Made in God's Image

Walking through the mall last night, I realized one thing about my life, that I thought I had gotten either used to, or that I had ingrained in my mind Psalms 139 13:17, that it wouldn't bother me anymore.
I had a couple of people that had starred at me, and looked at my hands.  Now I will grant you that one of those was a young girl probably younger than twelve, and she had said something to her mother.  Probably the fact that I was looking back at her because she was looking at me.  Like the bible says do unto others as you would have them do to you.  Now I am trying to be a little funny with that last comment, but last night, I realized once again that God made, formed, and created me for a reason and a purpose because from what it says in Psalms 139:13-17. For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. 


I am made in God's image, God knew that before I was born that I would be the way that I am, why because thats the way God either formed me, or allowed me to be formed.  God doesn't want his children to go through difficulties and trials, but he allows it only because to strengthen our faith, and strengthen our relationship with him.  So if your going through difficulties today go to God, and He will bring you through whatever it is that you are facing in your life.  

   

Back In Time

Have you ever gone somewhere you haven’t been for a really long time, and all of a sudden you start to think back to when you where their, 10, 15, 20 years earlier.  Well I did that today, I went to talk to someone today in NYC, right across the hospital where I had probably half of my surgeries. I walked into the hallway where I had most of my appointments and I remembered being their as a kid, having to go and see doctor’s.  Sitting in the lunch room, because sometimes I was their for most of the day, and than their where times when I would have to stay in the hospital for surgery, so I was their for more than a few days.  Those memories come back to you, than you realize from where you been, to where you are now, and you realize that God has brought you a long way.  You remember what your parent’s told you about having the doctor’s tell them that you may eventually be brain dead, and that the best option for them would be to put you into an institution and walk away.  Though 34 years later, you are a evangelist traveling all over the North East, Giving your testimony of what God has done in your life.  Which I am grateful and thankful to God for, and I am excited about what it is that God has for me, for my present and my future.  Though regardless of what does happen, I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life.  Jeremiah 29:11 Remember that whatever your past is, whether it’s bleak, dark, not wanting to look back at it, because of all you been through, or whether it’s a bright, joyous, happy, past.  God has a plan for your life, and He will lead and guide you to whatever He has in store for your life.  He will use your life, to encourage and inspire others.  Remember, GOD LOVES YOU.

Mothers Day,

It's a few weeks away yet, though May is always a happy and sad time of the year for me, and for my dad.  One because we are celebrating his 80th birthday this year, and no I am not a lot older than I really look, I really am only 34.  If you want to know how that happened, talk to my dad, thats why it's happy the reason it's sad is because this year, will be my Mom's ninth year in Heaven, not only to we celebrate Mother's day, we also would celebrate my Mom's Birthday.  In 1 Corinthians 13 their is a verse that my Mom would quote at the end of it, where it says we may see in a mirror dimly but then face to face; now I know in part but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.  I like that verse because the meaning behind it is this, their are times in our lives when situations, happen, and we don't fully understand why that happened my Mom passing away for example.  Though when we get to heaven and we see Christ face to face, we will fully understand why these situations happen in our lives.  Why was I born with a birth defect, why did I have to deal with everything that I have in my life, how did I NOT give up on God, how did I survive 68 operations.  We all have questions about our life, it could be small it could be something big, but eventually we will know the answer. 

What God did in Maine

You get in contact with a Pastor up in Rumford ME, and he asks you in a year advance can you come up for a four day revival service in April of 2011.  So you do, you take that opportunity that God gives you, but like everything else, you wonder, what is this going to be like, how is this going to come out, what is God going to do in these meetings, and through me.  You never done anything like this in your life, so your in a whole new ballgame with what God has for you to be doing.  Your like peter, you take that step out of the boat, heading towards Jesus, thankfully I didn't look around, nervous afraid about what was going to happen around me.  I laid everything at his feet, and thank God he helped me speak, his words, to the hearts and the souls of the people that where up in Rumford ME.  God did some amazing things in those 4 days and I believe He will continue to do great things in Rumford ME, but God used his vessel.  We just need to know when He calls us to do what Peter did get out of the boat, God calls us, and wants us to do things for his honor and glory, but God don't force us either.  We have to do our own action, move, and obey what it is that God wants us to do, listen to His Voice.  

The Pain of Life.

