This is uniqueness about some prayers...

God likes to hear your prayers.  He created it all.  He owns it all.  He is soveriegn over all.  He is subservient to none.  Do you get it?  God is the I AM.  He loves to spend time with his creation.  He waits to hear your voice, tenderly, adoringly say Abba, Father.  He desires the moment of intimacy between just you and Him. 

 

When you uniquely find yourself where you need to be in the presence of God pray, "God what would you have me pray?"  It is likely if you die to self and set all your selfish thoughts aside, God will write a new thought upon your heart.  It will be a thought or desire to take with you and forever pray until you see it completed.  It may be a day.  It may be a lifetime, but it will be the desire of your heart as it is also the desire of God's heart.

 

This is a prayer you will not want to miss and leads toward living an abundant life.  This is a prayer that will not fail.

 

Abundance: "the perfection of God's will and purpose in your life". ~the janitor

 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

George Mueller lived a life of faith so he later could rub your nose in it.

You know I have been reading, reading and reading some more of the life and times of George Mueller.  This has been wrapped around the completion of a read the Bible in 90 days effort.  I started a new Bible focus this morning.  This one will be a focus on characters.  In recent history, I have focused on Mueller.  In Biblical history, I am focusing on Joseph.  I say this as an encouragement to you.  Get "immersed" in the Word.  Your life will never be the same.

 

Now some would say, "Gag me with a silver spoon.  No make that, gag me with an entire place setting."    All archie ever talks about is himself and what he perceives God doing in his life.  I am very sorry you may feel that way, because there are others that are blessed to see God at work and encouraged by someone who unabashedly chases after God.  So I guess you will either have to get over it or quit reading.  My preference is you embrace what God is doing and keep reading.

 

George lived a life of faith so he later could rub your nose in it or so it seems, some might feel this way.  Read a quote from George....

 

"Day after day now passed away and the money did not come. The month of January was come to an end, and February also, and the money had not come. Thus more than one hundred and twenty days were gone by, whilst day by day I brought my petition before the Lord that he would bless this sister, keep her steadfast in her purpose, and intrust me with this money for his work in my hands.

 

Amidst it all my heart was assured, judging from the earnestness which he had given me in prayer, and that I had only desired this matter to the praise of his name, that in his own time he would bring it about. But I never wrote one single line to this sister on the subject all this time. At last, on the one hundred and thirty-fourth day since I had daily besought the Lord about this matter, on March 8, 1843, I received a letter from the sister, informing me that the five hundred pounds had been paid into the hands of my bankers".

There is much to be learned from the faithful life of George.  He says, "...the first and primary object of the work was, to show before the whole world and the whole church of Christ, that even in these last evil days the living God is ready to prove himself as the living God, by being ever willing to help, succor, comfort, and answer the prayers of those who trust in him:"

 

In other words, George lived a life completely sold out to rely on God's daily provision so that you and I might be encouraged to believe that God is actively and ernestly desiring to take an active role in your and my life.  George testified in over a thousand pages of God meeting specific needs.  How sad if we don't get it.  How sad if the answer for us individually is to whip out a credit card and not let God work His favor in your and my life. 

 

I for one, choose to wait on the Lord.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

George Mueller Reveals a Faith Secret.

George Mueller was a man of faith.  He served thousands of orphans in his life time.  From his life's experiences, he shared his wisdom.  The following is an explanation of how God worked His faith in George.  The secrets revealed are significant, tested and authenticated by God working through George to care for His children.  If you dare, read this and ponder it as God illuminates.  God willing, your life will be forever changed...

"The last important point for the strengthening of our faith is, that we let God work for us, when the hour of the trial of our faith comes, and do not work a deliverance of our own.

.

Wherever God has given faith, it is given, among other reasons, for the very purpose of being tried. Yea, however weak our faith may be, God will try it; only with this restriction, that as, in every way, he leads us on gently, gradually, patiently, so also with reference to the trial of our faith. 

.

At first, our faith will be tried very little in comparison with what it may be afterwards; for God never lays more upon us than he is willing to enable us to bear. 

.

Now, when the trial of faith comes, we are naturally inclined to distrust God, and to trust rather in ourselves, or in our friends, or in circumstances. We will rather work a deliverance of our own, somehow or other, than simply look to God and wait for his help. 

.

But if we do not patiently wait for God's help, if we work a deliverance of our own, then at the next trial of our faith it will be thus again, we shall be again inclined to deliver ourselves; and thus, with every fresh instance of that kind, our faith will decrease; whilst, on the contrary, were we to stand still in order to see the salvation of God, to see his hand stretched out on our behalf, trusting in him alone, then our faith would be increased, and with every fresh case in which the hand of God is stretched out on our behalf in the hour of the trial of our faith, our faith would be increased yet more. 

.

Would the believer, therefore, have his faith strengthened, he must, especially, give time to God, who tries his faith in order to prove to his child, in the end, how willing he is to help and deliver him, the moment it is good for him."

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Another reason you don't need a health care system overhaul..

This is a quote: "For proselyting missionaries who are serving outside the United States, medical expenses for illnesses or accidents that occur during the mission are paid by the mission."

 

So here is the deal.  You just have to become a Mormon missionary and serve in a foreign country and all your health care needs are paid for.  Is there a catch somewhere.  Why doesn't everyone sign up?

 

I'm kidding of course...
 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

A day doesn't get any better than this for a prophet..

Some God Spots are bigger than others.  This is a GIGANTIC one.  Enjoy!

 

"The king sent a captain with fifty men to Elijah. Meanwhile Elijah was sitting, big as life, on top of a hill. The captain said, “O Holy Man! King’s orders: Come down!” Elijah answered the captain of the fifty, “If it’s true that I’m a ‘holy man,’ lightning strike you and your fifty men!” Out of the blue lightning struck and incinerated the captain and his fifty.  

 

The king sent another captain with his fifty men, “O Holy Man! King’s orders: Come down. And right now!”  Elijah answered, “If it’s true that I’m a ‘holy man,’ lightning strike you and your fifty men!” Immediately a divine lightning bolt struck and incinerated the captain and his fifty.  

