Christian Life Today

Farewell Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty

On November 26, 2009

“We are sad to lose the presence of our pastor, shepherd, father and brother. We are thankful, however, for his life, love and influence on the individuals and ministries he inspired for the last 30 years.” (statement of church leaders of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma)

I have not met Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty in person but he was such an inspiration and “a man of influence” to me as I continue my journey with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He and his wife Sharon host a TV program “Victory in Jesus” aired at Daystar Television. I used to tune in to their program almost everyday as I was enjoying my cup of coffee and preparing myself to go to work. He preached the Word of God with zeal. He was very passionate, honest, and practical. His preachings focused mostly in the areas faith, health and prosperity. It was an awesome experience to witness their ministry. He has touched the lives of a lot of people in Tulsa and in various countries around the world. Thank you Pastor Billy Joe! Certainly, heaven is gloriously rejoicing for your arrival!

Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty was 57. He was pastor of 17,000-large Victory Christian Center and also founded Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, and Victory World Missions Training Center, and the Tulsa Dream Center.

Watch this tribute I found at Youtube:

Choose Today Whom You Will Serve

By Thor

On November 25, 2009

In Headline

One of my favourite characters in the Bible is Joshua. I admire how he challenged the Israelites to choose whom they will serve. Joshua made a definite stand! A powerful one. Against the odds. He must have been rediculed, persecuted, and abandoned. His decision was unpopular to many people who chose to worship their idols, their wealth, their jobs, and their possessions.

Joshua was a military leader, a prophet, a judge. He was a man of influence. A spy. A war strategist famous for breaking down the walls of Jericho.

Joshua challenges us. No doubt about it. How can’t you not be motivated by his famous words? Be strong and courageous! Be strong and very courageous! Fear the LORD! Now he asks us: Whom will you serve? Who will be your master? Who will be your King? You have to choose.

This is my stand. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD! (Joshua 24:15)

If you take that stand as I am, this is Joshua’s instructions. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”(Joshua is 1:8) For us Christian, the Word of God is our lifeblood. It’s the lamp upon our feet and the light unto our path.

Let us adopt to Joshua’s strategies and for sure we can win our battles. We can break down our modern Jericho walls of “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5) As William Hazlett puts it: ” If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory.”

Thor, BehindCrossroads

dated Oct 1, 2009

Feel free to share my note with your friends with reference

Photo credit: www.themeadow.org

Give Me Jesus

By Thor

On November 24, 2009

In Praise & Worship

I love this song. So fitting to the late Ruth Graham, a virtuous woman, wife of the admirable Evangelist Billy Graham. Watch and be blessed – Thor

“Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world, But give me Jesus…”

Give Me Jesus Video

Give Me Jesus – Performed by Fernando Ortega for The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as a tribute to Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth Bell Graham (June 10, 1920 to June 14, 2007). Directed by Kevin Adamson, Lighting and Steadicam by James Reid, Jib by Tracy Eakes, Edited by John Schroter.

Raising Kids: Jethro's Sunday School Creations

By Thor

On November 21, 2009

In Headline

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

I am always excited to ask my four year old son what activities he did at Hillsong Kid’s Church. Sunday by Sunday, he has that prominent expectation and enormous excitement to go. He has developed that sense of connection with other kids, volunteers and leaders at his Sunday school despite the short period of time since we moved here in Sydney only few months ago. How awesome! At his tender, innocent, and very young age, he is now exposed to God’s kingdom. He is now experiencing the goodness of God, the marvelous love of God, and that wonderful personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

I am really grateful to the Lord that I am raising a new generation in my lineage. My son is a Daniel who will defy the odds of what the world refers to as normal. You see, these days, it is normal for kids to be exposed with violent, brutal, and satanic computer games; it is normal for kids to be exposed to lewd, obscene, and indecent materials and shows; and it is normal for kids to shout back, disregard, and dishonor their parents. Praise God, my son is abnormal! I fervently pray that my son will not depart from the Godly values, teaching, and instructions he is now exposed to. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalms 127:3). Let’s embrace our children before this world embrace them.

Jethro’s artworks (captions mine):

I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) “…observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age! – Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:20)

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9). We’re accustomed to making plans and charting the course of our lives, but it’s good to be reminded that despite our best efforts, it is God who ultimately directs the course and events of our lives.

“I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted, You were condemned.

and I’m alive and well your spirit is within me, because You died and rose again.” lyrics: Amazing Love (You are My King) (Chris Tomlin)

The greatest comfort in the world can be found in God’s promise to forgive all of our sins, no matter how bad. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done; if we confess our sins to God and repent, He will forgive us.

Jethro @ Work:

with his friend John Ray

His creation…masterpiece

fun time @ Hillsong Kid’s Church

How to Get Into Heaven – Something Funny!

By Thor

On November 20, 2009

In Christian jokes, Headline

closed due to rapture

How to Get Into Heaven

A man dies and meets the gatekeeper at the Pearly Gates.The gatekeeper says to the man, “Here’s how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you’ve done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in.”

“Well,” says the man. “I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly.”

“That’s great,” says the gatekeeper. “That’ll be two points.”

“Hmmm,” says the man. “This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully.”

“Wonderful,” says the gatekeeper, “That’s worth another point.”

“One point!” says the man. “Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them.”

“Wow!” says the gatekeeper. “That’s another two points!”

“Only two points!” says the man. “At this rate, it’ll be by the grace of God that’ll I’ll ever get into this place.”

“Bingo!” says the gatekeeper. “That’s one hundred points! Come on in.”

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (New King James Version)

source: from my inbox