish the will of God! The desire to set a person helped, a family saved, and city radically impacted through the Gospel of Christ!

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”

Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT

Abraham desired a city that was set upon the foundations of God! Wow! Abraham was a form of God’s Special Forces…going to a foreign place, setting up a value that was unknown before he arrived, then putting into motion a new way of living.

I desire that! I live in a place that was established as a town in 1764. Before modern conveniences, before modern military practices, before the realization that our world was going to have to go through several revolutions before God would send His Son Jesus back for a His people. So my calling, my passion, and my life’s work is to establish that eternal city right here in Winchendon, Ma.

That means I have to train, study, build trust, pray, serve, obey – I get to live my life in a way that tells everyone I have been placed here for a purpose that far surpasses our ability to understand the natural causes of order and man’s cumbersome path to God. I get to set the peace and love and grace and forgiveness of Christ right in my own town. I get to be a standard bearer for righteousness and for salvation in my little town. Values that go hand and hand with values I learned in the military family of honor, code, respect, and valor.

Would you join me to saluting the Savior of the World Jesus, by longing for the city of eternal foundations, by living your life worthy of the call of our – King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Jesus!

I’m all in, are you?

P.S. To the men and women of our US Armed Services – Thank You for putting your life on the line for our freedom! You truly are the best! I pray for you, I remember you, I Honor you, and I am GRATEFUL for you and your families!

With the Lord’s Help

January 7, 2018

Gen. 4:1, “Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With the Lord’s help!

I have read this so many times, and it truly just jumped off the page!

Perhaps as parents, we begin to not rely on God’s help when raising our children. It all started with His help, and then somewhere we take it away from Him help and try to do it in our strength.

Lord, teach me not to do it on my own, but in those 18-20 short years of mega influence on my kids, to be a dad that stays in the midst of your strength not my own!

“Plain English”

January 4, 2018

“It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/gen.3.3-4.nlt

Here in plain “English” God speaks to Adam and Eve. There is no way that anyone could twist the meaning of “If you the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, you will die”. Plain and simple.

Yet, we all do that thing that we know God has spoken to us about. It is in our soul, our heart pounds with the message, our body strives daily with the clarion call for holiness, yet we still struggle. The struggle is REAL! The Apostle Paul, millenniums later had the same struggle doing the very thing that he didn’t want to do.

The struggle that sin produced, is the very fact that we don’t always do the right thing or that we simply do the wrong thing.

Sin and Law create this cataclysmic struggle that is only answered in having a personal and intimate walk with Christ! Today if you are in that place where sin dominates or haunts you, and you love Jesus; the answer is to simply press into Him even more. He will provide you with the scapegoat from sin. And it will be from the most amazing places or people.

Press into Him today and rest assured that what He says will save your life. And remember He also said, “I will never leave you or forsake you!”

NEVER!