Saturday, October 12, 2019


“PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭AMPC

If you haven’t climbed the mountain that I am climbing, or if you have not walked the road that I’m walking, or if you have yet to be where I’m going, then I’m not interested in following, listening or imitating you!

I will find those ahead of me, NEXT LEVEL people, to stretch, strengthen and motivate me!!!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Labor Day Lifetime!



Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time? Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!.

Sunday, August 25, 2019




Mentors Matter!

“Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
‭‭1 CORINTHIANS‬ ‭11:1 AMP

“PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

My earliest memories are of walking from the parsonage to the church, REACHING UP, HOLDING DAD’S HAND!

I need, we need leaders, mentors and pastors to follow! Not just anyone with a title or a position, rather those who are anointed and appointed to be in our lives.
I want to be around people who know more than me, who have done more, who have gone further and are going faster then me! I want to be MOTIVATED BY MY MENTORS!

MENTORS MATTER! 

Sunday, July 7, 2019

It Is Already Done!




7, The number of God. A number of Completion.
As Dr. Bill Winston says, “on the seventh day God rested, not because he was tired, but because he was done”!
Everything we need to accomplish our purpose is already in the KINGDOM!

We don’t need to ask for anything. We just need to MANIFEST everything!

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Who is Following you?



“And he said to them, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race! Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. And these miracle signs will accompany (follow) those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-18‬ ‭TPT

“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the LORD.”
PSALMS‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The Holy Spirit will bring with Him more than just “feelings”, He brings powerful signs! Since I believe, these signs will FOLLOW me. Who is FOLLOWING you?

Goodness and Mercy is FOLLOWING me! Who is FOLLOWING you?

Sunday, June 2, 2019

I Quit!


Why is it, that it is so hard to quit THAT which is destroying us and yet it is so easy to quit WHAT can help us?


“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭AMPC‬‬



Sunday, May 26, 2019


I was not made to “FIT IN”. I was given a purpose, a calling and a particular assignment!
I will never find it and fulfill it, trying to fit in!!!

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Your Next is becoming your Now!

Your Next is becoming your Now! 

Now Faith IS....- Heb 11:1

TODAY IS the Day Of Salvation...2 Cor 6:2

—————————————————

The Rest of My Life will be the BEST of my Life!

The Best is yet to come!

I believe all of these, BUT...
This mindset has caused us to except less today than we should...

NOW, NOW and NOW!

Your Next is becoming your Now! 

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Sometimes you DO what you have to DO, until you can DO what you are CALLED and CREATED to DO!

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Can You Spare Some CHANGE?

An old preacher told me once “God don’t change, so we ain’t gonna change.” About that time my young daughter walked up and the old preacher said “she sure is growing up!” I said “yeah, she is CHANGING isn’t she?”

“And Jesus grewin wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke‬ ‭2:52‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But growin grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding...
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭

Sunday, September 16, 2018

We have turned to many of the Laws of Faith into pictures, posters and art pieces!
DECLARATION not DECORATION!!!



Sunday, August 12, 2018

Renewed Mind!

Am I a Conformer or am I a Transformer? Do I think like the world around me, or do I create the world around me by the way that I think? The scripture says it this way:

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Romans 12:2 AMP)

What I think about, I bring about! 

Saturday, June 16, 2018

God Is The Giver!

Jesus said in John 10 that “the thief comes to steal and kill.”  But “I am come that you might have life to the fullest.” I do not care who or how many times people quote Job when he said “ the lord gives and the lord takes away.” IT IS TRUE JOB SAID THAT.  BUT IT IS NOT TRUTH! Job was messed up, he was fearful and attracted the thieve to steal from him. God is blessing you only!!!
If you are losing do not blame it on God!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

DORMANT DREAMS



To dream the impossible dream....how many dreams do you have that seem impossible or at least improbable? They eventually become inactive or asleep, tucked away somewhere in the corner of your heart. The interim from the dream to their
reality takes some doing. Many times its during the doing that dormancy sets in. I hear an alarm clock ringing, not that I'm alarmed, but it is TIME to wake up some DREAMS!

