Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Gonna Be A Daddy Again!!!!!
We found out last week that we are going to be parent's again; I am so excited and anxious to meet our "Baby Buckeye". That's the nickname that Paige gave the baby.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Our Primary Calling
As you know God spoke to me two weeks ago at our youth conference when I was thinking what I could do to "awaken and grow the youth" I felt in my spirit God told me to "Just Preach Jesus." When He spoke that to me I was excited but then I began to think; what does that mean and how do I "just preach Jesus." I remember speaking to a friend of mine about 10 years ago regarding knowing God on a deeper level and he encouraged me to read the gospels.
As I thought about it I couldn't think of a better way to learn more about someone than reading his life story. I really hadn't done that until just this week.
Sitting at work yesterday I began to prepare for my Wednesday night lesson and I came across Matthew 5:13, 14. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses it's flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." We need to remember this; my primary calling isn't to be an assistant youth director; my primary calling is to be "salt & light."
Everything else we do and every other "calling" that we walk in is a by-product to these two. If we are striving to live our lives as salt & light we will find ourselves smack dab in the middle of what God wants us to do & be.
Are you making people thirsty with your salt & blind with your light????
As I thought about it I couldn't think of a better way to learn more about someone than reading his life story. I really hadn't done that until just this week.
Sitting at work yesterday I began to prepare for my Wednesday night lesson and I came across Matthew 5:13, 14. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses it's flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." We need to remember this; my primary calling isn't to be an assistant youth director; my primary calling is to be "salt & light."
Everything else we do and every other "calling" that we walk in is a by-product to these two. If we are striving to live our lives as salt & light we will find ourselves smack dab in the middle of what God wants us to do & be.
Are you making people thirsty with your salt & blind with your light????
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Proverbs 18:16
"A Man's Gift Makes Room For Him, And Brings Him Before Great Men." This past weekend we had our second annual youth and young adults conference "Rendezvous 09." It was, needless to say, an incredible time in God. He brought some clarity to some things that I had been praying about & I received a very encouraging word from the Lord telling me to "get alone & quiet the noise because God was going to give me strategy & revelation that will shake a region."
Back in March, we had a minister from Pakistan come over and minister at our church and also at local churches in the area. He said something at that meeting on Wednesday night that "struck" me so hard. He said "the enemy has a strategy; why don't we." When he said that my spirit man jumped and I realized that Matt and I had been trying to build a youth ministry without a STRATEGY to reach North Central Ohio teens and young adults.
When the word of the Lord came saying that I was so excited because I knew that I had "heard from the Lord" and I am so excited now to see what God is going to do. Then last night and I lay in bed taking time out to "quiet the noise" I came across this scripture in Proverbs and I was like God was saying "don't push it; allow Me to open the doors for you." I am so excited and anxious to see what God is going to do in my life and through my life. Hang on it's about to be a fun ride!!!!!
Back in March, we had a minister from Pakistan come over and minister at our church and also at local churches in the area. He said something at that meeting on Wednesday night that "struck" me so hard. He said "the enemy has a strategy; why don't we." When he said that my spirit man jumped and I realized that Matt and I had been trying to build a youth ministry without a STRATEGY to reach North Central Ohio teens and young adults.
When the word of the Lord came saying that I was so excited because I knew that I had "heard from the Lord" and I am so excited now to see what God is going to do. Then last night and I lay in bed taking time out to "quiet the noise" I came across this scripture in Proverbs and I was like God was saying "don't push it; allow Me to open the doors for you." I am so excited and anxious to see what God is going to do in my life and through my life. Hang on it's about to be a fun ride!!!!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
We Can Hear God's Voice
I came across this article on charismamag.com & thought it was awesome; Enjoy!!!!!
You Can Hear My Voice - Mark Chirona
Editor's Note: The following word from the Lord was declared by Mark J. Chironna during his June 9, 2009, Institute of Leadership Initiatives. To learn more about this weekly leadership series, go to tmtic.com.
