Laugh and Dance!

Keep on laughing and dancing!

Can't see image, go here. Look for March 17, 2011 post.

You Shall Not Want

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

To the lost sheep, He is the seeking Shepherd;
To the needy sheep, He is the providing Shepherd;
To the hurting sheep, He is the comforting Shepherd;
To the bruised sheep, He is the healing Shepherd;
To the anxious sheep, He is the peaceful Shepherd;
To the wandering sheep, He is the guiding Shepherd;
To the fearful sheep, He is the protecting Shepherd;
To the lame sheep, He is the carrying Shepherd;
To the discontented sheep, He is the fulfilling Shepherd;
To the parched sheep, He is the anointing Shepherd;
To the timid sheep, He is the reassuring Shepherd;
To the fallen sheep, He is the merciful Shepherd;
To the nervous sheep, He is the quieting Shepherd;
To the heavy laden sheep, He is the restful Shepherd;
To the lonely sheep, He is the ever-present Shepherd;
To the weary sheep, He is the restoring Shepherd;
To all His sheep, He is the Good Shepherd.

by Roy Lessin, his blog is here.

Communicating Vision to Your Church

Last week I took the entire service to share on vision for The Vine Fellowship and our finances from 2010. I did it with guests in the house! I have to admit it is a struggle for me not to 'preach the gospel' but I feel this is an equally important task in the life of our church. For 20 years I have done a 'State of the Church Address' that incorporates vision and finances. We are a church that is open about our finances, how we use the people's (God's) money, and give a public accounting of it. We have nothing to hide. We belong to the Kingdom of Light not darkness! We are open and honest about finances. In fact, we are open about any communication here at The Vine given by email or verbally; you say it you own up to it!

Here is what I recently wrote for our Sunday bulletin:

---
Dear Saints,
Thank you for your support and encouragement with last week’s service on The Vine Fellowship vision and finances. I know some of you may have had guests here and it may not been what you wanted them to experience and I fully understand. It is equally rough for me to take a full Sunday morning service to do it. But it does serve important purposes:

1. It helps everyone to know that we are open and transparent about our finances in this church. I am accountable for how I lead this great church and maintaining my character as you are for your life and character.

2. It helps to keep reminding ourselves of our vision. We need to know why we are here and do what we do so that we all know where we are headed. A vision communicated to people is a refreshing and invigorating experience.

3. A personal best friend of mine, Danny Tice, ministered at the LF NE conference on vision. He said the following: “When we get to a place where we have no vision our term of leadership has expired.” “What does this statement really mean? It means that the primary qualification for a leader of a church is that they have vision for the church they lead. If they don’t, they should either get a vision or they should resign. The vision issue settles the question when a leader should retire? The older leader can still lead if his eyes are not dim and he has vision. Better an old guy with vision than a young guy with no vision.”

Saints, I may be “the old guy” but I still have vision for this church!
I love you,
---

It amazes me that without exception, I generally hear from a guest or two about how they enjoyed the service. They especially like the fact that we discuss openly finances and such. Many say that their church would never do that and that if you asked about finances you are excoriated! Let me just say, that is wrong!

BTW, you can view Danny Tice's excellent article here.

Ten Commandments for a Mother-In-Law

Ten Commandments for a Mother-In-Law

Thou shalt love, honor and respect the new couple.

Thou shalt allow them complete independence.

Thou shalt speak only kindly and loyally about them.

Thou shalt not find fault.

Thou shalt not visit them too frequently, and never enter their home without knocking.

Thou shalt not expect them to visit you too often.

Thou shalt not give advice unless requested.

Thou shalt not mention how much you look forward to grandchildren. [Ooooops, ;>)]

Thou shalt respect their taste in home decorating, though its differs from your own.

Thou shalt petition daily the Heavenly Father, in  whose love they abide, for their happiness.

by Iola M. Irwin

Shepherd's Restoration

In his classic book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller gives " a striking picture of the care and gentleness of a shepherd. In Psalm 23.3 when David says, "He restores my soul," he uses language every shepherd would understand. Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it is very difficult for them to get up again. They flail their legs in the air, bleat, and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, the sheep will eventually suffocate. This is referred to as a "cast down" position.

