Recent Blog Entries
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As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. Luke 6:31 WEB.We had to park way out in the parking lot that day, and it was hot when we came out of the grocery store. There were no cart returns nearby, and I didn't really feel like taking the buggy all the way back to the building. I ... -
You Get What You Need from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Sometimes disappointment comes from unrealistic expectations, like a fish that wants to fly. Fish simply aren't built for graceful air travel, but they can swim like no one else. Likewise, the Lord has given each of us a gift set and...
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Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men." Immediately they left their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:16-18 WEB.When I was youn...
The Worlds Greatest Dad
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He said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.' Mark 14:36 WEB
After growing up in the Bible Belt, my image of God was as a complete disciplinarian, an angry, white-haired, lightning bolt wielding being who stalked me. He was rightly called 'The Lion of Judah.' He was always watching, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting soul that broke one of those precious commandments. There were a lot of those in the Bible, and no one here seemed to know for sure which ones that we should keep, so each family kind of pick and chose what fit.
I mean animal sacrifice was out, but we happily ate pigs and catfish. Looking back, I am pretty sure that 'love your neighbor' wasn't on our list. God didn't seem to notice all of the bad things that were happening either, but if you were to go dancing, or spend a night on the town with friends, you would surely go to hell.
It was rare for me to go to church at all when I was little, and never as a family. I remember visiting the local church with a friend one night and they showed a movie called 'The Burning Hell' which showed people like me, on fire and screaming. God seemed sadistic, and He sure had put an awful lot of work into developing methods that brought maximum torture from sinners. Horrific pictures of Jesus, nailed to a cross, wearing a crown of thorns and bleeding, only enforced the idea.
In stark contrast, my biological dad was the greatest. In fact, that is what we engraved on his tombstone: 'The World's Greatest Dad.' My mom left when I was one and dad struggled to raise three boys on his own and work full time. He made huge sacrifices to keep us together when social services tried to adopt us out, but that is too long to share here. Suffice it to say that he would have given his life for his children.
In Aramaic 'Abba' is the English word that we use for 'Daddy.' Jesus called God the Father, 'Daddy.' This is an intimate, personal connection. Jesus could have used a dozen other names, but the night that He needed His Father the most, He chose this one. So I had a great dad, but from my distorted viewpoint, it seemed like Jesus had an awful one. My dad was loving and forgiving, where His lived for the day of the great white throne judgment.
Somehow, the church had managed to reverse the roles of God and satan. As I grew older and began to build a relationship with God, instead of just hearing what others said about Him, I learned that He was even better to me than my own dad. As I began to intentionally invite Him to be a part of my life, we grew closer and He began to move in my life. He is the world's greatest Dad and full of surprises. When I do mess up, He helps me get back up instead of destroying me in a fiery explosion of 'righteous anger.'
God is tender hearted and He has feelings. He is loving, caring, forgiving, merciful, faithful, patient, kind, peaceful. He really does love you, and He has the best plan for your life. He will remove your past and wash you as white as snow. He will leave the ninety-nine sheep to seek the one that wandered off. Invite Jesus to be a part of your life. Read the gospels and learn about what He was like. It turns out that He has more in store for us here than punishment. There is still hope and a future for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please reveal Yourself to me in a special way like only You can. Draw me into a deeper relationship with You and speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to see the real You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: The highlighted group of the week is Real Support for Military Families, a group is a place to receive and offer encouragement and prayer for members of the military and their families. We recognize that the families of those who serve in particular have daily burdens that often go unnoticed. If you would like to be part of this community, either as part of a military family, or just someone who would like to pray for them, please do join them! You can find them and any of the other groups on the 'Groups' link on the site menu. ALSO, the Creation Photographers group fun theme of the week is "Music to My Ears", based on Psalm 92:1-3, and is open for interpretation! As always, feel free to post any other photos, too! FINALLY, if you would be interested in being part of a technical group (something Dion is thinking about starting), please let us know!
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Thank you for this word of encouragement this morning. Sometimes we forget that no matter where we or what we have done our Father is a Daddy who hovers over you wuth loving kindness and tender mercies. God bless you
Amen.
amen
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please reveal Yourself to me in a special way like only You can. Draw me into a deeper relationship with You and speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to see the real You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Amen! Thank you
AMEN!! I've been told that often times our view of God the Father is skewed because of our view and relationships with our physical father's. Without reading the bible one will never truly understand God's passion and love for each of us. Yes Pastor Dion He is the world's greatest dad! I am ever so happy He chose me and loves not just me but the creation set around us as well.
