25 Random Facts About Me

It's from my facebook, but I thought I'd put it here too.

1. My wife and I are total opposites. I’m loud she’s quiet. I always want to run around, she’d rather stay home. If I say I like it, she probably doesn’t, and yet she is the love of my life, and I can’t think of anyone more perfect for me.

2. I was a hyper-active child, but instead of medication my parents put me on this crazy diet called the Dr. Feingold Diet…as a kid I couldn’t eat anything good. No chocolate, no cola, no artificial preserves, sweeteners, coloring ect… this rules out much more than you’d imagine.

3. In a former life I had 8 piercings including my throat, labret, eyebrow, and big holes in my ears. I took my last 2 out the day I was baptized.

4. I am a very emotional person; this week alone I have been brought to tears twice reading the news. I have cried during sermons, movies, songs, and more…and no, this is not the gayest thing I’ve ever said.

5. “The Bridges of Madison County” is my favorite Clint Eastwood movie… This IS the gayest thing I’ve ever said…but it is more of a testament to how little I like Clint Eastwood, not how much I enjoyed the movie.

6. I am a very passionate person especially about food; I love trying new foods, weird foods, cooking, experimenting, eating, and watching food network.

7. My wife and I have lived with her parents for eight years…most would shudder, but I am very thankful. They are great!

8. I am madly in love with my wife, and can’t stand being away from her. When I went on a mission trip to NYC last year for four days it was the longest I had ever spent away from her since we met. It drove me crazy!

9. I never thought I would like NYC, but I love it. I love the subway, the smell of hot dogs cooking, the beauty of the buildings, the people walking everywhere…I probably haven’t been there long enough.

10. I miss my Mom like crazy, but on Mother’s Day and my Birthday it is the worst.

11. I’ve had 8 pet snakes or lizards, an albino Burmese python named Stanley, 2 Ball pythons Adam & Eve, 1 Dumeril’s Boa named Buck Snuggles, 2 Savannah Monitors Capt. Crunch and Igor, and 2 Bearded Dragons Henry and Anias. I am still afraid of snakes.

12. For my first job I was a ceramic and silver sanitary engineer at the Brockport Diner…OK…OK…I washed dishes.

13. I love my job! I love the work I do, I love the people I work with and I love the company I work for, that is priceless to me. I worked at a place I hated for 3 and a half years and it nearly killed me. Never Again if I can help it.

14. Most of my hero’s are Missionaries, some are my friends too.

15. I snore very, very loudly. Seriously it’s ridiculous.

16. I truly believe the evolution theory is the biggest lie Satan has ever sold, I really can’t believe anyone could believe such bunk...it breaks my heart.

17. My Mom or Dad never made me feel like I couldn’t please them. If they knew I tried they were satisfied. They would encourage me to do better, but they would never make me feel like what I did was not good enough.

18. One of my favorite things to do was to go out to the Penny Arcade or some place and watch my brother play drums in his band.

19. Open air or street preaching and witnessing is one of my favorite ministries.

20. After I said how much I hated baseball, a certain un-named pastor (bald with a goatee) of mine told me that it was because “Baseball was a thinking man’s game” this insult led me to try and see what I was missing… I’ve been converted…LET”S GO METS!!!!

21. I talk waaaay too much. You’ll notice instead of 25 random facts it’s been more like 25 random paragraphs.

22. My father-in-law is the most loving, patient and humble man I know, and if ever become more like him, I will be more like Christ.

23. I believe that coffee is one of the greatest discoveries of all time, and that people who drink tea are pansies…OK not really, but they should drink coffee like a real American.

24. I wish there were more than “25 Random Facts” this is fun.

25. The most important thing that has ever happened to me happened in September of 2000. I was watching this video of a preacher kind of mockingly at first, and then more seriously as he answered each question that went through my mind. I went and borrowed the rest of the videos and spent the whole weekend realizing that every doubt I ever had about the Bible had an answer, and that every accusation I ever had about God was unfounded, and that every attempt to justify myself failed. I asked God to forgive me of my sins based on what Jesus Christ did to pay for them. I put my faith and trust in Christ and became a new man, and my life has never been the same. All Glory and Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ!

