What would you do?

Last night I was at Wal-Mart with Kelsie, honestly I never want to be there for very long because I go in for 2.00 eggs and come out with eggs and 198$ of other stuff. I was getting only a few more things and Kelsie stopped me from going over my budget which was 50$. She so good at that! I was standing in the self-check out line, and a lady said "excuse me." I moved over thinking I was in her way, but that wasn't it. She came up to me and starting telling me this story. She had left her husband that beat her for years and had a 2 year old and 12 year old. The two-year old was in the cart and I noticed that all she had in the cart was clothes for the little one. The lady said she had left everything behind to escape from him. She asked me NOT to pay for everything, but to just help her out. I gave her 5 dollars cash. Two things, I know some of you are are like "WHY DID YOU DO THAT? IT'S A SCAM!" and the other thing is "If it wasn't a scam I bought that little girl a long sleeve shirt." 

It makes me feel better knowing that IF that lady was not lying to me, I gave something. I didn't give all, but at least I didn't turn her away. I'm not going snootie. God gave me this money for a reason. I want to be helpful anyway I can, but not a complete push over. I know that this lady could have gotten in a lot of trouble if someone had called the cops on her, but I did give her 5 dollars, trust me for a while after I thought about all the "What if's." but it comes down to, did you do what was right in your eyes. At the moment, yes I did. And Thats all that matters. God didn't do detective work on everyone before he gave me my job to earn this money. 

Overall why should we be skeptical of everyone's true motives. If she was scamming me, WAHOO she got 5 dollars. But didn't hurt me financially. I would have been scammed if i had paid for everything in the cart. 

But as I checked out, she was in the next line, she took my 5 dollars and my 5 dollars only to pay for one item in the cart and gave the rest back to the cashier because she couldn't afford it.

Again I will pray for her and hope all the best that she keeps her head up in this time. 

We must help everyone we can with our gifts. We are not put here on this earth to gather and save meaningless things and money. 

End of Times

I know this is long, but everyone that wants to go to heaven needs to read and listen to this. I'm not a bible thumper, but please take the time to read and listen to the sermon. Please. God Bless You!


Last week in church we discussed the end of times, How it will look like and what we should be doing and should continue doing until that time. Here is the message if you want to hear my pastor speak on it. "That's all folks" 


About 13 minutes into the message he talks about how the world WILL NEVER end on a date set by man. 

He moves into the book of 2 Peter. Verse 8 --⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.--



²⁸ “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. ³⁰ I tell you the truth, this generation^[k] will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. ³¹Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
 ³² “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. ³³ And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert^[l]!
 ³⁴ “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. ³⁵ You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. ³⁶ Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. ³⁷ I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”



Every generation says they think  that God is coming back when they are alive. A day is like a thousand of years.  -- Jewish scholars have studied and said this is not an figure of speech. For instance this is a picture of God's timing. 


From the beginning to the end is 7 days (7 days to create the world- 7 days to end the world) .. each day is representing a thousand years. 


From Adam to Jesus it was: 4 generations = 4000 years


From Jesus to Now is 2000 years

4000+2000=6000 and so 1 day left. 


Meaning-- We are closer than ever. The dawn of the "7th day" is approaching and at the dawn of the 7th day the reign will come. 


This generation-- OUR GENERATION-- has the MOST influence of positive and gospel spreading capabilities. (Phones and Computers and all of technology)


2000 nations-- and USA is most capable!!


People will be doing their own thing - Times will be like back in Noah's Time---- Matthew 24:37-39, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (NLT)




LISTEN TO THIS SERMON AND Here is the Sheet from the service:

October 15th/16th, 2011 Discussion Guide

What Time is IT?!?!

Matthew 24:3-14; 36 (NLT) II Peter 3:3-10 (NLT)

Message Recap

People will do their own thing.

Matthew 24:37-39, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (NLT)

Ask yourself, “how am I viewing...

• ... people” - Are you easily offended? Do you hold grudges or have anger/bitterness/strife?

• ... life” - Are you constantly the victim? Does it seem that everyone / everything is out to get you? Are you the center of your life?

• ... stuff” - Does the thought of a new home, new car, new clothes, big vacations consume your thoughts, your time, your resources?

People will forget God.

Matthew 24:12, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (NLT)

People will not be ready.

Matthew 24:40-42, “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” (NLT)

I Thessalonians 5:2, “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” (NLT)

Discussion Questions:

Q. What if you knew Jesus was coming back this year? What are some of the things that you would do - or do differently?

Q. Pastor Patrick said that one of the signs of the times is that people will do their own thing; that instead of being heavenly minded, they will be earthly minded. Describe some ways that you have been earthly minded instead of heavenly minded. What can you do to flip that around?