Monday, May 13, 2013

50 IS NOT FINAL


                                                                                                                                                                    



The guy at the gym said " you are doing well for fifty". He thought he complimented me, I did not!
So many people have talked about things like Geritol, black balloons and said they were sorry for me. Many referring to being over the hill and other depressing analogies. All well meaning, but I don't feel that way at all.
First turning fifty is better than the alternative...think about it. Well in the eternal scope of things maybe not, Heaven is going to be way cooler than fifty :). But I have more to do here and now!!! I feel better, I am fitter and I am wiser that I have ever been. It does give me pause, causes me to think and take proverbial stock of my journey. Allowing me to review, retool and reinvision my goals, making adjustments and eliminating or adding as the case merits. So I conclude 50 IS NOT FINAL but rather 50 is a time to FOCUS! Not to mention that 50 is the YEAR OF JUBILEE! More to come...

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

GOAL GETTER

Goal setters on average earn more, accomplish more and see much more success than people who do not set goals. But only a small percentage of people actually set goals and even fewer set clear written goals with plans to accomplish them.

I have found that I will set goals and even write them down, but that tends to satisfy me enough to walk away without a plan. You know the old saying "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". So as I write this I am resolving to transition form being a GOAL SETTER to becoming a GOAL GETTER! The Apostle Paul said "I have my eye on the goal" in another translation it reads "I am pressing toward the mark". There will be some pressing involved, and energy expended. But I will...

1. Create and write down clear and precise GOALS.

2. Prepare an ACTION Plan.

3. PRESS toward the GOAL!

And of course all of the above will be bathed in prayer, believing that my goals are God's GOALS for my life.
That they are not just good goals but GOD'S GOALS!!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

LABOR DAY




Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time? Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

GET STRONG, BE STRONG AND STAY STRONG


And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you
and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Labor Day!


Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time? Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Can You Spare a Little CHANGE?


And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured (CHANGED) into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

To move forward we must change. In order to advance in life in any area change is necessary. How do we grow or progress? We must change! As our children grow up, they CHANGE! We document it, take pictures, and videos of each milestone. We MEASURE their physical growth, we journal their emotional and intellectual maturation. We EXPECT them to change. But as they reach adulthood our expectations degrease or completely cease.

Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting twittering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

Friday, May 14, 2010

A message from Ariel

Hey guys!

I'm working as a counselor this summer at a camp called SpringHill, and I'm asking for your help (:

I'm apart of the IMPACT program, which works to provide scholarships for kids who want to come to camp but can't afford it. I'm asked to recruit people who are willing to donate, the amount doesn't matter because anything will help. (and i understand being a poor college student, so if that's you, little amounts can help too)

You should know the experience offered here isn't like any other, God does some really awesome things at this camp. Which I can say from experience, because I've attended as a camper since I was 8 years old. He works through college students like me, wonderful people like you, and other seriously great people who love these kids to create an environment where they can truly encounter a God who loves and adores them. If a life changing week is waiting for a kid this summer, nothing should stop them from experiencing it. So please help me in providing a way for these awesome kids to come have the experience that just might change their life.

Here's how it can work: respond by shooting me either a message on here or through my contact info below (try not to respond to this message) letting me know if you feel led to make a donation, along with some contact information (email, mailing address) and I'll get back to you with details (:

Thanks for letting me take some of your time! If you don't feel led to donate, that's totally okay! I just ask for your prayers for the summer and for these kids hearts to soften and allow God to work in them the way He intends to!

Thank you again!