 

The king then sent a third captain with his fifty men. For a third time, a captain with his fifty approached Elijah. This one fell on his knees in supplication: “O Holy Man, have respect for my life and the souls of these fifty men!  Twice now lightning from out of the blue has struck and incinerated captains with their fifty men; please, I beg you, respect my life!”  

 

The angel of God told Elijah, “Go ahead; and don’t be afraid.” Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.  Elijah told him, “God’s word: Because you sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, as if there were no God in Israel to whom you could pray, you’ll never get out of that bed alive—already you’re as good as dead.”

THOUGHT: How gracious is our God that He doesn't send a lightening bolt down on us when we let our things come inbetween Him and us.  Consciously keep God in front of all you do today.  Happy Friday.

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

God Blesses Israel while US economy collapses. DUH!

Ever wonder about the relationship of "Cause and Effect"? We pull prayer from school, bless the murder of children and abandon Israel.  We see our economy collapse and we see Israel continue to gain in strength as a world power.  Will anyone say, "DUH!" with me?

JERUSALAM, ISRAEL (Worthy News) – Israel's discovery of the world’s second largest natural gas field is much larger than previously estimated, according to a new report obtained by Worthy News.

The Tamar Gas field, offshore from Haifa, is now worth $8 billion, nearly double previous estimates of local analysts, said a report prepared by Wood Mackenzie Research and Consulting.

Tamar is the second natural gas discovery over the past 18 months. Natural gas will be flowing into Israel by 2012, officials said.

Analysts say the natural gas field will have a huge impact on the economy of Israel and is expected to make the Jewish state more energy independent.

"The state of Israel will make over $5 billion in royalties and corporate taxes from the production of the gas at Tamar field alone," said Gal Reiter, an energy industry analyst at Clal Finance & Brokerage, a leading Tel Aviv investment bank.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. "Jesus

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Get ready to have your socks knocked off!

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. " John

Now that is the way to start the day.  A guaranteed blessing by those that read Jesus' revelations from God.

"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." Jesus

I pray this prayer upon my family and friends that the evil one will have no place in my life or the lives of my friends.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

God establishes His authority!  There is such incredible richness in just a few verses as Revelations begins to unfold.  God bless you in the day that will unfold for you to serve the Lord God almighty.  Praise the name of Jesus.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James

I visited my aged mother today.  I picked up new medication and took it to her.  We sat and chatted a few minutes, remembering my dad.  He passed a few years back.  My mother speaks more frequently of my father these days.  I think she is beginning to look forward to spending eternity with him.  

My mother shared with me that in my father's last few weeks, he spoke of seeing Jesus at the foot of his bed.  It was at a time when the pain was beginning to take it's toll on my dad.  It was during these days, my mother leaned over and shared an intimate moment with my dad.  She told my dad it was ok to let go.  She said she was in fact praying that Jesus would come soon for my dad.  

In those last days, my mother and father were a picture of what God's love is all about.  

Thank you mom.  Thank you dad.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Somalia Islamic Militants Behead Four Christian Orphanage Workers

Have you ever wondered why a person would choose death over life? When a person is having his finger nails torn out, why doesn't he or she deny Christ? When a person is thrown in prison with unimaginable inhumane treatment, why isn't Christ denied? To deny Christ, seems reasonable.  Surely, He wouldn't want you to suffer?

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (Worthy News)-- Christians in Somalia faced a tense day Thursday, August 13, amid fresh reports that fighters of the country's main Islamic insurgent group al-Shabab beheaded four Christian aid workers for refusing to renounce their faith in Christ.

International Christian Concern (ICC), a major advocacy group investigating reports of religious persecution, told Worthy News that al-Shabab members killed Fatima Sultan, Ali Ma'ow, Sheik Mohammed Abdi and Maaddey Diil after kidnapping them on July 27 in the coastal town of Merca, some 90 kilometers (56 miles) from the capital Mogadishu.

“The Islamists kidnapped and eventually beheaded the Christians after they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ,” ICC said. The four Christians had reportedly been working for a local non-governmental organization that helps orphans in southern Somalia. 

Yet people all over the world choose Christ over life.  Can you make any sense out of it?  The sanity is found in a single word, love.  We are to love others as Christ loved us.  The bar has been raised.  The standard has been set.  

To deny Christ is to choose death.  To embrace Christ is to have life.  It is really that simple.    

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Take Note: Drifting is a dangerous place to be...

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." ~Paul

Can you imagine the anger and hurt you might feel if you were placed into a circumstance where you allowed your only son to be sacrificed so that others would live?  Then those that had the chance of life, ignored the opportunity.  Tell me.  How hacked would you be?  What might you do in your anger?

It is not wise to drift.  Immerse yourself in the Word...
--
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Is it possible that prayer might fail?

"Yesterday afternoon, while walking in my little garden, and meditating and praying, I had an unusual assurance that the time was now come when the Lord would answer our request, which arose partly from my being able to believe that he would send the means, and partly from the fact that the answer could no longer be delayed without prayer

having failed in this matter, as we could not assemble the children again, after the Christmas vacation, without there being a stove put up. And now, dear reader, observe: This morning I received from A. B. twenty pounds, and we have thus much more than is required for a stove." George Muellar - Dec. 23, 1841

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Get past the blah, blah, blah of life, think about it: "GIFT OF GOD"!

Paul: "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline". 

This excites me!  Can you imagine?  Sitting in a chair facing Paul.  He looks you in the eyes.  His face is scarred from the many beatings and stoning he has endured.  His nose is crooked from being broken.  His hands are as rough as a stone masons.  But it is his smile that captivates you.  It is full of love....

He leans over and places his hands on your shoulders.  He begins praying in the name of Jesus, asking specifically that God will give you a bold spirit, full of power, love and self-discipline.  Then you feel the warm of God flow through you and you know, that you know, beyond any shadow of doubt, you will never be the same person.  Can you imagine?  

God has not changed.  If He is in you, His power is resident, also.  As Paul says, "fan the flame".

