We Are a Product of Our Environment

We are a product of our environment. The people we hang out with and interact, the schools we go to, and the jobs we have directly affect who we are and what we become. So knowing this we want our kids to grow up, make the right choices, don’t throw away their lives, don’t get pregnant, don’t do drugs, go to college, make a difference, and do great things. So why do we not give them the tools they need to do just that? We want our children to have morals, good manners, to not be push over’s, to set goals and achieve them, to be happy, to not hang out with the “wrong crowd” and be better than we were. So why do we not let them be in an environment that promotes such behavior? Did you know that there are 17 year old girls working as stripers in Rhode Island? Did you know that there are 5th and 6th graders having sex and doing drugs right here in Newport? Did you know that 50% of marriages end in divorce? Did you know that our kids are interacting with these influences on a daily basis? So why not have a positive influence in their lives? Now I ask you. If all these virtues of morality, good conduct, positive environment, and general accountability is something that comes with a church; then why not let them go? I would rather have a kid addicted to their bible instead of drugs. I would rather have a kid consumed by Jesus instead of their own children. We are a product of our environment! There is no denying this. So why not give them what they need? If you hold your children back from doing something good and positive in their lives, then you have failed your child. Unfortunately, they pay the price. Give them what they need.

Thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart

“Thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.” A simple yet familiar statement that we hear every time we go to the local shopping Mecca where we and others expect not only that they have what we are looking for, but also that the customer service be exactly what we want it to be. Well, let me ask you this. As a Christian how do you help them? More specifically how do you serve our Lord? As I went to Wal-Mart the other day, I took a look around and I noticed that people tend to leave there shopping carts everywhere in the parking lot instead of returning them to the cart return shoot. We have gotten to the point where the most trivial things are not thought of. “It’s not my problem” allot of us say or don’t even think twice about. There is this rule that we try to live by when it suits us, but don’t think of it twice when it is something small to us. Do unto others as you would like it to be done unto you. Real simple, real easy to remember, yet when it comes to the small things we don’t even consider it. How about when we are done shopping, we actually return the cart back to the cart area in the store door way. This simple little service to others can make someone’s day. How about when you are going into the store and you see a couple of carts where they don’t belong, you grab them and take them in. You’re already headed that way. This simple act of compassion and love for your fellow man shows others that you are a Christian and follow what Jesus has wanted us to do. “Love one another as I have loved you.” I know Jesus didn’t have a Wal-Mart, but he did do the smallest most menial tasks for others. If our lord and king can do that, then we can surely bring some carts back to the store and make an example to others and help the guys who have to go out in all sorts of weather to get those carts so we can go shop. On your way out and you hear, “thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.” You know that you did something for God and his children. I pray that we make the world a better place one shopping cart at a time.

Where Is Your Bible On Monday?

Where is your bible on Monday? Is it on the night stand collecting dust? Is it in the closet sitting in the dark? Is it on the coffee table so that everyone can see and think that you read it all the time? Or is it where it belongs? Right by your side at all times. I bet you if you where to leave your house you would make sure you had everything you needed. Ok, I have my keys, my wallet or purse, my cell phone, and my money. I’m set for the day. Are you really? God uses the living bible to speak to us. There isn’t an instant or event that happens to you that isn’t covered in the bible. If you had a manual to tell you how to raise your kids, wouldn’t you keep that with you? If you buy a new car, don’t you read your manual and keep it in the glove box for reference? If you buy a computer and have questions don’t you call customer service or technical support? So why take this life that was given to you and not read the manual? Remember that on the day of your judgment you stand alone. Your eternity has been decided by you. If you ask me, I want to know as much as I can about the God who created me. My bible is with me always! It is my manual, my instructions, my customer service, my technical support. I am not ashamed for this world is not permanent. Where is your bible on Monday?

Sin is "No Big Deal"

It is funny that back in the 1800's if someone was to use God's name in any other manner except to praise that people would get offended, mad, and do something about it. But thanks to the invention of the TV Satan has won a major battle because sin has become common place. There is no shock factor because we have become desensitized to it. We can watch a movie where they show a rape, killing, cussing, and above all using the infamouse GD and it is no big deal. Our friends and those around us say GD with out hesitating as it was no big deal. Well, I ask you.....Is it no big deal? I mean who does it hurt? Well, it hurts you. God very clearly tells us that we should not use our Lords name in vain. Those include but are not limited to "I swear to .......; G......D.....; As G.... is my witness" and anything else you bring up God or Jesus in any manner other than to bring glory and praise to Him. Think of it this way. Your life is like a plain white peace of paper. Everytime you use God's name in vain you tear a peice off, everytime you lie you tear a peice off, everytime you commit a sin and say "it's no big deal." you tear a peice off. After a while what is left? You have torn your self to peices and have no purpose left except to be a pile of peices of paper that just get thrown away. We must not be affraid to correct those around us that swear with the Lord's name. We would be doing them a favor. The day is comming when we have to answer for our sins. Are we going to be a clean peice of paper or a pile of garbage? The choice is yours!

Be like Noah

Have you ever wanted to do something but it was just “too hard”? Try thinking of it like this. God told Noah to build a boat. Noah, who lived in a dessert, told God that he didn’t know the first thing about building a boat and that it would be too hard. God told Noah that he would give him everything he needs to build that boat. Remember that all Noah new was how to heard sheep. But Noah trusting in God went ahead and built that boat. It wasn’t a small toy boat or a paper boat or even a small raft. It was a big huge massive boat. So what did Noah accomplish once he trusted God? He saved the whole world and thanks to that we are here. Anything is possible as long as God is first! Just like Noah, ask and trust in God. So when it gets “too hard”. Remember to ……………………..BE LIKE NOAH!