A Science class post

The Big Bang
The text states about 14 billion years ago the Big bang occurred. It says and I quote “An INCOMPREHENSIBLY large explosion that sent all matter of the universe flying outward at incredible speeds. In time, the debris from this explosion, which was almost entirely hydrogen and helium, began to cool and condense into the first stars and galaxies” (Tarbuck, 4). So if in fact the Big Bang was so INCOMPREHENSIBLE, then why are we forced to comprehend it?

• 14 billions years ago - the Big Bang occurred
• 10 billion years ago - Stars were created
• 5 billion years ago – Sun was created
• 4.5 billion years ago - the Earth was created from molten form
• 3.8 billions years ago – the First oceans

The Creation from God’s Word – Genesis 1-2:7
The creation story in the Bible, is a beautiful account found in Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 2 verse 7. This does not seem too difficult to understand, or incomprehensible. A Creator (something bigger and more powerful than us) created everything we see and don’t see (to the tiniest detail).

• Roughly 6,000 years ago
• Day 1,2 - Water covered the Earth
• Day 3 - Dry land and plants
• Day 4 - Sun, Moon & Stars
• Day 5 - Sea and flying creatures
• Day 6 - Land animals and Man

I said this a few weeks ago, that I have an interesting perspective on the creation of Earth. I believe there could have been a big bang. But I believe the big bang came from my Big God’s mouth, the Creator of all things, when he said, "Let there be Light!" BANG~ something happened in that moment. When the Creator speaks the whole Earth trembles!

lil warrior <><

Amazed by Desperation Band

Often times I listen to worship at Pandora while I am completing my weekly homework assignments at Ohio Christian University (to block out the family noise in the background). Every single time this song comes on, I am taken back by the words and I just sit there and worship my Almighty God. Is there songs that you come across that really speaks to your heart like this song does to me?

Until the whole world hears,
Luke <><

As I was doing my homework assignments for my Earth Science class at Ohio Christian University I came across a question that asked, “Which controls of soil formation is most important.” I was intrigued by the different factors that create “good soil.” Then I think God gripped my heart and sent me to Matthew 13 where it talks about the different soils. The “Good soil” in the parable from Matthew 13 says, “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Reading through the different factors or controls, I was like well each of these are important, in fact, I was sold on the fact that climate was the most important when the text said, “Climate is the most influential control of soil formation.”

However, as I continued to read, I was informed that several controls or factors are involved in creating “Good soil,” such as; parent material, time, climate, plants and animals, and topography. Neither of them are most important, but they all work together to form good soil. All these factors or controls make soil what it is. The goal of a Christian, with respect to the parable in Matthew 13, is to be good soil. So what controls or factors in our life help create good soil in our lives, soil that will “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted?”

I immediately think about when I feel the closest to God and His Spirit, and it is when I am consistently in His Word, in communication with Him, and listening and obeying His ordered steps for my life. If I am a fully devoted follower of Christ in a passionate relationship with my Creator, then He will create a soil in me that will “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” That’s when a good fruit inspection is in order…are you producing any fruit for God?

Have you been washed?

“Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

John 13:4-17

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

I love the example of Jesus in this passage. He wanted and willingly knelt down to wash the feet of his disciples. He used this moment as a teachable moment. I love this subject, and I pray that I will be and continue to be a servant leader wherever I am. The ultimate servant leader was Christ Himself. In this passage Jesus kneels down and begins to wash the mud and dirt off of His disciple’s feet. A job meant for the lowest slave, but not for the most Humble of Kings.
I have participated in many foot washing ceremonies. In fact, my most memorable foot washing was when I was passing the torch from being the leader of a Bible Study group to the next leader. I took the leaders bare foot in my hands, and said to him, "Serve them, with everything in you, serve them like Jesus, and love them like Jesus." Then the leader washed everyone's feet in the study. It was quite a sight. What would your subordinates think if you decided to wash their feet?

Ownership

“Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.”
Exodus 15:16

I love the term of possession or ownership that this passage portrays for us. The imagery of being purchased and a possession of the Most High God can be an extraordinary thought. In 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20, it says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." I think John Wesley makes a great note about this particular verse. "Glorify God with your body, and your spirit - Yield your bodies and all their members, as well as your souls and all their faculties, as instruments of righteousness to God. Devote and employ all ye have, and all ye are, entirely, unreservedly, and for ever, to his glory." Those words speak of someone who is a living, breathing asset for God. I know my life's ambition is to be as much like Christ as possible, and in that noble pursuit, I will be His asset! Blessings to you all!

Blessings, Lil Warrior

Worship Wednesday's - Casting Crowns - Who Am I?

I absolutely love this rendition of Casting Crown's Who Am I? Well done UPC Conference Church. Hope you are blessed by these hands!

