Elkhart County 4H Fair Invocation

Invocation 2010 4H Fair

Almighty Creator, Heavenly Father, O Lord our God, we ask you to be present with us at this the 2010 Elkhart County 4H Fair.

We thank you for the freedom we have in this country to participate in such a wonderful and wholesome event. 

We thank you Lord for those who served our country, in wartime and in peacetime, for they have given their lives and their time to insure our freedom as Americans.

We thank you for those who are our elders, who have walked before us in many ways and continue to share with us their wisdom.

Lord, Protect the 4H participants as they show their skills with their animals and display their projects. 

Lord, Protect the fair attendees as they enjoy the rides, displays and events.

Lord, We thank you for the many people, the individual 4H clubs, and the 4H club members who have worked so hard for many years to make the Elkhart County 4H fair what it is today!

Thank you Lord for the Elkhart County 4H Board Members, their leadership, their dedication, and their genuine love for the young people of Elkhart County.

Lord as we begin this the 2010 Elkhart County 4H Fair may we all be reminded to

 Pledge our Heads to clearer thinking, 
our Hearts to greater loyalty, 
our Hands to larger service, 
and our Health to better living, 
for the clubs, our community, our country, and our world!

 And Lord, May you be honored and glorified today and forever in everything that we do and say!  For we ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is the Way the Truth and the Life, who was given to us and died for us to bring us into a complete relationship forever with you the Creator of the Universe.  Amen

Promises that are REAL - Take 4

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me..I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." John 14: 1,6


Isn't it something...that we have to search for truth...that we have to make it a complicated, scientific, amazingly sophisticated process...when it exists right before our very eyes.  God gives us many examples of His truth in the springtime when we see life come from barren trees and brown ground.  Suddenly as if overnight, daffodils poke their green fragile little stems from the ground and blossom into beautiful flowers.  The tulip returns from hibernation within it's underground bulb to grow into a bright new flower.  The red-buds gleam of purple flowers, the sap finds it's way back up and into the tree, working it's way into every branch, bringing nourishment and new life to each arm of the tree.  Evergreens glow with lime-green newness.  Birds echo their shrill mating calls.  The Red-breasted Robin finds its way back to the same tree to begin the process of building a nest.  The sun moves gently into the northern hemisphere warming us and bringing us the April showers.  New shows are created for us daily in the sunrise in the east to the glorious sunsets in the west.  Turkeys begin their mating rituals, deer gather together, does deliver their fawns, horses give birth to their foals, cows bear their calves and all the animals emerge from their winter dens, nests and burrows to take on the task of life.

Even humans like spring...we cultivate our lawns, plant our gardens, make wedding plans, take to the outdoors more, go hunting morel mushrooms, play golf, enjoy outdoor sports, etc.  We feel like there is a newness of life even within ourselves.  Did we conjure that up or did it come from deep within our God-created souls?  We see the evidence of God all around us, but many times we fail to recognize it and embrace it.  We take it for granted.

Jesus in the passage above is trying to calm the disciples.  He has just reprimanded Peter and told him that after His death he (Peter) would deny Him 3 times before the cock crows.  He is telling the disciples that He is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them, so that when the time comes that they may be there with him also. He then states the truth of all scripture...He states that HE (Jesus, God incarnate) is the way...(not a way) but the way, and the truth, and the life and that no one can come to the Father unless he comes through Jesus!  WOW!  Why is this so hard for so many to believe?  There is ONE way...Jesus to get to the Father.  No other religion has this type of way to God.  Jesus comes to us, speaks to our hearts, convicts us of our sin (unrighteousness) and calls us to be His followers.  When we accept that calling we are ushered into the realm of TRUTH!  His Truth!  We are ushered into immediate eternal life...our eternity in heaven has begun.  We are not there yet but we are now on the journey toward an eternity spent with the most Holy God the creator of the Universe.

We see the evidence of God's truth in the change of seasons...Jesus tells us He is the Way and the Truth that leads us to Life!  Are we following Him...are we on the right course...are we reading the map or have
you lost your way...don't know where to turn...feel lost...then turn to God.  Pray right now to Jesus...let Him know that you want to live for Him...you want to have His forgiveness....you confess your shortcomings and sinful nature...give it all to Him now!  Experience the Truth and real Life!

To God be the Glory!  Go and share your message of Hope with others!

