Scrambled Eggs & Corn Flakes

I am Yahweh Lord God Messiah Creator Good Shepherd King of Kings Light of the World Prince of Peace Friend of Sinners Father Alpha and Omega The Word Lord of Lords Name above all Names Redeemer Immanuel God High Priest God of Abraham Adonai Lamb of God Abba Counselor Wonderful Comforter El Shaddai Author of Salvation God of Isaac King of Glory The Way, The Truth, The Life Savior Judge Father of Lights Chief Cornerstone Bread of Life God of Jacob Advocate All-Sufficient Sacrifice Christ Heavenly Father Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Jehovah Master My Refuge Mediator Almighty Ancient of Days Holy One Mighty God True Vine Most High Refuge in times of Trouble Holy Spirit Dwelling Place Deliverer God of Glory Author & Finisher of our Faith My Hiding Place Mighty Fortress Firstborn of All Creation Head of the Church Son of God Jesus

"So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6: 31-34. If there is a verse or passage in the Bible that is my favorite this is the one. It is the one that speaks most to me because of my personality and speaks the entire message of God here. Do not worry. I agree that it is easier said than done. I worry about a lot of things as I am sure everyone does. Doesn't matter how big or small, they are very real. This is a passage that always comes to my mind when I have hit bottom or my energy is at its lowest ebb. It comes to me when I am tested by something that my own knowledge and abil...

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" Romans 13: 1-2 "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor' Romans 13: 5-7 Is there any profession less liked than politician? I think the current congress has a 9% approval rating, yet it seems the same people keep getting re-elected. It's like people say "all those guys are horrible except for ...

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts" Colossians 3:16 I have zero musical talent. One time, when I was helping some friends move a piano - someone tapped a few of the keys. Those who had some musical talent started cringing because they said it was horribly out of tune. I, on the other hand, thought it sounded like a piano. I'm also not blessed with a beautiful singing voice and very rarely, if ever, raise my voice loudly while singing in church. Don't want to injure the hearing of those around me I say. There is the thought that worship is all about singing and playing worship music. But, worship is a state of mind and a way of living. It's not about all the songs you sing or how well you sing them (although it is a part of worship). It cant be all that we do. Romans 12:1 states, "Therefore I urg...

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 Today is my birthday. I am now 44. 1970 was a long, long time ago. It was a heady time. The 60's and the summer of love had just ended, Watergate was still a couple years away, and the Beatles had just recently broke up. The Three Stooges had filmed their last short that sadly would never make it to TV. We had landed on the moon the year before and the Kent State shootings happened that year. That was the world 44 years ago. In November, my parents were blessed with their firstborn, me. I, apparently, was such a blessing, that my parents would have another child in 1972, my sister. Strangely, they didn't have any kids after that. You can interpret that any way you choose. I blame my sister. To give you an idea what was popular in 1970, here is a list. In movies, you had Patton, MASH, Love Story, and Airport. On TV, the popular shows were Marcus Welby M.D., Ironside, Gunsmoke, H...

I was thinking about how a bunch of things that appeared to be very minor in the grand scheme, turned out to have a huge impact on my life. Looking back, you can see the patterns and how people and situations were placed that contributed to your current circumstance. I've always said that you never know if something you say or do will have a big impact. You don't know if that one moment you listened or lent a helping hand meant anything. In fact you may even have forgotten you did something, but the one you positively impacted didn't. God's plans come to fruition in all the small things. Take, for instance, my marriage to Susan. Yes, we met and fell in love. However, lots of little decisions made by us and those around us placed us in the environment for us to meet. The easy answer to why my wife and I are married is because of God. That God positioned all the events and players over the years to lead to that moment still amazes me. Sometimes, I wonder if it were even...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. I don't pray as much as I should. When I do, I don't pray as long as I should. But, I do enjoy praying when I do, by myself or with others. I feel that it is a core element in one's walk with the Lord. There is something powerful in having an intimate conversation with God. Feeling Him move in one's heart and knowing He is hearing me is uplifting. This doesn't mean He answers every prayer in the way I see fit or that He is a genie granting my every wish. Like a good father, He knows what is best for me. A friend once said "Just because my children really want a lion as a pet, doesn't mean I get one for them" Prayer is more important for us as He already knows what is needed. It draws us...