Worship Wednesday's - Casting Crowns - Voice of Truth

This is a clip from the Huckabee show on Fox News. Casting Crowns has become one of my favorite bands. The reason I love them so much is because of their boldly honest, hard-hitting lyrics, they continue to challenge, strengthen and pour into the body of Christ, giving listeners a fresh, relevant perspective on loving God and loving people. Casting Crowns music is quite literally discipleship through music. This song in particular has meant a lot to me over the years. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.

When No Referee Is Watching...

This is a great post by Mark Beeson. Thanks Bud for sending this to me.

Last Friday I took my camera to a local High School football game. A couple of friends have sons playing for the Clay Colonials. LaPhonso's son is blocking so Rod's son can pass the ball. The ref is poised and watching, ready to throw the flag on any infraction. Depending on the school, it takes four, five or six referees to enforce the game's regulations.

How many refs do you need to keep you from breaking the rules?

Maybe today is a good day for a gut-check. Maybe it's time to ask the questions, "Do I keep the rules only when the refs are watching? Is the real reason I stay inside the boundaries because I can't step over the lines without getting caught? Will I cheat if no one is watching?"

I wonder who is ultimately responsible for how I play the game?

If I cheat, is it my fault I'm removed from the game? Or can I blame the ref for throwing the flag? Do I blame myself for losing government funding, or the people who video-taped me encouraging tax-evasion and child-prostitution? On whom do I pin the responsibility for my disqualification? Is it the whistle-blower's fault, or am I accountable for my actions? Did I lose my license because of "that stupid cop," or because I was driving drunk?

Maybe it's time to own up and accept responsibility.

In the secret moments, when no one else is watching, there are no referees to keep us from cheating. There are no refs behind closed doors. No referees will force you to keep your marriage vows. There aren't any refs watching over your finances, your forays across the internet or where you put your hands on your boyfriend.

You make the call.

There is no one to throw the flag on your behavior but you. You are responsible for you. So accept responsibility, reject passivity and do the next right thing. No shortcuts. No cheating. No broken promises. No secret sins. If you need God's help, accept it. Your future hangs in the balance...and one day, whether the refs caught us and threw the flag or not, we're all going to be exposed. We'll be judged - every single one of us.

There are no secrets. God is not mocked.

In the end, no one gets away with anything.

Psalms 82:7-8 - In death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince—for all must die. Stand up, O God, and judge the earth. For all of it belongs to you. All nations are in your hands.

That's My King - S.M. Lockridge

The late Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge's famous "That's My King" message. It is one of his best-known messages. It is a six minute "attempted" description of our Lord Jesus Christ. I say "attempted" because it is the best description I have ever heard, however, part of me says that even S.M. Lockridge would think that his description is still lacking something because our mere words can not fully describe His Majesty! So sit back with the volume up, and bask in everything that God is and more!



What do you think? It gets me fired up, That's the King I serve!

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 2

Well, on with the story...

Evangelist and Pastor Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, was challenging the audience with the words found in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (NLT).

I was sitting there with my family, knowing that God was calling me to speak in front of these 400 people, whom I have never met. I do not attend the Church of God, and I was a guest to this campmeeting. I didn't know the protocol. Is this excepted or allowed? How do I even approach someone about this? Do I just go up to a microphone? All these thoughts are going through my mind, along with, Lord I can't/shouldn't do this.

Well, God was getting my attention, I was literally about to puke all over the place. I have never felt that sick, so suddenly. I leaned over to my mother-in-law (not to puke on her) and asked how I should go about this. She suggested to go up and talk to the evangelist. So that is what I did...

Now that is a tough job to be in for the evangelist. To really discern whether you have a Word from the Lord, or not. Because he mentioned afterward that sometimes you get people who say all the right things up to get up there to speak, and the truth is that they just like to hear themselves speak, and it wasn't essentially God led.

So he obviously sensed that I needed to get up there right away (maybe it was fear of ruining his nice suit with my vomit).

So here I am in front of 400 people (give or take), and I supposedly have a Word from the Lord for these people. But, I have no idea where to start. It felt like an eternity. So I mustered out a quick introduction of who I was, and what I was feeling (you know sick) and that I believed God had something for someone to hear. It could be for the whole multitude or for one person. It may have only been for me to learn to be obedient in all things. Once I finished my introduction, it was no longer me speaking. Say what?

It was no longer Luke (lil' warrior) speaking. Sure it was my voice, but it was God's verbiage. It was amazing to feel like God was completely in the drivers seat. Just like in Scripture when God told Moses that He would help him speak in Exodus 4, and during Pentecost in Acts 2:1-12, it says "As the Holy Spirit gave them this ability (to speak), God/Spirit was giving me the Words that needed to be said.

Have you ever been so consumed by God that you knew somewhat of what you just mustered out, but knew that God had used you as a mediator for His Words? Being used by God is the best feeling ever.