Ariel Martin

Taylor University
236 West Reade Ave.
Upland, IN 46989
ariel_martin@taylor.edu

www.springhillcamps.com

Thursday, March 25, 2010

MOUNTAIN MEN AND WOMEN



Bring me men to match my mountains;
Bring me men to match my plains,-
Men with empires in their purpose,
And new eras in their brains.
Bring me men to match my prairies,
Men to match my inland seas,
Men whose thought shall pave a highway
UP to ampler destinies;
Pioneers to clear Thought's marshlands,
And to cleanse old Error's fen;
Bring me men to match my mountains-


Sam Walter Foss written for the Fourth of July 1894.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

PERSPECTIVE


Perspective does not change what we see, but simply how we see it. What do you see? Some one said to us recently, speaking of a particular situation, “I don’t know if we will succeed or fail, all we can do is just keep plugging along”. Now that’s one perspective, not a motivated one, not a positive one, but some one’s perspective none the less. Now I look at the exact same situation and I see opportunities to prosper, progress and succeed. Jesus said, ” If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes”. Our perspective on our future is many times determined or at least predisposed by our past. Our perspective about what is around us is largely determined by what is inside of us. Namely how we see ourselves is how we see our future. Remember what the Israelite spies said of the giants who occupied the promised land. Numbers 13:33 “We were like grasshoppers in our own site”. Now here is where perspective is the key to our success. The verse I just mentioned finishes by saying, “and so we were in their sight”. How we see ourselves is how others will see us. How others see us determines who we attract into our lives and how they react to us. WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE MIRROR OF YOUR SOUL, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Thursday, February 18, 2010


Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
—John 14:27

Sunday, January 31, 2010

PLAN BIG!


Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons (daughters and granddaughters) are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Redus Reunion




Redus
Reunion



Memorial Day Weekend
May 29th & 30th, 2010

Connie - 618-795-0266
Laura - 812 322 6922






If there’s one thing we could all say about the Redus family, it’s that we all care & love one another. If one of our own is sick or hurt everyone comes together to support.
Memorial Day weekend, let's come together for a time of celebration and fun.
We are working on getting special pricing for a Hotel close by, the Oak Grove Inn. We’ll send more details as they come. Connie and Bobby are working on getting permission from the Sportsman's club to camp on the club’s property.
The building has 2 bathrooms, a kitchen (refrigerator, stove, microwave and sink) plenty of tables and chairs, 2 couches, TV and stereo. Outside is a lake, plenty of room for kids to play, swings and a slide, and a place to put up a volleyball net, .
Bobby said people can also fish if they bring poles.
Bring old photos/albums to share memories!!

Columbia Sportsman Club 202 Aa Rd. Columbia IL. 62236

Thursday, December 31, 2009

The New Leaf



The New Leaf

He came to my desk with quivering lip –
The lesson was done.
“Dear Teacher. I want a new leaf he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
I took the old leaf, stained and blotted
And gave him a new one, all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled;
“Do better now, my child!”

I went to the Throne with a quivering soul –
The old year was gone.
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?”
“I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted
And into my sad heart smiled:
“Do better now, my child!”



Author Unknown

Saturday, November 7, 2009

PROGRESS AND CHANGE, CHANGE AND PROGRESS





And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured (CHANGED) into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

To move forward we must change. In order to advance in life in any area change is necessary. How do we grow or progress? We must change! As our children grow up, they CHANGE! We document it, take pictures, and videos of each milestone. We MEASURE their physical growth, we journal their emotional and intellectual maturation. We EXPECT them to change. But as they reach adulthood our expectations degrease or completely cease.
Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting tweetering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Psalm of PROTECTION


Psalm 91 (The Message)

1-13 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salv

Wednesday, October 7, 2009



“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I w...ill come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Monday, September 14, 2009

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?


Why Not Us? Why Not Now?
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done.
--Charles Wesley
This morning I was on the treadmill at my gym when a young muscled up guy walked by me with an old worn and tattered tee-shirt on. Nothing unusual about that, the lettering on the back was faded and hard to read. Then I saw what it said. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW? I almost jumped off my treadmill. David asked his brothers, is there not a cause? Is there not a reason that we are here right now in this place in time. The scripture speaks of a time such as this. I ask you the question that has echoed in my ears all day. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Labor day week end.


