Last year at about this time I shared with you, on my One to Fifty page, a need that I had in my support levels. I am Blown Away, I am also more aware now then ever, how weak my faith is as I did not anticipate the response I received in answer to my need. In one short year (a little less actually) you guys have helped me to reach my goal in an incredible way. Together you have brought me to a place that last year at this time I thought not possible. God has used you to bless me and so this is for you . . .
THANK YOU!
Thank you for giving sacrificially to make this ministry possible. The monthly donor commitment that I have astounds me, and the one time donations that come in always blow my mind as they consistently cover the remaining shortfall I have. God is good and I am celebrating his goodness. Please Praise God with me for this incredible gift, and incredible answer to prayer!
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Tuesday 3 July 2012
And now were all Cowboys
The Ponoka Stampede wrapped up yesterday. For those of you who aren't from around here let me give you an idea of what that means.
It's Canada's Largest 7 day Rodeo I don't know the exact number but I'm guessing that our town of 7000 becomes a town of about 12000 during that time. The sea of campers, RV's, tents and trailers blows my mind every year. To be honest, I like the event, it's fun and brings excitement to our town. I don't love everything associated with it, namely the 7 days straight of intoxicated noise, but the actual Rodeo is a great event. The one thing that gets me every year though, is the influx in Cowboys in this town. I'm not talking about the real Cowboys, there are lots of them that come in from all over, and even lots that hang their hats here honestly. But the influx in people who all of a sudden "become" cowboys for this event makes me laugh. You can pick them out easily, you never see them with a horse, their boots are brand new and they usually walk a bit funny with them on, and the hat on their head just doesn't sit right, not to mention they couldn't tell you the first thing about livestock, farming or Rodeo for that matter. As I was assessing this grand number of "cowboys", seeing their pictures show up in my Facebook Newsfeed and watching them walk around the fair grounds, it made me think of the Christian walk.
Mathew 7:21-23 Explains very clearly that looking the part of Christian simply is not good enough. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
These are sobering words, they should make us examine ourselves, we should not brush over them quickly. Accepting the teachings of Christ, and saying "yes" to Him truly means I should be different. I cannot brandish a Bible and memorize some verses and so fool myself to think that I know Jesus, or that He knows me in the sense of salvation. Verse 24 is the Key "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
After their 7 days of rodeo fun those wannabe Cowboys stash their boots, buckles and hats for another year, no harm no foul really, apart form looking a little silly. But for the Christian who thinks they are but they are not, the stakes are much higher, for when the wind, rain and storms come the consequence are real and the house built on sand will fall with a great crash, and a high price will be paid for that folly.
It's Canada's Largest 7 day Rodeo I don't know the exact number but I'm guessing that our town of 7000 becomes a town of about 12000 during that time. The sea of campers, RV's, tents and trailers blows my mind every year. To be honest, I like the event, it's fun and brings excitement to our town. I don't love everything associated with it, namely the 7 days straight of intoxicated noise, but the actual Rodeo is a great event. The one thing that gets me every year though, is the influx in Cowboys in this town. I'm not talking about the real Cowboys, there are lots of them that come in from all over, and even lots that hang their hats here honestly. But the influx in people who all of a sudden "become" cowboys for this event makes me laugh. You can pick them out easily, you never see them with a horse, their boots are brand new and they usually walk a bit funny with them on, and the hat on their head just doesn't sit right, not to mention they couldn't tell you the first thing about livestock, farming or Rodeo for that matter. As I was assessing this grand number of "cowboys", seeing their pictures show up in my Facebook Newsfeed and watching them walk around the fair grounds, it made me think of the Christian walk.
Mathew 7:21-23 Explains very clearly that looking the part of Christian simply is not good enough. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
These are sobering words, they should make us examine ourselves, we should not brush over them quickly. Accepting the teachings of Christ, and saying "yes" to Him truly means I should be different. I cannot brandish a Bible and memorize some verses and so fool myself to think that I know Jesus, or that He knows me in the sense of salvation. Verse 24 is the Key "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
After their 7 days of rodeo fun those wannabe Cowboys stash their boots, buckles and hats for another year, no harm no foul really, apart form looking a little silly. But for the Christian who thinks they are but they are not, the stakes are much higher, for when the wind, rain and storms come the consequence are real and the house built on sand will fall with a great crash, and a high price will be paid for that folly.
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