From the "Ads that are really stupid" department

FOXNews.com - 'Life's Short, Get a Divorce' Law Firm Ad Causes a Stir in Chicago Neighborhood - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News:

"The ad is sponsored by Fetman, Garland & Associates, Ltd., a law firm specializing in divorce. The billboard is complete with two scantily clad bodies — one male and one female — telling people that 'Life's short, get a Divorce.' It's located near the intersection of State and Bellevue streets.

'In terms of tasteful — well, no, it wouldn't be my first choice,' one man told WFLD.

'It's offensive because the message is sex, and if you don't have what you want, you dump it,' said another woman.

But the law firm calls the ad 'cutting edge' and is making no apologies for it. Lawyers there say the ad isn't for everyone, but instead targets couples looking for a way out of a bad marital situation."

Cutting edge??? You know what would be cutting edge. People staying together and working their problems out. As one who has run away from the problems and divorced I know. You take your baggage with you when you go. Instead of divorce, why not figure out what is wrong with you and work to change it. It will not guarentee anything, but the kids you leave behind will not be so hurt.

OK State Quarter...

KOTV.com - The News On 6

Governor Brad Henry said Monday that Oklahomans who voted on the design of the quarter chose one that depicts the scissor-tailed flycatcher and the Gaillardia pulchella plant, commonly known as the Indian blanket.

They did not like my idea. I thought a good representation of the state would be to duck tape to dimes and a nickel together.

Sermon Notes - Grace Church - Desperate Households - Cry of the Outcast

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

Pastor Bob Yandian

Feb 25, 2007

We all come from dysfunctional families. The first one happened in the Garden of Eden. Quit blaming the families, lean on God to change you. Society seems to glamorize single parents, movie starts on magazines seem to be passed off as so good for raising children alone.

Today we look at a woman that got to see the inside of a dysfunctional family. Abraham and Sarah. They went off to Egypt, brought back Hagar to a 'Christian' Family and introduced her to the Lord. She got to be on the inside of the promises that they were given. Sarah tries to figure out how God's word is going to happen. She turns to her own thinking. She turns to Hagar and says maybe God wants you to have the child. She could have said no but was pressured. Now all three are wrong. Ismael the result was the only one that was not wrong. Later Sarah has a child.

Gen 21:9-20 KJV
(9) And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
(10) Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
(11) And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
(12) And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
(13) And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
(14) And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
(15) And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
(16) And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
(17) And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
(18) Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
(19) And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
(20) And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Though we use Hagar and Ismael as a type of the flesh in the New Testament, we look at it a different way. God does not create evil. He delights in using evil and turning it around for good. Some of the greatest advancements come form the evil that is sent into our lives. Do not blame God for not stopping the evil. Stand back, watch the deliverance and rejoice in the Lord. Did it catch God off guard when Joseph's brothers into the pit. Look for the way of escape that God has put there.

• Hagar is a type of God's compassion to us even when we sin.
• Our failure is never bigger than God's grace. God blesses failure. Turn it over to God and failure becomes fertilizer.
• Christians have flawed homes. Hagar was in one. She was not hired to be a surrogate mother, but she was put in the position to be one.
  
• Abraham was bonded to Hagar. You can not have sex without having a bond.
  
• Ishmael had to live with the bad choices of the parents.
  
• Sarah created a long term problem with a short term solution. Learn from that mistake.
  

There is enough blame here from people's mistakes. No matter what happens to you from people, God has a plan for your life. Sometimes the dreams that you have need to be shattered so that God can get you going in the right direction. You find happiness when you find God's will. Hagar's dreams made a mess.

• Abraham was a dead beat dad. He sent her off with a jug of water and a loaf of bread. He had enough to make her up comfortable. He could have sent her off with a least a camel for each of them. When she got to the end of her rope, she came to the God who supplies, and He will supply for you if you get in the same situation.
  

Hagar had her eyes on the situation not on the will of God. If you are in a similar situation He can do it for you also.
People can reject you. God will not reject you. You have to come to the end of yourself to happen though. Hagar had reason to blame everyone, but she cried out to God.