"Truly the hungry and the thirsty, in this hour, are seeking water, and they have found none. But I will open up rivers in high places, and I will water the wasteland, and the desert shall blossom like the rose. And I will satisfy your desire in scorched places, for I have seen the journey of My people. I have seen the affliction with which they have been afflicted.
"I have walked with you through your dark places. I have held you and caressed you in your dry places. Yet, because of the nature of the journey in this season, it has been difficult for many to recognize My hand. I would say unto you now, while you cannot see My hand, you do know My voice. Take comfort in the fact that while you are waiting to see My hand of visitation and My hand of vindication, yet you can hear My voice.
"For I will not leave you without a word; I will not leave you without a declaration; I will not leave you without a decree; for I speak, and it stands fast. I command, and it is done. I will bring again water out of the rock—not the rock of man's making but the Rock of My choosing. Out of the wounded side and the belly of My Son there comes in this season a mighty torrent, a river that shall come out of heaven in this next season and flood the saints, and they shall rejoice in the river by My glory," saith the Lord.
"But you would say with the multitude of voices, ‘How can I, oh God, in this season distinguish Your voice? At one time, I thought I knew it well. But where I have been and what I have been through has challenged my ability to feel as though I could rightly recognize the voice of the Shepherd.'
"Hear now, My child, I call you by name. My Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you belong to Me. There is never a day that has gone by [on which] I have not witnessed to your spirit that you are Mine. Every time you open the Holy Book, My Spirit speaks to you. Yet because you have been surrounded by many a test and by many a trial, you have given your ear to the voices of temptation and to the voices of distraction.
"But My voice is clear and certain, and you already know it. Do not allow the enemy to cause you to say in your heart, ‘I do not know the voice of my Shepherd.' The only voice you have ever followed in consistency, that has brought you health and safety, is My voice.
"I will not leave you. I will not forsake you. I speak, and as you listen and respond ... I will deliver you from your distractions. I will set you free from your hindrances. I will break the chain of your temptations, and yes, I will restore to you the confidence that you can truly hear My voice.
"For you were created to hear My voice. You were born to hear My voice. You were destined to hear My voice, and you were destined to respond and say, ‘Here am I.' Oh, child of God, not only do you know My voice, [but] I know your voice. I have heard your cries. I have heard your tears. I have heard your wrestlings. I have heard your tumults. I know your voice and I assure you, you will see My hand.
"Know for a certainty, I am the Lord; there is none other. And when I speak, every other voice goes dumb. Do not wonder or ponder in your hearts, ‘Does not the Lord see? Does not the Lord hear?' For I am the Lord who made the eye, and I am the Lord who made the ear, and I both see and hear, and in this season, I will vindicate My name amongst the elect. For there are many voices rising in the earth claiming they speak for me, but know this, My child, when I speak, everyone will know I am the Lord and there is none other.
"I will give you assurance after assurance after assurance that I am leading you by My good Spirit. Trust Me! Trust Me! Trust Me, for I will not fail you. I will not forsake you. For lo, I am with you, and if that is not sufficient, I am for you, and child of God, if that is not sufficient, know you not I am in you, both to will and to do of My good pleasure? Trust in Me. Trust in My voice. Trust in My power, and watch what I will do.
"For in not many days hence, there will come a fresh moving in your life that you have cried out for, for months. In not many days hence, there will come a fresh opening in your spirit. In not many days hence, there will come fresh manna to you from the depths of heaven into the depths of your soul, and you will enter into a summer of the miraculous, for I have decreed it and I have declared it," saith the Lord.
You Can Hear My Voice - Mark Chirona
Editor's Note: The following word from the Lord was declared by Mark J. Chironna during his June 9, 2009, Institute of Leadership Initiatives. To learn more about this weekly leadership series, go to tmtic.com.
"Truly the hungry and the thirsty, in this hour, are seeking water, and they have found none. But I will open up rivers in high places, and I will water the wasteland, and the desert shall blossom like the rose. And I will satisfy your desire in scorched places, for I have seen the journey of My people. I have seen the affliction with which they have been afflicted.
