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Step By Step ~ a tribute to Rich Mullins

1/5/2012

5 Comments

 
click to view full size > You Tube

Richard Wayne "Rich" Mullins (October 21, 1955 -- September 19, 1997). He  was an American Contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter best known for his worship songs.

I admired His strong character and sense of commitment for his beliefs. He devoted his life to the service of helping others and spreading the good news of the Gospels of Jesus by way of his music and spontaneous talks and testimonies of his own life given to Jesus. Soft spoken and kindhearted, he spoke with authority and wisdom. Wisdom comes hence from a personal walk with our Lord and Savior as we are forever learning and sharing our Christ knowledge with all our brothers and sisters. Rich was a very caring and sharing brother in Christ. 

His strong faith can be understood by a quote he gave at a concert shortly before his death. He stated that: "Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you've done it to me. And this is what I've come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they're just wrong. They're not bad, they're just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."

Never are we to be silent or ashamed of who we are as God's chosen children in Christ Jesus fully trusting in all things He teaches us as we become His disciples. We will stand proudly for His truth and profess His name [ Jesus, God Almighty our Shepherd and Keeper ]. No man will put us down or asunder.

Until we meet again Brother Rich, I for one thank you for the legacy of love you gave so unselfishly in Jesus' name. Thanks for the memories as your songs and your words of life in Jesus Christ will live on and always be fondly remembered by all who knew you.

a brother in Christ, Hiker Dan 
5 Comments

Hallelujah \o/ JESUS!!

12/23/2011

1 Comment

 
Hallelujah ~ Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has come to save us ~ all His people ~ Stand up to Sing and Praise Him \o/ LORD of LORDS and KING of KINGS !! 
                         click here to watch (HD) on YouTube

Jesus was in the beginning, He is now, and He is forever more. 

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us." ~1 John 1:1-2

How much we all want to know about the beginning of all things, in order to understand the now of all things, and to pursue the way things are supposed to be in our lives today. The original design must be the ideal, the way things ought to be. The Bible's opening words: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," delineate between a time in which there was only God, and a new time in which his magnificent creation began (Gen. 1:1).

The opening words of the Gospel of John place the Son of God right there-at the beginning: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Unlike any other birth, the birth of Jesus was not the beginning of a new life. Rather, one who was there in The Beginning, appeared among his creation through his birth. "The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us" (1 John 1:1-2). 

This appearance was no dream or vision or apparition, it was an extended visitation, a flood of revelation, an appearance of the Everlasting in terrestrial form, a real life.

"The life appeared." It was heard; it was seen; it was felt. Bethlehem was not the beginning of the life of Christ, and that's why His life can change our lives. Jesus said: "Before Abraham was born, I AM."
"I AM": I always was, I am now, and I will always be. That is why He can connect us with our original purpose.

God reached out to the human race in a new way in Bethlehem. Whereas in the past God spoke through the words of prophets, a new channel of God's communication was opened in Bethlehem. God "has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Heb. 1:2-3).

So Christmas is about the good beginning (Genesis 1), and it is about the rescue of the now (John 1). That means that Jesus will help us regain everything that a human life was supposed to be in the first place-a real relationship with God, real wisdom, real character, real virtue. He intends to restore the image of God in our humanness.

Prayer for today ~ Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You are The Only One who can begin something new in my life. Thank You Jesus for Your Gift of Life and Help me to be a true disciple. Amen ~ Hiker Dan

HALLELUJAH \O/ JESUS !!

God bless Us Everyone,
a brother in Christ, Hiker Dan 

1 Comment

Where's The Line To See Jesus?

12/14/2011

2 Comments

 
                                           click to view full size > YouTube 
Dear Friend,

Where will you see Jesus this Christmas?

The simple shepherds heard the voice of an angel and found their Lamb, the wise men saw the light of a star and found their Wisdom.

We always think of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ as a season of giving... but truly Christmas is a Season of Receiving. Christmas is a time to receive and accept the greatest Gift from God -- "Jesus Christ." Christmas is a time to receive Jesus Christ into our hearts and souls. Christmas is a time to open our hearts and our minds to God. Christmas is a time to receive God's tender mercy, abundant love, forgiveness, and grace!

The Christ child changed the world forever, and He can do the same for us. On this Christmas day, we like the shepherds of old, are called to celebrate the birth of the baby named Jesus. May we, like those shepherds, leave of fields ~ wherever they may be ~ and pause to worship God's priceless Christmas gift ~ His Son.

The Son of God became man to enable men to become sons of God. This Christmas open up your heart. Let God's love in. Receive the Gift of God's love -- "Jesus Christ."


Food for thought > Expectations of people including our brothers and sisters in Christ...in how they see us or not.

May I add this > I feel it all comes back to our own self and our free will to decide based on what Christ teaches us. We are all in different places in our personal walks Lord Jesus; different levels of understanding if you will accept that knowing that we will always then be a work in progress ~ you see? 

