Christian Credentials

Would you still praise Him?

Mitchell — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:30:09 +0000

If you don’t get promoted?

If you don’t get healed?

If you don’t get blessed financially?

If you don’t see your loved one saved?

If you don’t get promoted?

If you don’t fall in love?

If your baby is sick?

If your church doesn’t experience revival?

If your new car gets totaled?

If you lose your hair?

If you are gossiped about?

If you are wrongfully persecuted?

If you have 3rd degree burns all over your body?

If you cannot walk?

If you lose your sight?

Would you still praise Him If you lost everything you have?

I believe the answer to this question is the reason we are not walking in the blessings we have prayed for. I believe our happiness and praise is based on what we get from God. It is conditional. We thank Him and praise Him for the things we “believe” He will do but when they do not come (when we want) we become complainers. So the level of love for Him is exposed when we do not get our way. This needs to change.

Blessings come from Righteousness and flow TO righteousness. When we begin to understand just how great God is and that we only get to heaven because of Him(Ephesians 2:8,9). Then we will learn true praise and thanksgiving and then be blessed.

God is not trying to bless US, but Jesus IN us.

I pray we learn true thankfulness and reverence so that our praise worthy of His majesty.

-For further reading, look at the book of Job. Job lost everything and in his pit he learned why he was there (last few chapters).

Blessings

So what if I Iron my Jeans?

Mitchell — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:24:24 +0000

When I lived in Aspen I used to iron my jeans all the time, and I got crap from my friends over it. “You don’t iron jeans!” “Why you ironing your jeans?” “That’s stupid!” They would say…But when I moved back to North Dakota I didn’t care as much. Aspen is very fashion conscience and much more vain. North Dakota, on the other hand is much more laid back and the people don’t care, as much, how well people are dressed.

But last night I went and watched the North Dakota Fighting Sioux play hockey against the Wisconsin Badgers and I decided to iron my jeans, that really didn’t need it. I just wanted to look neat. It reminded me of how I used to live.

So what are your thoughts on ironing jeans? Only when necessary, never or somewhere between?

Who has it Harder, Women or Men?

Mitchell — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:47:00 +0000

It could be argued that man have it the toughest because they typically have the responsibility of making the money and doing the heavy lifting around the house. If the bills arent paid or there is no food to eat it is the mans fault. Men are the spiritual leaders in the house and if there is a problem then they are the ones who bear most of the burden to help fix it. Another thing that men deal with is not being able to show emotion. In today’s society, that can be a heavy burden that often leads to any number of major health issues.

But in some ways women have it harder because they (some of them) have to juggle a career and manage the house and kids, if they have them. Women have it harder in the work place too. It is far more difficult for a woman to advance in her career than a man. Women have to look good and it takes them longer to do that. They have to deal with sleazy coworkers or bosses who sexually harass them.

I think that women often go unappreciated in many homes. I am not married but if I were, I would come home from work and help with dinner, do the dishes with her and help with laundry. Because I believe it is both our responsibilities and mostly because I would just want to be next to my wife.

I think the women who are married with children have it the hardest. They end up putting their husbands and kids first and often let their personal dreams/aspirations fall by the wayside.

So without really making a decision on who I think has it harder, I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Who has it harder, women or men? Wonder if this will be a vote along gender lines.

Harvest

Mitchell — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:23:43 +0000

I pray that in 2012 the church begins to look and hope for a spiritual harvest instead of a financial or other one. We hear it every New Years sermon how the coming year is gonna be a year of “harvest.” Maybe it will be, but I think that too many minds think of finances when they think of harvest. And right away their minds start thinking of the things they are going to buy with their crop.

I pray that this year will be a year of spiritual harvest for those who have planted seed in the form of sacrifice and dying to self and endless prayers with fasting, in hopes the Risen Lord brings revival to their community. I pray that those who seek not, new houses and cars but pray for more bibles in their church and people to read them. People to get healed of their ailments and to have peace in their hearts. I pray that the people who lament for their neighborhood to be saved. People who will not rest until they offer a sacrifice great enough for God to rend the heavens and touch the people. I pray that the people who have sown seeds of the spirit will reap a harvest to help them be free of the flawed flesh. So that their freedom will help those in chains.

Many blessings to you this new year. I pray that our harvest this year is one that brings us closer to the Lord and not this earth. I pray that this year is the year of our breakthrough. Because last year we sowed seeds of sacrifice and praise for who He is. Praise be the Lord!

Happy 2012!