"I have walked with you through your dark places. I have held you and caressed you in your dry places. Yet, because of the nature of the journey in this season, it has been difficult for many to recognize My hand. I would say unto you now, while you cannot see My hand, you do know My voice. Take comfort in the fact that while you are waiting to see My hand of visitation and My hand of vindication, yet you can hear My voice.
"For I will not leave you without a word; I will not leave you without a declaration; I will not leave you without a decree; for I speak, and it stands fast. I command, and it is done. I will bring again water out of the rock—not the rock of man's making but the Rock of My choosing. Out of the wounded side and the belly of My Son there comes in this season a mighty torrent, a river that shall come out of heaven in this next season and flood the saints, and they shall rejoice in the river by My glory," saith the Lord.
"But you would say with the multitude of voices, ‘How can I, oh God, in this season distinguish Your voice? At one time, I thought I knew it well. But where I have been and what I have been through has challenged my ability to feel as though I could rightly recognize the voice of the Shepherd.'
"Hear now, My child, I call you by name. My Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you belong to Me. There is never a day that has gone by [on which] I have not witnessed to your spirit that you are Mine. Every time you open the Holy Book, My Spirit speaks to you. Yet because you have been surrounded by many a test and by many a trial, you have given your ear to the voices of temptation and to the voices of distraction.
"But My voice is clear and certain, and you already know it. Do not allow the enemy to cause you to say in your heart, ‘I do not know the voice of my Shepherd.' The only voice you have ever followed in consistency, that has brought you health and safety, is My voice.
"I will not leave you. I will not forsake you. I speak, and as you listen and respond ... I will deliver you from your distractions. I will set you free from your hindrances. I will break the chain of your temptations, and yes, I will restore to you the confidence that you can truly hear My voice.
"For you were created to hear My voice. You were born to hear My voice. You were destined to hear My voice, and you were destined to respond and say, ‘Here am I.' Oh, child of God, not only do you know My voice, [but] I know your voice. I have heard your cries. I have heard your tears. I have heard your wrestlings. I have heard your tumults. I know your voice and I assure you, you will see My hand.
"Know for a certainty, I am the Lord; there is none other. And when I speak, every other voice goes dumb. Do not wonder or ponder in your hearts, ‘Does not the Lord see? Does not the Lord hear?' For I am the Lord who made the eye, and I am the Lord who made the ear, and I both see and hear, and in this season, I will vindicate My name amongst the elect. For there are many voices rising in the earth claiming they speak for me, but know this, My child, when I speak, everyone will know I am the Lord and there is none other.
"I will give you assurance after assurance after assurance that I am leading you by My good Spirit. Trust Me! Trust Me! Trust Me, for I will not fail you. I will not forsake you. For lo, I am with you, and if that is not sufficient, I am for you, and child of God, if that is not sufficient, know you not I am in you, both to will and to do of My good pleasure? Trust in Me. Trust in My voice. Trust in My power, and watch what I will do.
"For in not many days hence, there will come a fresh moving in your life that you have cried out for, for months. In not many days hence, there will come a fresh opening in your spirit. In not many days hence, there will come fresh manna to you from the depths of heaven into the depths of your soul, and you will enter into a summer of the miraculous, for I have decreed it and I have declared it," saith the Lord.
Legacy
Recently I took my family to Cedar Point for the July 4th holiday. We had the AWESOME privilege of sitting on the "beach" to watch the firework show. While we were watching the show I was pondering on what I should teach the next day at church and the thought "What Kind Of A Legacy Are You Leaving Behind" popped in my head. As I began to think of it more and more it really started to stir in me.
On the way to church on Sunday morning; I saw a billboard that said "You're Known By The Tracks You Leave Behind" - Dakota Proverb. It went right along with what I was going to teach a week ago. I haven't had a chance to share the message yet as we didn't have "class" that Sunday but I can't seem to get the thought out of my head. Probably b/c I still have the notes in my "youth notebook" and I look at them every day as I continue to plan our youth conference - "Rendezvous 09 - Where You and Destiny Collide."
