daddy4ms

Review: Brad’s messages the last few weeks Who is God? Where is God? What? 7-11 Promise from Psalm 46:7,11-“The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Know Fear (Transportation, Government, Education, Entertainment, Relationships, Finance, Nutrition, Health) Why? John 10:10-“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Matthew 14:30-“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me.” Introduction: Mackenzie’s birth story (Yesterday was her 18 th birthday) Bethany placed on bedrest at 32 weeks while pregnant with Mackenzie At 35 weeks, she went into labor and doctors couldn’t stop it and because Mackenzie was breach, she was delivered via C-section I was able to carry Mackenzie to the NICU after birth where she spent the next 2 weeks   During this time of uncertainty, there was a lot to be anxious about.   However, Bethany and I had a...

This is a regular feature now that replaced "Playing on the Radio." This week, I am sharing hymns that point me to Jesus. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is: Doxology by Anthem Lights

Every Easter, I share a favorite Easter Song.  There are two that I love.  One is an upbeat version of a popular hymn and the other by Ernie Hasse and the Signature Sound.  Both are a reminder of what Christ did for us and how we have a Risen Savior.  Enjoy!

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 150  Praise the Lord ! Praise God in his sanctuary;      praise him in his mighty heavens! 2  Praise him for his mighty deeds;      praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3  Praise him with trumpet sound;      praise him with lute and harp! 4  Praise him with tambourine and dance;      praise him with strings and pipe! 5  Praise him with sounding cymbals;      praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord ! (Psalm 150)

Here are notes from my sermon today at Hesston MB.  It is based on Philippians 1:12-18. The Important Thing Philippians 1:12-18 Praise : What God has done at Philippi -As we begin this morning, let’s be reminded of the opening verses from Philippians 1 that were read during singing this morning. ·          1:3-Paul is thankful for people of Philippi. He remembers that God saved Lydia & the jailer, and how God worked miracles of casting out demons and prison doors being opened.   ·          1:6-Thankful to God who “began a good work will carry it on to completion ·          1:5,7-He is thankful for their support of his ministry ·          1:9-11-prays for their love to abound more and more & ends in verse 11, it is all to the glory and praise of God. What God has done through Hesston MB ...

God is worthy of our praise!  Worship him today wherever you may be.  Enjoy this hymn by Fanny Crosby.

As you listen to this hymn, be reminded why God is worthy of our worship.

I grew up singing the Doxology in church.  So, when I heard this new song by Zac Hicks at Liberate 2015, it brought back memories, but created new ones with extra verses that teach the gospel.  Enjoy this song as you listen & read the lyrics. Listen here Law Gospel Doxology Words: Zac Hicks & Julie Anne Osterhus, 2014 Music: Traditional ©2014 Unbudding Fig Music (ASCAP), Julie Anne Osterhus Your perfect law exposes me I feel my sin and desperate need My best good works are powerless To satisfy Your righteousness But there is One who lived for me His life, my only victory His death forever sealed in time That I am His and He is mine Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

For my morning devotions over the last few months, I have been reading one Psalm each morning and listing the character or attributes of God.  It has been a blessing to me.  I specifically look for words related to God not the person. This has reinforced a few thoughts for me: God is good!  So often, we make God out to be a grumpy mean deity in the Old Testament. The Psalms are a reminder of God being loving, good, and gracious. God is for us!  I am currently in Psalm 69 and I am reminded how God is for us as his people.  Many times the author of the Psalm asks for deliverance or help from God.  We see a God who is interested in the lives of His people. God is powerful!  Listen to these words from Psalm 68: " O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose p...

Listen to the many ways God has proved faithful and is worthy of praise as you read these promises from 1 Chronicles: “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!   Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’   And God granted his request” (4:10). “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.   Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.   Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (16:10-12). “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.   For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.   Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place” (16:25-27). “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (16:34). “I declare to you that the Lord will build a house f...