When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up, and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.

What a picture of what God wants to do for us! When we are on our backs, flailing because of guilt, grief, or grudges, our loving Shepherd reassures us with His grace, lifts us up, and holds us until we’ve gained our spiritual equilibrium.

If you’ve been cast down for any reason, God is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. He will restore your confidence, joy, and strength. —Marvin Williams

This Shepherd of mine knows each trial, each snare,

And at just the right moment my Lord will be there,

On His shoulders to carry each burden for me-

Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd, arid always shall be. -Henry

The weak and the helpless are in the Good Shepherd's special care.

Great services- 2_20_2011!

What a great Sunday we had last week! The worship was dynamic and the presence of God was strong. Great response from the word following worship, God will turn your tragedy into triumph!

American Gail Devers won the 100-meter dash by only 6/100 of a second over her four top competitors in 1992. Gail suffers from Grave’s disease. Just one year before she won the Olympic gold, Gail came within two days of having both feet amputated. After surviving that scare, she began to train and push herself toward her goal. Her determination and persistence won the day. Who would have thought the fastest woman in the world was the same woman who almost lost her feet! That is triumphing over tragedy!

We did have a wonderful Marriage weekend and then Debi and I shared from our own personal experience regarding marriage this past Sunday. Thank you for your kind comments and support of us. We enjoy leading you here at The Vine in all aspects of Christian living.

A little boy was looking through his grandmother's dusty old Bible when a large faded pressed leaf fell out. The little boy screamed to his mother "I just found Adam's underwear!"

Be blessed today

Future of Dental Healthcare?

Love this video!!!
can't see video? click here.

I Lied - - A Confession!

This post sent to me was too good to pass up. If you have ever done anything with Apple, Adobe, Banks, Credit Cards,... then the following is all too familiar to you. Read and enjoy this confession! I did! DK

I must admit, I lied. I flat out, no doubt about it, lied.

Not only must I admit to that lie, but I've lied many other times too. Some of you are shocked that I would lie and brazenly admit it but if you examine yourselves you're not so pure either.

I lied to Apple.

I was downloading something from Apple and they presented me with their updated Terms and Conditions for the iTunes store. I had to check a box that said that I had read the Terms and Conditions and that I agreed to them.

It was 58 pages on my phone.

58 PAGES!!!

Everyone who has an iPhone or who downloads from iTunes has to say that they have READ and agree to the Terms and Conditions.

I am sure that some have read all 58 pages but I doubt if it is anyone you or I know. Everyone we know lied too.

The symbol of Apple is an apple with a bite out of it. I wonder where that is from? It forces everyone who downloads anything from iTunes to either spend an hour reading the Terms and Conditions the first time and every time it is updated or it forces them to become liars.

Sure, it's just a little lie. It's just a little bite out of the truth. What does a little lie matter?

I don't want to pick on Apple, other companies do it with their Terms and Conditions and EULA's (End User License Agreements) that would take a software lawyer an hour to read and understand.

You should be given three options instead of two:
1. I don't agree and thus reject this product.
2. I have read the Terms and Conditions (or EULA) and agree.
3. I haven't read it because it would take a ridiculously long time but I blindly accept whatever it says on faith that I won't get unfairly treated.

They may want to leave that unfairly treated part out since you may be treated unfairly. Other users probably want to substitute a more vulgar term for unfairly treated.

Until that third option is added, to Apple and the other companies with over a two paragraph Terms of Agreement statement, I am forewarning you, I will lie.

Truthfully,
Pastor Nathaniel Bronner Jr.

Overcome Obstacles with Courage!

A few weeks ago Brad Thurston (President of Globe Europe) preached an outstanding message on courage! The following day I took him on a tour of the Cowboy's Stadium here in Arlington (not Dallas!). It was already being prepared for Super Bowl XLV. Gone was the Dallas Cowboy's Star from midfield and the words 'Cowboys' from the end zones. I couldn't help but think as we walked the field that day that here was an arena where great feats of courage were going to be manifested!

And so is it tomorrow! The game will be played at 5.36pm. One team is going to walk away victorious and the other walk away in defeat! We will see many acts of courage demonstrated today.