Gen 21:16-17 KJV
(16) And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
(17) And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

She cried out and God answered. Usually when you see the Angel of the Lord, it is Jesus. Notice though, It says that she cried out to God, but God heard the voice of the boy. Verse 17 points it out twice. If you have been abandoned by a parent, cry out to God so your other parent can be blessed to make a nation out of you.
Stop trying to do things in yourself. Turn it over to God so that you can live in the miracles He has for you.

Sermon Notes - Grace Church - 24

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

Chuck McConkey (Councilor Department Head)

Feb 21, 2007

The only chip that matters is the one for today. When you say you cannot do this anymore, when you can not give a long term guarantee, you can make it or guarantee it for one day. There are very few scriptures that mention today. There are a lot more that mention tomorrow.

Isa 43: 18 -19
Phil 3:13

We cannot change the past. We are not to worry about tomorrow. Work on today. A solider would not carry all the old boots and uniforms. He carries what he needs and no more. We carry our past and want God to share it with us. Why do we carry it. James says to confess our sins so that we can be healed. Maybe they are related.

What would happen if we believed that today was all we had.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. Encourage someone while is it still light. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

Can you do it today? Can you do it tomorrow? Worry about that tomorrow not today. God's mercies are new every morning. You can do it today. Die daily to the flesh.

Psa 1:2 KJV
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
What day? Today! You can think he has no life, but you have to do so to be the person that you need to be. You may not be able to do it forever, but you can do it today.

Give us this day our daily bread. Today take every thought captive. Husbands love your wife today. Wives respect your husband today. You can do it today. If we really believe these things would we do things a little different?
Let no corrupt communications come out of your mouth, today. Be kind, do not give up, prefer others, do not force will on others, do not fly off handle, do not keep score on others, trust, TODAY. Can you do that, you can do it today. If I am given tomorrow then it will be today.

The only book with a guarentee (conditional though it is) is the Bible)

Exo 8:1-9 KJV
(1) And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
(2) And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
(3) And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:
(4) And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
(5) And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
(6) And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
(7) And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
(8) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
(9) And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?

What are the frogs. They are the secret things in your life. They are with you no matter where. In your bed, your food, etc. Pharaoh ask for the frogs to be removed and Moses said you tell me when you want them to go.

Exo 8:10 KJV
(10) And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.

What person in his right mind will say get rid of them tomorrow. Why do we wait for tomorrow to get rid of our frogs.

Salvation is in three tenses in the Greek. We were saved. We are continiously being saved. We have future in heaven.
2Co 6:2 KJV
(2) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Today is the day we can get delivered.

NASCAR and their rules

Stewart forced to meet with NASCAR; car held: "Stewart met with officials at 7 a.m. EDT, and NASCAR did not let his Joe Gibbs Racing team unload its car from the transporter until that meeting ended at 7:35 a.m. Other competitors had unloaded their cars and begin work when the garage opened at 7 a.m."

I thought that NASCAR said they were not going to punish Steward for his actions and words. Any delay in letting his staff unload the car is a punishment. It may not be the monetary/points that they normally do, but it is a punishment.
I have been a fan of NASCAR for a few years now. Try as I might, the other types of car racing are not more than a passing interest to me. Like Tony I am getting fed up with phantom cautions and the selective enforcement of rules. I am also not fond of the top 35 being locked in. NASCAR is going down in my estimation. While it will still interest me, it is getting to the point, that cutting the grass, a job I am not that fond of, is getting to me to be more interesting than watching the races.

From the I Never Check the Facts Department

Tulsa the state capital??? - FOX23 News: "Yvonna Coulter found the card listing the state tree as the redbud, state bird as the scissortailed flycatcher, state animal the buffalo and the state capital - as Tulsa."

Kind of makes you wonder about the quality control that companies put in to their products, doesn't it?

From the Really Dumb Criminals Department

Guess They're Watching 'CSI' in Detroit

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (AP) — Norman O. Wheeler probably wishes he would have finished his cinnamon bun.

Police say they used DNA evidence from a partly eaten pastry to arrest Wheeler in a 2004 car theft.

The 40-year-old Detroit resident already was serving time for another auto theft when authorities made the DNA match in the Dec. 11, 2004, theft. He pleaded guilty April 2 and faces sentencing May 22.

Eastpointe Officer Ed Lulko answered a car-theft call at a drug store parking lot, and a witness told him she saw a man arrive in one car, break out the windows of a second car and drive off, according to police in the Detroit suburb.