26. My greatest prayer is that everyone I know would come to a place where number 25 makes perfect sense to them.

The Reproach of Christ pt.2

Continuing on with the reproach of Christ…

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Verse 26 says that we are to “Esteem” the reproach of Christ, which means to ascribe value and worth to this shame, scorn, and disgrace. The reproach of Christ here is precious, not just good, but better than riches and treasure.

This verse shows us Moses as the example, now I’m not quite sure about how he carried the reproach of Christ let alone value it as precious, but here’s what he did.

First of all, he refused to allow the world to define who he was. The Egyptians saw him as one of them, and he had been for years, but once he realized his identity and was convicted he cast off that identity to be called the “People of God". When we come to Christ we are to put off the old man and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:21-24) we are to take on a new identity. The world no longer has claim to us, and the Devil (though we were once his) has no more claim to us… moreover once we take on this new man we no longer have claim to ourselves. We are bought with a price and we are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:20) we belong to Him.

Second, he denied the flesh. Moses had all the temptations Egypt had to offer at his disposal but he knew that it wasn’t pleasing to God. He chose rather to suffer, by denying himself the pleasures of sin. In the palace of Pharaoh he could have fared on the choicest meats, as an Egyptian he could have rested comfortably in soft raiment yet the Bible says he chose to suffer affliction for the worthiness of the reproach of Christ.

Finally, he looked toward the reward. Sure the sins of Egypt had their offer of pleasure and temporary happiness, but they were not worthy to be compared to the future reward, and Moses set his affections on things above rather on the things of this world. This hope gave him the strength to choose to suffer rather than sin, to esteem the reproach of Christ rather than the riches of Egypt, and to resist sin, knowing that great would be his reward in Heaven

The Reproach of Christ

I was reading the other day, and I got interested in the word “Reproach” it pretty much means - shame, scorn and disgrace and the Bible says we are supposed to delight in it. Many though would rather not take part in that kind of delight, but I would like to share some scriptures that have been encouraging me as I look into the "Reproach of Chirst"

Hebrews 13:12-13
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

To “Bear” His reproach could mean to endure it, but in the context of this passage it looks like it means to willingly take it up and carry it, that is what we are enouraged to do.

The “Closet Christian” makes sure that no one would ever see him as fanatical. He blends in hoping not to make anyone feel uncomfortable or convicted. He may carry the name of Christ, but only within the camp with the others who are called by His name. Without the camp is another story… when you willingly take the precious name of Christ without the camp you quickly see that this world is no friend of grace. You quickly find that the name that is praised and revered in the camp is a rock of offence to those who don’t believe. (1 Peter 2:8)

So here’s the problem… the name of Jesus Christ that is reproached by those who don’t believe in Him is the only hope of their salvation.

Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

…And the only way to bring that message to those that don’t believe is for Christians to willingly go without the camp bearing His reproach.

It is more comfortable to praise that worthy name of Jesus with others who do the same. It is more dignified to bridge people to the Gospel by inviting them and earning the right to perhaps speak to them about spiritual things, but this year would God help us to take the name of Christ and His reproach toward those who are without the camp and without Christ.

Matthew 7:21

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Probably one of the most terrifying verses in all the Bible, especially when it is put with its context. The people saying it are people who have prophesied in Jesus’ name and have cast out devils in Jesus name. I get the feeling that those who hear the condemnation “I never knew you” will be shocked.

Really this verse solidifies what I hear when I witness out on the street. Many times people will tell me that they’re all set, but when I dig a little deeper even many who profess to be born-again haven’t the first clue who God is. The Jesus they claim they know is OK with their language, their sexuality, and their lies.

The only person who is in worse shape than a lost man who knows he’s lost, is a lost man who thinks he’s saved. False assurance is a dangerous notion, and so Paul exhorts us to put our own selves on trial. We need to hold our lives up against the word of God, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our shortcomings.