THANK YOU!
Abba I love you so very much! When I was lost in all the mess that I created for my life you waited patiently for me to turn back to you to help me get back on the right track. When I was homeless, you gave me a place to go, when I had no job, you steered me into the job I have now. It may not be the perfect job, but it has enabled me to get a place of my own and I have not gone hungry. You have given me the desires of my heart and have not let me give up or give in when things get rough. Thank you for being the world's greatest father!
amen
Praise the Lord and Thank you always Pastor Todd for your daily messages that richly Bless our spirits.
This is the Father that I have found also, when I grew up in the organized denominational church, I did not want to be involved with the God they told me about. Thank God and His son Jesus, they had patience with me until I needed them most. I have said before, God found me laying in a ditch, lifted me up, cleaned me off, and gave me my life back in spades. I have a hard time understanding why I was not shown who God was when I was young. It is only be His grace that I am alive and living in this world.
I believe John 3:16 says it all For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believeith in him should not perish but have everlasting life!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Heavenly Father, please reveal Yourself to me in a special way like only You can. Draw me into a deeper relationship with You and speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to see the real You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for your devotion. :-) May all the praise and glory go to my, Father/Abba. Amen <3 I love you Father/ Abba. <3
Amen
Thank you dear Pastor, for the inspiring message!
Amen.Thank you Heavenly Father,for you Love Grace and Mercy.;for you great love,and forgiveness of sin.Thank you for touching my life when I was young,for always being there for me and known as my Heavenly Father.When I strayed and went my own way,you never left me,and brought me back into the fold.A Father to the fatherless.Draw me closer to you,and reveal to me in the things and person you want me to be .In he name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen
Amen,
Amen
Amen! Only God Himself knows what His plans are, we need to just trust that He is who He is. He will bless your life in ways that you were not even expecting!
Oh Dear Father here Im,lead me to what You want me be in the way You only know. In Jesus name I pray. Amen .
Thank you Pastor.
Lord, please lead me inot what you have for me, and help make work fun, simple and easy. Please replace or fix my shattered dreams. Amen.
Amen Thank YOU Jesus!!!!
I, too, grew up in fear of God. I need to hear the message of love over and over again. Thank you for preaching the message of God's infinite love.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, please reveal Yourself to me in a special way like only You can. Draw me into a deeper relationship with You and speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to see the real You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen!
Amen
Thank you Abba Father....for loving me even though I mess up all the time.
Help me to be a child according to your will and make you smile just like you do me
Yes lord walk with me inl jesus name amen
I love my Papi although he passed 21 years ago. Thank you God for giving me hope. Please Holy Spirit fill me with joy. Praise God in the name of Jesus Amen.
Amen1 God wants to be the best for you, the choice is yours. Thank You Lord!
Yes,God is the world's greatest DAD....Amen
Amen! Sounds like things I was told as a child. My parents sent us to church on Sundays. My Sunday school class was like just another school day. It was a Presbyterian Church and my teacher drilled us every Sunday on the Caticisum, The Creeds, membership rituals, and the Bible. I disliked school and I despised being grilled and drilled at church. I had no idea of who God really is. Great message Pastor Dion!! God is Good!
Amen
Father help me to know you more and more every day. Thank you for forgiving me everyday. In Jesus Name, Amen
Amen. I have to thank my Guardian Angel, My Daddy, who has always watched over me. He passed away on Thanksgiving Day when I was 12years old. I know he never left me completely. My Heavenly Father also watches over me. I am Thankful for all my Blessings. Amen
Heavenly Father I know that You love me and I need You to stay close to me, help me to understand Your word and designs as You talk to me. I love You dear Father, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Awesome devotional Pastor, God bless you
Amen!
Amen!
Yes Lord, cleanse me white as snow. Amen!
Amen. Heavenly Father, Thank You for watching over my family & me. I'm. Forever grateful. Amen
Amen
Anem, thank you Father in Heaven for loving me so much.
Thank you for prompting special memories of my dad this morning, Pastor Dion. Although paralyzed and imperfect, he taught me a lot about love. I'm so thankful to God for His boundless love. Lord, draw me into a deeper relationship with You. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen
I see God as merciful kind loving Amen
O' Heavenly Father we thank You so much for Your loving care and forgiveness that You as our Father in Heaven has provided us through our lives, speak to us in a way we can understand and lead us to Your Holy message. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. Thank You again Father.
Awesome message Pastor, thank you and Sylvia for showing us how to be closer to our Lord, God bless you both, Amen.
Amen!!
Amen!
Amen
Yes, He Is...XO