'Officer Lulko found the partially eaten pastry in the car and sent it to the Michigan State Police crime laboratory with hopes that the DNA left on the roll could lead to the identity of the perpetrator,' Detective Eric Keiser told The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens.

As a convict, Wheeler had a DNA sample on file in a state database, enabling the match."

Sermon Notes - Grace Church - A Battle Cry

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

Rob Yandian (Youth Minister)

Feb 18, 2007

Role of youth pastor is to back up the parents. Parents are not to dump the children off on Sunday morning with a list and pick them up later with all problems resolved. Who were the youth pastors in the Bible? The parents. The Bible does not say 'children obey your youth pastor,' it says obey your parents.

Ron Luce wrote a book, A Battle Cry for a Generation. He says 4% of youth are Christians today. They are a vocal group tough.

Parents need to be the moms and dads that are called to be. We are not to be their friends.

Luk 15:3-7 KJV
(3) And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
(4) What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
(5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
(6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
(7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

One percent of the sheep are gone and the Shepard goes after them. We as adults even if we do not have kids should be involved in sheparding the youth. Yes we are to go into all the world and it starts in your neighborhood. Will you let the neighbor's teens got to hell. We are in a war. What happens when a solider gets hurt, do they leave them behind. No, then why do we do so with the teens.

Rom 12:4-5 KJV
(4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
(5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1Co 12:20-26 KJV
(20) But now are they many members, yet but one body.
(21) And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
(23) And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
(24) For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
(25) That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
(26) And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Each member needs each other. Teens you need your parents. Adults need teens. Parents have experience that youth need to hear. Even if times have changed, things have not changed that much that the experiences are not worth comparing to youths needs. Parents, you know what MySpace is? Parents can use the energy of the youth.

Instruction in the word of God is for the most part is aimed at parents. For the youth there is one main command, Children obey your parents. Youth, parents are not perfect, they will make mistakes. Parents, when you make a mistake, apologize to your children. Teens want to be respected parents. They are sons and daughters of the Lord, just as you are. Talk down to them and you come off as superior and that will cause them to shut you off. Do not show them fake respect. A boss treats you with respect and you feel good, if they tread you bad you feel bad. You are not much different than your teen. Teach them to hear the voice of God and follow it. It will do well with them when they are free.

Responsibilities

• Pray
  2Ch 7:14 KJVR
  (14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  Pray to see if you should get involved.
  Eze 22:30 KJVR
  (30) And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
  Pray for the youth. Of your home, your neighborhood, your city, etc.
• Lay down the house rules and keep the. Children should not have a choice if they go to church. You should go and they should go with you. They knew about that exam they had to study for. They need to plan their time better. They do not need a friend, they need an authority figure. Authority means you tell them what the consequences are going to be when they break the rules and then follow through on them. Authority is not about yelling, it is about getting people to follow the rules. It can be a calm word that does it, not yelling. Enforce rules about their computer use, including their MySpace page and other online things.
  

Elders need to mentor the younger people.

Teflon Juan

Montoya gesture could result in Busch Series penalty:

"AVONDALE, Ariz. - NASCAR will look into whether Juan Pablo Montoya violated any of its rules by using an obscene gesture that was telecast by a Speed in-car camera during the final Busch Series practice Friday, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston confirmed."

Looks like Teflon Juan is having some of his Teflon wear off. Though I think he is a good racer, he has done a lot of stupid stuff. Hope NASCAR does something and that this is a wake up call for the driver.

From the 'He ran me over ' department

Earnhardt Jr. finishes race in car that wrecked him:

"FORT WORTH, Texas - Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car suffered heavy damage in a crash on lap 252 of the Samsung 500 when he was rammed from behind by an apparently blinded Kyle Busch.

But when Busch left the track after a 'miscommunication' with his Hendrick Motorsports team, guess who drove Busch's car to the finish?

Yes, Earnhardt Jr."

Now that is a class act. Drive the car of the guy who ran over you to take you out of the race so that he can pick up points in the standings. Just hope it does not come back to bite him later.

Tulsa in the newss...

FOXNews.com - Crowd Throws Rocks at Police During Apartment Standoff With Murder Suspect - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News:

"TULSA, Okla. — A murder suspect surrendered to police following a three-hour standoff at an apartment complex that was complicated by a crowd of bystanders who threw rocks at police, authorities said."

