Happy Sunday

Ritual or Reverence?

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." - John 4:23

There is an old story about two families in the mountains of Kentucky who had been feuding for years. When a young man was asked why he was fighting the other family, he had no idea. It's what his family had always done.

That was exactly the situation in Isaiah's time. When the Lord spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah, it wasn't good news, because judgment was on the way. The reason? They were going through various rituals and religious activities, but they had forsaken the Lord, spurned the Holy One of Israel, and turned their backs on Him.

Oh, they were bringing offerings, but they were meaningless. They celebrated various convocations--feasts of the new moon and special Sabbaths--but God said, "They have become a burden to me." Isaiah 1:15 records these words of the Lord: "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen."

They had kept the form but lost the meaning. And the problem is still with us today.

A close pastor friend of mine spent twenty years in Christian work, but all the time he was drifting away from the Lord. He doubled the membership, tripled the budget, and built a 100,000-square-foot building. But today he weeps and says that not one person came to faith in Jesus Christ during that time. He had kept the form but lost the meaning.

Christian, do you read the Bible merely to satisfy a habit? How do you approach your time of worship at church? Take a moment and reflect on Isaiah's words. God longs to restore the meaning to your walk of daily discipleship.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be the kind of worshiper You seek. Show me how to worship You in truth. Amen.

To Ponder

In our worship of God, what pleases Him most?

Daily Smile:  
Two Jokes From Lizzy, 9 years old

What happens when you annoy a clock? 

It gets ticked off!

 

and...

 

What room are zombies not allows in?

 

The living room!

In The News:

Religion Today Daily Headlines - September 7, 2012

Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff  

 

Muslim Delegates at Democratic Convention Quadrupled Since 2004
The number of Muslim delegates attending the Democratic National Convention has quadrupled since 2004, the Religion News Service reports. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), more than 100 Muslim delegates are representing some 20 states at the DNC in Charlotte, N.C., this week -- up from 25 delegates in 2004. CAIR government affairs coordinator Robert McCaw said the numbers were "a sign of the American Muslim community's growing civic engagement and acceptance in the Democratic Party," adding that Democrats had targeted outreach to American Muslims. A "handful" of Muslims were delegates at the Republican National Convention last week in Tampa, Fla., McCaw said.

Gallup: Obama Enjoys Massive Lead Among Those With No Religion
According to the Gallup tracking poll of the presidential race, President Barack Obama enjoys a massive lead over Mitt Romney among registered voters who say they have no religion, CNSNews.com reports. In the three-week period ending Sept. 3, Obama led Romney 69 percent to 23 percent among those who had no religion, the exact same result Gallup got in the previous three-week period ending August 26. Since Gallup began publishing demographic breakouts of its tracking poll on May 6, Obama has held a large lead among voters who say they have no religion -- and he has even managed to grow that lead. In other religious categories that Gallup tracks, however, Romney leads Obama: 54 percent to 39 percent among Protestants and Christians, 47 percent to 45 percent among Catholics, 58 percent to 35 percent among those who say they are "highly religious," and 47 percent to 45 percent among those who say they are "moderately religious."

Paul Ryan Supports Prayer in Public Schools
Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan said Wednesday he supported states having the right to allow prayer in schools, CBN News reports. "That's a constitutional issue of the states, moral responsibility of parents, education," Ryan said. Last year, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney also said he supported prayer in schools. "I'm not looking for teachers to have prayer every day in the classroom, but I do think at special ceremonies -- graduation, football games and the like -- that calling on our Creator is a good idea," Romney told CNN.

Muslim Attacks Reducing Iraq's Christian Population
Christians in Iraq have not only been injured in recent incidents between Muslim factions, but have been specifically victimized for their faith, OneNewsNow.com reports. In Mosul, the country's third largest city, Christians have especially suffered in recent months. "There used to be a sizeable amount of Christians [in Mosul] -- in fact, almost 100,000 -- but during the last 10 years or so, that has really gone down to about 25,000," said Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors USA. "So, they have been targeted, especially in Mosul. They have been threatened. They have been kidnapped." Many have gone to Iraq, while others have fled to Lebanon and Syria, but even Christians in those locations have been leaving. There are about 345,000 Christians remaining in Iraq, compared to a million in 2003.

Are you registered to vote?