I have been pricked, prodded and poked, more times than I would like to imagine and think about.  If the holes that they made didn't heal up on their own, I would probably have more holes in my body than in Bernie Madoffs money making scheme.  Though when they prick me for a needle, whether it's for blood or like this morning for an IV, to put me to sleep, it hurts.  It brings to my memory if a little prick of a needle hurts me, how did Jesus feel on the day,  He was being Crucified.  What did the nails feel like going through his skin.  We know that no bones where broken so the nails had to go through his wrists and not the palm of his hands.  The whipping that He received from what I have read and studied had some type of sharp objects on it, so that too wasn't the easiest thing that He had to go through.  When I was talking to the doctor about my process with my stomach, he had said that I may have to have surgery, but he was like I know that your not jumping at the chance to have surgery.  Not after having 68, but regardless of what Happens, I know that God will be their with me, next to me, in the room with me, and guiding and directing the doctor's hands as He has done all the other times.

Whenever you face the trials and difficulties of life, and whenever you face pain in your life, whether it's the pain of the human body or pain of relationships, know that God has been their in both situations. When it comes to the pain of the body think about when He was on the Cross, what He was feeling, and what He was thinking.  When it comes to the pain of relationships, think about when He found out that Judas Betrayed him.  Peter, denied him not once, or twice but three different times, and said He didn't know who He was, both where one of his 12 disciples.  Remember God loves you, and He is right their beside you through every situation in your life.

 

God Call's You Go.

I know that I am like the man Moses in the Bible, one of the similarities that He and I have is that we both have some type of Speech impedement.  We don't know the cause of Moses's condition, it could have been a stuttering problem, maybe not enough teeth, an overlarged tongue.  Though God called him three different times, to go and speak to Pharaoh, and each time, Moses, said how can I, I am slow of speech and slow of tongue Exodus 4:10.  Exodus 6:12, even says I am unskilled in speech, so it could have been that Moses felt that he was uneducated and could not go and speak to such a highly educated, and highly esteemed, man as Pharaoh.  How many times do we question God, when He calls us, and says go over and speak to that homeless man, go over and witness to the woman standing at the bus stop, go and witness to your family.  We never witness to our family because our family see's our mistakes, our screw ups, and our faults.  Though God doesn't care about our faults, mistakes, or screw ups, God will use us just the way that we are.  Prognosis by doctor's at birth was that I would eventually become brain dead, I have had sixty eight Operations later, 9 years of College, and still looking for that woman of God that He has for me.  Though on the day when I was on my knee's asking God what He had for me, He said send out the DVD and see what I will do with it, and from that time on I have seen what He is doing with it, and He is doing great things through this ministry.  I continue to pray that God continue to use me in this ministry, and in what He has for me, and what He wants to do in my life.  Whenever you hear the voice of God, and hear his voice calling you to do something for him GO.  Don't question him, saying I can't, because He will decide to use someone else, and like with moses he will not be happy.  God will give you the words to speak, the giftings and the talent's to do what it is, that He wants you to do in Your Life. 

Wait For Me

 
By Rebecca St. James 
 
Darling, did you know that I
I dream about you
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time
And darling, did you know that I
I pray about you
Praying that you will hold on
And keep your loving eyes only for me
CHORUS:
'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Darling did you know
I dream about life together
Knowing it will be forever
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
And darling when I say
" Til death do us part"
I mean it with all of my heart
Now and always faithful to you
CHORUS
Now I know you may have made mistakes
But there's forgiveness, and a second chance
So wait for me, darling wait for me
Wait for me
Darling wait for me 

 As each year goes by, I see more and more of my single guy friends getting married, and sometimes I go to the weddings, and I try to reach for the garter belt.  Of course their are always guys taller than me so I never get it.  And each day I knell and I pray that God would help me to find the woman of God that He has for me, and that He wants me to be with.  It says in 1 Samuel 16:7       7      But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  I am not perfect, by any means, because we all are attracted by what we see on the outside of what a person looks like.  But I want God to shape me and mold me into the man that does not always look at the outside appearance of a woman but looks at her heart.  Because as we all know male or female the outside can be beautiful but the outside can be rotten.  The outside appearance may not be the most beautiful thing we have ever seen, but they can have the heart of God.  That's what God wants for us, is to have someone that has the heart of God, and thats what I want.  

