Look Up!

It's all about perspective. If we keep our focus on God, He will do amazing things in our lives!

That's the message Paralympic gold medalist Jeremy Campbell shared Sunday at Briarwood Church. He was in town for Saturday night's Wheel Times, Inc. wheelchair soccer game, which was awesome! Jeremy, who grew up in Perryton, was born with a rare defect and had his right leg amputated when he was a year old. He's the first disabled athlete to break the 60-meter barrier. He won two gold medals and set the world record in the Pentathlon at the 2008 Paralympics.

Jeremy says he's learned to keep the focus on God, and that has made the difference in his life.

"I can look at my limits, or I can look at my limitless God," he said Sunday. Jeremy encouraged us to keep our eyes on Jesus, no matter what obstacles we face in life. We all have tough challenges and difficulties, but God can work through our "disabilities."

As Jeremy put it, "God loves impossible odds because He can show up and He gets the glory."

He quoted 2 Corithians 12:7 (The Message version): "Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations."

That message really inspired me. I've often thought I am limited in life because of my own disability. But what we see as obstacles, God sees as opportunities. God uses our weaknesses to equip us for greater works in His kingdom.

"You may be disqualified in the natural," Jeremy said. "Those disqualifications cannot stop you because if you are disqualified in the natural, you are qualified in the supernatural. God uses those people that are disqualified here in the physical realm to do the things He wants to do in you."

He said most of our problems are not circumstantial; they are perceptual. That's why we must always keep our focus on Jesus. When we do that, our problems and disabilities will seem small.

We may never understand why we have these limitations while we are here on earth, but we can know that God has a plan and purpose for us because He created us, just the way we are. God sees the bigger picture, and some day it will become clear to us. For now, we just need to trust Him.

"Our job is to trust God and believe even when all odds are against us!" Jeremy said.

He ended the message with one of my favorite verses, Philippians 4:13, which says "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Look to God today. He will do amazing things in your life, just as He has in Jeremy's!

Where's the Outrage?

If Obama doesn't care enough to protect the U.S. ambassador and other brave Americans in Libya, why would you think he will look out for our interests in a second term? He has a ruthless quest for power, and he doesn't care who he has to step on or who gets hurt or killed along the way.

Obama's cover-up of the terrorist attack on Benghazi is outrageous! So where's the outrage? The media has hardly mentioned the lies and cover-up we've been fed by the president.

The questions are simple: what did Obama know? And when did he know it? There are e-mails that prove that Obama knew it was a terrorist attack and lied about it for weeks. He is so preoccupied with his quest for power that he will do or say whatever he has to to get re-elected.

Obama's callous attitude toward the Benghazi attack is shocking. He went on television a day after the attack and called it a "bump in the road." He said the deaths of four Americans was "not optimal." I listened to the father of slain Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods as he described a meeting with Obama, in which he said the president appeared cold, callous and disrespectful to the families of those killed in Libya.

This grief-stricken father wanted to know "Who made the decision not to save my son?" He has a right to demand answers, and so do all Americans. Mitt Romney isn't even pressing for answers anymore. But it's time we DEMAND the truth! Obama's lies must be exposed before the election.

Obama has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!

President Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. Benghazi-gate is much worse than Watergate. Shouldn't Obama be forced to resign immediately?

Where is the outrage in America? I'm angry over the lies and cover-up by Obama and his administration. America should be too!

When I say...

It's easy to say, "I'm a Christian," but what does it really mean to be live for Christ? I want to be a witness for Christ and let my life shine for Him. I admit I'm not perfect, and I don't have all the answers. As a believer, I don't want to put anyone down. I only want to point others to Christ because I know HE can make a difference in their lives. He's made a difference in mine!

A friend posted this poem on Facebook. It's called "When I say, 'I Am A Christian'," by Carol Wimmer. This is my confession, and it's how I hope others see me:

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!” /

I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this Way.”

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I don’t speak with human pride /

I’m confessing that I stumble, needing God to be my guide.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I’m not trying to be strong /

I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I’m not bragging of success /

I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I don’t think I know it all /

I submit to my confusion, asking humbly to be taught.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I’m not claiming to be perfect /

My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I still feel the sting of pain /

I have my share of heartache, which is why I seek His name.

When I say, “I am a Christian” / I do not wish to judge /

I have no authority. I only know I’m loved.

-- Carol Wimmer

This poem reminds me that I don't have it all together... God is still working on me!  We're not called to be perfect, but we're to submit to Him and He will change us.  Life is a journey, and each day is a chance to grow and become more like Christ.  So that's my goal:  To be more like Him and to help others along the way.

Obama's 'Eye Candy'

I almost felt sorry for Obama last night as he got another shellacking from Mitt Romney in the debate. Every time he was in trouble, Obama would look to the moderator to bail him out. It was just too funny. It's like he was crying for his mommy to save him from that Big-Bad-Evil Republican! And, of course, CNN's chief Obama bootlicker, Candy Crowley, was happy to oblige!

I wish I had counted how many times Obama called on her to rescue him. The crybaby! Crowley crossed the line when she stepped in to try to "correct the record" for Obama. Then, she made things worse when she couldn't even get HER facts straight.  Crowley will be eating crow for a long time over this!