"Your word is a lamp for my feet , a light on my path" Psalm 119:105 Over the years, I have had the honor of being involved in several home groups and on occasion even leading the discussions. I do not think that I am particularly good at leading, despite others' comments about it. When I do lead, my main goal is that we would all learn something and that I am there to facilitate discussion and follow where that leads. It is important to let those around me be fully engaged rather than throwing facts and what I know at them. Granted, my main weakness is not teaching but rather than letting it be a discussion. I should trust what I know at times, especially from a teaching perspective. First and foremost, praying is very important in preparing to lead a bible study. We are not experts on the Bible - some do know more than others - but everyone I hear speak on the word always comments on how they constantly learn something new each time they engage the scriptures. Pray fo...

Just before Susan left on a missions trip to India in 2013, God spoke to me about going. I have documented those thoughts earlier in "Be Prepared to Go". Now, about a year later - I have been thinking about it again. Thus far, I have not had any second thoughts. No fears in my heart nor any stresses financially. (OK, the Tetanus shot has me a little worried). It is funny because these are the kind of decisions that wind me up. Buying and selling a house, preparing for marriage, and job searches have made me more nervous than this. Kind of an unusual position for me to be in. Part of it, is that we are still more than 4 months off. As we get closer, I pray that it wont stress me out more. We have a team of fifteen going. Some newbies, like me, and others who are seasoned pros. We have several going who have outgoing personalities. Me, I am more the quiet blending into the background type. I was told that I might be the quietest person going on this trip. We shall see... Ser...

"Visiting the In-Laws" - is there another phrase that evokes less happiness in the minds of individuals? Are you an Alleluia or Hallelujah person? Biblical scholars - is there a difference? I have always thought Hallelujah was more formal. Like wearing a tie to a dinner party. We need more smiling in the world. Listen to George Carlin's comments on airline travel before you board a flight. It's pretty freaky how right he is. Anyone else notice how mean and indifferent Santa is towards others in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? The logic of a three year old is a wonder to behold. What is with all the videotaping of all moments? Isn't it better to experience them live and let our memories do all the work? Walking through Orlando and hearing so many other languages reminds me of what a small world this actually is. I don't do well in silence. There are many things that were so much cooler as children that seem pretty lame now that we are adults. Ever n...

It all started innocently enough. I received several calls over a few days from a school in downtown Cleveland to let me know that my child was absent from school. This was definitely news to me - seeing as how my wife and I have no children. I had to call them and inform them of their error. Over the next month, I received many calls from collection agencies, banks, retail establishments, and car dealerships telling me I owed money and my car was being repossessed. Funny thing, these were all businesses and establishments I had no interaction with. They were all looking for the wrong Chris - but it was frustrating. Then, most recently, when my short sale was going through, we discovered that there was a lien from the State of Ohio for back taxes. This held up the process even longer but that was all worked out. What have I discovered about this Chris? He's married, lives in Parma, and apparently unwilling to pay for anything. He is like my imperfect clone - a bizarro Chris. You ...

So, a while back I posted my thoughts on missions overseas and if I were ever going to go. I wrote that when my wife was preparing for a missions trip to India in February. She is a pro at this, having been to Africa, Brazil, England, and India. Me, on the other hand, has wandered outside the United States once - a one year anniversary trip to Toronto. Maybe someday, we will take a trip to Europe - but that will be the extent of my international traveling experience. (Some of my readers from overseas - feel free selling me on visiting your country someday) So, imagine my surprise as I was writing my thoughts regarding missions trips that I would get the sense of four words: "Be Prepared to Go" Actually, this is how the conversation went: God: Be Prepared to Go Me: Excuse Me? God: Be Prepared to Go Me: Go where? The grocery store? To work? God: Be Prepared to Go!!! (The tone here is when your parent has told you something repeatedly and you haven't listened yet and ...

I am not much of a preacher. I'm definitely not talented enough to be a worship leader or play an instrument. I don't teach and don't consider myself an expert on the bible. Also, I am not super comfortable going up at church to receive or give prayer. When we get involved in a new church or become Christians, we can wonder how we can possibly fit in. Possibly we can feel that if we are not giving a sermon or leading a ministry, we may not have a real role. Or we can feel not qualified or that our "skill set" won't allow us to have any real role in ministry. There are some people who are more comfortable working behind the scenes than being in front of the group. I don't know as I struggle with that myself. I have a degree in accounting, a personality that takes time to warm up to others, and prefers to be quiet. I wondered at times where I might fit in. I do know that God blesses those who serve quietly, just as He does those that lead. One of my favori...