Promises that are REAL - Take 3

"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12 

I once visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky with my wife and my in-laws on the way to Wisconsin for summer band camp.  Mammoth cave has over 365 miles of passage ways making it the largest cave of its type in the world.  The tour we took of this cave is known as the historic tour.  It comprises a 2 hr trip over 2 miles in length with elevation changes of 300 feet.  The experience I most remember was our walk into the Rotunda...a very large room with giant stalactites and stalagmites!  The room was very well lit with lighting so that you could view the variety of colors associated with the mineral deposits throughout the room.  Our guide asked us to remain perfectly still and not to panic as he turned out the lights.  It was so dark that you could not see anything or anyone.  He then lit one small match and proceeded to light a gas lantern.  The point was to show us what the early cave explorers would have seen with just one small source of light.  The absolute darkness of that room was mind boggling.  When you take away light...there is no sense of depth.  As you stand there you feel very alone, even though you know there are people all around you.  You almost feel like there is nothing you can rely on.  It is easy to loose your sense of balance.  None of your other senses assist you with your physical awareness.  There is no movement of air...nothing.

Complete darkness is depressing, physically limiting, scary, and at best unnatural.  We were not designed for complete darkness 24/7.   Our eyes and other senses allow us to experience the world around us to a degree that no other animal possesses.  Our emotions attach us to the warm responses we feel, especially in the broad daylight hours.  God knew that we were not made for this...Jesus knew that we needed illumination to feel secure.

Understanding the Promise:

The promise is that Jesus is the Light of the World...and if we walk with Him on a daily basis...minute by minute, thought by thought, action by action, we will not walk in darkness.  Instead we will experience the pure excitement of life!  He is our guide.  He directs our steps.  He provides all things!  He can even direct our thoughts and actions.

Responding to the Promise:

So if Jesus is the light of the world and we decide to walk with Him, how do we do that?  First we must abide by His Word.  We must become intimately acquainted with Jesus through the Word of God...the Bible.  Are you reading this book everyday?  Are you talking to Jesus on a regular basis?  Do you consult with Him through prayer prior to taking any action? (that doesn't mean you have to ask Him ridiculous things like...should I brush my teeth today, or take a shower)  This means, that before we make decisions about how we spend our money, allocate our time, speak to others, engage in major events, etc. that we acknowledge His guidance and seek His knowledge so that our steps are guided in harmony with His desire for us. 

Simply put...Jesus loves you more than you love you!  He wants to know you. As a matter of fact He knows everything about you.  His light illumines every detail about you.  Even the yucky stuff.  But He still loves you!  It is up to you to Love Him back!  He died to show you how much He cares for you!  He took all your ugliness upon Himself so that you would appear beautiful and  flawless before the Almighty God.

Commit your life to Him now!

Promises that are REAL...Take 2

Jesus answered, and said to her, " If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

"Everyone who drinks of this water (from the well) will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

Understanding the Promise:

Have you ever been really thirsty?  Mouth feels like a thousand camels just walked through it?  You tongue is so dry you wonder if you could even muster any saliva.  Lips are dry and parched.  You would at this point drink anything just to quench the thirst.  In biblical times food and water were not always readily available like we have it here in the US.  You do not just hop on your donkey and run down to the 7-11 store for some chips and soda.  People had to raise much of their food and carry in all of their water.  Only the very wealthy kings and palace officials had water in their homes.  Good drinking water was not something that was easy to get.  Even wells were not really always good to drink directly from unless you first boiled the water to get rid of the parasites and germs.

Jesus uses food and water in many of His illustrations and promises simply because these were not things that the people of His time took for granted, like we do.  In this passage above Jesus has approached a Samaritan woman at a well.  He asks her for some water.  She wondered at first why He would ask her that because He was a Jew and she was a Samaritan, and Jews were not to speak or associate with Samaritans according to the Law.  Jesus then tells her if she knew who she was talking with she would have gladly accepted his request and then she would receive "living water".

Here is the promise...You will never thirst after receiving the living water from Jesus  for it will spring up like a well to eternal life.


Responding to the Promise:


So what is the living water?  Simply put it is the "Word of God".  We must read and listen to what God teaches us through His Word.  The gospel of John states in the opening statement of the book "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God."  Jesus himself is the Living Word of God...His words are like "living water" and are a powerful promise to us that if we abide in them we will live eternally with Him forever in the Heavenly realms.  We will never again thirst for direction, meaning, answers, love, appreciation, or any other human need...because we rely solely upon Him for all of our needs!  He is LIFE!  Without Him there is no life! 

This samaritan womans' life was forever changed as a result of this short meeting with Jesus.  This is all it takes for anyone!  Gods' will is for everyone to hear the message of Salvation through Jesus...share the good news today!  Share the Living Water!  Fill yourself to overflowing with the power of the Word of God!

Promises that are REAL...Take 1!