Both teams got here because of a season of winning a number of battles (football games). This game today is the culmination of not giving up to achieve your life time desired results. Every player plays for the coveted Super Bowl ring and title of World Champion. It wasn't easy getting here nor will it be easy out there tomorrow. But courage will prevail and motivate!

We too have to be strong and courageous in our personal lives and spiritual walk with God! Deut. 31.6. The children of Israel had to be courageous to enter the Promised Land.

Every Promised Land has giant-sized problems, and you have to face them and defeat them before moving in and taking up residence. You can either be incapacitated by fear or overcome the obstacles with courage.

Just as the Steelers and Packers got to the Super Bowl by overcoming a season of battles, we too can be courageous and the victor through a series of small daily victories required to defeat the enemies of your Spiritual growth.

My friends, battle on to victory! (and enjoy the Super Bowl!)

A Unifier or A Divider, A Reconciler or A Destroyer?

I have been thinking lately about how our lives impact others, for good or bad. We can build up or tear down. We can encourage or deflate. We can bind or liberate. We can embitter or cause rejoicing. We can reconcile or destroy. We can unify or divide.

I want to keep in step with God’s Spirit living through me.  I want to be someone who is part of the solution rather than someone who is part of the problem. I want my love for God to result in more love for others. I want to be a person of grace. I want my life seasoned with grace. I want to be a forgiver! I want to be a unifier, not a divider.

Are you familiar with the history of the apartheid policies of South Africa and the unspeakable violence committed against blacks under the white regime? After Nelson Mandella’s release from prison, he asked Bishop Desmond Tutu to set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bring to light the ugly truth of what had happened, and do it without exacting revenge, but rather reconciliation. Under the rules, if an oppressor faced his accusers and fully confessed his crime, he could not be prosecuted. Many protested that this was not justice, but Mandella insisted the country needed healing more than it needed justice. In one of the trials:

“A policeman named van de Broek recounted an incident when he and other officers shot an eighteen-year-old boy and burned the body, turning it on the fire like a piece of barbecue meat in order to destroy the evidence. Eight years later van de Broek returned to the same house and seized the boy’s father. The wife was forced to watch as policemen bound her husband on a woodpile, poured gasoline over his body, and ignited it.

The courtroom grew hushed as the elderly woman who had lost first her son and then her husband was given a chance to respond. ‘What do you want from Mr. Van de Broek?’ the judge asked. She said she wanted van de Broek to go to the place where they burned her husband’s body and gather up the dust so she could give him a decent burial. His head down, the policeman nodded agreement.

Then she added a further request, ‘Mr. Van de Broek took all my family away from me, and I still have a lot of love to give. Twice a month, I would like for him to come to the ghetto and spend a day with me so I can be a mother to him. And I would like Mr. Van de Borek to know that he is forgiven by God, and that I forgive him, too. I would like to embrace him so he can know my forgiveness is real.’

Some in the courtroom spontaneously began singing ‘Amazing Grace’ as the elderly woman made her way to the witness stand, but van de Broek did not hear the hymn. He had fainted, physically overwhelmed by grace.” (Phil Yancey 'What Good Is God?')

She literally followed the Scripture which says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21).

May we walk in God's Amazing Grace with Him and each other!

Integrity of Heart and Skillful Hands!

Wow! What great services are occurring at The Vine. The testimonies are numerous and glorify what God is doing in the lives of Vine members. It is encouraging to see God moving here at the Vine. His presence and activity are evident. That is a sure sign of a healthy, living Spirit filled church! I am believing God for more of His presence and revelation of His love for us.

I am thankful we are a church that:

(1) is scripturally sound,
(2) is stable and loving,
(3) has Godly, moral leadership,
(4) is exalting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and
(5) making a reasonable effort to minister to all and their families!

I am thankful for how blessed we are to have a healthy church like that. I have ministered here for 20 years with that in my mind. The Lord called me here to shepherd His people. I have always endeavored to keep that call foremost in my mind everyday!

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Ps 78:70-72 NIV

That scripture is my daily prayer!

Steve McVey - Grace To Shut Up!