I was talking to a friend of mine, about getting married, and finding that woman of God, and my list of single guy friends is just dwindling, but my list of single female friends keeps growing go figure.  :) Not because my female friends are not getting married but because I am looking for a single female.  Though he said that I need to find someone like my Mom, who loved, cared, and took care of me for me, and not because of what I looked like or went through but because of who I was.  I remember a certain letter that a female friend of mine wrote to me in College, "She WILL love you for all that you are and never because of the problems that you have had to endure. She will not love you in spite of those things but will respect your strength and love the heart and your physical appearance. You are handsome and wonderful- God has made a wonderful thing when He made you and there is nothing but purpose waiting for you".  I just need to remind myself of those things sometimes, I know that their are guys and girls that are out their still single, regardless of whether being born normal or with a disability and are asking the same question that I am when?.  

I hope to find a woman like what is stated in Proverbs 31. 

10–31      A good woman is hard to find,
      and worth far more than diamonds.
      Her husband trusts her without reserve,
      and never has reason to regret it.
      Never spiteful, she treats him generously
      all her life long.
      She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
      and enjoys knitting and sewing.
      She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
      and brings back exotic surprises.
      She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
      for her family and organizing her day.
      She looks over a field and buys it,
      then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
      First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
      rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
      She senses the worth of her work,
      is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
      She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
      diligent in homemaking.
      She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
      reaches out to help the poor.
      She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
      their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
      She makes her own clothing,
      and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
      Her husband is greatly respected
      when he deliberates with the city fathers.
      She designs gowns and sells them,
      brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
      Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
      and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
      When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
      and she always says it kindly.
      She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
      and keeps them all busy and productive.
      Her children respect and bless her;
      her husband joins in with words of praise:
      “Many women have done wonderful things,
      but you’ve outclassed them all!”
      Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
      The woman to be admired and praised
      is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
      Give her everything she deserves!
      Festoon her life with praises!
 
I want to be able to do what the song says in the beginning of this blog o Wait For Me.  I want to be able to wait for my wife, and say to her on the night of our wedding that I waited for you.  I want to be as pure as I can be in my spiritual and my physical life, because I know thats what I am waiting for in my own wife.  We all make mistakes but like the song says their is forgiveness.  God help me to wait as patiently and for as long as it is that you have for me to wait for that woman you have for me.   I know that you are preparing a woman of God out their for me, and in your plan and timing you will allow me to find her, and you will bring her into my life.  Amen. 

 

Growing up different

Growing up, my parent's always taught me that I was normal, that I was differentn't like everyone else. Even when I was young going to the school for people with disabilities, I remember my parent's saying that I said something to the extent why are they different.  Just by looking in the mirror, I could see that I was different even with all of the operations that I have had throughout my life.  I am glad my parent's treated me like everyone else, and I am glad that I was able to learn on my own that I was different and I wasn't like everyone else.  Even with the help and support that my parent's taught me, that I would be teased, I would be made fun of, I would be rejected in certain situations, whether because of a job, or because of friendships, it still doesn't ease the pain when it actually does happen even as an adult.  We can read God's word that He loves us, cares for us, watches over us, and will protect us and be their for us in our time of trouble, which He will be.  We know the old cliche that when we are going through the storms of life, that is when He is carrying us.  Though sometimes I think we just need to be open and honest with each other, and know to keep God first in our lives, and know that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.  Remember that we are not the only one that has gone through pain and hurt either.  Jesus had 12 men, that He trusted and loved, all of them left him in his time of trouble, one of them betrayed him, and one of them denied him.  He even cried out when He was being crucified My God My God why have you forasken me. Matthew 27:46.  When their is no one around that we can be open and honest about the trials and difficulties that we are facing go to God.  God never says well I want you to pray to me, but I don't want you to tell me your hurts, pains struggles, what your angry about because He does.  Sometimes were angry with God, be honest and open with him about that, God doesn't want you to hide it, and let it build up.  Lets begin to be honest and open with those that we are close to, and let us be honest and open with the one that loved, and died for us.  

Update

I know that I need to update this blog, I have been busy with the ministry, God has already opened up 15 doors of ministry next year for me with a 4 day revival services in Maine in April, and I am in the process of talking to other pastors that want me to come out to speak.  I also want to post something about another website business that I am interested in supporting here is the link.  I am friend of clover website, and am able to make money for every referral that I make with this link please check them out they are a great webite and reasonably price and for christian organizations. http://www.cloversites.com/f/dorseyross

Trust in God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says to trust in the Lord, with all your heart, Philipians 4:6 says do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition present your requests to God.  We see daily what is going on in this world, what is going on in our lives.  We read something about our health, or we hear something about our families health, and we get nervous and anxious.  We are doing the opposite of what the Bible is telling us to do.  I do the same thing, so I am not immune to this, I have 5 years of Bible College under my belt and 3 years of ministry, and still I worry, still I get nervous, why because we are not trusting in God, and in what He has for us.