September 6, 2004

Categories: blog

By Jay | Comments (0)

Here's a game where you can win $100,000 just by being registered to vote in the November 2004 US General Election. Two guys, Jim and James, who have made a lot of money with an online dating service, care enough about this year's election to offer up $100,000 to a registered voter just for entering their sweepstakes, and $100,000 to the person who refers them to their site. They promise not to give out or sell your personal information to anyone, they just want to provide an incentive to get people to register to vote. So what are you waiting for? Click.

Editor's Note:

Yes, I checked it out... NO, they are not still giving away $100,000... This offer expired in 2004... Wished I had seen it in 2004...

 

 

 

Happy Saturday

Not Allowing Past Sins to Silence Our Witness Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers. BIBLE MEDITATION: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: A young preacher was called out of a life of sin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in the pulpit one day, he received a note in which someone had written all his past sins. In addition it read, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? And you’re up there telling people to get right with God!” Do you know what the young preacher did? He read that note, bowed his head in prayer, stood up and said, “Ladies and gentleman I have received a note, and here is what it says.” Then, in front of that whole crowd, he read every one of those sins. Then he said this: “Yes, I am ashamed of myself, but I am not ashamed of my Savior!” ACTION POINT: What are some past sins in your life that are holding you back from fully proclaiming God’s power to others?  Confess them and bury them in His sea of forgetfulness. Daily Smile: From Griffin, 7 years old The vampire looked at his computer and his head blew up. What did he say? “Alright, who was the wiseguy who left the sunrise screensaver on?” In The News: Religion Today Daily Headlines - September 5, 2012 Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff Christian Group Denied Chance to Welcome DNC Delegates The Democratic National Convention denied a Charlotte-based Christian group the chance to welcome delegates to the city, CBN News reports. Churches partnering with Charlotte 714 in a prayer effort also wanted to send welcome baskets with basic information about their churches and the city, but the DNC denied the evangelical group permission because of its pro-life stance. "The mayor's office texted me and said, 'We regret to inform but we ask that you not send those letters and not engage in 'Adopt a Delegation' because your views on women are contrary to the convention,'" said David Benham of Charlotte 714.   One DNC delegate, Fernando Cabrera, said he thought the DNC was wrong because it sanctioned an Islamic event just last week. "If you open the door for one group, you have to open it up for others, otherwise you're playing favorites," he said. Are Your Registered To Vote???

Happy Friday

WILL THERE BE A FUTURE JUDGMENT _
FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST?


A glorious declaration is sounded in Romans 8: 1: 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.' The word 'condemnation'  can also be rendered 'sentence of judgment.' Does this mean, then, that because we are 'in Christ Jesus', and are forgiven and justified in Him, and are 'complete in Him' (Colossians 2:10), that there will be no judgment for us in the future? Some reason that way. But what saith the Scriptures? What is 'the Berean test' for this (see Acts 17:11)?

     FIRST: THE GOD OF ALL GRACE SAYS THERE WILL BE A FUTURE JUDGMENT FOR MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S BODY! In Paul's final words, by divine inspiration, to Timothy, he testified clearly: 'I have fought  the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing' (II Timothy 4:7-8).

     Now note carefully that 'the Lord' here (evidently the Lord Jesus Christ, as II Timothy 4:1 states) is called 'the righteous judge'. The term 'judge' here means one who passes sentence. Here Christ is described not so much as a magistrate to condemn or to exonerate, but to umpire or referee as in a game or a contest.

     This same thought comes out other places in Paul's epistles. For example Paul's exhortation to Christians in their vocational employment says: 'And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve (or, serve ye) the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons' (Colossians 3:23-25). If these warnings don't carry the under-lying truth of the believer's personal accountability to God for what he does, then they are absolutely meaningless.

     Elsewhere, the believer standing before 'the judgment seat (bema) of Christ' on 'the day of Christ' (also called 'that day' - II Timothy 1:18, 4:8) is presented by the Apostle as being a motive for godly living. Thus we read: 'For we must all appear (be made manifest) before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive (as a recompense) the things done in his body, according to that he hat done, whether it be good or bad (worthless)' (II Corinthians 5:10).