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

I am a blue blood believing baptist boy chasing after "IT".

It seems like a life time ago, a pastor friend and I were on our faces before God crying out.  "God.  Whatever you plan on doing.  Please don't let us miss IT."  In God's grace and timing I think He has chosen to allow each to participate in "IT" as best as we were prepared to engage.  He's grown us along the way to experience a deeper "IT" year by year.

Something I have noticed through the years is that "IT" seems to be only as deep as the body of believers "buy-in".  Every "body" has a level of comfort that is indicative of the personality displayed in "IT".  There is the deeply rich traditional church where "IT" can be found in a great pipe organ playing "Amazing Grace", but "IT" is threatened if one were to request a prayer of healing or some other manifestation of the Spirit that does not fit in.

I am a blue blood believing baptist boy that enjoys worshipping wherever I can find God.  I was traveling one time and stopped in to an evening worship service at a Pentecostal church.  I didn't know the songs and I wasn't comfortable to lift my arms.  It wasn't long into the service that they began trying to drive out the devil.  It turned out they were exuberant when they drove me out.  They thought they had "IT".  I thought I had "IT".  Likely, we were both confused.

So here's the point of the blog.  Your body of believers known as the local church may think they have "IT".  It is likely you and I only have a very small portion of God's total "IT".  It is also likely that everything outside your predetermined ideas of what "IT" looks like may be uncomfortable.  But before you squash "IT" with expectations of casting out the devil, you might check to see if "IT" has a "blue blood believing baptist boy" chasing after the Spirit and visiting from out of state.  :)

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Poor is relative as experienced by George Mueller.

GM:The very necessity led me to expect help for this day; for if none had come, the Lord's name would have been dishonored.

After the Lord has tried our faith, 

He, in the love of his heart, 

gives us an abundance, 

to show that not in anger, 

but for the glory of his name, 

and for the trial of our faith, 

he has allowed us to be poor.

AR:The thought comes to mind.  What is poor?  For George poor is a creation of dreams.  God gave him a vision to build orphanages to help thousands of children. He had no money.  Because of the creation of this ministry, George had many needs and considered himself poor.  His being poor was because of the needs created by the obedience to the dream.

This is much like my life.  I dream big dreams or they seem big to me anyway.  With the big dreams come big needs. Following God's guidance, the only answer for these needs is found in Him.

This relates to my question in mind of desiring to serve an abundant God, not a God of just enough.  I've pondered whether George got his faith ideas right? Why wasn't George serving a God of abundance? He was obviously a man of God and great faith.

I am beginning to understand poor and abundance is relative.  When chasing a vision that is big, tremendous blessings and provisions from God can seem just enough.

But the same provision with a small need or vision would appear abundant. 

When chasing after God, does one ever NOT increase one's vision / needs to fit the provisions? It is as if God's abundant provisions create a  vacuum God desires your visions and dreams to fill.  Test this thought and all thoughts against His Word for truth.  I am but a sinful man chasing after God.

TRUTH REVEALED! George was poor as a testimony of the enormity of his vision.

 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

12 Christians killed. 20 Churches burned. 1 Islamic leader dead.

LAGOS, Nigeria, Aug. 7 (Compass Direct News) – With 12 Christians, including three pastors, confirmed killed in rioting ignited by an Islamic sect opposed to Western education, the Christian community in northern Nigeria’s Borno state is still counting its losses.

It is said the Islamic people in America are peace loving.  It is said the Christian people of America are peace loving, also.  I'm willing to believe both can be peace loving, but there is a disconnect with the world's experience on Islam.  There are daily reports of Islamic sects killing Christians, but I have not seen any reports of Christians killing members of the Islamic faith.  I wonder why that is.

I have to admit I am confused.  The Islamic people I see in the US seem to be ok.  I don't see them carrying guns and shooting people or cutting them up with machetes.  Some do wear masks and I'd prefer them to assimilate a bit better, but being different is not bad.  It is just different.  

My confusion is how do the people of Islam get so confused that they think killing Christians is a good thing.  I've never heard of Christians getting confused and think killing Moslems was a good thing.  We both have books of faith, yet one finds strength in killing while another finds strength in being killed.  It is all so confusing.  

I know I am rambling just a bit, but the thought is stuck in my head.  If I am a peace loving Christian and I become fervent in my faith, growing strong and fanatical about my beliefs, I become more peace loving.   There may be some exceptions, but for the most part that's true.  Yet if I am a peace loving believer of Islam and grow fanatical about my faith, I want to kill Christians.

Have I missed something?  This isn't meant to bash Islam.  I just don't get how you become totally consumed by your faith: one person is driven to kill and another person is driven to be killed.  Both are ok with the outcome.  

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Angel Gets Torched! Directed or Accidental?

"SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (AP) , Workers have replaced the iconic gold statue of a trumpet-blowing angel that was scorched by lightning atop a new Mormon temple in South Jordan last month.  The statue of the angel Moroni sits on the 60,000 square-foot Oquirrh Mountain Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was hit and damaged during a June 13 rain storm." Deseret News

 

I got to tell you, this is one torched angel!  I can only imagine, construction workers for a Mormon temple live at high risk.  I wonder if insurance cancels you if they find out you are building a Mormon temple.  I mean think about it.  God is looking down and He is asking, "you are going to worship who?"  I don't think so. POW! WHAM! ZOP!

 

And the pleasant smell of ozone mixed with the smell of charbroiled.... Ah, yes.  Would have loved to be there.  Well, maybe not. 

 

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

You have to "HOLD ON"!

"By this gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." Paul

Paul said it not me.  You have to hold FIRMLY to the word otherwise you have to believed in vain.  You have to hold on firmly because the world and the evil one are constantly trying to tear your faith away from you.  You may have walked through the gate, but the path is narrow.  HOLD ON!   Suffering will come.  HOLD ON!  

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Wad of Tickets

huck E Cheese pizza. Pay a premium for mediocre pizza. Grandkids are
getting the best use of FREE tokens. As Omi paid for the pizza I
wondered which part was FREE? Anyway lots of fun smiles and hugs make
it all worthwhile.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Why does his head glow?