I do not believe any born-again believer can lose their salvation, but I do believe that there are many people who claim to be born-again who will be numbered among thoses that hear those dreadful words “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

2Cr 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Matthew 6:24

“No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Webster's dictionary defines 'Mammon' as: 1) the false god of riches and avarice. 2) riches regarded as an object of worship and greedy pursuit; wealth as an evil, more or less personified.

How many Christians have been ruined trying to serve both God and money? How tarnished has the name of Christ been by televangelists that have been caught with their hand in the back pocket of those faithfully trying to serve God? How many have walked away from the faith because they were taken advantage of and used by someone serving two masters?

This is a warning to every Christian that we must be singly minded, with our affections, our devotion, and service directed to the One that it is due. David had his priorities right, and therefore his wealth was put in it’s proper place.

1Ch 29:3 - Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

Matthew 5:16

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

A few weeks ago I was teaching about being an example of the believer in “purity” and I used this verse as an object lesson. I lit a little candle inside a little glass, and turned all the lights off. I asked the kids if everyone could see the light from the candle inside the glass. I explained that this is a Christian who is letting his light so shine that others can see it, but then I started mentioning things that we do to that can dim the light that others see. I pulled out my “Sin Markers”…otherwise known as dry erase markers, and with each sin I marked the glass. Slowly the glass began to be covered with blotches of colors, and the light became less bright. The light never changed, but the way others saw it was changed.

When we allow sin into our life we obstruct the light of Christ in us. When we live in a way that pleases God, others see His work in us, and they end up glorifying God.

Eph 5:8 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Matthew 4:19

“And he saith unto them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

So there are two guys in a boat casting their nets into the sea, and Jesus decides that they need a career change.

I like this verse because it is a clear direction with a promised result. It says that the part about us actually being fishers of men is in His hand. It’s He that makes us to be fishers of men; we just need to follow Him.

Sounds easy right?

Mar 8:34 - And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

1Pe 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Matthew 3:8

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”

I got to admit, that I may swing and miss on this one. This verse kind of confuses me, but my guess is that John was looking for evidence of repentance from the Pharisees and Sadducees. If I was to try and name these fruits I would look to the following verses:

Psa 51:17 – Contrition
2Cr 5:17 – A changed life
1Pe 2:2 – A desire for God’s Word

I’m sure there are more, but these are first that come to mind. The other thing that I immediately thought if was all the different kinds of “fruit” or “fruits” mentioned in the Bible. Here is a few.

The fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22
Fruits meet for repentance - Mat 3:8
Fruits of righteousness – Phl 1:11
Fruit unto holiness - Rom 6:22
Good and evil fruit - Mat 7:17

Matthew 2:11

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
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When I read this verse I always think of Mr. Sunseri teaching the lesson to our first grade Sunday school class “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. The Holy Spirit records the wise men’s reaction to finding Him.

First they fell down - This is the reaction everyone will one day have in the presence of Christ as every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Next they worshipped Him - From the fall until now man had worshipped anything and everything. They have worshipped the sun, the moon, the beasts, and fowls. They have worshipped the figments of their own imagination as well as other men. There is no end to what fallen man will find to worship, and yet only ONE is worthy of our worship.

Lastly they presented their offering to Him - Myrrh for a Prophet, Frankincense for a Priest and Gold for a King. Gifts that were costly, precious, and appropriate. When we see Jesus and respond correctly to Him, we too will offer our spiritual sacrifices.

1 Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

The Sacrifice of Praise – Hbr 13:15
The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psa 116:17
The Sacrifice of Self - Rom 12:1

Matthew 1:21

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from thier sins."

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The rescue mission of God's plan found in the name JESUS. From what I've read the name of Jesus is Yeshua which translates "Salvation" and the angel let's Joseph in on what God is doing. As I though on this verse I remembered the words from "Rock of Ages" and thought of what it means for JESUS to save His people from thier sins.

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee;Let the water and the blood,From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure."

Jesus saves from the eternal penalty of sin, but also the power of sin in our present life now.

Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.