     Because God has saved us and accepted us in Christ, and we stand 'complete in Him,' we desire to so 'walk worthy of the Lord unto pleasing Him in all respects'. We seek to so live, not to placate an angry God, but because we love Him and want to bring the most glory and pleasure to His heart possible. And then on 'that day,' we will hear His 'well done Thu good and faithful servant,' which in turn will all be 'to the praise of His glory' throughout the ages to come.

     Beloved, let us so walk and work 'in the Lord' in daily yieldedness and trust so as to be 'crowned' on 'that day'.

Grace, Peace and Love, Pastor Hume

Daily Smile:

He who is without sin

Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked.

"This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded.

"Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.

"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"

Happy Thursday

ASLEEP IN A STORM by C. R. Stam

What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep.

Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of the gale was so great that “the ship was like to be broken” and even the sailors were driven to their knees “and cried every man unto his god” (Jonah 1:4,5).

Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perishing? This was the shameful truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely awakening him and crying: “What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!” (Verse 6).

But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept God’s way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we fast asleep?

“What meanest thou O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!” And when you have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends, and business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready to talk to them about God.

Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the storm is raging and souls are perishing, but “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts” (II Cor.4:6). “…We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others” (I Thess. 5:5,6).

Daily Smile:

Church Dictionary

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

BULLETIN: 1. Parish information, read only during the homily.

CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.

HYMN: A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.

INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

JONAH: The original "Jaws" story.

JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.

MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

MANGER:
1. Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph didn't have private health coverage.
2. The Biblical proof that holiday travel has always been rough.

PEW: A medieval torture device still found in most churches.

USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew!

Happy Wednesday

How to Revise Your Life's Script

The following is a report on the practical applications of Frank Viola's recent book, Revise Us Again: Living from a Renewed Christian Spirit, (David C. Cook, 2010).

The words and actions you choose are like the dialogue and plot of a script that represents your life. But what kind of show does God see when He watches you make decisions?

Too often, the life script you're using reflects influences that don't match the intentions of God, the Author of life. So it's worthwhile to regularly evaluate the script you're living by, and revise it whenever you notice that it can better reflect the life God wants you to live.

Here's how you can revise your life's script:

Revise your assumptions about God's will. Don't assume that God is speaking to you definitively about any matter involving other people, and then announce to other people that God told you what to tell them about it. You must tread carefully when it comes to God's will, humbly acknowledging that you could always misinterpret God's messages. Keep in mind, too, that there are different ways of interpreting God's messages, such as by asking: "Is this biblical?", "Is this right?", "What is God saying to us right now?", "How is God leading us right now?", "How will our current actions affect the future?" and "Is this decision wise or foolish?" Whatever your conclusion, remember that you – not God – are ultimately responsible for what you choose to say to others.

Revise Christian code language. Too often, Christians will respond to people's requests by saying "Let me pray about it," when what they really mean is "no." If you don't want to do something, just be honest and direct with the person who has asked you to do it. He or she will appreciate your integrity.

Revise your conversational style. When talking to others, keep in mind that Christians from different denominational backgrounds often have different perspectives on spiritual conversations. Some focus most on what they sense the Holy Spirit saying to them, some focus most on what the Bible says, and some focus most on what's working best practically in their lives. Understanding the differences will help you communicate better.

Revise your message. Keep the Gospel at the core of the messages you communicate to people you're trying to reach for Christ. Simply present the Gospel message of what Jesus has done to save people, in ways that each person with whom you develop a friendship can best relate to and understand. Focusing on the Gospel is much more important than any innovative strategies or programs you may use to try to draw people into relationships with Jesus.

Revise your awareness of God. Sometimes Christians mistakenly say that they need to seek God's presence, when God is actually with them at all times and in all places. Rather than seeking God through some special situation, you simply need to become more aware of His presence that is already with you by turning your attention to Him often and connecting with Him through frequent prayer.

Revise your attitudes. Christians who aren't staying close to enough to Jesus to refuel often with His love can fail to love others as He wants them to, which makes them vulnerable to being captured by the same spirit of evil that they oppose. Guard against behaviors such as judging other people's motives, excluding some Christians from fellowship because of different personal opinions, viewing your contribution to Jesus' kingdom as if it was more important than Jesus Himself, refusing to live with diversity among Christians, and believing that you're most righteous and holy than other Christians. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you every day to stay close to Jesus so His love will genuinely flow through you into other people's lives.