Ps 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.NIV

I have been learning when to speak and when to keep quiet. It has been hard, but a valuable exercise and discipline! My friend and great Pastor Danny Tice tweeted this scripture today: "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his own opinion." Proverbs 18:2

Steve McVey, author of 'Grace Walk,' along with many other fine books, had this blog today and I want to share it with you. Steve will be speaking at the Liberty Fellowship Family Conference in July(2011) this year.

“I just say whatever is on my mind,” a person who was expressing an opinion in an animated way recently said to me. I didn’t respond to the comment, but couldn’t help but think about the Bible verse that says, “A fool uttereth his whole mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Proverbs 29:11, KJV).

When I was young man I felt an internal mandate to not only express my opinion, but also to convince others that mine was the right way to see a matter. I’m not sure if it’s simply a matter of maturing with age or maturing in grace, or maybe a combination of the two, but I don’t feel the need to always make others agree with me anymore. To the contrary, I find myself often saying nothing at times when my thoughts may be in direct contradiction to what somebody may be expressing to me.

The Bible makes it clear that there is a virtue in learning when and how to be quiet. James wrote that we should be quick to hear, but slow to speak. (See James 4:19) Paul wrote to “let your speech be always with grace” (Colossians 4:6). Another time he taught that we should study to be quiet and mind our own business. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Highly opinionated babblers can be trying at times. I know because I used to be one. Maybe I still am at times, I’m not sure. I do know that I’m a verbal processor who tends to sort through things by talking about them. I recognize that I need grace to enable me to shut-up sometimes.

When I see opinionated, non-stop talkers like the one I mentioned in the first paragraph, I occasionally ask myself, “Do I still act like that at times?” That’s certainly not what I want.

Do you say too much, too often? If so, pray for God’s grace to flow through your actions in such a way as to cause you to know when to say nothing and then enable you to do it. Sometimes grace never looks better than when it enable us to simply shut-up.

Steve's blog on this and other relevant blogs of his can be found here.

So, I think God is speaking to me about this and I am taking these wonderful God thoughts to heart. I am asking the Lord to help me shut up and keep it shut!

Sarah Palin's Amazing Response!

What a great response to the tragedy of the Arizona shootings! 

She gets it, many in elected office and media don't!

Your Significant Life!

I preached a sermon on ‘Your Significant Life.’ It followed the my theme of my last blog, We are here by design not accident and have an important role to play in the lives of others that only we can accomplish! I have had people give me additional information of personal accounts of ‘The Butterfly Effect’ in their lives!

Joni Eareckson Tada writes: "In her quiet sanctuary Diane turns her head slightly on the pillow, toward the corkboard on the wall. Her eyes scan each photo. Every torn piece of paper carefully pinned in a row. She's praying. The creeping limitations of multiple sclerosis encroach further each year. Her fingers are curled and rigid. Her voice is barely a whisper. People might look at her and say, 'What a shame. Her life has no meaning.' But Diane is convinced that her life is significant; that her labor of prayer counts. She moves mountains that block the paths of missionaries, helps open the eyes of the spiritually blind in Southeast Asia, and pushes back the kingdom of darkness that blackens the alleys of the gangs in East Los Angeles. Diane is on the front lines, advancing the Kingdom of God.

This woman sees her place in the world. It doesn't matter that others may not recognize her significance. She is a woman of major significance influencing the lives of millions!

It's my prayer that you will discover the significance that has been yours all along as a child of the King. You may not be able to know the full meaning of every event, but you can know that every event is meaningful-and that you are significant!

2011- Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

2011! Man, it sure seemed to come quickly! Were you ready for it? What kind of plans are you making? What personal changes are you resolving? How do you feel about your life in light of this New Year?

At our house as a part of our Christmas tradition, we watch ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ Both Debi and I tear up at the all important messages of the movie. It helps us to remember that in spite of disappointments, heartaches, and the fatigue of the past year, we are still important to many people. Sometimes the thought that we are important to others escapes us and we feel less than important in this life.

“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” Clarence Oddbody

"Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love Clarence." Clarence Oddbody

These quotes from the movie challenge Debi and me and should you too. You see what Angel Clarence Oddbody knew from a heavenly perspective is that each of our lives are significant! God created you, knew you in your mother’s womb, and planned your life to have significant impact on others. We are here by design not accident and have an important role to play in the lives of others that only we can accomplish!