I know I am but a stupid man, so far flawed and removed from who I can yet become a new creation in Christ my Lord. 

I cry out to Him every single day to forgive me my shortcomings and my misplaced expectations. By keeping my priorities straight and my focus entirely on Jesus it helps me to accept who I really am and what I have no power over in how someone else may see me or reacts towards me. To each his own and yet we must remember to personify and reflect to everyone the Christ love that is inside of us. Not always easy, maybe we need to look at each other more through our spiritual eyes as Jesus looks and sees us. 

All that said ~ Does He expect anything from His lost children who do not see us or Jesus in us at all? ~ maybe yes and maybe no ,, but He patiently waits for them to see Him.. I am so glad I saw Him in 1987. That is when my life changed 'forever' and it is still changing today! Amen \o/ Thank You Jesus! ~ Hiker Dan :) 


God Bless Us Everyone!
A brother and friend in Christ ツ 

2 Comments

Emmanuel ~ God With Us

12/6/2011

6 Comments

 

All Hail King Jesus
All Hail ' Emmanuel ' King of Kings
Our Savior and Lord of Lords

Picture

" Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." ~ Matthew 1:23
††† 
" When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" they replied, " Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." But Peter answered, " You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
~ Matthew 16:13-16

                                          click to view full size > YouTube

Many people will deny Christ's deity, calling Him simply a "prophet" or "good teacher." But Jesus was never merely human. As complex as it is for us to comprehend, He was fully God and fully man. This is the unique way in which our Heavenly Father chose to demonstrate His eternal love for us.

Do you know Him? " Emmanuel " ~ King of Kings ~ Lord of Lords ~ The Great I AM ~ He who Is with Us!


Please join me in prayer:

Dear God of every nation and all Your people,

From the beginning of Creation You have made known Your love through the gift of Your Son who bears the name Emmanuel, " God with Us." In the fullness of time the Christ child came to be the Good News to all mankind.

Emmanuel, God lives with us as one of us; Christ, the Word made flesh has come to us as a vulnerable, weak and dependent babe; a God who hungered and thirsted, and longed for human touch and affection; a God who chose to be born in obscurity and shame, to a virgin, an unwed maiden, with a dirty stable as a home and a borrowed manger as a bed, in a tiny, insignificant town called Bethlehem.

Oh, Mighty God, of humble origins, Christ, the Messiah, whom the prophets foretold, You were born at a time, and in a place where few welcomed You or even recognized You.

Have we, too, lost a sense of joy and anticipation in what the Christ-child may bring? Have we been preoccupied with endless activities, distracted by the tinsel, decorations, and gifts— busy preparing for the birthday of Christ; so busy that there's no room in our cluttered lives to welcome Him when He comes?

God, grant us the grace to be patient and vigilant in watching, waiting, and listening attentively so that we won't miss Christ this Christmas when He comes knocking at our door. Remove all that hinders us from receiving the gifts which the Savior brings ~ Joy, Peace, Hope, Mercy, and Love. These are the gifts we are to share with the downtrodden, the oppressed, the outcasts, the weak, and the defenseless.

Christ, You are the Hope of all peoples, the wisdom who teaches and guides us, the wonderful Counselor who encourages and consoles, The Prince of Peace who calms our troubled minds and restless spirits ~ granting us true inner peace.

Christ, You who are the radiant dawn. Shine on those who live in darkness and in shadows, dispel fears, anxieties, and insecurities. Restore hearts that have grown cold and distant, enlighten minds which have become darkened through greed, anger, hatred and bitterness.

We remember those who are living in shadows of a marginal existence. We pray for the homeless, jobless and retrenched, those struggling to keep their lives together, We lift up families, especially the children who may not experience the joy of Christmas celebrations this season.

We pray for those living alone, the widowed, the orphans, the elderly, the sick and bedridden, and the migrant workers for whom the Christ-event may hold no special significance. As happens with most festive seasons, may it not deepen their sense of abandonment and alienation.

Lord Jesus, You who are the Light of the World, please help us to radiate the warmth of Your presence. Enable us to give of ourselves generously and compassionately in bringing Your Joy, Peace, and Hope to others.

As we wait for the dawn of the coming of the Christ-child, we do so with anticipation of new and unexpected challenges. Like Mary, we sense the birth pangs of a new era, a new kingdom waiting to be born.

May we, like Mary, be filled with courage, openness, and receptivity to be the bearers of the Christ-child in receiving and bringing forth the Good News as we continue to be witnesses of God's truth and justice, as we walk along the path of peace, as we are strengthened in our love for Christ and for each other...

In the words of Isaiah: 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come. The glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Even though darkness shall cover the earth. And over its people, Yet the LORD will be your everlasting light."

Amen!

