What Are Your Thoughts?

I have come across many people who believe that when someone dies, they go to Heaven right then. But reading the scripture below makes me think otherwise. I tend to think that we remain "asleep" until Jesus comes back and then at that point, we are raised from the dead and view Heaven together for the first time. I just think it doesn't make sense that we go straight to Heaven or Hell when judgement day hasn't even happened. Plus, why would Jesus come back to raise us from the dead if in fact we had already gone to Heaven?

What are your thoughts on this?


“ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Words to Cherish

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 118:4-6

Funny news

Next Tuesday is 6-6-06. Many people are starting to buzz about a date that closely approximates the "sign of the beast". Today I was reading an article about this in the Faith & Values section of The Columbus Dispatch. One quote made me laugh:

"We are simply taking advantage of this unique date which the public fears because of Christian mythology as promoted by Hollywood hypesters..."
Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore

Now that is funny. Christians deride Hollywood for pushing all sorts of immorality, advocating the principles of worldliness, and even attempting to deconstruct Christian truths. The Church of Satan accuses Hollywood of promoting Christian mythology. Poor Hollywood- they can't win for losing.

Anyway, on 6-6-06, the Scioto County Ministerial Association will be holding their meeting at the Innermission Campus Ministry. It will be a great opportunity to acquaint a number of folks with the work that goes on down there. We will need some help providing a light breakfast for about 20 people. The meeting is at 8:00am Tuesday.

BTW-Eventually I will post a few more ideas about intentional growth. I am laying-off for a little while. I figure my posts are like the salt in the bottom of a pretzel bag: a little on your tongue is good but you don't want a whole mouthful.

Sing. Sing A Song. Make It Simple.....

Friday night a group of us met at the campus ministry building for a game night (like I posted about earlier). There was a little bit of playing going on but for the most part we just watched a movie together and had a relaxing evening.

During the evening, we had a small child running around charming everyone. She seemed to be completely content with walking around throughout the building singing her own little song about her father. The words to the song were very simple and she would smile as she sang it.

It was "Daddy duh daddy. Daddy duh daddy."

I was doing some thinking about this today and realized that it would have to make a father so incredibly happy to hear his child's voice singing his praises over and over again. So, I thought it must be incredible for God to hear us singing His praises over and over again with a smile on our faces as well. Interesting how little things like a one year old singing about daddy could make me think of God.

If you open the eyes of your heart, and use the Holy Spirit as your magnifying glass, you can see God in everything!

Whatever you do, don't blink. You might miss something incredible!

To Much Work and Not Enough Play?

Tomorrow (Friday May 19th) we are having a game night at Campus Ministry. Bring your favorite board games or deck of cards and plan to unwind with friends and family from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Tim and I host these once every month and have decided to try things out at the Campus Ministry building because there's more room and more things to play .....like pool, ping pong, etc. These game nights have become a big hit amoung our small group and we're sure you'll enjoy yourself as well. We usually have everyone bring some sort of covered dish to share with everyone for supper but this time around we've decided to just order some papa john's pizza or something and have it delivered. So, bring some money to help with the cost of pizza and such.

May 19th from 5 to 10
Bring money for pizza
Bring games (and keep them family games)

ALL AGES WELCOME!

Junior Youth Group Devos

Okay, so I need to make another change to the schedule. The next devo was scheduled for June & Rich Book's house. They needed to reschedule for obvious reasons (we love you, June, and pray you make a quick and painless recovery). So now Jennifer Gampp has come forward to take it on. On Thursday, May 25th, the party....sorry, devo will be at Tim and Jennifer's. (Ha Ha Ha) Same time, from 6:30 to 8pm. She says she is hoping for outdoor activities, so watch the weather and dress for it.

If you need directions, just let me know.

Thank you, TIM & JENNIFER, for stepping up and taking this for me.

There is still a sign-up sheet in the foyer for anyone else that feels moved to host a devo.

Some of my Insights

Have you ever thought about the idea that God made us in His image? I mean, really thought about it. People laugh, sing, cry, get angry, speak, rest, walk, and run.