This week God spoke to me with this quote which I shared on my FaceBook and Twitter. "The only way u can live ur life 2 the fullest, is 2 fully rely on God!" Have we fully relied on Him in our lives? Do our lives stand as a testimony of our love towards Him.

I am reminded of the passage in John 21:15-17
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."
17Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master, you know everything there is to know. You've got to know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Jesus asked Peter three times, the same amount of times that Peter denied Him. How many times does Jesus have to ask you?

Almost done I promise!

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 1

Funky title I know, but a true story and very real experience happened to me a few months ago. Sorry Greg that it has taken me this long to get it out.

A couple months ago my in-laws asked if I wanted to camp out and attend their churches annual campmeeting (it is kind of like a revival). Thinking how much fun the boys would have I agreed to come. I was only planning to camp a couple of nights, but once I heard the Evangelist Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, I was drawn to stay the entire week.

I was amazed by which he spoke; with the awesome Authority and Anointing of God all over him. In fact, it had been a long time since I have experienced preaching like that.

Anyways, as I was sitting in service with my family, I started feeling sick towards the end of the service. I was wondering if I had ate something that didn't agree with me (which I had been eating camp food all week!) or what was exactly happening to me. My wife looked over at me and immediately was concerned. I was extremely pail, I was sweating profusely (which I am a B.S.G. - Big Sweaty Guy, so it happens) and I seriously felt like I was about to keel over.

Now I have experienced God's voice before, and I have felt the Spirit's leading in my life, but what I was experiencing did not feel like anything godly.

But, that is when I heard God saying, "When are you going to listen to me again?" Shocked (but not really) because I have heard from Him before, I wondered okay God clarification please! All of sudden I had an horrid, quick look back at all my recent acts of disobedience to God. The more I saw, the more sick I got. I was awakened to the saddened heart of my Creator, of every time His Chosen people disobey Him intentionally.

Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something, and you didn't do it? Maybe He wanted you to talk to a certain friend or a stranger. Maybe He wanted you to be a church planter, or to open up your home to lead a small group. Ormaybe He wanted you to step up in a specific ministry at your church, or to be Biblical leader among your peers? These types of things were flashing before my eyes, have they flashed in front of yours before? Have you ignored them as I have?

Well, have I got your attention? Come back tomorrow for the rest, it gets really good!

Great message for us today!

All who are Thirsty

All who are thirsty.
All who are weak.
Just come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the
stream of life.

Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away.
In the waves of His mercy
As the deep cries
out to you.

Is there any song which better encapsulates the message we are taking to this world today?

We don’t see it because of all the ’stuff’ that our capitalist consumerism surrounds us with but we are all thirsty and all weak and all of us carry pain and sorrow.

Let’s get out there this week and invite people to come to the fountain of life and let their pain and the sorrow be washed away in the waves of Christs mercy.

Take God’s message of mercy, grace and love to the world. Be The Church this week!

Great message from Peter Pollock. What a great last name! Check out his blog here.

Who can you be the Church to today? Who are you bringing along with you, pouring into their lives God's message?

Worship Wednesday's....are turning into whoops (i forgot) wednesday's

God of This City
This is a great song, Chris Tomlin is not the original artist, that I know of, but he does a good job. This is a plea to God that He is not done moving supernaturally wherever we live. Through Him all things are possible (Phil. 4:13). Our (Acts 1:8) mission starts in our homes, and moves out to our streets and neighborhood, then moves across the city, and then eventually across the world. Lord, we plea that greater things are yet to be done on that street, in my village, in your town, in their city, and in our nation!

It all starts with hungry men and women of God asking, "Lord what do you want me to do RIGHT NOW, at this very moment for you?" Wake up every morning with your arms open wide to God saying, "I am yours, use me for your Kingdom today. Use me!" Let's take our schools, towns, cities, and our world back to God.




You're the God of this City/You're the King of these people/You're the Lord of this nation/You are/You're the Light in this darkness/You're the Hope to the hopeless You're the Peace to the restless/You are/There is no one like our God/There is no one like our God/[CHORUS]For greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater thing have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/There is no one like our God/There is no one like our God/[Chorus]For greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done here/There is no one like our god/There is no one like our God/[Chorus]Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done here

Its not Wednesday, but... (I missed it this week!)

I first heard this song at a Grace Point Church youth purity event in Texas and the words consumed me. It still consumes me every time i hear it. Let God grip you today through worship. Give it all to Him, let Him consume you. All of you. Its not until then that you are really Living. When He consumes all of you is when Life Everlasting begins.
Lyrics are on the video...Just Worship Him!



The thing I love about doing Worship Wednesday's, is that I get to worship to the song I am blogging about for sometimes hours at a time. Now that is Consuming Worship! Get Lost in the vastness of God's Presence!

