tigahscribe's Xanga

Monday, March 05, 2007

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 23:14:30 GMT

Wow, I've not posted since November. I've gotten really lazy about Xanga. I see the last post was about the growth at church. Well, it's been four months, so how about an update? We're now pushing 800 people in Sunday School! That means another 160 more than just four months ago. And last Sunday, we had 425 people who were 18 and younger!

Our pastor received a letter informing him/us that our church was in the top one percent in the entire SBC for baptising people. The Spirit is truly moving.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:50:19 GMT

Heard an amazing statistic at church last night. Urbancrest had more than 640 in Sunday School this Sunday. The same weekend a year ago, they had 480-plus. That's an increase of 160-plus, or 33 percent, in just one year. Wow! That's what it's all about!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:36:41 GMT

Last week/weekend proved to be one of the most exciting and meaningful times in my life spiritually. Got to take part in our church's walk-through drama presentation of Judgement House. I had no idea what an impact it would have. More than 2,130 people came through over six nights. Of that total, 124 people accepted Christ, and 122 rededicated their lives to Christ. It was just a tremendous outpouring of God's spirit, unlike anything I have ever personally been involved in before. And I can't wait for next year's Judgement House!

Along with those numbers, more than 200 people participated as volunteers, whether in acting, registration, concessions, security, parking, counselors, runners, props, sound, etc. It is amazing to see how God can gift so many people in so many ways, yet create a unified spirit for a common purpose - to evangelize the lost and bring the wandering back to Him.

And church Sunday was maybe the most incredible, exhilirating day of worship I have ever experienced. It wasn't even like church; it was more like one long spiritual pep rally, lifting hands and clapping in enthusiastic worship and praise. I've never been so pumped up to be part of God's team. Maybe for the first time in my more than 20 years of being a Christian, I'm finally starting to realize what belonging to God really means. And how awesome, powerful, holy, sovereign, gracious and mighty He is! Anyway, we served notice to Satan that we were taking territory from him. And by God's power, we did!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 23:23:02 GMT

If your faith is persistently weak, could it be that you've not given God a chance to prove He is faithful? I ask this of you, but I pose it to myself just as much.

An exerpt from a book entitled "Walking by Faith" by Jennifer Rothschild, a Christian author who happens to be blind, says, "That's why trust is a risk. We never learn whether someone is worthy of our trust unless we risk walking with him-and that's what God invites us to do."

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good," David says, "blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Ps. 34:8)

She writes this passage in the context of explaining how she has had to rely on others to be her physical guide, since she is without sight. I placed myself in her situation and imagined what it must be like to rely completely on others to help me from place to place while all I saw was physical darkness. Then I realized that was also a metaphor for many of life's spiritual struggles and challenges.

We often find ourselves in the dark on things. We don't know where we are or what is coming. The darkness can seem like a curse. Or, perhaps, it's a blessing. Because what we might normally consider as darkness is actually a perfect opportunity to take God at His word and dare to trust Him in the circumstance. Because after all, darkness must give way to light when God is present. If only we'd be perceptive enough to see the light that is chasing our darkness. And realize that, sometimes, some momentary darkness is necessary so that the contrast of God's light might be manifested in and through us. If only we'd trust more. If only I'd trust more.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:48:17 GMT

Guys, today was one of the most incredible days in my career. I got to fly aboard an Air Force KC-10 aerial refueling tanker. The aircraft flew in to Wright-Patt from a base in New Jersey so that the acquisition folks who work on tanker aircraft upgrades can get a chance to see and fly aboard the aircraft they manage. A friend from the office and I were aboard to escort media covering the flight.

The mission was to fly to an area over Missouri and back, doing aerial refuelings of another tanker aircraft and three A-10 Warthogs. There were a number of people on board our aircraft, so the crew had us go two at a time to walk down to the end of the aircraft, go down some stairs and into the boom operator's station. For those not familiar with the term, the boom is the long pole that extends from the tanker and connects to the aircraft being refueled. The fuel then passes through the boom into the receiving aircraft.

Anyway, my friend and I both got to sit next to the boom operator and watch this A-10 pull up behind us and line up with the boom while the operator maneuvered the boom into position. He topped off the A-10 with 1,000 gallons of fuel (yes, you read that right) at 11,000 feet and 250 mph. We got some pictures. Below is one of them. It was an awesome day!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:05:27 GMT

Hey everyone. I'm back on! Internet service was out for a few days but we've got it working again.

You guys need to click on the link below and check out the video on the page. It's a short but pretty dramatic portrayal of what it might be like in church if the Rapture were to happen. Pretty jolting. http://www.rapturealert.com/2006/080806readyforrapture.asp

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:29:04 GMT

Christians should be following the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah through the perspective of Biblical prophecy. I must admit, I get frustrated that we don't talk more about prophecy these days when we consider world events.

I really think that events seem to be accelerating and shaping up much as prophecy describes. And though we can not know the hour or day of Christ's return for his church, He did say we'll know the season. That we as believers will not be in the dark, because we'll be able to compare what's going on with what He described.

Conditions seem to have ratcheted up to a boiling point in the Middle East, and just as the Bible suggested, Israel is at the center of it all. Folks, don't let the secular media fool you. Land for peace will not work. That's because Iran, Syria and the terrorist organizations don't want to coexist with Israel. They want to destroy Israel. And they will not rest until they can accomplish it. But God has different plans.

As Christians, we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for Israel. And we should be examining the motives of our hearts and living intentionally for Christ daily. The time to do so may be drawing short. It just amazes me that at a time when events in the Middle East unfold parallel to a prophetic pattern, we Christians can seem so oblivious to things.

I'm not saying that Christ will return tomorrow or next week. The current conflict itself could calm and things could settle for a time. But know that the general pattern of developments in recent years in that region points to things reaching a breaking point, sooner than later, I think. Live for God. And keep looking up. Our redemption just may be drawing near.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 15:08:56 GMT

Went to see Superman Returns this weekend with family and friends. I'd been wanting to see it since I saw the first teaser trailer. They kind of played up the man of steel's sensitive side, but at least the special effects were really cool. Anyway, it's just cool to see Superman flying again. And I'm glad they kept the original Superman theme music produced by composer John Williams from the Christopher Reeve movies.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:07:22 GMT

I came across this in an email. Thought I'd share....

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the! forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.

"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women - President Ronald Reagan

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 10:09:12 GMT

Alright, I'm going to reveal my novice nature, but how do you get this irritating US Cellular jigsaw puzzle photo promotion off of here?

Edit by Payton: Get with it old man! I got rid of it for you.