I'm thinking I'd like to get one of the hair dews that make your head glow.  This is pretty cool. 

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Hold on there! Nobody told me...

"To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.... Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." ~Paul

Which line did you get in when salvation was offered you?  I just bet most of us didn't choose the line described by Paul and then we are surprised when life gets ugly.  I wonder if I would have accepted Christ as my Savior if I'd read the fine print?
--
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha

The story of Don Quixote is likely the most impactful Spanish novel of all time.  It is a novel about a man who insanely lives a life believing himself to be a knight.  He perceives it to be a grand life, surrounded by all the charm of living life with purpose.  As life comes to an end for Don, he regains his sanity only to die broken.

I suppose there is a little Quixote in all of us.  We have our own private world to retreat to, where others are not allowed.  In our privacy, we succeed doing battle with windmills and saving fair maidens.  By the grace of God, we too regain our sanity and die broken, on our face before a loving God.  

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine...

 

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Where are the men of faith?

There was a time, long past when men of faith were being talked about.  

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world... I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.... For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."" Paul 1st Century

Where are the men of faith, today?  Where do the men of faith gather that they may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith?  Sure, we can point to a man of faith such as: Billy Graham.  We can point to many men of faith in our heritage, such as: George Mueller, John Wesley and the many founders of modern Christianity.  But where are the men of faith today?  I so long to gather with men of faith today that mustard the faith to seed the movement of a mountain for Christ.... 

--
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

It is not in the seeking that you find life...

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being." Paul

 

I find this thought provoking.  Sure it is incredibly important for you and I to seek after God.  If you do not have a personal relationship, the first step is to seek.  But that is not enough.  Many seek after God.  Many make it a career to seek God.  But if they never reach for God, they will never find God.

 

How sad to spend your life seeking and never reach out and find. 

 

God bless,

~the janitor

 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

What is best for you?

How many times in a life time will you wonder what is best for you?  You pray for God's blessings on your life.  You look at circumstances and choose.  Surely this new job is best for me.  But is it? 

 

Just imagine for a moment that you are the evil one and you have the ability to manipulate circumstance.  Now also suppose you know that God is getting ready to bless one of His children's socks off in some miraculous way.  What would you do as the master villain of manipulation?

 

I know what I'd do.  I'd offer you a big fat bonus and a raise, then move you and your family to some far off place.  Likely, I could set your Christian growth back by years.  They say, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." I think it wise to look a gift horse at both ends, before you count your blessings.

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Don't you just love stories with great endings? What a God Spot!

¹It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ²He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ⁴After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

⁵So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

⁶The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

⁸Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. ⁹Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

¹¹Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

 

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Then, they killed him.

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

What impact on you, when someone tells you of the wonderful thing God has done?

"May 28. This morning, whilst sitting in my room, the distress of several brethren and sisters was brought to my mind, and I said to myself, "O that it might please the Lord to give me means to help them!" About an hour afterwards I received sixty pounds from a brother whom up to this day I never saw, and who then lived, as he does still, a distance of several thousand miles." George Muellar

I am in the process of reading several accounts consisting of thousands of pages of text written surrounding the life of George Muellar.  It blows me away.  George believed that God desired to be actively involved in his daily life on a minute by minute basis.  When he had a need, he prayed.  God answered prayer.  It was that easy.  It didn't mean he always got what he prayed for, it just means God answered his prayers. 

 

When I read an account of how God specifically answered prayer in George's life I am encouraged.  George's life was pregnant with God Spots.  It is my heart's desire that in my sharing with you how God is working in my life, you would be encouraged also.  It is with this motive I humbly share with you what God is doing.

 

Some might read my God Spots and say it is all about Archie.  How prideful he must be.  Surely he doesn't represent my ideal,  I don't desire that any of it be about Archie.  I desire it to be all about God.  It is not what Archie does.  It is all about what God chooses to do through me.  He may choose to do nothing.  He may choose to do big things.  That is His choice.  I just desire that through my sharing the God Spots of my life, that He is glorified and you are encouraged.  Is that fair?

 

So humbly, I have accepted an opportunity to speak in Africa about a man of integrity.  Do I share this because it is all about Archie?  No I share this because I covet your prayer.  It is way outside the box, even for me.  So as the days click away rapidly for the Holy Freegan, please pray that I hear God's voice plainly and see His hand at work that I might encourage you with EPIC God Spots. 

 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

"School officials face jail time for meal-time prayers." Huh?!

A principal and an athletic director are facing criminal charges for a lunch-time prayer.

"In this particular case, Principal Frank Lay asked the athletic director to have a prayer for the meal at an honorary luncheon in celebration for some of the athletic achievements. And then in [another] situation, the clerical worker at an event where some employees of the school were present asked her husband, who is not an employee of the school, to have a blessing over a meal," he explains. "Because of those two events, these individuals now face criminal contempt."
 

In the end times, it is said that "good will seem bad" and "bad will seem good".  It seems to me, we are getting even closer to the end of this world as we know it.  Are you prepared to take the next step?  What will you next step be? Where will you be?  Is there any hope?    There is a simple TRUTH.  You can know.  Ask.

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Apparently according to Friendfeed, God needs subscribers. Huh?

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

There is no 'wimp' in the name Jesus!

When you think about the man Jesus, what image comes to your mind?  Likely, it is a man with a trashed out look and his head hanging.  Maybe his face is even bloodied and his back ripped open by a whip.  A defeated image comes to mind.  Right?  Jesus voluntarily submitted to being captured, knowing full well the suffering he was about to endure.  He didn't hide.  He didn't deny.  He challenged!  Read on...

 

"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." (sounds bold and confident in spite of circumstance).

 

When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (speaks truth and challenges in the face of danger)

Jesus set the standard for us.  He said we would suffer because of our identity in Him.  He sent the Holy Spirit to protect us and abide within us.  The Holy Spirit engulfs us.  We are to be bold in our faith.  We are to accept suffering as a way of life, but suffering is does not define a defeated lifestyle.  We are victorious in our suffering just as Christ was victorious. 