Revise your spiritual expectations. Don't expect that God will do everything you'd like Him to do for you. Accept the fact the fact that sometimes God will do what you expect, and sometimes He won't, because His perspective is different from yours and He knows what's best for you better than you do. Choose to trust in God's wisdom. When you're going through suffering, remember that God will bring good purposes out of it if you trust Him to do so. Remember, too, that God doesn't owe you anything, and all you have is a gift from Him. So make a habit of thanking God for your blessings often.

Revise the Holy Spirit's ministry. Christians can make lots of different claims about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but what's most important to understand is that the Holy Spirit leads people to make their relationships with Jesus their highest priority in life. Spirit-filled people then naturally exhibit marks of Jesus character, such as honesty, kindness, and a welcoming love for all of God's children.

Revise your chief pursuit. Recognize that nothing is more important in life than pursuing a closer relationship with Jesus, in which you're constantly growing to become more like the person He wants you to become. You can tell that you're really growing closer to Jesus when He grows bigger in your eyes – as you learn more about how awesome He really is, and how He works in bigger ways than you'd previously imagined. If your perspective on Jesus is too small, revise your life so that you can open your soul up to Him more, and you'll grow in the process.

.

Daily Smile:

A lawyer was on his deathbed

A lawyer was on his deathbed in his bedroom, and he called to his wife.

She rushed in and said, 'What is it, honey?'

He told her to run and get the bible as soon as possible. Being a religious woman, she thought this was a good idea. She ran and got it, prepared to read him his favorite verse or something of the sort.

He snatched it from her and began quickly scanning pages, his eyes darting right and left.

The wife was curious. 'what are you doing, honey?' she asked.

"I'm looking for loopholes!" he shouted.

Unfortunately for the Lawyer there are no loopholes in the Bible...

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

John 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

IF you have chosen any other path to Heaven other than JESUS, then you are doomed to face the Lake Of FIRE for all Eternity...

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE???

Happy Tuesday

Weed Hunts

God’s love sprouts around us like lilacs, but we go on weed hunts! How many flowers do we miss in the process? If you look long enough, you’ll find something to bellyache about. So quit looking!

Lift your eyes off the weeds. Collect your blessings. Catalog His kindnesses. Assemble your reasons for gratitude. “Always be joyful” is what Paul tells us in 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 . “Pray continually and give thanks, whatever happens. This is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude is always an option. Make it your default emotion and you’ll find yourself giving thanks for the problems of life. Who knows what you might record in your journal:

Mondays. Oh boy–my favorite!

Final exams. I can hardly wait!

“Impossible,” you say? How do you know?

How do you know until you give the day a chance? Thank God!

Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com

Daily Smile:

Jesus was a woman

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone Brother.
2. He liked Gospel.
3. He couldn't get a fair trial. 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Fathers business.
2. He lived at home until he was 33.
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he was God. 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with his hands.
2. He had wine with every meal.
3. He used olive oil. 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut his hair.
2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
3. He started a new religion. 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures. 

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:
1. He had to feed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was no food.
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it.
3. Even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was more work for Him to do.

Amen!!!

NOTICE:
     The September '12 Edition has been posted to The StarLight News Blog... Below is front page...
Happy Reading...
Richard

Happy Labor Day

Mirror Images

Michael Caine is one of the most accomplished actors of my lifetime. When he was asked to describe what acting really is, he said, “Some actors hold up a picture and say look at me. I hold up a mirror and say look at you.”

Those teachers in my life who most influenced me were not always the brightest or the ones with the most wit. My life has been molded by those gifted people who taught me to look at myself. They didn't berate me with rules I couldn't follow, or demands which I might learn to despise. What they did was hold up the Word of God as a mirror to show me my life as God saw it, and allow me to see the desperate need I had to become more than I was.

As a Jew, Jesus was taught that Samaritans were defiled due to their religion and culture. But when he came upon an immoral woman of Samaria, who was even despised by her own people, our Lord looked beyond their differences of race, religion, gender and culture and invited her to drink deeply of Living Water. He saw her for who she was and taught her to see herself for what she could become (John 4).

