words

This week I have been going back and forth with God about boldness. About a willingness to stand up, not to shame... The truth is that I think sometimes I get scared about what people will say, but what the Lord has been showing me is more and more people are believing. For instance today at work, a car dealership none the less, I got a forwarded email that appears to have gone through about 100 plus viewers about a Jesus Story. It is a blessing. I have put it down below. Please take the time to read it. It is worth it! My point is that God is everywhere, even in places you wouldn't expect it... I must say it was quite surprising to get this from the people that I got it from. Great people just not people that I would think would still believe, hurt, broken people.

I believe that this generation is striving to believe, but are not willing to put our belief in a faith... it is no surprise to anyone in this technical day in age that we are a people of science and of fact. Never the less, this world is dieing to know the truth... Jesus is the answer now it is time for the church to stand and be counted and show the world Jesus.

I am finding that there is nothing to be scared of...

LORD GOD, YOU ARE MY HOPE, YOU ARE MY JOY, MY LIFE, MY LOVE, YOU ARE MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE RIGHT BESIDE ME... NO MATTER WHERE I AM. I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND ALL YOU ARE, WE LOVE YOU AND WE PRAISE YOU.

Here is the copy of the forward:
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come outof the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?"The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ?Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?" The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university. "Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock ofhis hair?" the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could. "Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spend ing most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally a woke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: "Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?'. God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool?I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it towrite some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that? Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

(Let's see Satan stop this one.) Take 60 seconds and repost this, within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."

Bold

You know there is a lot to be said about boldness... it seems like all the people that we remember in history were bold... Abe Lincoln, Lewis and Clark, Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, George Washington... but probably the most remembered, Christian or not, majority of people know the name Jesus Christ, whether they choose to believe or not.

Jesus was a Bold Leader, thus we should be the same... bold in the sense that Jesus went out with out shame and told the WORLD about why he was there... boldness that he would wash the disciple's feet... something way out of my comfort zone. Jesus was a real person, even history books don't argue that. Jesus was Bold!
Let's DARE TO BE BOLD! Let's BE HISTORY MAKERS!

Today could be the day...

Love and Live as though this day could be your last because you never know if it could. This is a struggle that I come across on a daily basis. Where I find myself being upset over the smallest of things. Ask my wife, she can testify to that. When the dishes don't get done, when my clothes are wrinkled because I forgot to take them out of the dryer in time, when the jerk cuts me off as I am driving... by the way this is the primary reason why I don't have an "Only God." sticker on my truck. I think when I drive I sometimes am not the best example of what a "Christ Follower" looks like. But you get it... It is easier for me to forgive than it is to simply not get upset. I have made it my goal from now on to wake every morning and tell myself, today could be the day, because it could. It says in the bible that no one knows the day or the hour of which our Lord will return. Or if you have more of a morbid side, you could say you never know when you might die, this is also true, thus the reason that we should love and live as though today is the last one we have.

We all make mistakes... here is a true story.

This is a factual story written by mother... may I say she is a talented writer. Everything in this story is true.

Enjoy!


"Ranger’s Kid Chops Down Giant Sequoia!"

UPI, February 15, 2008

Dear Editor:

It has come to the attention of this reader that yet another gross error has been committed against the environment in Gresham, Oregon. During what was meant to be a joyful conversation extending happy birthday wishes to Mr. Timothy Reed, son of alleged Ranger Miriam MacDermot, the truth became known and must be firmly and publicly divulged. Mr. Reed spoke quite candidly about the matter. He related that on Monday, February 11th he had informed his mother that he was going to have a professional tree faller come to cut down a large tree growing next to his driveway. The deed was to be done on Wednesday February 13th. When his mother asked why the beautiful big tree was coming down, he replied that he had no choice…the tree’s roots were growing so rapidly, they were cracking and prying up the pavement in his driveway and were headed towards the foundation of his house. He then asked if his “ranger” mother knew what kind of tree it was. She replied that she had not paid very close attention but wished it didn’t have to be cut. When asked if she and her husband, Jim, sales manager for a rare and exotic wood specialty company in Portland, wanted the wood for firewood, he spoke right up and said, “yes, we’ll take it all!” In response to her son’s question, Ms. MacDermot asked Mr. Reed if the tree had flat needles. “I think so,” he said. “Then, it’s probably a Western Red Cedar,” replied the fake ranger. Knowing how common those trees are to Oregon, Tim walked away, his mind at ease. Many a western red cedar has met its end in the ashes of a woodstove.