What makes God laugh?
I think there are many things that make God laugh. There are things that happen throughout our lives that are just too funny not to laugh at. We say and do silly things just like our own children do. We are God's children and He sees us no differently than we see our own children. God thinks we're a hoot!

What makes God sing?
I think God sings when someone gives their life to Him. Or when one of those precious children comes through the gates of Heaven and doesn't have to be hurt by Satan anymore.

What makes God cry?
I think God cries when we cry. I also think He cries when we run from Him and tell Him we don't need Him.

What makes God angry?
I think God is angry when we go against Him and what He has told us to do. When we run around like a bunch of know-it-alls telling people we belong to Him and acting like we belong to Satan.

When does God speak?
God speaks when He has something to say. Sometimes He feels it is best to be quiet and allow us to find out for ourselves that we are wrong and He is right. Most of the time, we are too stubborn to listen to Him and do what He says. Sometimes God whispers and sometimes God yells....but He always moves!

When does God rest?
God rests when the job is done. He makes the most of all opportunities and does His best. God has only rested once during the creation of the universe but when He became a man and walked amoung us, He was tired often because He was using a human body.

Who does God walk with?
God walks with His children. Some of His children walk faster than He does because they think God is too slow. God walks just the perfect speed, though. He always arrives right on time despite what everyone else thinks. He knows what He's doing, you know.

What would make God run?
God runs only when His children are in need. When He sees one of us hurting or in trouble, nothing can stop Him or slow Him down when He's on His way to us. Sometimes we come to Him, but other times He comes to us. This is because there are times in our lives that we are simply not able to do it ourselves. He has to come over and pick us up and take us the rest of the way himself.

Oh what a wonderful savior!!

Bloggers? Where are you?

I hope the reason you all have stopped blogging on here is because you're busy and not because you're afraid of saying something in public. I would hate to imagine that there would be something or someone you fear enough to silence you. I'm still here and I have plenty of reasons to not want to come back and write on here.

If you only knew how much good you're doing to help others by writing on this blog, you would be here every time you turned around. There are people who come to this blog and read what's being posted here and never allow us to know they're here. You never know who you're blessing by just showing up and typing a few thoughts. You just have no idea!

So, don't give up now. On the other hand, if blogging is taking time away from your family, then by all means, stay away from the blog and go be with your spouse and kids! I know the grass needs cut and the flower beds need weeded and the dishes need done, etc., etc. BUT, there are people out in the world who are on the internet searching for answers, for enlightenment, for comfort, and for God. Don't you want to be part of the answer?

Let's see some blogging on here once again, everyone!

Intentional Growth PT-3

Life is a personal challenge. All of the stuff of life (your life) function as a crucible. Within the crucible, you are confronted with a great challenge. Will you apply all of your heart, mind, and strength toward embracing the challenge? Or, will you live as a cold and timid soul?

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910

Marriage Protection Amendment

I just told my senator to vote for the Marriage Protection Amendment. Please let your voice be heard with mine.

The time to act is now. On June 6, 2006 the US Senate will bring the Marriage Protection Amendment to a vote.

Please help me make sure that marriage is protected so that more children will be raised in a home with a mother and a father.

Send your letter by clicking here:

https://secure2.convio.net/afm/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=111

A C L U

I wanted to share this email petition with all of you in hopes that you would sign the petition.



Grassfire.org Alliance
5/10/06

Just a few months ago, the multi-million dollar machine, known as the ACLU, strong-armed and raided the school budget for one of the poorest counties in the land.

A few years before, the ACLU had won a court order to have Ten Commandment monuments removed from three Adams County, Ohio high schools. It didn't matter that the monuments were unanimously approved by the school-board, and privately funded.

Once removed, the ACLU then had the audacity to return to federal court to demand that the school board (one of the poorest in the nation) cough up $80,000 for legal bills--and the judge agreed!

This is why Grassfire is taking action against the ACLU,and why we launched our nationwide petition to expose and ultimately defeat them.