Your greatest hour will come when, by simply teaching what the Bible says, you enable someone to grow by using a mirror instead of a rod of criticism. This takes superior grace and wisdom. It is precisely the method of teaching Jesus used in the parables, helping his audience to SEE and FEEL who they really were.

GospeLines Prayer: Heavenly Father, make me less apt to lecture and more prone to love my neighbor as myself; less critical and more Christ-like; less haughty about my elevated spiritual stature and more humble in my witness.' Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison

Daily Smile:

Baptism

A father is in church with three of his young children, including his five year old daughter.

As was customary, he sat in the very front row so that the children could properly witness the service.

During this particular service, the minister was performing the baptism of a tiny infant. The little five year old girl was taken by this, observing that he was saying something and pouring water over the infant's head.

With a quizzical look on her face, the little girl turned to her father and asked: "Daddy, why is he brainwashing that baby??"

NOTICE:
     A huge slowdown with Hurricane Isaac, but I finally got the September '12 Edition posted to The StarLight News Blog... Below is front page... 
Happy Reading...
Richard

Happy Sunday

God Forgives and Forgets!  
By Dwight Thompson                   
 
Religious tradition has dimmed our view of the cross and diminished our understanding of what it means to be born again. People make a recurring ritual out of repentance. 
 
Whatever their religion—they usually practice some sort of penance, or some sort of offering or confession, or some kind of ritual by which they continually come before God exposing again and again the same sin and the same fault. 
 
Forgiven Once And For All
Now, what I want you to recognize is this. When you ask for forgiveness of those sins and you confess them to God, they are once and for all forgiven! I didn't say that you could not sin again. 
 
John said,
My little children, these things write I unto you that you sin not, but if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous: He is the propitiation of our sins and not of ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world,
(1 John 2:1-2)
 
You may sin inadvertently, but as a born again Christian, you will not practice sin. For John again said in his epistle in chapter 3, verse 9,
 
The person who has been born into God's  family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him—he has been born again. (TLB)
 
The only way you will keep yourself in bondage is if you go back to those sins and pick them up and live in them again. You see, the only way the devil can keep you under guilt is for you to turn back to that sin.
 
Peter said, "Repent ye therefore, be converted that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). When you turn from your sins and forsake them, those sins are blotted out!  

Daily Smile:

The Client 

A lawyer had successfully handled a difficult law case for a wealthy friend. Following the happy outcome of the case, the friend and client called on the lawyer, expressed his appreciation of his work and handed him a handsome Moroccan leather wallet.

The lawyer looked at the wallet in astonishment and handed it back with a sharp reminder that a wallet could not possible compensate him for his services. "My fee for that work," acidly snapped the attorney, "is five hundred dollars."

The client opened the wallet, removed a one-thousand dollar bill, replaced it with a five-hundred dollar bill and handed it back to the lawyer with a smile.

Editor's Note:

     We continue to dry out after Isaac... Many are still waiting for the waters to subside so they can return home and survey the damages... Many more wait patiently for power to be restored... Remember those that have gone through Isaac in the coming weeks...

Richard

Happy Saturday

Do I Have Father Issues? by Glynnis Whitwer

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care." Matthew 10:29 (NIV)

A girlfriend's father abandoned her family when she was young. As a result, she struggled with relating to God as her Father. Another friend's dad was harsh and critical. It took years for her to feel unconditionally loved by God.

As a young believer, I didn't think I had issues with my father. Although my dad wasn't a Christian, he allowed my mom to take me and my little sister to church. And though he never said, "I love you," nor attended any of my school performances, I knew he loved me in his own way. My father was a good man, hard working and faithful to his family. However, he was an uninvolved presence in my life.

If I had a problem, I went to my mother. If I got into trouble, I called my mother. When I wanted advice, well, you can guess who I approached. This didn't seem odd to me.
For years I congratulated myself for navigating my father's distant personality with minimal negative impact. I was deeply aware that it could have been worse, and thanked God for a happy childhood. It wasn't until 10 years ago that I pushed a little deeper into this topic of relating to God as my Heavenly Father based on my earthly experience.
Back then I heard that everyone (even those with great dads) has some kind of "father issue" with God because of his or her human (and inherently sinful) earthly fathers. While I wanted to dismiss it, I decided to revisit the topic. Could it be true for me? Was there something missing in my relationship with God?