Today, when Mr. Reed’s mother wished him a Happy Birthday, Mr. Reed replied he was not into cake this year. Guilt? Maybe… In any case, he told his mother that she could deliver his present and at the same time would load up the fire wood from the tree for Jim in his truck. “Oh, so the tree did come down on Wednesday?” Ms. MacDermot asked. “Yes,” Mr. Reed sheepishly admitted. He mentioned that he was unsure how his mother would react when he told her that she had been wrong as to the tree’s identification. “Mom, uh, it wasn’t a red cedar.” “What happened?” “Well, Mom, after the tree man cut it down, he mentioned, “I don’t get to cut too many of those’. What do you mean? ‘Well, Mr. Reed, that there is a Giant Sequoia’! So, uh, Mom, are you upset with me?”
Mr. Reed related that he was very surprised and greatly relieved that his mother told him she was not upset and laughed uproariously. What a travesty!

So, Mr. Editor, herein lies the proven truth: Ranger MacDermot is definitely a pseudo-ranger. First, she paid no close attention to the wonderful tree in the first place, otherwise she would have known what species it was and warned her son that his house should be expendable rather than the rare tree and insisted he leave it in place. Secondly, she did not hurry over to her son’s residence to determine the true species of the tree upon examination of it before the cutting took place. Thirdly, when the tragedy occurred, instead of mourning the tree’s loss, she laughed at the irony of the story!! Fourthly, she still supported her husband’s plan to burn the poor dead tree’s body! And finally, the crazy dam fake ranger is madly in love with a woodsman who sells rare and exotic wood from all over world for furniture!!!

I rest my case. The idiots who want to fire her for true illness should wake up and smell the coffee and fire her for the fact she isn’t really a ranger and is getting paid for it!!!!!


NO MORE PROOF NEEDED!

Over the hills, and thru the woods to Grandma's house I go...

My Grandma growing up was not only brilliant and caring but also one of the people that had a key role of raising me. So many fond memories with her, she was the Grandma that would actually come over the hills and through the woods to see her Grand Kids, not the other way around...

Now she is 85 years old and has alzheimers or dementia. So my Grandma on my mom's side has for the last 4 years or so been in a assisted living home. Well just recently has she needed almost constant care from Foster Care Providers. For anyone who has ever had a relative with this disease you know how difficult this can be, not only to just talk them but just to see there mental state.

Tonight was the first time I have seen her in about a month or so. She just got out of the hospital from something similar to UTD (urinary track disease) and when one has this and are also dehydrated this can cause similar systems to a stroke. Either way, kinda scary. So after two nights in the hospital she is back home. My mom while at the end of her hospital visit had one of the most difficult decisions to make... She had to sign a paper that states that if my Grandma has a heart attack or something else where she would need to be brought back, that the doctors wouldn't attempt to bring her back, that they would just let her pass... so it comes down to comfort or pro-longing life...

So where am I going with this??? I guess all I can say is it is a rough reminder of how short of time we have here on earth with someone. Live your life one day at a time, because tomorrow never gets here. All we have is today. And unfortunatly nobody has made a time machine so going back in time is out of the question... all you have is today.

Thank you Jesus for today, thank you for this opportunity to live another day for you, worshiping and praising you... even though we screw up, thank you for being merciful and forgiving. Thank you for my Grandma, thank you for her life, thank you for allowing me to spend as much time with her as I have. I pray that when that day comes when you say to my Grandma "Welcome home good and faithful one" I pray that you Father would help comfort my family. Thank you for her life and all you have done. We thank you, we love you and we praise you, Amen.

you can comment now

Just so you are now aware, my lovely wife pointed out that my settings were set on my blog that only Google Account Holders could comment... well now anyone can comment... how about that! Exciting I know.