Promises - a declaration made about the future, about some act to be done or not done.

We've all made them...thousands of men and women make promises "vows" before even God and yet over 50% of them break their promise.  We make promises to our children, often promises we cannot keep.  Politicians make promises to us so that we vote for them, and many times, probably more than we know, they fail to keep those promises.  Are we setting ourselves up to fail when we make a promise to someone?  Especially someone we truly love and hold close?  Well we all fail at times because we are frail, imperfect beings.  But let's not dwell on our imperfections!  We were created according to the book of Genesis in the "image of God".  

We may be frail and imperfect, but we were formed by the perfect creator whose promises to us never fail and are always fulfilled.  Within this context we are going to explore the Promises that are REAL!

Our first promise is this: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life".  John 3:16 OK...many of us have heard this before but do we believe it?  Jesus said it!  These words were spoken to Nicodemus as he simply asked Jesus to explain to him how a man could be reborn when he is old? (vs.4)

Understanding the promise:  Jesus explains to Nicodemus that He has come to bring newness of life, a life led by the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit).  The Spirit moves in the heart of a person showing them the true and undefiled Love of God!  With that revelation a person is converted into a new being...a "rebirth" occurs.  A new life is essentially begun.  John 3:16 shows us that we as "believers"  those who have experienced a new birth are now starting our journey to "eternal life"! 

Responding to the promise:  When a person who experiences this rebirth "born again", their life takes on a whole new course.  Remember that day?  You have an unquenchable desire for God's Word!  There is a burn within you similar to the burn you get when you see a good movie or have something really special to share with someone.  You want to tell everyone about what has taken place in your life.  You have been put into a correct relationship with the God of the Universe...designed specifically by Him for YOU!  Why wouldn't you want to share that?  Our response as we read this well worn verse should be, "O gracious and loving Father, rekindle within me the excitement and zeal I had when I first came to you!  Ignite me with an insatiable appetite for your Word.  Equip me right now with the courage to share this message with as many as I can until the day I am with you in the heavenly realms.  Thank you Jesus for dying for me so that I can live with you forever! AMEN!

Encouragement from Jesus

One of my favorite passages in the Bible can be found in the Gospel of John Chapters 14-17.  Within these 4 chapters the Disciples are instructed concerning Heaven, the Holy Spirit, Peace, Fruitfulness, the world, and Jesus' eventual return.  As well Chapter 17 is the longest Prayer of Jesus recorded in the New Testament.  Here Jesus prays for His Disciples, not only the 12 but the many who have heard Him preach and teach during his travels.

The opening to Chapter 14 is iconic.  Jesus says "Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me."  What a statement...very short...to the point...specific...and easy to understand.  Why do the disciples have troubled hearts?  Simply because Jesus just told them about His departure.  They are confused and are not really sure about the meaning of all that Jesus is saying.

What is troubling your heart right now?  Is it our government?  Is it the economy?  Is it the fact that there is so much to do, but seemingly little time?  Are you hurting?  Has someone hurt you?  Do you feel confused, tired, emotionally drained?  What is it?  He wants to know...tell Him all about it!  Then abide by His words..."Let not your heart be troubled!"  If you believe in God and in the Lord Jesus, no problem or circumstance you have or are in can separate you from HIS love.  Jesus wants to handle your trouble!  Give it to Him!   Read all of Chapter 14.  Read it slowly...work on understanding all that is being said directly to you.

Jesus Loves YOU!  He wants you to have His heart, His power, His strength, His Spirit, His resolve and He wants you to be His all the time!  Praise be to God!  Give Him every moment and every thought!  You will be blessed!

Did you Know?

• Humans all have 46 Chromosomes that make up their DNA
• Over 99% of our DNA sequence is the same as other humans
• Siblings share 50% of their genes
• A parent and child share 50% of their genes
• Identical twins share 100% of their genes
• DNA is found in all living things!

  Wow...so the Big Bang...How could it be?  How could life evolve from cataclysmic events, or by chance?  How could these few facts above exist in such a clear and precise manner if there were not a designer?  Is that just chance...how the chips fell...luck?  Come on...let's be intelligent!  Let's think outside of ourselves.

 What did you have to do with your birth?  Were you there to plan it?  Did your mom and dad really plan on having you?  Aren't parents suprised when they find out they are expecting a child?  We may hope for a child but we cannot in our wildest dreams make it happen!  Sure they have raised so called test-tube babies but that's not what I am talking about.  We are dealing here with a Supernatural authority here...A being who delicately designed every part of our world and universe...and He holds it all together.  How can we see the wonder of the weather, the new birth of Spring, the wonder of childbirth, the growth of a fetus in the womb from a single cell to a new baby and still say that it is all luck, or chance, or even just fate?