As I dug deep, I discovered that although I was confident of God's love, I didn't really trust Him to be there in times of trouble. Would He step in if I had a problem? Did He even care?

Every question revealed the same disturbing truth: I didn't really, truly, deep in my heart, trust God. Believe in? Yes. Love? Yes. But trust? The words were easy to mouth, but my heart wasn't singing the same tune.

This realization shed light on so many issues that hadn't seemed troublesome enough to address. Like why I had trouble praying for myself. And why I had so much fear for my children and for myself, and neglected to seek God's wisdom in decision-making.
Seems I really did have "father issues" that were affecting my intimacy with God. I didn't know what it was like to have a father to turn to in good or bad times. But I wanted to learn. I desperately wanted to know God as a perfect Father.

So as awkward as it felt, I made some changes. I intentionally got more personal in prayer, even addressing God as "Daddy" (Mark 14:36). Faced with decisions, even small ones, I asked God for advice (James 1:5). And when fear started to well up, like when I was dealing with a fear of flying, I declared, "I don't trust the pilot, I don't trust the mechanic who tightened the bolts, I don't trust the weather, I trust YOU!" (Psalm 91).

Little by little my faith and trust grew. I took doubtful thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and intentionally exchanged them with thoughts that affirmed God's trustworthiness to help in times of trouble. It took years to rewire my thinking with the truth about God's ability and willingness to be my Heavenly Father. And honestly, I'm still a work in progress.

When I slip back into my independent ways, I choose to believe what I know to be true: I have a Heavenly Daddy who wants to be my hero, champion, protector and confidant - if I'll only let Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are perfect in all Your ways. Your Word says You are a loving Father, and I long to know You in that way. Only You know the gaps in our relationship based on my imperfect understanding of You. Please reveal them to me and help me work through them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Daily Smile:

My Daughter's the Best

Three mothers were sitting around comparing notes on their exemplary offspring. "There never was a daughter more devoted than my Alice," said Mrs. Davis with a sniff. "Every summer, she takes me to the Catskills for a week, and every winter, we spend a week at Delray Beach."

"That's nothing compared to what my Anna does for me," declared Mrs. Jones proudly. "Every winter, she treats me to two weeks in Miami, and in the summer, two weeks in the Hamptons, in my own private guest house."

Mrs. Smith sat back with a proud smile. "Nobody loves her mother like my Jackie does. Nobody."

"So what does she do?" asked the two women, turning to her.

"Three times a week, she gets into a cab, goes to the best psychiatrist in the city, and pays him a hundred and fifty dollars an
hour - just to talk about me!"

Editor's Note:

We did lose power for several days and got it back Friday Morning... Rain clouds continue to pass overhead as we try to dry out... The waters are receding and leaving debris for us to clean up... Two deaths so far from Isaac...

Very Thankful that Isaac was not as bad as he could have been...

Have a Blessed Day,
Richard

Happy Friday

Tools Used By Devil

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from. “Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!” Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is much worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.

The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the disillusioned newlywed young couple; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season! We have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul.

Let’s inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward…encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. [Hebrews 10:25]

Daily Smile:

Farmer Josh killed a pig and hung it up for the night, intending to butcher it in the morning, but the next day it was gone. He didn't tell a soul about it, and nothing happened for more than two months.

Then another farmer, who lived down the road, came by and said, "By the way Josh, did you ever find out who stole your pig?"

"Nope," said Josh. "Not until just now."

Happy Thursday

YOU BELONG TO HIM! by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

In Song of Solomon, the Lord says of his bride: "How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!" (Song of Solomon 7:6). Three of the Hebrew words in this verse are synonymous: fair (meaning "precious"), pleasant (indicating "pleasure"), and delights.

These words describe Jesus' thoughts toward His bride as He beholds her. He looks at her and says, "How beautiful, sweet and delightful you are. You are precious to me, O love!" And in turn, the bride boasts, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" (verse 10). The meaning here is, "He runs after me with delight. He chases me because I am so precious to him!"

These same thoughts are found throughout the Psalms. "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Psalm 147:11). "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation" (149:4). Now, I can try to convince you of God's delight in you by telling you, "You are precious to the Lord!" Yet you may think, "Well, that's a lovely thought. How sweet."