Worship Wednesday's

This quickly has become one of my favorite songs. Matthew West definitely strikes a nerve. This song is a very sobering reminder of my life. Early on in my Christian faith (I grew up in the church) I just did what I thought i was supposed to do. I was just going through the motions. But, (I love big but's in the Bible as well in my life) God radically smacked me in the face, about 6 years ago. I was one of those lukewarm Christians...the kind that Christ speaks through John in Revelation 3:16, "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

Are you making God puke? Do you need God to smack you, too? or I guess I can in Jesus name! Wake up, to the Life He offers. Wake up and live a life of gratitude, for all God has done for you (i.e. Salvation, Grace, Mercy, and Redemption).



Matthew West - The Motions - Something To Say
This might hurt/It’s not safe/But I know that I’ve gotta make a change/I don’t care
If I break/At least I’ll be feeling something/‘Cause just ok/Is not enough/Help me fight through the nothingness of life/I don’t wanna go through the motions/I don’t wanna go one more day/Without Your all consuming passion inside of me/I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking/What if I had given everything?/Instead of going through the motions/No regrets/Not this time/I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind/Let Your love/Make me whole/I think I’m finally feeling something/Take me all the way/Take me all the way/Take me all the way

Worship Wednesday's

Welcome back to Worship Wednesday's. I heard this song a while ago and fell in love with it immediately. Take it in, All we need is your love God. Enjoy!

Shawn McDonald

SHAWN MCDONALD
As I sit here and think/About all that You've done/About how You gave me Your one and only Son/And I'm trying to fathom/All that You are, but so far, Lord/You're so beyond me/I fall down in reverence/And I fall down in fear/And I'm asking You, Lord, won't You please draw near/Won't You open my eyes/So that I can see/The way that You are working in me/All I need is Your love/To come and fill this heart of mine/My heart is a desert that has gone dry/And I need Your love to carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye/To carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye/To carry me bye/And I lay down my life/And I put it before You/All that I am is in Your hands/And I'm not going to question, why You're so faithful/Why that You give me the blessing that You have/Let the glory be known, let the glory be shown/Lift You up unto the throne/You are my God, You are my King/To You I give, I give You everything/All that I need is Your love, my God

NEW CREATION

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)


New Creation from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

SING ALONG - or just worship by watching!
Holy Spirit hovering over the deep / Speak out the light and let it flood into me / Whisper the word that gave creation her form / I'm searching for a life that hasn't been there before / Speak light into the darkness / Breathe life into my lungs / Fill my soul as deep as the ocean / I'm reaching for your love / All that I can do is give it back to you / You've taken my old skin and made it new again / All that I can do is give it back to you / You've taken my old skin and made it new again / You have made me new , A new creation / All new, a new creation / Holy Spirit hovering over the deep / Bring out the colors that my heart's yet to see / The nights on fire for the warmth of your love / But every hour there's a risen sun / Speak light into the darkness / Breathe life into my lungs / Fill my soul as deep as the ocean / I'm reaching for your love / All that I can do is give it back to you / You've taken my old skin and made it new again / All that I can do is give it back to you / You've taken my old skin and made it new again / You have made me new , A new creation / All new, a new creation

What do you call yourself? and Why?

Read this article, tell me your thoughts. The article from newsweek is entitled, "A Christian by Any Other Name" http://tinyurl.com/bp8bde

What are you? and, Why are you what you say you are?

P.S. My thoughts are...

The reason I choose the term "Follow of Christ," is because many claim to be Christians by just belief, where as I attempt to follow Christ in all aspects of my life. It says in the Bible in James 2:19, that even the demons believe that there is a God. So my point is, belief alone although good, is not enough to be a Jesus Freak. Do you completely rely on Him, or do you only rely on him when it is convienent? Even the demons know that there is a God. The demons aren't serving God, are you?

Revelation Song, sung by Kari Jobe, is a powerful worship song from the album "Glorious" by Christ For the Nations Institute. Here are the lyrics to worship along. I pray that the Spirit of God meets you where you are right now!

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!
Yeah!

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore YOU…

(Chorus) (Repeat at a cappella)

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

(Singer: Kari Jobe)

Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another."

I am so excited that I finally got to meet with an awesome man of God today.

We have been trying to meet for about 3 weeks now, I believe that Satan was adamant that he did not want us to meet. Finally in God's timing we had our first meeting, and it was so refreshing to sit and listen to a grown man pour out his life in front of me (and I in front of him) and then we poured into each other!

We were able to pray with each other, encourage each other, and just be real with one another! Man to man, with our Awesome God present, that is when true sharpening happens. We have decided to read through Into the Depths of God by Calvin Miller and extraordinary book, I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to learn to Grow deeper in their faith in Christ, because it is in the depths of God is where we find the True Treasure!