Great, Tulsa gets noticed again! Unfortunately it is for throwing rocks at police men trying to do their job. What makes this worse, and what they do not tell you here is that not less than a month ago, the people of this area of town were screaming for police protection when a drive by shooting fired into a crowd of youth. Now, the police are trying to protect them and they get rocks thrown at them. If I was a cop, I am not sure I would want to go into that area either.

Imus the Martyr

ESPN.com - NCW - CBS fires Don Imus from radio show:

"CBS fired Don Imus from his radio show Thursday, the finale to a stunning fall for one of the nation's most prominent broadcasters.

Imus initially was suspended for two weeks for calling the Rutgers women's basketball team 'nappy-headed hos' on the air last week, but outrage continued to grow and advertisers bolted from his programs."

I think that CBS in particular and MSNBC to a less degree have made a mistake. And all the people crying for his ouster also did. Jessie Jackson has to go back and remember his Hymie-town remarks before he goes pointing any fingers at anyone.

What they have done is make Imus a martyr for a lot of people. When people think of reverse discrimination, this will be the case that gets pointed out. As I said, the critics cannot really point fingers, they say worse. I had to laugh as I watched rapper M1 try to defend the use of the same words in rap music by saying white people made them say it. I am not defending what he said, it was wrong. But he is/was a shock jock, has been since I lived in the Boston area in the 70's. He was a shock jock before the term was created.

Imus will land on his feet and get another job, CBS and MSNBC will have made him a martyr in the process.

No end in sight to hacking of 'WoW' accounts | Tech News on ZDNet

No end in sight to hacking of 'WoW' accounts | Tech News on ZDNet:

"There are more than 8 million WoW players, so even if tens of thousands are finding their accounts compromised, that's still a very small percentage of the total.

But for the hackers, the rewards can be substantial. That's because many players hoard gold, weapons, spells or armor worth a lot of money on the open market. Even though Blizzard doesn't officially allow players to buy or sell those goods, there is a thriving market for them (and that's in spite of the fact that eBay, one of the most popular venues for such transactions, recently decided to ban them)."

I tried to tell my students that there was a black market in things that did not really exist but they did not believe me. It is crazy isn't it.

Air Force Tries Something Amazing with Mobile, Bluetooth · MarketingVOX

Air Force Tries Something Amazing with Mobile, Bluetooth · MarketingVOX:

"Cellphone-toting NASCAR fans at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend will get pinged with a mobile recruitment pitch from the United States Air Force, reports AdAge.

The mobile extension of the Air Force's 'Do Something Amazing' campaign is developed by GSD&M. Bluetooth transmitters setup around the racetrack will find suitably equipped mobile devices and send messages encouraging the recipient to stop by the Air Force presence at the racetrack."

This is not a good idea. Did they think that they might get people too old to join maybe. Or people who do not want to join. When did a phone stop being mine and being a way for them to send ads (and I do not mean just the Air Force on that)? At least it is Bluetooth and not SMS. The former cost nothing but can be annoying and a way to spread cell phone viruses (Yes the do exist). The latter cost money even if you do not want the messages.

What do you see?

Here is an interesting picture I found on the web. If my students are reading my blog (I doubt it) they need to pay close attention.



I got this from the Sixwise web site which I stumbled upon by accident. It has many other double message images. So what did you see. Did you see teach? Did you see learn also?

As a adjunct instructor I teach my students. They of course reflect what I teach them by what they have learned.

Sermon Notes - Grace Church - Healing Hindrances

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Grace Church

Bob Yandian

Healing Hindrances

Feb. 14, 2007

God has given the healing power. We have the problem if we are not getting healed. It is no different than salvation, all are supposed to receive it.

Unbelief

Mat 13:58 KJV

(58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mat 17:20 KJV

(20) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Unbelief is the opposite of faith. Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God. Unbelief is listening to the reports of the world. We cannot escape them, but we have to decide which report to believe, God or the worlds. Faith is the gas pedal and unbelief is the break.

Unforgiveness

Mar 11:23-25 KJV

(23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

(24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

(25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Jam 5:16 KJV

(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Unforgiveness will block so many areas of your life. It can rob the reward that you can have in your giving. Like that, it can also hinder your healing blessings. Job got his healing, at the end of the book, when he forgave his friends.