Last Friday, as pastors we asked our congregation to consider a corporate fast for 12 hours on Good Friday.  As pastors, we each took a four hour shift to be available in the sanctuary to pray with people.  People came in and out during my time, but I spent most of the time praying and reading the Bible on behalf of Hesston MB.  Here is a portion of what I wrote down during my time in the sanctuary: Because Christ is Redeemer, I am redeemed. Because Christ is Savior, I am saved. Because Christ is Reconciler, I am reconciled. Because Christ is Forgiver, I am forgiven. Because Christ is Healer, I am healed. Because Christ is Provider, I am provided for. Because Christ is Peace, I have peace. Because Christ is Creator, I am new. Because Christ is a Gift Giver, I am gifted. Because Christ is Rescuer, I am rescued. Because Christ is Loving, I am loved. Because Christ is Righteous, I am righteous. Because Christ is Holy, I am holy. Because Christ is King, I am ...

Awesome worship was led by Aaron Shust on Thursday.  I loved how he incorporated hymns in the morning with more contemporary music in the afternoon and evening.  He is a gifted worship leader.  Check out his site here Here are a few lyrics we sang today: "Your name is a strong and mighty tower. Your name is a shelter like no other....Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name." "My Savior loves, my Savior lives My Savior's always there for me My God He was, my God He is My God He's always gonna be." My hope is in you Lord, all the day long I won't be shaken by drought or storm The peace that passes understanding is my song and I sing My hope is in You alone Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Yesterday was a day when I was blessed by God's amazing answer to several prayers.  Rather than forget about these, I decided to share them with you. God, you are awesome!  You hear our prayers, know what is best, and have the amazing power to bring to completion.  Thank you for the words to complete this year's family devotions for Hide N Seek Thankful for a great school system and a great start to the school year for all four of my kids Praising God for working out our church facility shortage with another great option Completed many of the notebooks for our Wednesday night ministries. Thankful for great help from Carol, Joanna, & Vicki! Continual provision for my family while we make double house payments May we always remember the faithfulness of God in the past and trust His goodness & greatness for the future!

It is VBS Week!  In many ways it is both exciting and exhausting.  We have some great leaders who are making this week great.  Thank you for your service to God and our 3rd/4th graders (We participate in a community VBS so five churches work together and divide up the age groups)! We chose the Go Fish Guys VBS called "Praise."  I highly recommend it.  It has excellent music, it is centered on the Bible, a focus on missions, and has been well received by our kids.  We did make a few changes in crafts and games, but it has been a good choice for us.  On a side note, tonight I get to rap as part of the weekly skit.  Pray for me!

Today's post is dedicated to God for his greatness. Last night, was our first "official" night of ministry for our 4 year olds through 6 th graders. It went very well! We had a great turnout for both Hide N Seek and our 5 th /6 th grade ministry. I want to give glory and praise to God for the whole thing because without Him none of this would be possible. God has provided wonderful volunteers to lead both of these ministries! God has provided a great facility and curriculum to make ministry possible! God sent His son, Jesus, to be our Savior to forgive us of our sins and therefore we want to share that good news with others. Thanks for all the behind the scenes work coming together. I also have had two of three D6 Dads groups. I have been blessed by each one. I am so excited to see dads seeking God for what He wants them to do and be. It is exciting to see a willingness to grow together and challenge one another. Thank you God for bringing each dad that has a...

As I was reading the Bible this morning, I came across the following verses from Psalm 145: 1-4. "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." As we get ready for football season, I am reminded how we are quick to scream and shout and clap and jump up and down for our favorite team. I am convicted that I sometimes show more excitement on my favorite roller coaster, concert, or sporting event than I do for worshipping God. So, today I want to give God a standing ovation for the many great things He has done throughout history and in my life. Here is my list: He created the world! It is not evolution, it not by chance. It was our awesome and creative God who did it all. Think about it as you look at the sky,...

Have you praised the Lord today? Yes, we can do it every day, not just on Sunday. We have so many reasons to stop and praise God for the many blessings we have. Also, to praise Him for what He has done, is doing, and will continue to do. As I was reading Psalm 103 this morning, this daily act of praise was reinforced. In that psalm, we are told to praise 7 times (if I counted right). In the middle of "Praising the Lord", we are given several examples why we need to do this. Here are a few reasons to praise the Lord today: heals our diseases (vs. 3) redeems our life from the pit (vs. 4) satisfies our desires (vs. 5) works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed (vs. 6) made known His ways (vs. 7) He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (vs. 8) His mercy (vs. 10) Has established His throne and His kingdom rules over all (vs. 19) One of the verses that stuck out to me today was how He has removed my sin. It says in verse 12, "as far as...