Christmas Gifts with a Twist

Mitchell — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:52:03 +0000

With Christmas quickly approaching, there are fewer and fewer days to buy presents for those on your list. But how necessary are many of the gifts we give? How many will be remembered in a few years or even in one? Now, I enjoy getting nice gifts for people. I like to see the faces of my family and friends when they open their packages and see what they got. But I also know that no matter what I give, it is not something that was a legitimate need or even a want. There are people out there with real needs and they don’t have the luxury of asking for wants. Some people, mainly kids, have to ask for clothes, shoes or school items for Christmas because their parents/parent don’t have much money.

So instead of getting gifts for my family and friends this year, I am seriously considering getting things for the ones in need, in their names. Whether it is through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child or some other way, I urge you to also consider doing this. I think it would not only be a huge blessing to those who receive the gifts, but also to those whose names they were given in.

What are some Christmas ideas you have (the above idea was not mine, I got it from my friend Curt in Colorado) to be a blessing to those who lack?

It doesn’t have to be a present that we give, sometimes our PRESENCE is so much more valuable.

Blessings, and Merry Christmas!

Favorite verse from We Didn’t Start the Fire?

Mitchell — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:24:20 +0000

I heard it on the radio recently and it brought back memories of how hard it was to sing. I loved some of the verses but didn’t know all the words. So I just mumbled and pretended like I did. Which can be pulled off, if you work in some animation (air guitar, etc) . But make sure you are mimicking the proper instrument.

I kind of liked most of these verses, at least the ones where I knew what was being said but I think my favorite was “rock and roller cola wars, I can’t take it anymore.” I also liked “Brooklyn’s got a winning team.” I’m a Dodger fan.

Can Men and Women Just Be Friends?

Mitchell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:39:01 +0000

I think it is impossible for men and women to just be friends. Sure, you may be cordial and nice to each other, but if you are making a special point to contact them, there is a good chance you like them romantically. This does not mean that you are enemies; it just means you are not happy with where you are in the relationship status. You are in the “friend zone.”

Sure, you call your wife’s friends, your friends, but you don’t hang out with them alone. They are “‘friends”’ by association. As a Christian, I view it inappropriate to hang out with someone of the opposite sex if one of us is married.

If you are a guy and you contact your female “’friend”’ for something other than business or as a source of information, etc, you probably like her. How many other women “friends” do you have who also have that information, and yet you didn’t call them? Think of the people, of the opposite sex, who contact you consistently. Are they really concerned about you, love to hear about your day, or do they have ulterior motives?

So if that guy or gal is making an effort to contact you, they may just like you.

Back on the blog

Mitchell — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:48:45 +0000

Hello all, it has been a while since I have posted anything. I recently had to send my laptop to Toshiba to replace the hardrive. Was without a computer for a couple weeks. Couple that with the fact that I have been prett busy lately and not feeling like blogging.

Well i am back and will try to write something more often.

Blessings to you!

Mitchell

Only One Cheese

Mitchell — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:36:57 +0000

If you could only eat one cheese the rest of your life what would it be?

Just think how many cheeses there are….I don’t know which one I would choose.

Do I go for the soft brie that can be served as a snack or dessert or a harder cheddar that goes with all sorts of things?

Rather than act like a cheese snob (which I am not) and produce a list of exotic cheeses I have never eaten and probably cannot pronounce, I will just let you name the ONE cheese you choose to be your one and only.

9/11-A Healthy Reflection

Mitchell — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:34:16 +0000

Ten years ago today the country seemed united because of fear, grief and anger. When the buildings fell, America started waving the flag and going back to church. But only a short time later, America had forgotten God and its new-found patriotism and everyone went back to not caring about each other.

I hope the anniversary of the attacks is not a reminder of anger and grief, but a reminder of just how quickly things can change. In an instant, those things in which we trust (job, money, possessions, status, people, etc.) can be taken like that. I hope that instead of pretending to care about each other because we are afraid, we can one day care each other because of love. Love does not use racist language, put down a person because of ideology, or rejoice when they fall. But rather, love sees the good in others, builds them up when they fall, and suffers when others grieve.

We can all say “God bless you,” put the flag out on the lawn and act patriotic for 24 hours, but I wish that instead of pretending to care and acting patriotic, we start to really love one another. Instead of tragedy bringing us together I hope we can come together because of triumph. Triumph over selfishness. Triumph over pride and greed. Triumph over the things that make us self-serving and apathetic. I hope that one day true love will give us the victory over ourselves so we can really become united. Not in fear but in faith.

If once again, America is united because of an enemy, let’s hope it’s the enemy of self.

God Bless!