Q. Read Matthew 24:12 - Give some examples of what may cause our love to grow cold. What are some “warning signs” in our own life that might indicate that our “love is growing cold”?

Q. The Bible says that in the end days, people will not be ready. This is something that cause concern for people, as they worry about whether they are ready for the return of Christ. If you have dealt with this concern in your life, share your experience.

Q. Paul uses the phrase “thief in the night” to describe the return of Christ. What does this terminology imply to you?

Q. Read Titus 2:13- What impact does knowing Christ is coming back make in your life? What does it look like to have hope?

If “The End” is near...

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT!?!?

I Peter 4:7-10, “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (NLT)

1 - Pray (vs. 7) – What are some things that you can change about your prayer life this week? 

2 - Focus on Relationships (vs. 8-9) – Are their relationships in your life that needs mending? What can you do this week to begin the journey of reconciliation? 

3 - Use your Gifts (vs. 10-11) – What are some of the gifting’s you believe God has put inside of you? What are some ways that you can begin to use them? 

4 - Get your life right with God - II Peter 3:11-

Turn away from evil

^{2 Peter 3:17...
17} Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Wisconsin

This is where I'll be in a week. 

 This is my grandparents house. I love it there. It holds so many memories. So much love. So much safety. 

I spent many summers with them here, fishing, working, cooking, washing dishes, watching the weather. 

The memories of this house and my grandparents I will never forget. 

Though there won't be any snow when I get there. I plan on enjoying every moment there. 

Its been two years since I've seen my papa.

4 years since my grandmother passed. 

Her love is still in this house. Her love was so strong and honest. It was actual love that was warming when you were just near her. 

I forgot to post this one a while back..

Myspace Style:

Title: My Week
Current Mood: Calm
Music: "Say it Ain't So": Weezer-- "Kings of Leon- Pandora Station"

I woke up this morning, decided to get up, go get a extra hot caramel macchiato. Since I have no internet or cable in the house, I tend to go to Starbucks to read the news, drink coffee and pretty much relax before work and not spend money. Things always seem to go good until you happen to spill coffee on yourself. Now I have coffee stains on my jeans. :/

But anyways, that is not the point of my post. Through the week I will be thinking about something and think "I could write about that in my blog" and when it comes down to writing my blog, I forget everything I thought about writing.

Well maybe I will just start talking about my week...

I have work a total of 103.75 hours in the last two weeks.  I was getting up at 5 every other morning and taking deliveries, doing truck orders and then going home taking 30 minute nap and go back to work from 2pm- 11pm. I love weeks like that though. I stay busy. I feel like I have a purpose. I don't spend money. I'm helping for the good of the company.

I encountered a few customers this week. These customers were the "silent" bad ones. No, I'm not talking about anything smelling, I talking about the ones that like to rack up on all the free condiments and napkins they can stuff in their bags. I know the economy is bad. But if you think about what these customers are doing, they are creating a chain reaction. They are making our prices go up in food so we can afford the proper condiments. So while you are "saving money" on condiments at home.. In a few months, you will be paying for it when you eat at restaurants (Not just mine). Before you rack up on the "free stuff". Just remember you're not helping the economy any. God tells us not to hoard anything of this world, including food. So why? Why do it?

I could write a book on the adventures of fast food. And for once, it wouldn't be about the "secret food" that goes undiscussed, because there isn't any in my restaurant. It would literally be about the customers and employees. It would be full of laughs and "seriously??'s"  If you have every worked in fast food, you may feel my joy and pain in this. But I'm sure someone would sue me for some stupid reason, so why take the time to write it? If you want stories just ask me.

I was rather frustrated through the week. It feels somedays I go the second mile for people at work or even in public, and it's goes a long time until I even someone acknowledge it or go the second mile for me. And it gets discouraging, and makes me think why do I continue do this?? My old operator Robb always told his leadership, "No matter what, do whats right." It was an open-ended statement, but still you continue to do the good work for the unknown rewards that only God knows and holds.

On a funny note, a few nights ago, a new girl said "How many nuggets do I get with my 8 nugget employee meal?"---- I stood there for a second and probably thought about what she said about 10 times before saying.."Repeat what you just said to me...and listen to yourself." Lets just say there are just some kids I worry about. She wanted to be a teacher she told me in her interview. (hopefully not a math one).

Anyways.. til next time..