Even as I type this "message" I am reminded of the legacy of our forefathers and what they founded this country on. Let us NEVER EVER FORGET that this country was founded on CHRISTIAN guidelines and scripture. Our founding father's left us so much more than a reason to watch some things explode in the sky; they left us with a legacy that has later 226 years and let us always remember that.
TD Jakes said it best in his book Maximize The Moment "... you can't change the year of your birth or death but you can control what happens in your "dash". So I ask you this question; what will your "dash" look like?
Check back soon for the continuance of this thought...
On the way to church on Sunday morning; I saw a billboard that said "You're Known By The Tracks You Leave Behind" - Dakota Proverb. It went right along with what I was going to teach a week ago. I haven't had a chance to share the message yet as we didn't have "class" that Sunday but I can't seem to get the thought out of my head. Probably b/c I still have the notes in my "youth notebook" and I look at them every day as I continue to plan our youth conference - "Rendezvous 09 - Where You and Destiny Collide."
Even as I type this "message" I am reminded of the legacy of our forefathers and what they founded this country on. Let us NEVER EVER FORGET that this country was founded on CHRISTIAN guidelines and scripture. Our founding father's left us so much more than a reason to watch some things explode in the sky; they left us with a legacy that has later 226 years and let us always remember that.
TD Jakes said it best in his book Maximize The Moment "... you can't change the year of your birth or death but you can control what happens in your "dash". So I ask you this question; what will your "dash" look like?
Check back soon for the continuance of this thought...
Unfair Favor
I have been reading the book of Genesis and I am just enthralled by the story/genealogy of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I love the fact that Jacob gave Joseph a "tunic of many colors" (Gen. 37:3) which was essentially a coat of unfair favor. Genesis 37:4 shows that his brother's realized his "unfair favor" and they hated him and couldn't even talk to him. Read 37:11 - His brother's envied him b/c of his "unfair favor" and the fact that God used him in dreams.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
God's Moving In North Lawrence Ohio
This past weekend I had the AWESOME opportunity to minister at a youth camp for Chrisitan Harbor Church in North Lawrence, OH. I had never met the Sr. Pastor (Johnny Boggs) but from the moment the first night started I knew that it was a "divine connection" that was being made. The next two days would be some of the most fun I have had in ministry my entire life. There were numerous salvations and deliverances and God showed up. I am so thankful for the loving and delivering power of God; and I can't wait to go back next year.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Quick Question
With the recent passings of: David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson; I have a quick question for you: How Much News Coverage Been Devoted To Jesus Dying?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Been Awhile
It's been awhile since I've "blogged". There have been so many changes that it would take me three or four posts to list them all. Here's a "review in the life of the Letner's for 2008"
Last Fall
We had over 250 in attendance for our first annual youth conference "Rendezvous With Destiny"
I experienced freedom in an area of my life that I had wrestled with for over 10 years
God began to take me on a journey of revelation of His grace and mercy
We moved into my mother in law's to save money for a home
Last Winter
I was a product of the economy and was let go at Mettler Toledo
I was able to give Misty the "wedding ring" that she's been wanting for years
Had to attend a funeral of a teen that used to be in my church that was killed
This Spring
Been approached by Matt to take more of a "leadership role" with the youth
Planning our second annual youth and young adults conference "Rendezvous 09 - Where You and Destiny Collide"
Check back for more updates and "blog" may also look at getting a Twitter account
Last Fall
We had over 250 in attendance for our first annual youth conference "Rendezvous With Destiny"
I experienced freedom in an area of my life that I had wrestled with for over 10 years
God began to take me on a journey of revelation of His grace and mercy
We moved into my mother in law's to save money for a home
Last Winter
I was a product of the economy and was let go at Mettler Toledo
I was able to give Misty the "wedding ring" that she's been wanting for years
Had to attend a funeral of a teen that used to be in my church that was killed
This Spring
Been approached by Matt to take more of a "leadership role" with the youth
Planning our second annual youth and young adults conference "Rendezvous 09 - Where You and Destiny Collide"
Check back for more updates and "blog" may also look at getting a Twitter account
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