There is NO GOD and please stop kicking me.

I came across the above poster and it got me thinking.  How many times have I acted in such a way that caused a person to feel like I just kicked them?  Worse yet, did my words or actions actually give that person one more reason to NOT believe in God?

Those that know me the best have seen me at my worst.  I have hurt others.  I have condemned others.  I have been blatantly arrogant.

Although I find it fruitless to dwell on this, I sometimes wonder why Jesus decided to reach out to me personally?  There are certainly people out there who are better than I am.  Or to be more accurate, they are "less bad".

Atheism is a belief.  I cannot prove or disprove the existence of God.  Both sides find many reasons to support their beliefs.

And so, I find myself back where I started.  How many times have I done or not done something and given Joe or Mary another reason NOT to believe?

I am sorry if I kicked you.

Gary Lenke

Painter God

No words needed, enjoy!



Peace,
The Tallman

Real Strength

• Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
• I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.
• Christ gives me the strength to face anything.
• I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
• I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

Earlier today, I happened upon a picture of a tattoo that someone had gotten on their back. It wasn't just anyone; it was a student that I know. The tattoo was artistic and I'm sure it had deep meaning. The tattoo pictured a cross with Phil 4.13 written inside the cross. It got me thinking.

What is Jesus promising us here?

At first reading Jesus seems to say that I am capable of doing anything & everything; as long as it's done through Him. Because...well, He's the one with all the strength and power.

Up to now I had looked at these words as an external expression of works. I was thinking along the lines of the old Superman description: "Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."

But as I read some additional translations, something even more amazing jumped out to me. Jesus does indeed promise us the ability to do amazing things; even miraculous things at times AND He promises something more. He is with us. He is for us. He will hold us. He will give me and you the strength to face anything.

He will never leave us.

Peace,

The Tallman

Seeing into the Future

God uses us where we are at today; to help others 50 years later!

I received an email from a friend at church yesterday.  One of our elderly members, Milan Krajnovich had died.  This was a charter member of our church and he had been actively engaged as an usher for our early service for many, many years.

This got my mind thinking about Milan.  Here is a man who 50 years ago decided to help plant a church where none existed.  I've heard stories from the "old-timers" that Milan and his friends were told that a Lutheran church would not do so well in this area because of the predominant Roman Catholic presence in the surrounding area.

So Milan and his friends trust God, despite some negativity.  God blesses their shared vision.  Trinity Lutheran Church thrives for 50 years and here we are today.

As some of you know, I help out with our high school youth ministry, TrinityShine.  I'm wondering what plans does God have for our students?  What blessings does God already envision 50 years from now?

Has God been nudging you to trust Him?  Do you think God wants to partner with you and build something like a Trinity Lutheran Church for the future...50 years on?

Gary

Is Jesus coming soon?

Yesterday, I read an interesting article at CNN's website.  The full article can be read HERE.

Basically, the article cited the Reverend Franklin Graham as saying the earthquake and tsunami in Japan could be a sign of the end times.

The article went on to talk about the dangers of predicting exactly when the end times would occur.  No big news here.

What I did like about the article was a quote from Darrell Bock, a research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary;
“I think you have to be careful. Jesus is trying to do two things at once,” Bock said. Jesus is talking about the end times and using these examples “to create in people a responsibility of not knowing when the end will come.”

"[Jesus] is telling [his disciples] to persevere because they don’t know when the end will be," Bock said. “It’s never an attempt to have us calendar out when the end is going to happen.
“I actually think what Graham is doing is raising the accountability issue,” Bock added.

Well said and I agree!

Gary

undignified

Last night at TrinityShine Kayleigh gave a powerful message.  In a nutshell, her message to us was this:  Stop being so concerned about how other people see you, lighten up, laugh out loud, go hug somebody, go outside and yell out how much you love Jesus!  Another words, it's OK to be undignified...stop trying to impress others with make-believe manners.  Live, Love, Dance!!!
Hey Kayleigh...thanks for the message!

Feel free to visit The Prayer Wall at our TrinityShine Facebook Page.

Peace & Love,
The Tallman

TrinityShine Worship Service

Wow, our high school worship was powerful tonight.  The band was way cool.  I particularly liked how authentic & personal Kayleigh was when she taught the lesson.

I wonder how others felt?

Gary

My heart was warmed last night

Last night Kat & I  hosted 6 high school students from Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisconsin.  They & about 55 other students gave a concert at our church, Trinity Kimberly Way in Lisle, Illinois.  It was oustanding!  The young men that stayed with us were wonderful!

As many know, Kat loves being a host & does not like to draw attention to her ministry of helps/hosting.  The 6 young men left us a handwritten note of thanksgiving for Kat's homemade treats & amazing breakfast.

Kat was so excited by this simple note of gratitude, and my heart was again warmed by Kat's joy.

Thank you Jesus.

The Tallman (gary)

So...today is the first day of the rest of my life and I'm really happy about it!

I sometimes wonder why God loves me.  I guess that's a silly question; 'cause I never asked my mom & dad why they loved me.

I wonder if others have thoughts like this?