Greetings everyone! I wanted to check in with everyone and share how I am doing.
As most of you know, I have started my Pastor's Ordination. It has been awhile
since I have been to school, so balancing family, studying, and writing papers has
taken some adjusting.

I wanted to share with you a movie that Kim and I were watching; "The Last Samurai".
It is an older movie, but has a great message. No, it is not just a guy movie :)
yes, it has a lot of fighting scenes, but the journey of the main character; Captain
Nathan Alredge is a person that we all might identify with.

The movie is set in the 1800's. Captain Nathan Aldredge is running from his past.
He has done things that he is not proud of. He tries to hide his past in alcohol.
Through a series of events he is captured by Samurai;
which means "To serve." His capture is a very dark time of self revelation.

Captain Aldredge soon finds his heart, a purpose, and a reason to fight and live
again. There is much more to this movie, I did not want to ruin the movie if you
have not seen it. There are although a couple of thoughts that I had after watching
it.

I could see myself in Captain Aldredge. There was a time in my life that I was not
proud of. I had done things that I did not know how to get out of. Then Jesus got
a hold of my heart, I found myself through Him, and a reason to fight.

I found a YouTube (I can send you the link if you like)
video on "The Last Samurai". If you look at the running time of this video clip,
start at 1:16 to 2:51.

In this scene I see my own struggle, maybe you can too. Captain Aldredge is healing
from a fight, and his body is broken. During this part of his journey a storm is
raging, he is not looking for a fight, but the fight finds him. The enemy is
ruthless,
and shows no mercy. Captain Aldredge never gives up the fight or his wooden sword
(The Bible) even though the enemy tries to take it away from him. In fact "The
Samurai"
believe that their sword is their spirit.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

Is not that just like the enemy? You are at your lowest time, maybe you are broken
and healing, you are not looking for a fight, but the enemy does not play fair.
He finds you and tries to steal your joy. When you are going though these trials
in your life, you have to hang with every fiber of your being. Immerse yourself
into the word of God, and He will see you through.

In closing, Captain Aldredge made a comment in his journal that stuck with me. He
was describing "The Samurai" with this statement:

"They are an intriguing people, from the moment they wake they devote themselves
to perfection of whatever they pursue, I have never seen such a discipline people."

What an amazing statement! Would it not be a testimony to Christ if people who did
not know us or Jesus, looked at our lives and made the same statement?

You might be thinking to yourselves, I do not want or can't be a monk or dedicate
myself to 24/7 study of the Bible. The great news is that you do not have to! Remember
Jesus' command in Luke?

"He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as
yourself" - Luke 10:27

Devote yourself daily to those two commands, people will make that statement about
you.

So, do you see a little Samurai in you?  If you are looking for a good movie night, grab the popcorn, and a copy of "The Last Samurai."

Have a blessed week In Christ. - Jim

I am not too sure if you caught the Steven Curtis Chapman family on Larry King Live last night..... they were awesome examples of real Believers.

If you do not know what happened, they are very involved in adoptions from China. They adopted a litte girl from there. To make a long story short. Their youngest son was backing out of the driveway, had an accident, and little Maria went to heaven.

What was so neat about the whole family is that they were real, with real feelings....... but, they never lost their faith in God. They did not try theologolicy explain the happening here on earth, or speak for God.

I remember at one point of the interview the mom was saying....

Are we mad.....yes.

Did I lock myself in the closet.....yes.

Did I scream and yell..... yes.

But, I did not blamed God, He was my strength. All of them said, that they do not understand what or why things happen here on earth, but they know the promises of heaven and the Bible...... Real people, real feeling, that love and trust God even when things do not make sense.

I know that God has and will use this for His glory!

Jim

Gods411

I was reading last night in Matthew the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)

I have read this story many times, but what struck me was the last verse v35.

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother "from your heart." - Matt. 18:35

I realized that I have said, "I forgive you" many times, but have I meant it from my heart? Sometimes it is hard to forgive people that hurt you, or maybe that person you are still angry with? Jesus said that He will do the same as we do to our brothers and sisters here on earth.

What does it mean "From Your Heart"?

What troublesome desire did Paul say is "common to man?"

Do you know where Paul said this??

Yesterday, someone made a post about Doubting Thomas, and I meditated on it all last night, and here are a couple of thoughts.

First, I think there is a little "Thomas" in us all. I know many people who at one time or another demanded Jesus to give us proof that He exsists. You know how it goes...... Jesus, I know you love me, and I know you care, so why are you not doing this for me???? If you do not, You must be mean and uncaring. To me that is pretty much cornering Jesus telling Him to do this for you.

Second, if you remember Thomas was willing to die for Jesus, Jesus wanted to go into a country where passing could mean their lives (John 11:15-17) Thomas was very bold and spoke up. But, is that like all of us. When Jesus is close to our side, we are STRONG. But, when Jesus is quite, we freak out, maybe question where He is.

Third, when reading the Bible, always put yourself into the time and person first, then make a bridge. We have the Bible, and know the end of the story, they did not, they were living moment by moment.

Example; for centuries if you were a believing Jew, you knew that the prophets foretold of a coming Messiah. One to redeem them, crush the opposing Roman Empire. Herod told them he was god, but they knew/believed different.

Then, one day this Rabbi (An amazing teacher; maybe like Billy Graham of our time) came to you. You, a very common person, and this Rabbi told you He believed in YOU, and He want YOU to follow him. Just that fact that a Rabbi asked you (not evening knowing it was THE MESSIAH) was an honor.

Thomas, left and became a discicple of this Rabbi. (Matt. 10:2-4) During these amazing 3 years of being with this Rabbi, he came to believe...... he KNEW this was the Messiah! People are healed, rasied from the dead, He speaks like no-one he has ever heard. Finally, towards the end of the 3 years, He (Jesus) make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Stand for royality) Thomas, must have thought....... THIS IS IT..... finally after centuries, I am going to witness the prophecy......... THE MESSIAH HAS COME TO REDEEM US!

Sadly, to see his Messiah taken, and killed the most brutal death.... I think if I were any of the disciples, I would be confused, hurt, scared, I just wasted 3 years of my life, where/what do I do now? So, for Thomas to want to see the scars......... would not you, maybe?