When we are dealing with, and going through situations and difficulties in our lives, we can't let go of God.  God is not the type of God that will allow us to be holding on to him during the good days and times, and will allow us to let go of him during the storm.  We need to trust in him in each and every situation that we are going through.  I looked up and read something yesterday about my own disability, and I got nervous because what I read was not something good.  But I realized that I have to be thankful that I have another day to live, and just to thank God for it.  So whatever you are dealing with and going through in your life, trust in God with whatever it is, and hold on to him.  It may be a bad storm that you are going through but God will never leave you nor desert you.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Message Version.  Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

With God all Things are Possible

Their is a few verses in the bible, which I have listed below that mention their are things possible with God.  It does not give a specific list of what those things are, and you might wonder why, because it says that all things, not some, a certain, or a few things but all things are possible when it comes to God.  It doesn't come to what we are asking God, because it depends on whether or not it is what God has in store for our lives.  God allows things to happen in our lives for a reason and a purpose.

Their have been times in my life, when people have told me that their would be things I wouldn't be able to do.  Before I was even able to get out of the hospital Doctor's told my parent's that I wouldn't survive, I would be brain dead.  A high school history teacher told me I wouldn't make it in College.  It took me longer than most people, but I made it.  As God says in his word, with Him all things are possible.  What are the dreams and visions that God has given to you, what are the desires that you have for your life, that you are wanting to do.  Have they been dashed because someone have told you, you wouldn't be able to do it, have they been destroyed because you have told yourself you wouldn't be able to make it.  Sometimes the things that we think we would want to do, or have the desires to do may not be exactly what it is that God has for us.  But if we keep our focus on him, and ask him what it is that He has for us, He will show us what it is that He has for us.  If you would've asked me when I graduated if I would be sitting in front of my Computer calling pastors asking them if I can send them info, about a ministry that God created, I would have probably laughed and say no.  Though God sometimes have the total opposite of what it is that we think He has for us.

Matthew 19:26

 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”  26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 18:20  27 But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

 11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

God knows what He has in store for you, he has a plan and a purpose for your life, do not let what others tell you to stop you from doing what it is that He has in store for you.  I was told I wouldn't be able to do ministry, well I am here doing what it is that He has for me.  What is it in your life that He has for you? 

God's Plan For You.

I don't know why, but their are times when I get a numbing sensation on my right side and it doesn't last long only for a few seconds to a minute.  A few years ago, when I first started to recieve this feeling I went to the neurologist who told me that I would need to go to another doctor, and I did.  I found out that it's because it's fused vertrabrae from my neck thats causing the numbingness, it doesn't happen that often, and I praise God that it does not have to do with my seizure disorder.  Because with not having the seizures it gives me the freedom to be able to drive the car.  :)  Growing up and during my College days, I had the desire to become and preach to the youth, of this generation, but God decided to say thats not exactly what I have for you.  I have created you this way, differently for a reason, plan and a purpose, and God's continually showing me what that is, to minister to the hearts and minds of those that are going through difficutlies and struggles.  Ministering to the hurting, and allowing them to know that God has a plan and a purpose for their lives as well.  I am continually praying that God would open up more doors and opportunities to allow me to minister to those with disabilities, so that they can see, that God has a plan and a purpose for their lives as well.  We sometimes don't officially understand why God would make us the way that He does, or why He allows us to go through the sufferings that we do.  But God allows it to happen so that He can mold and shape us to become more like him.  The message version of the bible Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know what I am doing, I have it all planned out, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you to give you a hope and a future.  God loves you, and so do I, may God continue to lead and to guide you to what He has for you in your life.     

Do you fully understand the Question why?