Harboring Sin

Psa 66:18 KJV

(18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

God can not hear you if you have sin in your life. You cannot justify sin to God. If you are in sin, God will not hear your prayers for healing. This is unconfessed sin.

Jam 4:3 KJV

(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

If what you are asking for is something that you will use for your own lust. God does not care what you have as long as it does not have you. You need to be sold out to God.

You do not have fervency in your life

Heb 11:6 KJV

(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God wants us to ask Him diligently. It is not something that we just flippantly ask for something. You need to be that way to stand up against what the devil fervenantly is throwing at you. God was diligent in seeking you, you need to do the same with Him. The people cried out to Jesus for healing, and He heard them over the crowds. That was not some quiet prayer.

People preoccupied with watching their symptoms

2Co 4:18 KJV

(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Do not look at the circumstances but look upon God. If you focus on the temporary, you cannot receive the eternal. This does not mean to not look at the symptoms, but you thank God that they are changing.

Discouragement while waiting, cast away confidence

Heb 10:35 KJV

(35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

You will have a great payday (recompense) coming from your heavenly boss. Why do you have confidence in your earthly boss and not the Godly one?

Heb 3:14 KJV

(14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

All the things we trust God for after salvation is the time of our confidence. Keep eye on word of God. Confess it every day.

Many believe they are healed when they see it and that is not the way it works

Mar 11:24 KJV

(24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

You believe when you pray, not when the symptoms disappear.

Failure to make the word of God personal

The word is as much for us as it was for the people that it was written to at the time. Mark 11:24 points to you.

Sermon Notes - Grace Church

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

Desperate Households – Divorce and Remarriage

Grace Church Sermon notes

Pastor Bob Yandian

Feb. 11, 2007

Mat 19:3-8 KJV

(3) The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

(4) And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

It is quite clear here how man was made, male and female, not two of the same gender. That is what marriage is.

(5) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh

(6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

(7) They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away

(8) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

The religious people had found a loophole in the Law to permit divorce. They tried to trick Jesus. They felt any reason was good enough for divorce. Religious people today go the other way, divorce is the sin not permitted. Both extremes are wrong. Divorce and remarriage are permitted in the Bible, under certain conditions.

In the beginning God made Adam and Eve. When they fell into imperfection, they were still married. Yes you should try to restore the fellowship with your spouse. You are not the only one having these problems. Many others have the same problems. If they can make it through them so can you. Remember that you cannot change the other person’s life; you only can change your own. Divorce is usually for petty small reasons that can be worked out. Marriage is a covenant.

God hates Divorce.

Mal 2:16 KJV

(16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

God does not condone murder and adultery. God hates divorce but it is not a sin. It is not God’s best. He did not want a King for Israel, but he permitted it. Divorce is permitted in the Word. When you miss God’s will or plan, God still has plan B. God divorces Israel because they had hardness of heart.

Many churches will not let you serve if you are divorced. They use 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6. They say husband of one wife means no divorce. Paul would have meant one wife only, not polygamy.

Moses most likely was divorced. He had married and went to lead the people out. When the family went, he took ill and God said go no further till his son was circumcised. She hated him for that and left him. Moses later married and Ethiopian woman. In other words, the one who wrote the laws on divorce was himself divorced and remarried. There is a career after divorce. It is not the best plan. Even if the divorce is your fault, God can turn it around. Talk to people who have been divorced and see the pain that they have gone through.

Deu 24:1-2 KJV

(1) When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

(2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

She can go and be another man’s wife. Not him. She was the problem, she had the uncleanness. God forgives sinning. People will search the scripture to make it mean what they want it to. We walk in faith. We choose to walk in love. This is a covenant. Uncleanness was the loophole, they knew what the law said about being clean and unclean and they would wait till the wife was in an unclean state and divorce her. Unclean here means a sexual affair that she will not turn from. There is no such thing as a better or perfect person. Note in the scripture that divorce and remarriage are permitted by God.