 

Please thing about this.  We are trained to believe suffering is aligned with being defeated and those that don't suffer are successful.  THIS IS A LIE.  When you suffer for your identity in Christ, be bold.  Be confident.  Know that God has suffered before you and with you.  Hold your head up.  Be proud to be honored with the suffering of Christ. When you are slapped, spit on and persecuted.  You are not defeated.  YOU ARE VICTORIOUS IN AND WITH CHRIST!

 

God bless,

the janitor

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

I am the way, the truth and the light. No man comes to the Father but by Me.

The Children of the Devil

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

"Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Jesus

"Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten." Luke's account of a miracle by Jesus

This is the God I choose to serve.  I choose to serve, believe in and pray to a God of abundance.  I reject the thought of serving the god of "just enough".  Father, I know you have set aside provisions to exceed my needs.  I thank you for these provisions and pray that I might be faithful to You in all I do.  I pray the message you send through me will a message of hope and love found only in You.  Thank you again for your unseen provisions.  ~the janitor

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Abundance may start in one of the poorest countries of the world

I was reading Jim Thornber's blog and considering God's will in my life.  I commented with:

 

I choose to live an abundant life. In that abundance, I find the perfection of God’s will and purpose in my life. How this plays out is with patience, perseverance and long suffering I look to see where God is working and ask to step along side. He always has His arms wide open when I take action according to His revelation.

 

In October I go to Africa to speak to men about integrity. This will be a first trip to one of the poorest countries in the world. It should be quite the “God Spot” and I believe to be the perfection of God’s will in my life. 

 

This may in fact be the place I find abundance in one of the poorest countries of the world.  

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

The Widow's Offering - There are things to be gained from tradition...

Burkina Faso, Africa

^"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

 

Much is being said about the emerging church.  Some say the traditional church has done it all wrong.  Others say it is because of the traditional church that the Word of Christ has been spread throughout all the nations.  What do you say?

 

It was the tradition in the time of Jesus for members of the faith to give of what they had to further the work of God's kingdom on earth.  It is traditionally the same today.  We work.  We get paid.  We give to the church, worthy ministries or individuals who God has chosen according to His will and purpose.

 

I have been given the invitation to speak at a conference in Burkina Faso.   This small poor country is located in the center of the west part of Africa.  It is referred to as one of the poorest countries in the world.  Annual income is estimated at $400 / year.  That is a little over $1 / day.  Is it possible for a family to even purchase food at $1 / day?  I don't know.  I doubt it.   

 

If God puts it on your heart to help the people of Burkina Faso, it would be good to remember The Widow's Mite.

God bless,

archie

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

God does for you, for His pleasure.

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Luke 

 

This is incredible!  God wants us to benefit from our relationship with Him.  He gets in the middle of our life, that we can choose to live abundantly.  In His abundance, He is pleased.  Did you get it?  God gives to you, for His pleasure. 

 

One more time.  It's not about you, yet it's all about you.  God will brings fullness to your life and He experiences great pleasure in you experiencing His LOVE! 

 

It's is past time to just bow before Him and thank Him for all He has done.  Praise the name of Jesus.  Praise God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Thank you!

 
Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends on Facebook..

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Hillary Clinton under pressure spews truth...

ABUJA, Nigeria — It was hot. She was tired. And it had been a long day in Africa.

“Wait, you want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not the secretary of state, I am. So you ask my opinion, I will tell you my opinion. I am not going to be channeling my husband.” hillary

It is said when squeezed, what's inside comes out.  This was true for Hillary and is true for us as believers.  With Christ inside...

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

New York Times: Michael Jackson worth more dead than alive.

The Times: "It has been 48 days since Michael Jackson died, and while family members of the late pop star are still at war with the executors of his estate, the answer to another question — how much the singer is worth in death — is becoming clear. He has already earned $100 million through a film deal and various merchandising contracts, and the executors expect another $100 million to roll in by the end of the year."

I never thought I'd be saying this, but it's true.  Michael and I have something in common.  We are both worth more dead than alive.  We both have mansions that will increase in value.  The difference is he may not get to enjoy his.  I will be enjoying mine for eternity.  Now that is appreciation!

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Josh Wilson - Savior Please (Willow Creek 2009)

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Name That Tune... Let's Play!

You seen the TV game show, "Name That Tune".  It is where they play some notes of a song and the contestants try to guess the name of the song.  The one that guesses with the fewest number of notes played wins. 

I was doing my Bible read this morning and it brought me to a familiar story.  I  wondered how many words of the story I'd need to guess the story.  What to play?  Here goes...

The 1st two words from the middle of the passage is: "no room".  What is the story?

How about these two words from another passage: "swept clean"?

I'll post the answer later so there are no read ahead cheaters. 

Here's the point.

Sometimes I feel guilty about not knowing enough of the Bible.  But when Bible stories come to mind with only two Words, I think you and I must be doing pretty well.  The real challenge and test of our faith is whether we have applied the knowledge gained, in a wise way to our life.

Follow the Holy Freegan adventure with Archie and friends on...

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

At game end, what's it going to be. Heaven or Hell?

So I was talking to this guy that wanted food.  That alone is funny.  Somebody asking me, the self proclaimed Holy Freegan, for food?  Proves God has a sense of humor.

 

I said to this guy, "What's it going to be.  At game over.  Is it heaven or hell". 

He said, "huh?" 

I said, "You know.  When you die.  Is it heaven or hell?" 

He said, "Where's my food or something like that?" 

I said, "So like when you die.  Heaven or hell?" 

He said,"Well it's like this.  That is not for me to decide.  I just do what I do and there is not anything I can do to choose. The decision is not made by me." 

I said, "Nothing you can do to influence the outcome? Are you an axe murderer?"

He said, "No".

I said, "If you were, would you have done something to influence whether you will go to hell?"

He said, "Come on.  Just give me my food and I will never come back."

I said, "hmmm".

 

So what's it going to be, "Heaven or Hell"? 

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Life's not fair. The good and bad get whacked!