God Bless Us Everyone! 
your brother and friend in Christ,

Hiker Dan
6 Comments

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

12/3/2011

3 Comments

 

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

                                      click to view full size > YouTube

Keeping Christ in Christmas ~ we all need 'more' Jesus this year.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, only true Peace comes from You and I pray many will meet you at the manger this year. You are the Reason for this Season and I thank God for You are the greatest gift of all. ~ Amen! 

God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to me, He expects my personal life to be a "Bethlehem". Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God's ultimate purpose is that His Son might be exhibited in me. ~ Oswald Chambers

For as the song goes ~ I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to man
And the bells are ringing
Like a choir their singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men.

May Peace and Love abound in our hearts as we share blessings and celebrate God's gift of Jesus at Christmas.

God Bless Us Everyone!

Hiker Dan
3 Comments

Keeping Christ in Christmas! ~ the 'Real Reason for This Season'

12/1/2011

1 Comment

 

 the 'Real Reason for This Season' 


A Christmas Food Court, Hallelujah!
                                     click to view full size > YouTube

Dear Friend,

Watching this video fills me with both joy and sadness. I rejoice with all those who stood up and celebrated Jesus  and I'm equally sad for those who looked on with 'blank stares' because maybe they didn't even have a clue why anyone was standing up and singing in the first place.

Why in this great country of ours has celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ become taboo and out of style? I wonder about what I see happening around me when I go out shopping and it all becomes too much. 


How do we keep Christ in Christmas and alive in our hearts this year? How do we deal with all the hustle, bustle, materialism, spend, spend, spend ~ and for what? 

I do get it ~ the part about buying and giving gifts, if given from one's heart and sharing in the joy of 'giving' ~ though I have to wonder how many people these days just buy gifts to give something to their children, relatives, co-workers and friends ~ without 'really' knowing or understanding what the true deeper meaning of giving from one's heart is all about.

I do know that Jesus gave not just from His heart; He gave all of Himself completely and fully, every single day to every single one of us on this planet. 

We do not deserve what He gives us and can do nothing to measure up to His perfect love. But we can ask Him to show us the way and teach us how to be more like Him by setting an example for Him in how we treat each other not just at Christmastime but right now today.

How amazing it is that Jesus is still giving and yet we are still taking more and more, without being thankful and appreciative of our Heavenly Father and Creator who gives us all we will ever need and more. 

What do you really have in all the gift giving and buying of things and stuff if when you boil it all down you are still lacking and find yourself empty and unfulfilled? What do you really have if you don't know and include Jesus in your Christmas gift giving and celebration?

Please examine your heart during this holiday season and ask yourself ~ " What gift can I give back to Jesus this year? "  the answer my friend to that simple question is ~ your heart and soul.

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. Most Holy be His Name ~ He IS above all names. He IS LORD GOD Almighty and King of Kings ~ We should be shouting His Name [JESUS] from the rooftops this year to Honor and Praise Him ~ Glory to God on High and Peace to ALL men ~ Amen!

Jesus is the ‘only’ gift of Hope and Peace that keeps on giving ~ your whole lifetime and beyond. I pray for all peoples, believers and nonbelievers of this entire world to join me in celebrating His birth and His life this Christmas. 

You can become part of His life story everlasting. He is waiting to meet you today! I pray that you will give Him the chance to show you what He has shown me.

I leave this final question today for anyone who wants to answer. If a situation as portrayed in this video arose for you to stand up and sing for Jesus ~ would you?

Please remember Jesus this Christmas because He never forgets about you!

God bless you all ~ in the name of Jesus!

Prayers and Blessings,
a brother in Christ,
Hiker Dan


1 Comment

What I Believe & Giving Thanks in All Things \o/ Jesus !!

11/30/2011

1 Comment

 

Giving Thanks in All Things \o/ Jesus !!

✞ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.✞
~  Colossians 3:15-17

                                         click to view full size >  YouTube
Dear friend,

Have you ever noticed that some Bible verses seem easier to memorize than to put into practice? One that immediately comes to mind is this one ...

✞ In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus ✞ ~1 Thess. 5:18. 

That word "everything" is challenging because there are situations when we do not feel particularly grateful. There are troubles we face that negatively affect every aspect of life, stealing joy and taking our focus off the Savior. 

Scripture encourages us always to voice our gratitude to the Lord, no matter what we're facing. Why? Because when we focus on God instead of the problem, we realize, He's already given us victory. You may have to remind yourself repeatedly, but you will benefit greatly from the peace that awaits.

God bless you in the days and weeks ahead as you 'prepare' your heart to 'receive' the Holy Gift of Jesus once again this holiday season. He can fill any void in your life, and He can mend and heal a broken life .. Remembering what Jesus has done for all God's children by keeping Christ in Christmas.

Prayers and blessings,
Hiker Dan シ

1 Comment

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    I am a writer for the Christ Spirit in me and I make videos put on my heart that are inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit. All I share is dedicated to my Awesome Lord and Savior. May my motivation always be to share the love God has for all His children with the world as I am being guided on my personal journey hiking with Jesus. 

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