I went to a Steven Curtis Chapman on 9/11, and for those of you that don't know who that is he is a Contemporary Christian Music Artist. Long story short his family had a tragic accident a few years ago, where his son, had a car accident where he hit his sister and killed her.  His son told a story last night, where he had a dream that he was looking at a painting but it was very blurred and he couldn't really see it, but the further he got away the more clearer it became.  He also said that eventhough he may not fully understand why the accident happened now, but when he gets to heaven he will fully understand why it happened.  Well when I got home and got up this morning I thought about this verse that my Mom used to tell me about, and I never really understood that verse but starting to understand it now.  It goes like this 1 Corinthians 13:12   12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.  What that verse is trying to tell us, is some what, what Caleb (Steven's Son) was telling us last night, that as long as we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and we are received into heaven by Jesus telling us well done good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21.  When get into heaven we will fully know and understand why God allowed us to go through all that we have had to endure.  I will know why God took away my Mom so early in my life, I will know why God allowed me to go through 68 Operations, why he allowed me to be born with a birth defect called Aperts Syndrome.  Why did I have to be teased and made fun of in my life.  I know some of those answers now, one of those being, because God is the one that creates us in our Mothers womb.  Psalms 139:13-17.  Do I think that God creates people with disabilities not necessarily, but I do think that God allows it to happen.  Why?  because He has a plan and a purpose for all of those that are his children.  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the Plans I have For You Declares The Lord, Plans to Prosper You and Not to Harm You To Give you a Hope and a Future.  What is it in your life, that you are going through, what is it in your life, that you are wondering or asking why, why now, why this, maybe some of you where or had family members that where affected by what happened on 9/11.  And you ask yourself why, we know that we have people who are angry at us, and who want to hurt us, but we may not fully know why those buildings or why that day until we get to heaven, and we get to ask Jesus face to face.  Why?  Their maybe some questions that you are asking God about and you may not be getting a clear answer on or not fully understanding, but one day we will fully know and understand the answer to the question. Why?  For God so Loved the world That He gave his one and Only Son For whosoever Believers in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

From The Inside Out

We must first and foremost always love God and put him first in our lives.  In Genesis 2:18, God told Adam that He was going to bring a suitable helper for him which we know was eve.  There were times in my life, when I would wonder when God was going to bring the woman that He had for me into my life.  I would even sometimes wonder if I would even find her.  Not because of the person that I was on or type of person that I was on the inside,  but because of the way I looked on the outside.  Because for the most part people look at the outside appearance.  The Bible tells us that man looks at the outside appearance, but God looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) I am not excluding myself from that category whatsoever we all do it, but do we say we like someone because of what they look like, before we truly get to know them?   There were times in my life, when I would wonder if a girl would truly get to know me and not just judge me because of what I looked like on the outside.  ( That truly wasn't just for the girls that was truly for anyone).  God is starting to break me of that and not allowing me to worry about what people think of me.  Whenever you look in the mirror, do not worry about what you look like on the outside, because sooner or later, we will get old, we will get winkles, we will start to fall apart.   Are any of us perfect by no means, but God wants to mold and shape us into his image.  I want to look at who God brings into my life from the inside out, and for who she has in her heart, and I want her to do the same in me.  For those of you that read this, I want you to do the same for those that you meet, however you meet them, and remember that those that don't look perfect on the outside may have Christ living inside of them.  When we put God first, and ask God to show us who it is that He has for us, thats the only thing that counts.

Ask, Seek, and Knock.

When I was in Bible College, one of the Professors that I had, would quote the verse in Matthew 7:7 which says 7 “​Ask, and ​​it will be given to you; ​2​ seek, and you will find; ​3​ knock, and it will be opened to you.   After he would finish that verse, he would say but we need to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking.  Why because not right away will God answer the questions or will we receive what we are asking from God.  A couple of weeks ago, God reminded me of that, especially in a ministry such as as an evangelist.  Their are times in our lives, whether it's a secular or ministry job, where the doors are going to be closed, dates and job opportunities are going to be filled up, and you will have to move on and look elsewhere.  When we are asking God for specific things in our lives, God may say yes, He will give it to us at that time, No not right now, or no you can't have it.  Or maybe at another time he hasn't made up his mind yet.  When we are desiring for the things of God, we need to keep asking, keep seeking, knocking on the heart of God, and in his timing, his plan, and his purpose it will be opened to you.  The rest of that passage goes like this,  8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  9 “Or what man is there among you ​who, when his son asks for a loaf, ​will give him a stone?  10 “Or ​​if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, ​​how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!.  I am grateful to have a heavenly father who will not give us anything that will hurt us.  