The Word: "Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." Jesus

 

my word: Sometimes I just don't get it.  Here stands a perfectly innocent fig tree.  It is not the season for it to bear fruit.  It is not harming anyone.  Jesus comes along and curses it because he didn't get to eat of its fruit.

 

The Word: In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" ...  "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

 

my word: True, Jesus appears hacked that he missed His morning meal.  Jesus appears to be the originator of the Holy Freegan lifestyle.  BUT that was not the truth being taught.  The truth was that Jesus wanted His students to look past the perception of the reality they were experiencing and step into Jesus' reality.  Jesus wanted them to understand that God plus anything is outside the norm for the dimension mankind lives in.  Jesus wants His dimension to the believer's norm.

I hope that makes sense....

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

She was standing there, holding a battered doll...

A post by my friend Ich...

“Are you my Momma?”

She was standing there, holding a battered doll for dear life, probably her only possession.

We were on the beach, next to the Pacific.

She was knee high to a grasshopper, maybe three years old, four max and directed the question to my step daughter, a momma in her own right.

The little girl was an orphan in Mexico. She asked the question in Spanish. I didn’t understand her and my step daughter translated while holding the girl on her lap.

A few weeks later, friends of mine who owned a restaurant/bar on the coast asked me if I could help them on Saturday morning.

“Sure,” I replied.

The next morning I drove to my friends’ home and noticed quite a few children and mothers standing near the guard house.

Half hour later I was passing out tickets and welcoming children of all ages, including more than a handful of babies, for two bicycles. Over three hundred orphans and a few poor locals came to the lane dedicated to the annual festivity. They were each fed and given a bag full of clothing and one or two toys.

I noticed a boy frowning, not understanding why his bag was full of girl’s stuff. A moment later, I saw a girl with the same problem. I introduced the little tykes and helped them switch bags and received two big smiles.

This event sobered me to the realities of life, but also lifted my spirits at seeing so many delight in their good fortune at something that kids in more affluent places would not appreciate.

All the volunteers I knew, about twenty, were regular patrons at the Restaurant/Bar.

They helped make the orphans lives a little more pleasant.

As far as the little girl that this story started with, I looked for her that Saturday morning, but did not see her. We stayed in touch with her orphanage and had clothes and money sent there.

I discovered the owner of the hotel by the beach sponsored a day for the orphans a few times a year, lending personnel, giving food and other things so the children could enjoy.

The point of this God Spot, you never know where a God Spot comes from, when it happens or who may be involved

Visit Ichabod's blog at: http://plainview.wordpress.com/

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Fill in the blank: When I was young, I was so poor that...

The task of not buying anything for 60 days to save for Africa has reminded me of my poor stories from growing up in the mountains of California.  They went something like this...

I was so poor that ... Brer Rabbit Molasses on beans was considered desert.
I was so poor that ... you didn't wear out tennis shoes.  You just changed out the rubber inner tube liner you picked up from a blown out tire.
I was so poor that ... my dad recommended motor oil in place of Brylcream. 
I was so poor that ... a one dish meal meant exactly that.  There was one dish.
I was so poor that ... I noodled for trout in the stream
I was so poor that ... I swam in the ditch we got drinking water from
I was so poor that ... I thought oranges were Christmas fruit

Thinking about the poor people of Africa I will be visiting, I bet it is easier for them to not buy anything. Likely dieting is a no brainer, also.  I hope to save enough money in the next 58 days to leave something of value behind. 

God bless the poor!
archie

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

There would be NO rolling back of the stone, today!

"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and SAT ON IT. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. "

 

I can almost see an angel sitting on top of the stone that had been rolled away from Jesus tomb.  Smugly sitting with his legs, crossed leaning up against the back side of the rock.  Probably, cleaning his fingernails and just hoping someone would try and touch his stone.  Taunting...  "Come on.  Make my day!"

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Although some are blinded by the light, it doesn't mean we should not shine.

"I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

 

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

 

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him...

 

Just think... The entire future of mankind pivoted on a single truth. "I AM".  Jesus could have denied the truth.  Peter did, three times.  Alas, Jesus spoke truth and suffered for all, that we might have life.  Many were blinded by the light of our Savior, yet a few were faithful and became the early warriors of our faith. 

 

Today is the day the Lord hath made.  Shine bright!

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

If you were from the poorest country in the world, how poor would you be?

I have this opportunity to go to Burkina Faso, Africa.  Anyone ever been there?  It is one of the poorest countries of the world.  I expect to be there in 58 days for a week.  I will be with a Christian team leading a conference on "Men of Integrity".  It's interesting that Integrity crosses all social economic bounds.  It doesn't matter how much money you have.  It doesn't matter how poor you are.  Integrity still rules.

 

I really want to prepare myself for the experience in body, soul and spirit.  To this end, I've adopted a new life style.  In a nutshell, I am attempting to stay focused on God as a faith builder.  I have chosen to spend no money for 60 days.  My wife will continue her life, but I choose to spend zero dollars.  This will accomplish a number of things.  I've been wanting to lose weight.  If I buy no food, I figure I will lose weight.  I need to save money quick for the trip.  If I buy nothing at all, I will have money to save.

 

So, this is day two.  Total expenditure.  $Zero.  Banked the savings....

 

I hope one of the benefits of not having a meal guaranteed, to experience a small piece of what someone living in the poorest country of world experiences daily.  I'm also hoping by an intense focus on God, to have a heart prepared for the people of need in Africa.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Early enrollment open for the fall semester of the School of God

Wouldn't you have liked to be taught your faith, face to face with the originator of your faith.  Think about it.  Jesus.  The creator of all things.  The knower of all things.  The man with infinite love, justice and truth.  Wouldn't you have liked to be in His classroom? Jesus apparently graded on a pass/fail system.

 

Peter was one of His 1st students.  It was a tough class!

 

PASS: "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."

FAIL: Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

 

Much of the time I feel like I am placed in Jesus remedial learning class.  Sigh...

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Apparently you can hijaack the power of Jesus name. Beware!

'Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Jesus

 

A couple thoughts come out of this Word from Jesus.  First, you better make darn sure you are doing the will of God.  Second, just because you hear someone call on the name of Jesus does not make him a Christ follower.  Beware of false teachers...

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Day One - Bible Read as Freegan

This is my first day to practice the rules of being a Holy Freegan and
I surf to my daily Bible read and what are the odds that this passage
would kick off the adventure. The purpose of my being a practicing
Holy Freegan is to sensitize myself to the needs of others as I
prepare to visit Africa. God has a strong message here for me and
likely confirmation I am hearing Him in the midst of this craziness.

 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat
down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be
glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Day One - As Holy Freegan

 Ten Rules of the Holy Freegan

1. Love the Lord my God with all my heart
2. Consume His Word daily
3. Pray without ceasing (tough one)
4. Purchase no food for myself (bank the savings)
5. Keep it snowing on my TV
6. Reduce energy consumption (gas, electric)
7. Don’t buy stuff for self and sell stuff I have
8. Be generous in helping others
9. Do not ask for money, humbly receive
10. Remember rule #1

<div>I hope you will choose to follow the adventure with Archie and friends at  <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archie-Rhines/123570852505">

 

 

It's not a good day for those that have fought against Jerusalem

In today's Bible read...

 

"This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths." Zechariah 

 

No doubt.  Some will say, "But, that's just not fair!" But you know what?  God created it all.  God calls the shots.  God makes the rules.  The smart thing to do is to "Believe".

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

HOLY FREEGANISM - A 60 Day Adventure

Hi Friends,

I received this email from a longtime pastor friend of mine in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.

Archie.

 

Would you look at the possibility of traveling with me and a small team of men to Burkina Faso, Oct. 5 - 12.  One of the purposes of this trip will be a conference we will lead for the men and young men regarding, the Father's Heart.  How to raise up men of integrity.

 

Blessings,

Darrel

So I've been praying about this opportunity and have several issues to resolve between now and then.  Simple things like getting off work and having no money to travel to Dallas much less Africa.  Maybe you can pray with me?  I am excited at the invitation for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest is to see God at work in meeting my needs and the needs of others in making this thing happen.  Then, just think about all those God Spots!

 

I don't know how much a trip to Africa will cost, but I know it will be in the thousands.  Thinking about the simple life of the people in Burkina Faso, I was reminded of an amusing conversation with my niece's boyfriend.  I was laughing about the concept of dumpster diving as a way of life.  The people taking on this sort of life style for a social cause have become known as Freegans.  I had great fun with the thought.  Today, the thought comes back to me for a different reason.

Freeganism is an anti-consumerist lifestyle whereby people employ alternative living strategies based on "limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources". Freegans "embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed."

My thought is to develop a set of Freegan rules to abide by in preparation for my trip to Africa.  Application of these rules will hopefully prepare my body, soul and spirit for the trip and possibly better relate to those I will encounter along the way.  Somes rules I hope to follow include:

1. Love the Lord my God with all my heart
2. Consume His Word daily
3. Pray without ceasing (tough one)
4. Purchase no food for myself (bank the savings)
5. Keep it snowing on my TV
6. Reduce energy consumption (gas, electric)
7. Don't buy stuff for self and sell stuff I have
8. Be generous in helping others
9. Do not ask for money
10. Remember rule #1

If you have ideas for what should go on the list, I'm open to suggestions.  Remember the goal of this craziness is to prepare my heart for the trip.  The side benefit will be to put money in savings for the trip, generated by taking on a Holy Freegan lifestyle.  I think I just coined a new word.  HOLY FREEGAN. 

 

This journey in preparation for Africa will be insightful.  I hope you will choose to follow the adventure with Archie and friends at http://37stories.wordpress.com and at my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Archie-Rhines/123570852505 .  

 

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Give careful thought to your ways... God

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!

Big Bend Hike Day One by Mark Martinez

This true story is told from the feeble memory of Mark Martinez.  I stole it off Facebook for your enjoyment...

 

Back when I could hike more than a mile without getting winded, a group of friends and I decided to take a trip to Big Bend. Our expedition consisted of Archie, Jeff, Greg, and myself. It was my first adventure to Big Bend, and we are all excited to head out for a week of primitive camping and man time.

We arrived late and set up camp before nightfall. Since we were truly camping primitively, we set up a campfire to eat dinner. That night I don't remember much, except for the anticipation of spending the next day hiking. If I only knew the adventure that actually awaited us.

That morning, the temperature was cool. Not too cold, but the brisk morning typical in the Texas desert. It was cool enough that we decided to put on light jackets/long sleeve shirts, knowing we would need to peel off layers as the day progressed. Archie suggested we start off with a easy morning hike, following an easy trail. It sounded like a good plan, so we gathered some things we might need, mostly consisting of lunch and snacks (we're guys....food plays a big role in our lives).

So we started on our hike, full of energy and ready for an exciting day. If we only knew what we were in store for. The trail we were on was a slightly worn trail, marked clearly by stacks of stones to show us the way. It vaguely reminded me of the Hebrews wandering the desert marking places where God showed up with stacks of stones. We hiked for awhile, deciding to stop to eat lunch. Archie veered off the marked path and called us to come sit with him. He ended up showing us a beautiful scenic view of a valley. The scene really reminded us of God's majesty and genius as our creator. It was a very serene time, eating a good sandwich with great friends under God's canopy of life. After eating, we decided to finish up our morning hike so we could get on with more challenging hikes, preferably on the more steep mountain slopes. So we gathered our stuff and headed back to the path. Then the questions started to come..."Guys....where are the markers?". And then the declarations of wisdom started to be uttered also " Uh Oh!". As we walked all the hills and plants looked more and more alike. The more we drudged on, the more we realized we were seriously lost.

Greg started to panic, screaming "WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!". I quickly acted and started slapping each side of his face until he calmed down. Not really, we all remained calm....coolly staring death in the face. Since we didn't except to be gone long, and it was suppose to be a quick hike, we didn't pack very much. Only the essentials, like lunch. Unfortunately, none of us thought essentials would include a map or compass. And for you youngins, this was before cell phones were common. I don't think any of us had one actually. Since this was going to be a four or five day trip, and we were lost on day one, we still had days before anyone would come looking for us. We were on our own.