Scriptural reasons for divorce (hardness of heart)

• Adultery (sexual perversion as well)
  Mat 5:32 KJV
  (32) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery
  Mat 19:9 KJV
  (9) And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
  Only used when mate will not turn from their ways. Hardness of heart going from one to the other is not good. If someone truly repents you should try to work it out.
• Abuse or brutality
  Mal 2:14-16 KJV
  (14) Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
  (15) And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
  (16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
  
  Hurting of the wife is the abuse or brutality.
• Desertion
  1Co 7:15 KJV
  (15) But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

Paul also mentions some others.

1Co 7:27 KJV

(27) Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Do not make putting one away and quickly finding another. Spend time with God.

1Co 7:28 KJV

(28) But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

You will bring problems in another marriage, it can be worked out. Paul says you can remarry.

1Co 7:10-11 KJV

(10) And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

(11) But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Even after divorce, things can be worked out. We need to make up our minds that divorce is not an option. We have a covenant.

Pro 13:10 KJV

(10) Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Pride is where the problems begin.

Pro 17:14 KJV

(14) The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Getting your two cents in is often where the contention starts.

Change yourself not your mate.

Psa 57:7 KJV

(7) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Fix your heart in the things of God.

Remember that in order for you to make a u turn down the road you need to put the breaks on now. Fix your heart on God.

Psa 112:7-8 KJV

(7) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

(8) His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Forget about what you could have had from the past. Your heart is not fixed if you do.

You may say that you do not love your mate anymore. Feelings are the last things that come when you walk in faith. You feel sick till you walk in faith for healing. You say that you love them and you walk in faith till you feel it.

Recent Events

Some things that have happened recently in no particular order:

Home Depot April 2007

Home Depot for April 2007. We built a roller coaster car. Of course the decals for it were for Six Flags. Neat advertisements I guess. Click on the link for the Picasa Photo album.

Easter Eggstravaganza 2007

Easter Eggstravaganza. Our Church, Grace Church in Tulsa, held their 'no chocolate cause it melts in the sun' easter egg and candy hunt. Door prizes were given and Israel even participated in the 'Hands of Grace' performance. Move in the album if you click on the link.

Baptism Annie and Izzy

Last month, Annie and Israel, as a sign of their accepting Jesus in to their lives chose to get baptized. Here are some pictures and even some movies of the event.

Lots of stuff happening in the house of Dr. Bob.

Playing with new tecnology

I have been experimenting with some new stuff. I can not say that I am impressed with any off it but I am not sure if it is just me or if there really is not reason to have them.

Twitter: While it seems like a neat idea, I just do not see why. The concept is that I can send a text message to it or update it there. It then tells people what I am doing. The concept is that if you want to follow what I am doing then you can either go to the page or subscribe to my feed by RSS or have it sent to you by text message on your phone. Since no one subscribes to my feeds I update it and no one sees it. Then because no one is seeing it I tend not to update it as much. I guess it is like blogging. I have a handful of people who read this on a regular basis, and the rest trip across it by googling some term (you should see some of the ways that they get here), so I am not what they call an A list blogger (more of a D or below list blogger). When I get enough people that would be interested in finding out what i am doing, then it makes sense, other wise it is a waste of time.

Tumblr: This is for blogging if you do not like to blog. You do not put up paragraphs of things like I do here. It would basically be quick links to other places, or images, conversations, Utube videos, etc. You can even cut and paste logs of IM conversations that you have. As you can see by my page I really am not sure what to do with it. I have been blogging on Blogger almost as long as it has been here. I have worked with these tools for so long and know what I am doing with them that to be brief does not seem to make sense to me. If you use it and like it let me know.

ImiFied: What I thought would be a neat idea has turned out to be a great disappointment. The theory is that I can use an IM program to update my Google calendar, one of many different blogs, other web based productivity tools from other sites and some from their own. I thought the blog one would be neat, I could IM and update the blog. Unfortunately they GTalk bot is down a lot, and when it is up, they only support the old Blogger API, not the new one. I have updated to the new one a while back (just before my surgery), so I am dead in the water with it. The other things are nice, but not something that I would do a lot. Any one have any luck with it?

Well, some things to look about and let me know what you think.

MacGyver Tip: CD spindle bagel tote - Lifehacker

MacGyver Tip: CD spindle bagel tote - Lifehacker

Got to love this idea. But the question is how much data can you store on that bagel? Thanks Lifehacker for a great idea (even if it is strange looking).