You have to remember that our lives will impact millions/billions of people and future generations to come! That decision you make today will not only impact you and those around you now but many in the future to come.

As we enter 2011, let us live significantly not selfishly bearing in mind that our lives immensely affect the lives of others!

Church Attendance Optional!

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.

Hebrews 10:25

Now days, church attendance is becoming optional. You can have a 'streaming' experience online, watch religious TV programs, and chat online with believers all the while not having to leave the comfort of your home.

So much for 'assembling together!' We are promoting more and more isolation.

What keeps you from coming to church on Sunday. There are many excuses and I have heard too many of them. Some are legitimate and some just outright frustrate me.

For instance, have you ever let discouragement keep you from attending church? Don't let discouragement keep you away from your spiritual family! You need their love and support, to hear them say, "We made it, and by God's grace you can too!"

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." This word "forsaking" is taken from three Greek words which could be translated "out," "down," and "behind." They describe someone who feels left out, spiritually and emotionally down, and far behind everyone else. The moment you feel like that Satan whispers, "Just stay home from church today, you don't need to go down there with all those good people."

If Satan can isolate you from other believers at the very time when you need them most, he can rob you of God's blessing! Sure you can stay home, read your Bible, turn on Christian radio and television, but surrounded by your spiritual family you'll get answers, experience joy, and receive encouragement you can't find anywhere else.

On any given Sunday, Church is the last place the devil wants you to go especially when you're feeling low. He knows if you go, you'll be touched by the presence of the Lord and be able to crawl out of the hole he's put you in.

Debi and I often say that attending church on Sunday is like having Thanksgiving and Christmas meals together. It's a special time.

Let’s not allow any excuse to keep us from the joining with our family on Sundays.

Confidence in 2011

I trust you had a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends. Debi and I did! This year we celebrated with Debi’s family as our sons and wives were not able to be with us. We all are truly blessed by good families and great friends.

This week will lead us up to New Years. I know many of you will have plans and some will be making New Resolutions. Many embrace a New Year as a year of fresh and new beginnings. We all have had victories and maybe some defeats in 2010. But the good news is this year is over and the new before us!

George Fredrick Handel was a harpsichordist. He was on the verge of bankruptcy and had suffered a stroke on his left side, and temporarily lost the use of four fingers on his right hand. To him life had become one big rut, and he didn't know how to break out of it.

A friend gave him an idea for a dramatic musical. In just 25 days, George Fredrick Handel, the man who'd decided that his life was over, created the 260-page masterpiece known to us as Handel's Messiah! I imagine your heard it over the past two weeks! There have been YouTube videos of groups singing it in malls and food courts!

Are you overwhelmed by some things that happened in 2010? Are you losing heart and fearful of the future? In a rut? God knows the way out. Talk to Him!

Getting out could begin with a decision to
(1) forget your past,
(2) confront your fears, and
(3) seize your God-given opportunities.

Do that, and your best days are ahead!

Let’s embrace 2011 together with faith in God!

Merry Christmas to all-

A Pastor's note to Vine Fellowship last week-

Dear Saints,
What a great weekend last week with the Christmas Store Outreach and then the service on Sunday. There was a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. How pleasant and good it is when church members dwell in unity together. We are a church at peace with God and one another.

The theme of peace runs all through the Christmas story. Peace on earth and good will to all men. Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. To know Christ is to know peace with God and it enables one to be at peace with others.

For 20 years I have conducted a Christmas Eve communion service. It is not a service but an intimate time when you can come with your family, receive communion, and then I personally pray over each family while they are kneeling at the altar. We will do it again this Christmas Eve from 6pm to 7pm. It is a drop in time and you are free to leave after being served communion. I trust you will be able to join with us.

Debi and I wish you and your family a Christmas of peace and joy. Debi and I love you and enjoy serving you here.

Merry Christmas,
David and Debi

Young Communicator- Amazing!

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.
Can't see video- click 'The Story of Jonah' above.

Great Chinese State Circus - Swan Lake

Great Chinese State Circus - Swan Lake



If you can's see video, click here.