Obama looked like he was going to have a good debate, but he lied so much that you didn't know what to believe. He lied on the first question about jobs. After that, his credibility was shot.

Romney was tough and aggressive. He didn't let Obama or Crowley push him around and distort his record. He came out swinging and jumped in anytime the liberal duo tried to pull a fast one. I loved that. That made Romney look presidential. Obama looked like a schoolyard bully who hasn't done his homework for the last four years and now he's trying desperately to keep from flunking out.

Romney's arguments were powerful. He systematically laid out Obama's failed policies and all the damage they've done to the economy. Romney had a great line: "We don't have to settle for this!" He's right. We don't have to settle, and we shouldn't settle for this incompetence for four more years!

The press tried to paint Obama as the comeback kid. They praised him for his performance last night. But Obama's lies and cover-up of the Libyan terrorist attack will come back to haunt him. Next week's final debate is on foreign affairs. Obama has a lot to answer for! He'll probably cook up a whole new story on Libya by next week. Then, Romney can step in and deliver the final knockout blow.

Three weeks to go until the election. Keep praying!

Not A Fan

Are you a fan? Or a follower? We are studying the "not a fan" series in Sunday school right now. It's based on the book by Kyle Idleman. The series has really made me think about my life. Am I a fan of Jesus? Or am I a follower?

In the Gospels, Jesus wasn't looking for mere fans. He said, "Follow me." Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus gave this compelling challenge: "Follow me." Jesus expected His disciples to leave everything behind, to deny themselves, and to be devoted totally to Him. He expects the same from us!

I've been in church all my life. I read my Bible. I know a lot about Jesus, but I haven't always been totally committed to Him. I'll be honest, I'd held onto things from the past. I hadn't surrendered every part of my life. I had certain habits and hang-ups that I tried to hide. Yes, I loved Jesus. I was a fan of Jesus. But I wasn't a true follower.

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

The "not a fan" series is showing me what it takes to deny one's self and truly follow Jesus. It takes a commitment to dying to self daily. Kyle Idleman made this statement: "It's not enough to 'try' every day; we must 'die' every day."

The Bible makes it clear, "anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Jesus is NOT looking for fans… He’s looking for followers. This series teaches that true followers must understand that:

There is no forgiveness without repentance.
There is no salvation without surrender.
There is no life without death.
There is no believing without following.

We try to put on appearances, but appearances don't impress God. He looks inside our hearts and knows if we are fans or followers. And if we make the commitment to follow Jesus with all our heart, the reward is great! We'll spend eternity with Him in heaven.

That's why I say, "I'm not a fan of Jesus. I'm a follower!"

Reality Check

If you're still thinking about voting for Obama, first, check yourself into a mental hospital immediately! Then, come back and finish reading this post.

America got a reality check at last Wednesday night's debate. We saw the real Barack Obama. For four years, the media has portrayed Obama as a superhero, who can do no wrong. It was a different story Wednesday night. Without his teleprompter and speech writers to make him look "smart," Obama had to do something he hasn't done before. He had to speak for himself. He revealed his true self, and it wasn't a pretty picture.

We shouldn't have been surprised by his inept understanding of the economy. His failed economic policies have led to the conditions we're in -- high unemployment and record debt! He likes to blame Bush, but this is HIS fault. His answers in the debate prove he doesn't have a clue how to run the economy.

Obama won't fare any better in the debate on foreign policy. He's created a mess there, too, and now he's involved in a cover-up over the attacks in Libya.

His campaign advisers are already playing the spin game, predicting Obama will make a big comeback in the debate on foreign policy. Really? I don't think so. Obama's foreign policy has been a disaster. Yes, bin Laden is dead, but al Qaeda is still alive and making a comeback.

Obama has a lot to answer for: He still won't admit that we had a terrorist attack on our embassy in Libya. He failed to raise security on the anniversary of 9/11 because he was in Las Vegas for another fund-raiser. He'd rather go golfing than attend his intelligence meetings. He'll make time for an appearance on "The View" and an interview with The Pimp with a Limp, but he doesn't have time to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders.

These are serious issues, but Obama just ignores them and hopes they'll go away. If you think he's still qualified to be president, you call me on Election Day. I'll come give you a ride..... to the nut farm!

We Can Pray

In this crazy, mixed-up world, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the corruption and evil I see taking place around us. It makes me ask, "Is there anything we can do to change the world around us?" "Is there anything that I, personally, can do that will make a difference?"

There IS something that we can all do. We can pray!

From now until the Nov. 6 election, people around the country are committing themselves to fasting and praying for our nation. I want to be one of them. I believe our prayers will make a difference in the future of our country.

Throughout history, whenever a nation has turned to God and cried out to Him in prayer and fasting, God took notice!

Remember Nineveh? Jonah went through that city, proclaiming that God was about to destroy it. The Bible says the people of Nineveh believed God, and a fast was proclaimed, "and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth." The entire city fasted and prayed. Jonah 3:10 says, "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened."

America should follow this example. We need to all come together to fast and pray. We may not be able to do anything to stop the corruption and evil in our nation, but we have the power of prayer. And through prayer, we CAN make a difference!

I hope you will join in this season of prayer for our country from now until the election. The future of the country depends on our prayers!

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The Dove Brothers had this powerful song about prayer. This says it so well: