Will You Cry Out For Him?

Luke 19 37-40
37 As he was drawing near, already on the way down the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."

That's us, with the world and some of the people around us saying, do you really want to play "Christian music"? If you're going play music, why not play something people want to listen to? My answer is built on my faith, and I know that people need to know the Lord. I want to help spread the Word of God to anyone who will listen. I can't stand up in front of a crowd and preach a sermon, but I can use the talent that God gave to me for His purpose! The music we play is filled with a message and that message is that God is our salvation. He is our redeemer, our refuge in times when other things bring us to the point of giving up. We don't give up because we know that we are going to be alive in Him forever.

If we don't play the music, or preach the Word of God, if we don't praise our Lord and Savior, the rocks themselves will sing and cry out! I want to be a rock who is crying out! Be a rock, a rock for the Lord! Shout His praise to everyone that will hear!

Rick

Would You Rather Have Jesus?

Matthew 16:24-26 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?'" What a familiar passage that has been read by so many people. What does it truly mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? As many people read this post, I imagine that the answers will be similar and would all relate to giving up your selfish nature. Our world has made it so very easy to focus on ourselves and be filled with pride and arrogance, which is the complete opposite command in the scriptures. I am reminded of the beautiful song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus" which was written in 1922 by Rhea Miller, the mother of George Beverly "Bev" Shea. Most of us know Bev for his role in singing the opening songs in the Billy Graham Crusade for so many years. Rhea was very concerned for the salvation of her teenage son, and had written the lyrics to this hymn. One day many years later, she had placed the words that she had written near the organ, hoping that he would see them as he practiced his music for the church service to be held the next day. As Bev read the lyrics and reflected on God's promises for his life, he created the music for the hymn that is sung in churches today. Here are the words to this beautiful hymn: I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand. Than to be a king of a vast domain Or be held in sin's dread sway, I'd rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today. I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I'd rather be true to His holy name. He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He's sweeter than honey from out of the comb; He's all that my hungering spirit needs, I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead. Dear Friend, is that your prayer and earnest desire today? Would you rather have Jesus than silver or gold? If we will allow Him to lead us, He will offer us peace and joy, and most of all, eternal life! Dave Henry

Who/What is your Goliath?

The story of David and Goliath is probably one of the best known Old Testament stories. David is a very simple man in my opinion, much like myself and most of all of you reading this. As Goliath goes and calls for someone to come and fight him each day, David hears him and he asks Saul to let him go and fight. After David gets the ok, Saul tries to give him his own armor and weapon, but this isn't what David needs. He tells Saul that he is not used to it and he can't use it. David goes out to fight this, literally, GIANT with just a sling and some stones, and of course, God, what could be a better weapon? He kills Goliath without ever coming in contact with him. Who or what is the "Goliath" in your life? This story is the perfect example of Phillipians 4:13. Even though Christ was not actually on Earth at this point, David had faith that his God, our God, would deliver. He didn't need the big heavy "earthly" armor not did he need an "earthly" sword because he had the Lord fighting for him. What a great feeling knowing that we serve a powerful God!!! *We Do Indeed Serve An Awesome God* - Tyler

What Do You Have?

I have nothing, yet I have everything I could want!

Philippians 3:7-14

7 (But) whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.
8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith
10 to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,
11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus).
13 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Anything we have on earth will be nothing, because everything is waiting for us in Heaven prepared by our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have gained life! Not life as we have here on earth but life with unending joy, unfailing love, and peace forever. That is His promise to us. That is what we should live for, joy and love!

My prayer for you this day is you learn to give God what he wants, what He deserves. That you may find the joy, love and peace in your life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Rick

Walking in the light.

1 John 1:5-7
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is
light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have
fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live
by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son,
purifies us from all sin."

Dave L

Worry

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! All I have to say is AMEN! I realize a big part of growing up is learning to manage your money, I mean thats what I'm majoring in college even, but theres a line in this also. Sometimes you just have to let go and remember this verse, I sometimes lose sleep over worrying about things such as money or lack of time, just stupid things that stress me out. What's important of this message is that we all take a step back and breath because we know God will provide!! AMEN! *We Serve An Awesome God* - Tyler

You Are the Light of the World

(NIV) Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Shortly after I awakened this morning, I looked out the living room window and saw a very heavy fog in all directions. It was near the time of sunrise, and as the sun began to ascend over the eastern sky, the beauty of the sun's rays illuminated the fog and even changed the color of the fog. Several hours later, the fog "burned off" and the day quickly became a gorgeous sunny day filled with blue skies. I was reminded of today's verse as I gazed at the fog and reflected on the sins of this world. As I repeatedly glanced at the sun, I realized that we are commanded to be the light of the world. We are called to live in the light and not in darkness and sin. Dear Friend, are you living in the light? The foggy things of this world will quickly disappear as we let God's light fill us, and we share it with others. Dave Henry

Do Not Be Weary

Brothers do not be weary! It is God's plans and God's timing that "He
sends His word and melts them; He stirs up His breezes, and the waters
flow". (psalm 147:18) This verse was given to me from Rich Carmicheal
a few months ago. And how true it rings in my mind today. With all
the events happening around us, we too are a part of God's plan. God
will use us just at the right time, at the right place, and have
everything in order for His message to carry through. In his timing
He will send His word, and that word will melt people across this
land. God will stir His breezes, and the Heavenly winds will carry
us.
We will RideTheWind of God!. We will play until our fingers bleed, we
will sing until our voices are gone, and we will dance to the beat of
the music God has given us untill the day we are called home! Stand
firm in your faith, and press forward. Lift up your voice with
praise!!!! God is, and was, and always will be!!!!

Jonny

Listen to your Father

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14, NKJV
Jesus was touchable, approachable, reachable . . .

He was the kind of fellow you'd invite to watch the Rams-Giants game at your house. He'd wrestle on the floor with your kids, doze on your couch, and cook steaks on your grill. He'd laugh at your jokes and tell a few of his own. And when you spoke, he'd listen to you as if he had all the time in eternity.
And one thing's for sure, you'd invite him back.
(Max Lucado)

Do you know your Lord and Savior, does He live within you? All you have to do is ask and He will answer! It might not always be the answer you want, but He will answer. Just like growing up with your parents, the answer was "no" to some things. With God as our Father, He will live in you, love you and be with you though everything. You just need to listen and know He knows what is best for you, because He listens to you. Father truly does know best!

May the peace of the Lord be with you!
Rick

Trusting in Him

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit."- Romans 15:13
Trusting in God is a very difficult thing for me to do at times. No
matter how hard I try, I find that I need to do things for myself. I
know everything works out better in time if you trust in Him.
Sometimes we see a great path to take, but unless you trust in Him, it
could be the wrong path. You have to pray that He will open the right
doors for you. If you trust in Him and truly focus on His voice, He
will show you the right path.

Dave

Strength

Judges 16:28-30
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

What wonders our God can work through us. Samson was a true believer of God and put his faith and trust in God 100%. Look at the strenght God gave Samson? Showing even as much faith as a mustard seed can move mountains. Let us join together and be faithful to our God in Heaven! The wonders He will work through us all!
*I Serve An Awesome God*
- Tyler

What an Amazing Friend We have in Jesus!

(NIV) Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." What a familiar couple of verses that promise us such comfort and peace! These two verses were written with great command. In front of the word 'Do' which is not written, but is implied, is the word 'you.' Also in front of the word 'present' is the word 'you' as well. Dear Friend, are you anxious today? The bible has commanded each and everyone of us to not be anxious about anything. Our society has enabled and propelled us to become creatures that harbor worry and anxiety. Our Father in heaven has commanded us to come to Him with our concerns and our worries and our anxiety. If and only if we come to Him with our burdens will we be able to find complete peace that is beyond our imagination and understanding. Won't you trust Him today? He is able and ready and willing to take away all of your cares and trade them for an abundance of everlasting peace! Dave Henry

Be still

Ps 46:10

Be still and know that I am God.

Wow!  I really just needed a moment.  I have felt like there have been three Monday's in this week. 
I know you all are right there with me.  So many things to get done and time just keeps on moving.
Finally, today just a few minutes ago. I am taking a break!  Caught up in all the paperwork and
calculations of my day to day work.  I pray you will all take a moment and reflect on the verse.
I have to say "WOW" again.  God created everything around us!  Isn't that amazing!  Have a great day!

Jonny
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Are you a hand, or a foot?

Abraham Lincoln once said, characteristically: "I am sorry for the man who can't feel the whip when it is laid on the other man's back…"
Jesus wept tears of compassion at the graveside of a friend. He mourned over Jerusalem because it had lost its appreciation of the things of the spirit. His great heart was sensitive to the needs of others.
Tears shed for self are of weakness, but tears of love shed for others are a sign of strength. I am not as sensitive as I ought to be until I am able to "weep o'er the erring one and lift up the fallen." Until I learned the value of compassionately sharing others' sorrow, distress, and misfortune, I can not know real happiness.
(From The Secret of Happiness by Billy Graham)

We are the body of Christ, each of us makes up one little part, and as such we should make every effort to do work as God would have us do. This week I challenge you to do something in Christ for another, a smile, a kind word, or just a prayer for someone in need. My friends, Jesus Christ endured everything man could hand out to Him and He did this for you and me. 
May God bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May He give you His peace both now and forever. 

Dedicated to my loving Aunt Julie
Rick
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Love

1 Corinthians 13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

What a great passage!!! It goes along with our relationship with our Lord, Jesus, as well as our relationships with friends, brothers and neighbors. But, what I am thinking about today is my relationship with my wife and kids.

My kids mean the world to me, they are a source of unconditional love, a source of joy and a source of laughter. I think of the other day, when my daughter wanted a snack when she just had one and we were about to eat supper. I told her no, so she went to the other room for a little bit... Then she came back with a picture she drew for me, it simply said "Mad at you". I get a good laugh out of a lot of things my kids do. They are an awesome blessing. There are no feelings like the ones we have for our kids.

My wife is also a tremendous blessing for me. She is the greatest wife a guy could ever have! She keeps our house looking great, grocery shops and takes care of our three kids as well as baby-sitting two other kids, among doing many other things! She is a super woman!! I am extremely blessed to be married to this beautiful woman! Stay-at-home mom is a very difficult job and I commend her on this task.

I want to encourage every man who reads this to think about all the things our wives do for our families, and give them some encouraging words today!

Dave L

March 14th Inspiration

No specific verse but in John 2 there is the story of Jesus clearing the temple. The story talks about Jesus finding men in the temple selling sheep and other animals for sacrifices. Jesus "blows His top" and runs the people out saying to them that He can't believe they have turned His Father's house into a market.

Perhaps we aren't turning the church into a market like the men of this time, but are we really treating church like a body of Christ? How often do we see people sit in church and then right after it's over, criticize the pastor's message or talk about how it wasn't over directly at noon and they can't believe that they were held over for 5 or 10 minutes. JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE...HE GAVE HIS BODY AND HIS BLOOD FOR US!!! How often do we find it inconvienent to follow as He has instructed us. How often do we stray from what He teaches us and on top of that, how often does it work out for the better when we stray from what He tells us? Too often we complain or stray from Him and for what? Our own benefits? Who am I to say what's best for me rather than the very God that created me?!? Who am I??? So many times we take things into our own hands and it just doesn't work like that, I really feel like sometimes I drive Jesus to "blow His top."

I guess I don't have a specific message in this inspiration. Rather, I used this as a way of confessing some of my own sin, too often I do what I think is best and I put Jesus aside because it seems inconvienent. But thankfully, I serve a loving, caring, merciful, grace giving, Awesome God that is slow to anger and quick to forgive. Praise GOD!!

*I Serve An Awesome God*
- Tyler

My Jesus I Love Thee

1 John 4:19 "We love Him, because He first loved us." The lyrics to the song "My Jesus, I Love Thee" were written in 1864 by a 16 year old boy from Canada. His name is William Ralph Featherston. Over the centuries and even today, many parents and grandparents have failed to recognize the value and potential of great contributions of the younger generation. Even in the 16th century, Martin Luther had declared that the young people 'are utterly dissolute and disorderly.' Dear Friend, the scriptures have instructed us to love each other, because He has first loved us. That includes showing love to all ages, not just to the accomplished and successful ones around us. The beautiful hymn written so many years ago by a young man, was believed to have been written shortly after his coming to Jesus Christ. He later sent it to another family member to have it published. I am so very thankful for this song today! As I play the song on my harp regularly to remind me of my commitment to Jesus and his unwaivering love for us, I always reflect on the beautiful words in the song. Do you know the melody? I encourage you to sing this hymn in your devotional time today, and proclaim your allegiance to Him. My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

Oh What A Day

Hey everyone! During my morning devotion today reading through the forth chapter of 1st John verses 9 and 10.

"We love Him because He first loved us."

I have to say WOW! after a rehearsal last night. We are working on a new song written by my wonderful partner Dee! Song titled "Oh what a day". A song filled with passion and truth. I will share a few of the lyrics with you, but I have to say. It was a wonderful time spent with my brothers riding the wind of God. God is really doing some amazing things all around us. With that we are constantly being attacked from all directions. Satan has be trying his best to beat us down. I am thankful that God has gathered the men that I share a calling to form RideTheWind. Brothers in which I can confide and lean upon in times of trouble. This week Dave L. and I have been working on the video for "I want to be Dad". Let me tell you, at moments I have felt like my heart has been ripped out. Each picture in the video has a moment frozen in time in my memory. Can't wait to share it with you all.

Here are some lyrics to "Oh what a day"

There are marks upon His hands,
There are marks upon His feet.
There are thorn scars etched upon His brow.
There's the blood He shed for me,
that I might know that I am free.
And He was and is and always will be.

Oh what a day
when He calls upon my name
and brings me home to rest by His side
the trumpets will play and the angels will sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah to the King

I read the word
I sing the song
I pray the prayer
for Him to come
I've been on my knee's
I lift my hands
for Jesus Christ to take this Land!


Have a great day!

Jonny
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

March 9th

Job 11:13-19 - Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

I'm not sure what spoke to me more, the truth of this scripture or the way I had apparently highlighted this in Bible already and forgot about it because I randomly opened it and this was what I turned to. This scripture says that God will lift us up if we just let go of all the things Satan is putting on us. By letting those burdons go to Jesus, we may truely walk with our heads held high and be proud of who God has created us to be!! So I encourage all who read this to join me in this week to just simply let go of your troubles and let God take control!! Let's all make a difference and see what wonders God works in our lives when we give him the drivers seat!!!


*I Serve An Awesome God*
-Tyler