Storms of Life

Have you ever wondered why me, why have I had to go through all of these difficulties, situations, trials in my life.  I went to a school most of my life, where the students probably wondered that.  Their may have been times in their life when someone might have come up to them and said well God loves you.  He created you this way for a purpose.  Their response was probably why would your loving and caring God, create me this way if He truly loved me.  I also knew some that where angry and bitter, maybe not at God, but just because of what they where going through, and dealing with in their lives.  Did I get frustrated with some of the situations and difficulties that I had, and sometimes still have to go through yes I do, and I am a pastor.  But thankfully my parent's taught me and showed me in God's word that these things work together for Good.  These reasons may not always be able to be answered of why, but it says in Romans 8:28, And We Know That God Causes All Things To Work Together For The Good of Those Who Love Him, and Are called according to his Purpose.  For those of us that have that relationship with God, when He brings the trials to us in our lives.  Lets not try to figure out why but lets trust in him and know that when we put our trust in him he will bring us through the storm.  Just like when the disciples where on the boat, and the winds and the waves battered the boat.  The disciples cried out Jesus help, and what did he do he was sleeping, but he woke up and said peace be still and the wind and waves where calm.  For those that read this, and may wonder why me, I don't love God, but I am still going through all of these trials, but He loves you regardless of what you think about him.  He loves you so much that He sent his son to die on the cross for your sins.  He wants you to run to him, and ask him for Help, and know that He has a plan and a purpose for your life.  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to Harm you to give you a hope and a future.  God Loves you and so do I.      

Run the Race

Growing up, I always wanted to try to do anything and everything, and my parent's allowed me try to figure out on my own, what I could and could not do.  With God's help and strength couldn't wasn't much.  I was part of the games for the Physically Challenged which was the equivalent to the regular olympics except they where geared to people with disabilities.  I enjoyed running the 100 and 200 meter dash, and doing the 50 meter freestyle swim.   The bible talks about running a race as well in Hebrews 12:1-3
 Hebrews 12:1-3 says 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also ​​lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us ​run with ​c​endurance the race that is set before us,
 2 ​fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ​2​​a​author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ​​endured the cross, ​c​despising the shame, and has ​d​sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
 3 For ​a​consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ​​and lose heart. 

Their's a new saying that I like, that a friend of mine sent to me.  "The greatest achievements is to love God, love yourself, and love others"! "Its not how you start but how you finish"!
  It's the same thing with running the race that God has for us.  Some of us start the race out in the church, some of us start the race in the world, in drug and alcohol addictions, having sex before marriage, cheating in relationships.  Than we have someone that speaks to us about Christ, and we come to a knowing knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Once we have that relationship with Him, we can cross the finish line with our arms and hands raise and with a knowing knowledge of who he is, and He will say to us, well done good and faithful servant.  But God does not want us just to cross the finish line, He wants us each and every day to become more like Him, to shred off every sin which entangles us in our lives.  It does not matter how close of a relationship we have with Christ we still sin, their is no one that is/was perfect and without sin except for Christ.  Therefore no matter what we do, what sin we commit, or what mistakes, we make, we can still get up repent of our sins.  We can continue to run the race that God has for us.  For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son for whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.  John 3:16  

Facing surgery

The last couple of years, I have had problems with my stomach, I have gerd, and barrets espohgaus and maybe something more but not sure the name of it.  I have thought about it, because it has come up in Conversation with the doctors about having a operation, not a big deal but with any surgery their could be complications.  But after 68 operations in my life, I have to ask myself, another one, God do I really have to have another one.  We sing the songs that claim that God is the God that healeth thee, and I believe that 100%, why because it says it in his Word, and we see and read the stories about it.  Matthew 8:5-13 NASB  5 And ​a​when ​1​Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him,
 6 and saying, “​​Lord, my ​​servant is ​lying ​a​paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.”
 7 Jesus ​*​said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
 8 But the centurion said, “​1​Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just ​say the word, and my ​​servant will be healed.
 9 “For I also am a man under ​​authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith ​with anyone in Israel.
 11 “I say to you that many ​a​will come from east and west, and ​recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
 12 but ​a​the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into ​​the outer darkness; in that place ​​there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; ​​it shall be done for you ​as you have believed.” And the ​servant was healed that very ​moment.   

 

Matthew 15:21-28 (NASB) Healing Crowds
 29 ​Departing from there, Jesus went along by ​​the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there.
 30 And ​​large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and ​​He healed them.
 31 So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled ​​restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they ​​glorified the God of Israel. 