Labor day week end. What about Labor Day life time? Jesus said in Matt. 28 18 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The Message bible says it this way,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Holidays are great but Jesus wants to give us Holy Days for the "REST" of our lives!.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS


MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons (daughters and granddaughters) are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty." Think BIG.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1864-1912)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

CHANGE -ariel martin


As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If African Americans chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle does not seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"



ps 91

1 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, 2 Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" 3 That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. 4 His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. 5 Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. 7 Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. 8 You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
9 Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, 10 Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. 11 He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. 12 If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. 13 You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. 14 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. 15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 16 I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"
The Message

Saturday, April 25, 2009

DON'T QUIT!


"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." -Winston Churchill"


Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown." -H. Ross Perot


My wife used to sing a song titled, Don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. I would follow her song with a message titled, The brink of disaster. Both are uniquely the same. Both the brink of a miracle and the brink of disaster can be the same place. It is our perspective that determines what takes place the moment after we come to this precise place.
Sometimes you have to RISK TO RECEIVE. You have to get out of the boat to walk on the water.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. - Ps 147 : 5
“But as for you, BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP, for your work will be rewarded."- 2 Chronicles 15: 7

Friday, April 17, 2009

Why Not Us? Why Not Now?


Why Not Us? Why Not Now?
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done.
--Charles Wesley
This morning I was on the treadmill at my gym when a young muscled up guy walked by me with an old worn and tattered tee-shirt on. Nothing unusual about that, the lettering on the back was faded and hard to read. Then I saw what it said. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW? I almost jumped off my treadmill. David asked his brothers, is there not a cause? Is there not a reason that we are here right now in this place in time. The scripture speaks of a time such as this. I ask you the question that has echoed in my ears all day. WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

JUST A THOUGHT TO PROVOKE THOUGHT-more to come


"The government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Jefferson

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

GOOD ENOUGH TO REPUBLISH -Ariel Martin


As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If African Americans chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle does not seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

COME OUT OF TRADITION?


Jesus came to bring LIFE. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance" (to the full, till it [a]overflows). John 10:10 AMP

Ironically what is probably the most traditional Sunday in Christendom celebrates Jesus who came to abolish the religious man made traditions and to fulfill those God ordained.

May the Holy Spirit lead our Easter celebrations, so that they who come out of tradition will meet Jesus The Risen Christ and come out of tradition!!!!!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

REVIVAL OR RESURRECTION?


Jesus did not REVIVE he RESURRECTED. What's better than REVIVAL in the Church? How about the RESURRECTION of the CHURCH?
Revival is important for the church. Many churches are in need of it while many are experiencing it. Revival speaks to the health of the local Body of Believers as we see it. Resurrection which by definition means to "to bring back into use something that had been stopped or discarded" speaks to the relevancy and influence of The Church in and on our society. Resurrection brings a Church that is alive and vibrant to a place of influence in our world.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Ruined For Ordinary

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3
The Message Bible says it this way:
This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming - it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time.

Once we catch site of the vision and we recognize what God has predestined for us,WE WILL BE RUINED FOR THE ORDINARY!!!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Doubt vs. Faith


Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night. Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step. Faith soars on high. Doubt questions,'Who believes' Faith answers,'I'."
Author Unkown

Friday, April 3, 2009

READ THESE SCRIPTURES AND BE BLESSED!!!


..."and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.Malachi 3
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-
Deuteronomy 11:26
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,
Exodus 23:25
"Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD
and is full of his blessing;
Deuteronomy 33:23

I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing.

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Deuteronomy 30:19
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours
Psalm 128
John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the Father's side, has made him known. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit-Galatians 3

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." Ps 35:27

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Play Like A Champion Today- In The Words Of Lou Holtz








"The word `champion' means you're the best - the very definition of it," "You're a bar above the rest. When you play that way, you're going to be the best and if you give your best, that's all you can ask of a person."
"Regardless of the won-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion,"
"But, I also asked my players that every time they hit that sign, to think about all the sacrifices your family has made; your teammates made in high school; the sacrifices your teachers have made; and you also think of the thousands of people who would love to be in your position. Just think about how fortunate we are.
"All of these thoughts should go through your mind when you hit that sign - `Play Like A Champion Today'." -Former Notre Dame Football Coach Lou Holtz