Our goal is to expose the kind of travesty and heart ache they are bringing to the communities of our nation, and educate citizens to the real truth and motivation of the ACLU.

Partnering with the Liberty Counsel--

As part of the plan to defeat the ACLU, we needed to find a legal organization dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, with a proven track record against groups like the ALCU.

We found the Liberty Counsel, one of the nation's foremost legal defense organizations established to preserve our First Amendment Rights.

With your help, we can expose and defeat the ACLU so that they cannot terrorize Americans with their "storm-trooper" tactics.

As their founder, Roger Baldwin said, "We [the ALCU] arefor socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishing the state itself...we seek the social ownership of property...and the sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal."

This is the real ACLU, and we need you to help us enlightena nation of people who have been deceived.

Please sign our national petition:
http://www.grassfire.net/81/petition.asp?RID=10676277

Thank you for standing with us against the ACLU.

Intentional Growth PT-2

Fundamental to the idea of being intentional is to have before you a goal or a sense of purpose. The more specifically you can articulate this goal/purpose the better. If you have grown accustomed to living out your spiritual life on cruise control this can be a daunting task. The good news is that spiritual formation is more about relationship than accomplishment, but you cannot allow that to serve as an excuse for being do-less. God is with us, more intimately than we generally recognize. He will guide, protect, support, and bless. We have to start somewhere. Like Peter, we have to step out of the boat.

The exact formulation of the original goal/purpose is really not all-important. It will undergo multiple revisions as you walk with God. Wherever you are, you need to grow. The challenge is before you to push to new heights, new levels of service, to envision yourself as a difference-maker. Acknowledge Satan's success in pre-occupying you with lesser agendas. Decide to work against his manipulation of your life.

When you set a goal, with God's help, give it your all; but, do not over-identify with the goal. Failure is often a greater teacher than is success. It is in the process of goal revision that you develop spiritual discernment and become more intimate with the God who leads you. Especially, remember the part about failure being the better teacher. Therefore, when you fail, you will be less likely to waste excessive time whining around about being under-appreciated. It was Paul who said that in his weakness God's power was truly made known.

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt (September 7, 1903)

Intentional Growth PT-1

Often, we express a sincere desire to grow, whether it be individually or as a congregation. Rarely, are we intentional about seeing this desire become a reality. Common sense informs us that significant accomplishments are not achieved by mere, albeit sincere, intentions. We do not seriously expect to realize financial, weight-loss, or work-out goals without engaging in sustained, purposeful effort. Can we truly expect spiritual growth without being intentional with regard to our spiritual formation? Of course not.

Satan’s greatest ploy is preoccupation. The need to be intentional, to employ some added measure of discipline, in our striving for spiritual growth is self-evident. The temptation is to focus elsewhere. Satan will provide a multitude of more alluring options. We easily recognize the hand of evil when we are tempted to engage in something inherently sinful. We are less likely to discern Satan’s work of shifting our focus from the great to the good. We peacefully participate in our routine of good activities, all the while, failing to acknowledge the Lord’s challenge for something greater. That is the genius of the Evil One.

It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic, is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.
Theodore_Roosevelt 26th president of US (1858 - 1919)

Do you agree?

A Light Shining In The Dark

Last night after evening church services, a large group of friends met at the mexican restaurant down the road. There was so much noice from the tons of small children in the room and all of the adults talking, but it was great fun despite the many headaches several of us seemed to have.

Near the end of our supper, the electricity went out in the area leaving the restaurant in total darkness! Small children and dark do not go hand in hand, as you know. There was silence the instant the lights went out. Then everyone started talking and a few babies started crying. Then suddenly, the most beautiful sound was heard. It was the sound of several of the older children saying a comforting scripture that they had learned by heart. I don't remember the exact words, but I do remember them saying the words "I will not be afraid.".

As those words were being said, Aaron Kallner (A great eye doctor in Portsmouth, Ohio), turned on a little light he had with him that he uses to check people's eyes. Everyone worked together to help the waiter and waitress (who had brought in 2 candles to see by) clean up the room from the disaster we had all created. Everyone made sure that everyone had money to pay for their meal since we were now unable to pay with our bank cards as we had planned.

