To get you ready for the fun, here’s a funny video of the Toy Story characters on Google. Enjoy!

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Over the next couple of days I will catch up on a few book reviews, and fill you in on what’s been happening in my world.

Have a great night!

This video was written by worship leader Stephen miller, performed by Nya Dillard, and produced by Jason Benjamin.

Great job!

What would you do if you had one month to live? That’s the intriguing question that will drive an inspiring new message series from Senior Pastor Ken Whitten, at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida.

Easter services are on Saturday, April 11, 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, 9:00 or 11:00 a.m.

This is a life changing event you will not want to miss. Hope to see you there!

Though Jesus needs absolutely nothing from His children, He has bestowed upon us the privilege of serving Him by serving others.

Are you serving today? Who are you serving today?

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matt 5:46-47

Step outside of the church. Step outside of your Christian circles. Open your eyes, look around. What do you see?

Jesus saw a world that was lost and hurting. He saw His enemies as opportunities. He saw potential. He saw hope.

I pray today that I would be able to see the world through the same lens and through that lens I would be forever changed.

When I’m teaching I use the New American Standard Bible (NASB) as my main bible reference. Mostly because I have found it to be the most accurate translation. Plus it is the version of the Bible I’ve used for the last 15 years.

Recently I purchased a Chronological Bible and it New International Version (NIV). I enjoy reading it and find it to be very straight forward.

In class a couple of weeks ago, I used the New Living Translation (NLT) on a handout. I did so because I wanted the class to be able to read a verse to a small group and I wanted the reader to be able to share the verse in very plain, everyday language. We didn’t have time for the reader to explain the context of the words used as that would take away from the topical discussion. That handout caused a few eyebrows to be raised because I used NLT versus some of the more common interpretations of the Bible.

My question today is: What version of the Bible do you use and why?

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt 6:33

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Heb 12:2

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6

I’m not even sure how to blog about this topic, because it is so unfinished in my mind. I can’t seem to get my head around it. The thought process is this: If Christ is the center of our lives, then why do we spend so much time away from the center? Instead of going to the center (Holiness), we constantly try to get as far away (world) from the center, but still close enough to be considered in the center. Does that make sense?

We like to push away from the center and see who goes with us. If other Christians are with us, then over time that edge becomes the norm. The circle of Christ somehow becomes wider and we feel safe “in Christ.”

Eventually someone else pushes further outside and looks around to see who is with them. As long as fellow believers are there, then they feel safe and can continue on as a “Christ Follower.”

The circle continually gets larger, but at the same time we are going further and further from Christ. We claim that we are close…but are we?

Now if someone ventures too far outside and no one goes with him, then he becomes exposed and possibly an outcast. Ted Haggard can tell you more about this place. But I digress…

Sometimes I think we push away from the center with our finances, relationships, and responsibilities. I also think churches can push away from holiness with their music, sermon titles & marketing.

So here’s the deal. One of the great things about blogging is that I do not have to have the answer. Therefore I’m presenting this for discussion and I’d like to get your opinion. Let’s discuss it.

What she didn’t know was that in two days I would give her what she wanted three-fold. It had been planned for a while and was a surprise. I could have come clean, but it would have ruined the surprise and that wouldn’t have made anyone happy. I withheld from her request because I knew that something much bigger was in store for her in the future.

I wonder how often we do this to God?

We ask for something and don’t receive it right away. So we ask again. But when we don’t receive it immediately, we demand it or try to do it on our own. We turn our back on the loving God who will provide everything in His perfect timing.

All along God had something for us. His perfect plan. Its much more than we wanted or could conceive on our own.

But we never see all that He had for us because of our attitude and disobedience. Caught in our own selfishness, we lose fellowship with the Father and also lose the blessing.

I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21