 

We also know that their may be reasons why God doesn't heal us.  Do we have a lack of faith, is their sin in our lives that is preventing God from healing us, or does God just want us to go to the doctors.   I have had a conversation with a friend of mine, who was injured in Iraq, and he has neck and back problems, and we hace prayed together for healing before going into the doctors for the operation.  But God hasn't healed him yet, it doesn't mean that God won't heal him or you after the surgery, but sometimes their is a human fear in our lives that we don't want to face surgery.  For those of you, me included that may be having to face surgery, whether big or small, use it as a testimony, tell the doctor before you go in, that you are beliving that God will heal you quicker than the doctors report.  Show the doctors your faith by praying before the surgery, pray for the doctors, my Mom and I used to do that before my surgeries, and believe by faith that God will guide and direct the doctors hands.  Yes God can and still does heal, but God also created the ability of the doctors to do these surgeries, and thats why they are here.  Be thankful to God, that although He hasn't healed you yet before the surgery, you will have a quick and full recovery because God has given the doctors the ability to complete the surgery. 

Your Future Spouse.

With my story, it can be very emotional, when people hear it, so I try to throw in some stories or lines that are really funny.  One of those lines that I say is, "Their are times, when I see my friends getting married, having girlfriends or maybe just relationships, and than I look in the mirror, and wonder when is it going to be my turn.  But than I hear the stories, that the men tell me about having a girlfriend, or being married, and than I am like, okay maybe it’s better that I’m still single.  I am like any other guy, I want to find the right woman that God has for me, and I am believing by faith that He will bring her to me at the right time.  I get people to really laugh at that, and to sometimes even agree with me on that, whether it's for their life or mine.  I believe the bible to be truth, and I believe that in Genesis 2:18, when it says that "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18 NIV).  I am believing in faith that God will eventually bring me the woman of God that He has for me.  Like everyone else, I want to find the woman of God that He has for me, and their are times, when I am told that they just want to be friends.  Which is fine, but as in any situation can be difficult because you are wanting that deeper friendship.  Psalm 37:4 says Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  We know that not all desiers of our heart is something that God wants us to have or to be able to do because God has a plan and a purpose for all of us.  I want to be able to seek him first, and to continue to put him first in my life, and than everything else will follow afterwards.  For those that might read this, and think that you are the only guy thats over 25 and still not married to not be concerned you are not alone.  I am 33 and still not married yet.  For the single people that read this, trust in God, and delight yourself in him, and in his timing, plan and way he will bring you your man/woman of God that He has for you, just as I am praying that He will bring one to me as well.  

With limitations, God can still use you.

Have you ever wondered, whether or not your limitations, will stop or limit you from what you want to do in your life.   Have you ever looked to do something but thought about it because you did not think that you would be able to accomplish it.  Maybe because of your fears, doubts, because someone may have told you that you wouldn't be able to do it.  Did you ever want to do something in the ministry, that you felt God calling you to do, but it was too big of a calling in your human mind, that you didn't think you would be able to do it, even with God calling you.  Their are times, we have all wondered about those things that we want to do in our lives, but we feel that we are not able to accomplish it.  But in Matthew 19:26, God says that with Him, all things are possible.  When God called the twelve men to be his disciples, he didn't call the scholars, or the teachers, of that time, he called the fishermen, he called the sinners.  Peter denied Jesus, Thomas doubted Jesus, But what about everyone that Jesus used, what where their limitations, but God stilled used them.
Here is an illustration called Who God Uses

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk

Abraham was too old

Isaac was a daydreamer

Jacob was a liar

Leah was ugly

Joseph was abused

Moses had a stuttering problem

Gideon was afraid

Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

Rahab was a prostitute

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

David had an affair and was a murderer

Elijah was suicidal

Isaiah preached naked

Jonah ran from God

Naomi was a widow

Job went bankrupt

John the Baptist ate bugs

Peter denied Christ

The Disciples fell asleep while praying

Martha worried about everything

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once

Zaccheus was too small

Paul was too religious

Timothy had an ulcer... AND

Lazarus was dead!

If God can use these men, with these limitations, what is it that God can do with you.  You can go back and read the blogs, and see what limitations it is that I have, and how God has used me, and continues to use me, but only because I have my faith in him, knowing that He has a plan and a purpose for my life.