I have always been someone who needs proof. Tangible evidence is important to me. If something is easily explainable, I have an easier time accepting it. I am an accountant, things have to balance and make sense. If there are expenses and revenue, I need the back-up to prove that it is legitimate. So, for me, I need to see the evidence tangibly in my hands right in front of me. This has run me at times into issues with my faith. I accept the teachings of scripture (because I read them in the bible). But, because I haven't seen some of the things mentioned, I tend to have the heart of Thomas at times. Some of these things include visions, healings, speaking in tongues, or prophecy. I believe they happened cause I read of them. But, I didn't experience those things growing up. They were never taught as being part of the experience of being Christian. I admit I was pretty skeptical. The stories in the bible made sense as they happened to Jesus and his disciples. That kind of stuf...

It's funny that every once in a while, I will remember something clear as day - just like it happened yesterday. Some memory, a song, something that was said. Sometimes you remember a lesson or sermon you heard, that you forgot until right now. I don't believe in coincidences, so I thought I would write it down. It's a sermon that has stuck with me off and on over the years from my Lutheran days. I don't remember who preached it and when it was from. To be honest, it might have been a true story (that's how it was presented) - but you never know. And in my retelling, I may misremember some of the facts or embellish them. Time does sometimes play havoc with memories. The sermon was about another church and apparently one Saturday night, they were broken into. Stuff might have been stolen, but the church was definitely ransacked and vandalized. During the vandalizing, some spray paint had been used. One of the perpetrators wrote in spray paint behind the altar ...

There are things we do behind closed doors that we wouldn't want our friends and family to know about. They might be surprised at our actions and not recognize this behavior in us. You might use names to call each other things that you wouldn't use in public for fear of getting strange looks. Susan and I cant be the only ones who engage in this behavior. Surely, there are those of you who act differently behind closed doors. Admit it, you might be. In general, do you act silly, goofy, or weird with your loved ones in private? Do you sing goofy, made-up songs to your spouse or do silly things just to get a reaction from them? Do you call each other names (and I don't mean bad words) that are your own and not for human consumption? Like you both have your own special language you share with each other? If you answered yes, boy are you weird (just kidding). But, there's a special bond that's formed among friends and even more specifically with your significant other. ...

You ever notice when someone does something crazy or depraved and they get caught several of them will say "God told me to do that"? If they commit murder, nuisance, or run around their neighborhood naked some tend to give God the credit for it. Now I don't know every conversation that God has with people here. But, I am fairly certain he doesn't tell people to kill or commit mayhem. Maybe the naked guy is possible, but even there I'm thinking God is going to speak something more life-affirming but that's me. I've never seen in the bible God telling people to sin against one another. We're pretty good at doing stuff like that on our own. But, we do like to give God credit for the crazy stunts we pull. On the reverse side, very rarely you see people saying this when they do wonderful things. If someone donates a huge sum of money, or they rescue someone - you rarely hear them say "God told me to do that". At least, not in the same numbers as...

I grew up a member of the Lutheran church. This story is not meant to bash Lutherans or their church. Each church has good and bad aspects to them, primarily because its filled with people. My mother would take us to church each Sunday for years. It helped to form the beginnings of my faith, it started my walk with the Lord. We would go to church each week, listen to the readings, sing a few hymns, go through the liturgy, and listen to the sermon. It was somewhat fulfilling. I was getting fed the word of God, but even as a youngster I always felt there was more. There are a lot of Christians whose only spiritual interaction is for an hour or so each Sunday. They come to church, get fed, and are sent off into the world for the upcoming week. Then, the next week they are "re-filled" and the process starts over. Kind of like a spiritual gas station. Let me say, going to church is a great thing. If you are going to church each week, I recommend that you continue. If it is the o...

It is somewhat hard to be selfless in this day and age. We are inundated with images and words in our society telling us to look out for ourselves or to do things that benefit us. We are a naturally selfish group - humanity. It is a constant struggle we deal with. Me - I struggle with it. I am very protective of my time and my resources. I place my faith, at times, in what I have and work hard to maintain that security. I know when it comes to helping others out, it usually has to happen on my time and if I can afford it. And when it does, I give myself a pat on the back for being helpful. But is it to my credit to pick and choose when I am helpful? I am not saying you have to help every single time at the expense of your own financial, emotional, and spiritual health. But am I really being helpful if I am not willing at times to step out of my comfort zone. As I said before, I struggle with the issue. I like planning out my time and budgeting my resources. I am not a fan of changin...