As we continued to walk, we came upon a shallow dried creek bed. We decided that if we followed the creek bed south, we would eventually come to the Rio Grande. From there we could surely find the way back to civilization, right? So using the blazing sun as our compass, we headed south. By this time, temperatures soared to the average day time temperatures in the Texas desert. It was hot. So, like planned, we took off the long sleeve shirts/jackets and went to t-shirt mode. Our moods were good, hope lingering in the air. We knew which direction to go and had a plan. As the day proceeded, the shallow creek bed became deeper, with the banks gaining in elevation....3 feet....6 feet.....10 feet. Eventually we had to start climbing down different drops as the creek bed showed evidence of the potential river that could develop under heavy rains. These more challenging rock climbing drops were becoming quite fun, trying to find the just right foothold or hand hold to prevent a tumbling dive down 6 to 8 foot declines. So what if we had no idea how long till we got the Rio. This was guy time at its best. Then it happened. The pivot point of our expedition (well other than getting lost).

We came to a sheer decline. No footholds or hand hold could get us down. Decision time. Turn back and hope and pray for survival, knowing that some of those fun climbs down did not make the likelihood of going back up probable . Or find a way down and continue with our plan. It was getting late in the day, clouds coming in on the horizon. We had to get out of the creek bed in case a torrential downpour was on the way. We were running out of time. Greg started to panic and screamed, "WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!" This time Jeff did the honors and slapped the boy. Still kidding. We decided to put our heads together and keep going. Or actually, we put our extra clothing together. We tied all our extra shirts and jackets and tied it to a long walking stick we had found earlier. Using our McGiver like skills, we lodged the stick between two rocks at the top and lowered our make shift rope down. Even though it was a genius plan, we were still 10 to 15 feet short. We thought about taking off our jeans and shirts to extend our "rope", but eventually decided against it. Four guys in the desert in only skivvies didn't seem like the best idea. So we carefully started to head down, knowing that a wrong landing or a walking stick break could lead to disaster. A broken ankle out in the desert could lead to death.

I think I went down first, being the lightest and smallest of the bunch. My descent went down without incident. But as Greg and Jeff took turns, the strain on the walking stick became audibly apparent. As Archie prepared to come down, the tension was palpable. Sure enough, half way down the stick broke and shifted out of place. Clothes came tumbling down, with Archie leading the way. Thank God Archie didn't get seriously hurt. But the die had been cast...no going back. We kept going... except now our moods were apprehensive, not knowing how much longer we needed to go. Plus our last meal was early in the day, and as evening approached our bodies were worn down. In addition, we didn't know what laid ahead. We didn't know if another sheer drop waited for us. If it did, we were out of optional clothes and more importantly a usable stick as an anchor. If we came to a sheer drop, we were stuck. With rain coming the anxiety was just as ominous as the clouds drifting in. We kept going, with faith in our God as our fuel.

We eventually made it to the Rio Grande without further incident, barely beating the rain and the fall of night. However, when we made it the the river, some of our hopes were dashed. Instead of finding an easy path around the river, we were faced with a delta leading directly to the water, with 100 foot walls surrounding each side of the river. Our adventure for the day had come to an end. With night coming, and no where to go we decided to make camp. God willing, the next day would bring salvation, at least that was our prayer that night.

Stay tuned to day 2......

Richard Crippen

We should have an aging man's camping trip, consisting of as little physical activity as possible, but just enough to make us think we "still got it".5 hours ago

 

Mark Martinez

Now thats plan!!4 hours ago

 

Greg Sealy

It was a neat experience. It rained super hard the first night. We tried to burn the bamboo on the river's edge but it burnt too quickly.It rained that night too.We slept under a cliff with Archie's head in your lap and me between you and Jeff (Me, the only one with a long sleeve shirt on.) I had to gripe at both of you for waking me up with your shivering. 4 hours ago

 

Greg Sealy

Yall should come to Salt Lake. Some sweet camping here in he Mntns.4 hours ago

 

Greg Sealy

Hiking too.4 hours ago

 

Cora Rhines

I have a lot of memories of you guys sitting around telling the story the first time. I have tried to encourage Archie to wrtie the details from his view...each of you should. He retells it frequently, but it is not short! LOL 4 hours ago

 

Cora Rhines

Don't forget the night sleeping in a slit of a cave..4 men and 1 mylar emergency blanket...4 hours ago

 

Richard Crippen

I vote that if we do this, we include things like blankets.3 hours ago

 

Alex Hamilton

for once in my life, I agree with richard! about an hour ago

 

Richard Crippen

I think that's twice, and both since Facebook. about an hour ago

 

Greg Sealy

I think FB is a crappy way to keep friendships going. I dont know who you people are anymore. I'm talking to a Richard and an Alex that no longer exist. I mean, I know you're real but I have a memory of you guys from long ago and am talking to that Alex and Richard, not the ones who exist now. Who are you people? about an hour ago

 

Alex Hamilton

I am half the man I used to be about an hour ago

 

Greg Sealy

I still like you Alex no matter what your life choices lead to. about an hour ago

 

Richard Crippen

I think I might be the other half that Alex has left behind. about an hour ago

 

Alex Hamilton

I am not sure I want to consider you my better half, I am sure Cyndi and Shannon would disapprove. about an hour ago

 

Richard Crippen

I didn't say better, I said other. YOU said better. 52 minutes ago

 

Archie Rhines

Great job, Mark! Everything is historically correct except your whining and we really never left your back yard. Ha! Actually, a key part left out of day one is that we were dieing and Greg was concerned about us starting an illegal campfire. At least that is the way I remember it. Somewhere in the mix I think Jeff came up with a compass but didn't tell anyone because he was enjoying the adventure. I look forward to day two! archie  2 seconds ago · Delete

Thanks for visiting http://37stories.wordpress.com with Archie and all his friends.

For more GodSpots - 37stories Enjoy!