  Our brains designed the computer...we store much more information than can ever be stored on any one computer...yet some how we come to some pretty lame conclusions about our Creator without really using our brain to seek the facts.  I've heard people say...the Bible is full of contradictions...yet when I ask them to point them out...they can't because they have never read it.

What is your excuse?  Are you hiding behind a senseless argument?  Have you really thought out your existence?  Why are you here?  Who created you?   What is the legacy you will leave to your family and friends?  What will others say about your life?  Did you contribute to this world?  Are you having an impact? Will your presence be felt long after you leave this existence?  Are you helping to change peoples lives...today? forever?

Lots of questions to ponder...better get started...time is running out!  Find out for yourself...pursue God...pursue His infinite Wisdom...Read His Word!  He will show you more about life than you can ever imagine!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us through Christ Jesus!"  Ephesians 3:20

In His Grip: How can a young man keep his way pure?

In His Grip: How can a young man keep his way pure?

How can a young man keep his way pure?

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the entire Bible, speaks specifically about the word of God.  Many today do not take the word of God seriously.  That includes many "christians".  Often we consume our time with books about God, or about life written by human authors who have the same issues we have hoping to find some sort of assistance with our own difficult and often humiliating circumstances.  This is not bad in and of itself, it just seems that we've lost sight of the book from which "complete wisdom" for this life can be found.

The Psalmist, (David)  writes in this one small section of Psalm 119: 9-16 " How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart  that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you O Lord, teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

Wow...this is the great King David...who slew Goliath speaking.  Did David always follow this path?..of course not...but He always returned here, to God's word when He realized the burden of His position in life.  The weight of his separation from God's guidance, authority and wisdom always brought David back to the Word of God.

When we find ourselves in difficult situations we should really be turning back into the Word of God.  God gave this to us as a source of power to overcome the world and its trials.  He gave it to us so that we would have a solid foundation for our lives.  He gave it to us so that we would have a dynamic relationship with Him and his church.  If you are meandering through life...relying only on yourself...STOP!  Open God's word...read it...talk to Him...He can guide you  through anything!  Trust HIM!  You will not regret it! Amen

He has shown us what is good!

Yesterday I was just flipping through the bible while taking a short break at work.  I happened upon a section of scripture in the book of Micah Chapter 6.  In this chapter the Lord is asking Israel to stop their complaining and remember what the Lord did for them.  The verse that most touched me in this entire passage is verse 8.  "He has showed you O man what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

How simple can God get?  What more is there?  How complex do we make this task of life?  When are we going to realize the power of our Creator?  When will we acknowledge all that He has already done for us?  When will we stop whining about the little things?

How does one act justly?  The Bible gives us the answer...1 John 4:7 - "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God."  I believe to act justly is to Love...to love mercy is to share God's mercy with others.  To walk humbly with your God is simply to place all your trust and understanding at His feet and ask Him daily to direct your steps.  He is at the center of the Universe...holding it all together...He can hold your life together as well!  He can do all things! 

May we fully commit our lives to Him in every minute of every day that He gives us on this great planet!

Our Christian Responsibility

As we enter as a nation into a new decade we must enter with open hearts!  The photo above depicts Jesus holding the Constitution of the United States.  He is surrounded by a multitude of figures from Presidents to citizens, even just a small child.  The painter had very good intentions and did a marvelous job creating this work.  However, what should we take away from a work such as this?

Should we become more involved in the political battles for abortion, peace, marriage, etc. in order to bring our nation back to it's "Christian Roots" of establishment?  Should we fight against the liberal mindset that espouses pluralism, anti-Christian sentiment,  homosexual marriage, gay rights and socialistic governmental takeovers?

We as Christians really should have a different approach.  We don't live in a Christian nation any more than any other nation including Iraq, Iran, etc would claim they were a Muslim nation.  Fortunately for us we do live in a nation in which we still are endowed with certain liberties!  We can meet together.  We can read God's word.  We can pray.  We can care for God's people.  We need to be about the Lord's business...not putting any of our faith in governments!  We must share the Gospel of Jesus Christ daily with those we meet!  He is the good news.  He is the Savior of the World.  He and only He gives eternal life!  We should still exercise our rights as citizens to vote and to make our desires known to our politicians, but we are never to place our entire focus or attention on this at the expense of the Gospel.   The Gospel must prevail in all of our thoughts.  It is the only thing that brings about salvation!

Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!  This is our job...this is our Mantra...this is what we as Christians are called to do!  Let's get after it!