Quote of the Day - 10/31/12

“Going through the award season I realized that what we see on the screen, the red carpet, it’s all a façade.  If [the awards are] your end all be all, it’s empty, it’s not satisfying.” - Christina Lee Storm

Quote of the Day - 7/23/12

“But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.” – Francis Chan

There so many evils finding their way to the surface these days and being supported by the secular world.  People are defining what truth is to them and therefore morals and values are being redefined based solely on an individual’s desires.  Or those who clam to be Christ followers try to re-define what God’s Truth is only to support their own desires.  The result of all this is nothing but chaos.  This is true today as it has been throughout history.  It will inevitably lead to our destruction here on earth, and if we are not careful, in eternity as well.

In other parts of this world, Christians are separated from their families, tortured or persecuted to the point of death because of their faith.

Here in the US we are fortunate not to suffer the same way.  We are not losing our families or our lives because of what we believe.  Instead we are tormented and taunted by the secular world.   We are being force to except their ideas or be cast out or “black balled.”

So how do we combat this?  By standing firm in our faith and with prayer.

Prayer is a gift from God.  It’s our way to communicate with our Creator.  We need to be communicating with God on a daily bases, if not more often. Our prayer life is so precious and important to God.  Once restored, this relationship is something that no one can sever.  Not even in this world that tries to suppress it.

We need to keep praying to God that others will understand and follow His Word.  The Truth.  If I told you about a place with no more suffering, no more arguing, no more pain, a place where all our needs are met, a place of eternal peace.  You might say that is a fantasy.  Now, what if I told you that this place was real.  Wouldn’t you want to know how to get there?  Well, that place is real!  And you can go their.  God provided the way! His way IS the ONLY way.  God told this to us out of love.  If that is offensive to someone, I am sorry, but the Truth hurts sometimes.  Sometimes you hurt the ones you love the most. Penn Jillette, an atheist comedian, magician, and filmmaker said, "How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?" 

I will not follow their path into chaos.   I chose to follow God’s path.  He gave us His Word to read, study and pray over.  He sent His Son to show us His True character, how to live, how to teach, how to communicate with the Almighty, and how to die on our way into eternity with Him.   I pray, with all my heart, that others, especially those I love and care about, choose to follow that same path.

1 Corinthians 15:58 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

Quote of the Day 6/24/12

"However thankful we may be for all our personal pleasures, we mustn’t for a moment lose sight of the great things that we’re living for, and they must shed light rather than gloom on your joy.”         
 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Quote of the Day - 6/04/12

“There is nothing in this world that can compare with the Christian fellowship; nothing that can satisfy but Christ. “ - John D. Rockefeller

Quote of the Day - 4/26/12

“It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men's lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.” Theodore Roosevelt

Quote of the Day 04/09/12

“I resolved to give God everything I’ve got, then I’ll leave the results up to him.” – Alex Kendrick in Facing the Giants.

Quote of the Day 03/16/12

“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life." – Albert Einstein

Quote of the Day 03/13/12

Ask any police officer (or watch any reality Cops show) and you'll see just how creatively we humans can string together a list of excuses for any and every deviant behavior. From the inner-city streets to the therapist's couch we have become experts in rationalizing why we do what we do, and why what we do really isn't "blame-worthy" because it really isn't our fault. Open the Bible and you'll find no sympathy for that kind of thinking. Excuses are never received kindly in the pages of Scripture. What God is looking for are people who will admit their transgressions and accept full responsibility for their sins. Biblical wisdom instructs: "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). God is a merciful God, but his mercy and grace are not granted to those who do not accept ownership for their behavior. There may be many reasons for our sins, but there are ultimately no excuses. May we all experience the extravagant grace of God as we consistently practice brutal honesty concerning ourselves, our words and our actions. - Pastor Mike Fabarez

Quote of the day 03/09/12

“Something I learned early in college (is) to not worry about what I can’t control…But what I can control is my attitude, my effort, my focus every single day and that’s what I’m trying to worry about.” 

 – Tim Tebow

I applaud Tim Tebow for maintaining his faith in such a media driven and ego boosting profession.  Not unlike the entertainment industry, football players and anyone in the spotlight, get bombarded by money, girls and fame.  All these things cater to our sinful desires and if we are weak, we give in.  Don’t get me wrong, we are all human, but by admitting that we are human also means that we are sinful, self serving and prideful.  This is why it is so important that we root ourselves in the teaching of the Bible.  As I read and study the Bible it becomes more and more apparent that God provided guidance for all situations.  Yes, even for the modern day man.

Colossians 2:6-7

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Quote for the Day 2/02/12

“There is a great need for dedicated Christian groups committed to one another, committed to a vision of justice, committed to Christ; groups that will pray together, think together, formulate policies together, and get to work together in the community.” - John Stott

Quote of the Day - 01/11/12

“I think that best way to honor Christ is to be extraordinary at what you do.” – *Phil Cooke

This is probably the best motivation a Christ follower could have to succeed in whatever you pursue.  We are called to honor Christ in everything we do, say and think.  While we can go crazy in our pursuit of excellence we should always strive to me more Christ like in how we live our lives.  Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” - John 8:31-32. 

What an awesome opportunity to live in this day for Christ.  I see it as a personal challenge to be winsome in my witness to those who openly oppose Christ today.  To try and live out WWJD in every situation becomes increasingly difficult if you are not grounded in the faith and continually studying, mediating, praying and involved in fellowship with other believers.

1 John 2:4-6

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

*Phil Cooke is a director, producer, author and speaker.  Phil, along with his wife Kathleen, founded Cooke Pictures in 1991.  He has a lot of insight on the topic of Christian media because he sees it first hand.  You can check out his web page at http://philcooke.com/.  Please pick up his book Jolt.  It is a must for those looking to get their career moving and stay motivated.

Please read my interview with Phil Cooke in the interview section of the blog.
http://cafe-fellowship.blogspot.com/p/interviews.html