It’s Sunday!

Are you struggling with a sense of hopelessness?
Are you discouraged about something in your life?
Are you experiencing fear?
Does sin seem to have a grip on you and do you feel as though God can’t possibly forgive you?
Does it seem God has forsaken you?
Do you thirst for something more?

“This is a true saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Tim. 2:11-13

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Matthew 28:1-10

Romans 6:3-9

Galatians 2:19-20

2 Cor. 5:17

Downdload MP3 Here: It's Sunday!

Building Friendships Through Encouragement

This message examines the importance of being an encourager to the people around us.

2 Cor. 13:11 “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”

• Be Specific
  “Timothy, I thank God for you… Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois.” 2 Timothy 1:3-5
  
• Note Character, Not Just Performance
  “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” Philippians 1:6
  
• Go Public
  “Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and you are all growing in love for each other. We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
  
• Celebrate Accomplishments
  “If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon. Then when he comes back, he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.” Philippians 2:19
  Ask Opinions“Please come as soon as you can… Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me.” 2 Timothy 4:9, 11

Download MP3 Here: Building Friendships Through Encouragement

Others - A message on the compassion of Christ

Others

I lost my voice before the service so I wasn't really at the top of my game, but the message is worth the listen. This talk examines the heart of Jesus as He hung dying on the cross. His final words reveal that He died:

• Loving and forgiving Others
• Caring for the physical needs of Others
• Saving Others

Download MP3 Here: Others

First Things First

OK, I am taking my first steps into the world of Blogging. I don't live in my mom's basement and I'm not sure I will have the time to keep this up as well as I would like, but like most people I relish the opportunity to voice my opinions. A couple of things I should make clear from the getgo:

• I have a distinctly Christian world view
• I abhore politcal correctness
• I'm old enough to define tollerance as having to put up with something I don't like (it's not a virtue)
• I long for the days when "men were men and women liked it" (and no, I'm not afraid of strong women, I married one)
• I believe society, the government, and the world, for that matter, owes us nothing
• I am conservative and believe the two party system in America has failed us

I called this blog "I Am A Bulldog" for a number of reasons:

• I love the word tenacity and Bulldogs epitimize it
• I graduated from Drake University home of the Drake Bulldogs
• Pit Bulls are cool
• Bull Dogs never give up

All that is said to clearify where I'm coming from as the blog evolves.