A wonderful Sunday

What does one describe as an excellent sunday??? I imagine some would say church, a hearty lunch... maybe a nap and popcorn and icecream for dinner.... (love ya dad and barb!) My favorite past times include but not limited to; after going to sunday morning service at Living Hope in Vancouver, is coming home playin with my dogs, and reading the newspaper... maybe watching a game if ones on TV.

BTY I want to know how your sunday went. My Sunday went very well today. At church this morning we praised God with kid songs (fun but tiring)... I learned a few new dance moves. LOL. I saw pastor John share his heart on his and God's Vision for this year and it is so amazing to be a part of a church that "gets it."

Side Note: Recently at work I have been leaving work on Friday's dressed in jeans and nice shirt... I am on my way to church. All the guys are like, "why aren't you wearing a tie, and slacks???" as if completly confused as to what church maybe all about, so my response, "because religion is dead at my church and my Jesus doesn't care if I dress up to worship Him!"

So anyway back to the story, After church we called Crys' (my beautiful wife) parents and asked if they would like to go to the beach... sure enough as any normal person would say, "YES!" after coaxing Joe. "Love ya Joe!" We all got in to my truck and drove to our usual spots, Tillamook Cheese Factory, Lincoln City's Mo's (best chowder in the world) and had a ball at Otter Rock! After a nice long drive home I am now relaxing writing you about my day... so for me this sounds like a perfect Sunday in my eyes. Not to brag at all...

Any ways, hope you have all had a fullfilling week. Make this one a good one. I would challenge you all who read this blog to start up a new friendship with someone, and see where God takes it.

Tim

This blog series isn't really about me, but more or less things that I learn in my walk with Christ... things I would like to pass on to my readers. I will inject stories and such but I thought I would start this all with a few things about where I plan on going with this blog like "what does it mean to me to be a follower of Jesus Christ" or "what is an Only God movement" so I appologize for any confusion.

God doesn't exist for you, you exist for God!

So many times I forget that God doesn't exist for me, but that I exist for God. Let me explain; Jesus is not a Genie in a bottle...
God does not exist to make you happy, healthy or wise, YOU exist to glorify the Creator of the Universe. Joy, healthiness, and being wise comes when we obey God and glorify his name, and worship him.

You are part of some thing way bigger than yourself, you are part of something way bigger than "me and Jesus", something bigger than Church on Sundays and Living Hope, something way bigger than the city of Gresham or the city of Vancouver or wherever.... YOU ARE A PART OF A MOVE OF GOD ON PLANET EARTH, AN ONLY GOD MOVEMENT!

Lets remember that verse that I think that everyone remembers and it goes something like this... John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17: For God sent not his Son into the WORLD to condemn the WORLD; but that the WORLD through him might be saved." YOU ARE PART OF A MOVE OF GOD HERE ON EARTH!

Faith that Defines.

On a daily basis we are challenged, Christian, believer or whatever, we are all challenged. Challenged with our faith, temptations, money, morals and so on. It is what we do in these situations that define who we are and who we become.

No one said that believing and acting by faith was going to be easy. No one said that the battle between good and evil, and right and wrong would be easy.

Some people on earth handle difficult situations better than others but as the Bible says, all fall short of the glory of God. Not one of us is perfect, some people miss this mark by a mile, and others like Billy Graham and Mother Theresa, Seth McRae miss like an inch. Love ya Seth. LOL. But you get the idea that is why Jesus came, not to condemn, but to save. Pause and think... this is the best advice I can give, and in a way I am preaching from my own down fall.

Thank you Jesus for Your everlasting mercy! Thank you for knowing me the best, and Loving me the most.

I believe in God the father, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only son, we are able to spend eternity somewhere other than here. I believe my God is preparing a place for all who have faith in Him...

Only God.

a decision... that changed it all

I had a decision to make in my life... everyone in life is called to ministry. Ministry is not neccessarly going to like Africa, or Europe, or India, or wherever, but ministry is right here for in Gresham, Portland, Vancouver all of the above. Jesus called us to be fishers of men, and women. Seeking lost souls for the one and true lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

And that is where I begin.

Hi my name is Tim Reed and I am part of an Only God movement.