Thursday, March 26, 2009

HUNGREY SHEEP



-Ariel Martin


As we go through this life we are confronted with countless opportunities to change this world. John Mayer sang a hit song a couple of years ago called ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. Some of the lyrics are:‘Now we see everything that’s going wrong, with the world and those who lead it, we just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it, so we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change’Although I understand the message Mayer was presenting, I believe his method is all wrong. Waiting for something to happen passes up the opportunities given to MAKE something happen. If all the blacks of America chose to wait on society to give them equal rights then I would bet they’d probably still be waiting today. Instead they started a MOVEMENT, people like Rosa Parks embraced the opportunities given to them and made something happen.Christians talk about the evil of this world and the turmoil it’s in, but what are we doing about it? God supplies the tools that are needed to rebuild wrecked lives, and He will supply the opportunities to work on those live. If we keep waiting on the world to change then we wont be following God’s will, and following his will is our purpose in life. Let’s grab a hold of every opportunity that presents itself, and exhaust it of everything it has to offer. Let’s stop waiting and start taking action. Let’s embrace every chance to witness, every chance to give, every chance to simply pass on a smile.What else are we here for other than to give God every part of us? Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, let’s take his order on ourselves. What’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from feeding these starving sheep? Reflect on all restrictions and obstacles that need to be removed from your life. Maybe your hearts convicted and you don’t know if you want to surrender yourself to Him just yet. Maybe that lifestyle doesn’t seem too appealing. Or maybe you just need to give Jesus a chance, get to know Him on your own. Form your own relationship with him, and fall in love. Grow with him, feed off of him. Then feed his sheep.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PROGRESS AND CHANGE, CHANGE AND PROGRESS





And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured (CHANGED) into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

To move forward we must change. In order to advance in life in any area change is necessary. How do we grow or progress? We must change! As our children grow up, they CHANGE! We document it, take pictures, and videos of each milestone. We MEASURE their physical growth, we journal their emotional and intellectual maturation. We EXPECT them to change. But as they reach adulthood our expectations degrease or completely cease.
Mark Twain once said, "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." Let’s not stop growing.

Imagine a world without the Internet, no email, texting tweetering, blogging etc. Yet I have friends who live in such a world. Think about a business or a church operating in the same manner as they did in the 1950’s. Yet on any given Sunday many churches are like time machines, you walk through the doors and are transported back to another time and place. If we are to be agents of change we must not be intimidated by change in our own lives. If we are to progress we must be progressive.
God calls us to growth. We must always prepare to go forward in our endeavors. We must never want to stay the same. Refuse to remain as you are. Always press for more, to become better. Never settle!.

Friday, November 14, 2008

FEAR THIS?








For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7


Now more than ever I need to remind my self that in spite of everything going on in the world that I am not to be fearful or timid. I have preached many times from verse seven, which exhorts us that we have not received the spirit of fear but of.... and I have preached many times from verse six which encourages us to stir up the gift of God that is in us.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Timothy 1:6

When the actions of these two verses are combined there is a special FEAR BUSTING synergy that is manifested!


This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP

"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." -Winston Churchill

"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown." -H. Ross Perot

My wife used to sing a song titled, don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. I would follow her song with a message titled, the brink of disaster. Both are uniquely the same. Both the brink of a miracle and the brink of disaster are the same place. It is our perspective that determines what takes place the moment after we come to this precise place.

Sometimes you have to RISK TO RECEIVE. You have to get out of the boat to walk on the water.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.Ps 147 : 5
“But as for you, BE STRONG AND DON'T GIVE UP, for your work will be rewarded."2 Chronicles 15: 7

Friday, October 17, 2008

PEACE




The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble; he takes care of those who turn to him. Nahum 1:7 - The Good News Bible

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

On Christ...I Stand!


My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,I rest on His unchanging grace.In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,Support me in the whelming flood.When all around my soul gives way,He then is all my Hope and Stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,Oh may I then in Him be found.Dressed in His righteousness alone,Faultless to stand before the throne.