So, what does a family do when catastrophy strikes? They work together. They quote scripture to one another for comfort. And....they shine a light in the darkness so that others can see the way.

Get Excited About One Another!

This morning before church services started, I was witness to a small child of 3 years old getting excited about her relatives coming through the church doors. And I do mean excited! This situation struck me as a perfect situation to blog about. Here is what I came up with....


What if anytime you walked through the doors of the church building, someone (or everyone) started jumping up and down and pointing at you with a smile on their face saying "You're here! You're here!"?

Some of us would probably never come back .....hahaha! But, that's not the point I'm trying to make, obviously.

What if we got excited about each other? What if walking through the church building doors was a really big deal? What if we were greeted every single time, with excited faces and people knowing our names and recognizing who we were?

Would you come back? How often? I would venture to guess that you would be there everytime those doors opened!

Why not? I mean, every time you came, people would treat you like you were very important.

I love the theme song from the old 1980's show "Cheers". Many people have quoted the song before and now it's my turn.

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name."

You really need to be able to find this kind of treatment somewhere other than a bar, you know! The church of all places should be the very place where hurting, outcast people are found to be hanging out simply because they have nowhere else to turn. The church has something to offer that everyone needs and they certainly won't find it anywhere else in the world.

If we, the church, were honestly doing our part to make this happen, people would be knocking down the doors to try and get in!

An email with a real message

I got this in an email, forwarded by my Aunt Heidi. (I am not the original author.) I just thought it said something that needs to be said sometimes, and it did it in such a way...that it is perfectly clear!



Making Pancakes

Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us... We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...

I was thinking. .. And I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

... And never stop "making pancakes."

Brent Frazie

Tonight at the church services Brent Frazie was baptized. It was another great blessing from God. Brent will need all of our prayers and encouragement. It will be very interesting to see what God has in store for this young man.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new". II Corinthians 5:17.

It was good to see his family there tonight in support of him. I was so impressed with the support given him. With this family and his new church family (Sunshine) he will be greatly blessed. Let us all keep him in our prayers.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Another Blog

Well, I have created yet another blog. Shocked aren't you? This makes 5 personal blogs for me plus I use this blog and one more I created for teens and young adults. I believe it's safe to say that I am officially addicted to blogs.

Anyway, I just wanted to let my faithful readers know that there is another blog to check out. There are links to all of my blogs on my main blog called "Talk About Words". Although, here on the church blog, it's simply called "Jennifer Gampp's Blog".

Scary Youth Rally.....(for me)

This year's youth rally theme was Super Heroes. There was an ongoing skit being performed throughout the youth rally last weekend and there were 3 bad guys that the good guys had to defeat. One of the bad guys was Greg. Well, it was Greg dressed up as a bad guy. The costume quite frankly freaked me out! I was telling Joan about how much it bothered me only to have her get wonderful ideas about how she could "get me".

Saturday night, when I went to my bedroom to start getting my pajamas on, something terrible happened to me. As I approached the doorway to the room, I noticed the lights were out. I then noticed someone sitting on the end of my bed. It was Joan dressed as the creepy bad guy!! I put my hand on my heart and said "Oh my gosh!!" and then we all had a great laugh because I then found out that all of the people who were in the cook's cabin were in on the joke.

It seems the blog has slowed down since the onset of Spring/Summer. At least that is my excuse for the posting slow-down.

I came across a book review that I think many of you will find interesting.

The book:

LUXURY FEVER : WHY MONEY FAILS TO SATISFY IN AN ERA OF EXCESS BY ROBERT H. FRANK FREE PRESS 336 PAGES

The review is here.

Why is it interesting? It speaks about the problems with and the reason for our pursuit of excessive luxury. Several intriguing studies are cited. This is not a christian book, it is written and reviewed from an economic/sociological viewpoint. As a christian, I think you will find it very thought provoking. Check it out for yourself.