This truth is much more than a lovely thought, however. It is the very key to your deliverance from every battle that rages in your soul. It is the secret to entering into the rest God has promised you. And until you lay hold of it—until it becomes a foundation of truth in your heart—you will not be able to withstand what is ahead in this wicked time.

Isaiah had a revelation of God's great delight in us. He prophesied to Israel this word from the Lord:

"O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee"
(Isaiah 43:1-2).

Isaiah was not talking about a literal flood or fire. He was talking about what the people were going through spiritually and mentally. They were in captivity at the time and their floods were trials, their fires were temptations, their rivers were testings. It was all the devil's attempt to destroy and overwhelm God's people.

Isaiah's words were a message of pure mercy to Israel. They were in captivity because of their own stupidity and foolishness and they deserved nothing. But God sent them a weeping, brokenhearted prophet who said, “God wants me to tell you that you belong to Him!”

Daily Smile:

You Might Be A Redneck If #59

You complain about the ban on assault weapons because it make half your guns illegal.

You use a pig for a garbage disposal.

You can't go to church this year because your Sunday socks are being used as the truck's gas cap.

You think the vowels are E..I..E..I..O.

You clean your car or truck out with a leaf blower.

Your tackle box contains dynamite and blasting caps.

You gave your young son a super-soaker water gun and an NRA application for his birthday.

Happy Wednesday

NEWS FOR THE LUKEWARM by Gary Wilkerson

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Jesus is speaking to the Laodicean church — the church that has become famous worldwide. Laodicean is even a word in the dictionary, meaning lukewarm or indifferent. Lukewarm is right in the middle with cold on one side and hot on the other. Jesus does not say He would like for us to be hot, lukewarm or cold. No, He says He would rather we be cold or hot rather than lukewarm.

When Jesus speaks of our being hot He is talking about being full of zeal, full of passion, with a heart that is on fire for God. He is talking about our having something in us that stirs us to action. That is why He says, “I know your works.” He doesn’t say, “I know your thoughts — I know your emotions.” He says, “I know your works,” because when you look at someone’s works you have a revelation of that person’s heart.

Many of us don’t realize how far lukewarmness is from the heart of God. This state is despicable to Jesus because it speaks of someone who is claiming to be one of His, people who take on the name of Jesus and quote Scripture but then behave like the world.

A lukewarm person is somebody who claims to be a Christian but does the same things as someone who is totally cold: still getting drunk, still sleeping around, still taking God’s name in van, still cheating, still lying — and still calling himself a Christian. This person becomes a ruinous testimony for Christ.

Jesus prefers an honest testimony that says, “I’m not saved and I’m living like it,” rather than, “I claim to be saved but I’m not living like it.” Jesus goes on to say to the lukewarm, “I know your works!” 

Daily Smile:

Bible Confusion

The little girl was sitting with her grandmother, who had presented her with her first little children's Bible, in an easy-to-read translation, when she was very young.

Now, a decade or so later, the elderly lady was ready to spend a few
sweet moments handing down the big old family Bible, in the time-honored King James Version, to her only grandchild.

Understandably excited, the youngster was asking a number of questions, both about the family members whose births and deaths were recorded therein, and about various aspects of the Scriptures themselves. Her grandmother was endeavoring to answer all the child's questions in terms she could understand, but the one that stopped her cold was this sincere inquiry:

"Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? Was it the Virgin Mary, or the King James virgin?" 

Hurricane Isaac Update:

     Wednesday, 8:00AM - Still have power, 20 Mph Winds - ENE and some rain... I was looking for the worst to happen this morning, but it looks as if Isaac has moved further to the West...
     Last night, I finished Thursday & Friday's Devotionals in case of power failure... They will be posted automatically about 12:30AM CST... 
     Since I managed to sleep through Hurricane Camille when living in Lumberton, Isaac gave me no reason to stay up all night... Cats woke me about 6AM climbing the window screen trying to find a way inside...

Have a Blessed Day,
Richard

 

Happy Tuesday

HE LUKEWARM HEART by Gary Wilkerson


What does a lukewarm heart look like?

A heart that is no longer on fire for God, or perhaps never has been on fire for God, has distinctive characteristics.

First, a lukewarm heart is a prayerless heart, one that has no desire to pray, no desire to come into the presence of God.

Second, a lukewarm heart is unawakened by anything in the Word. It finds parts of the Word interesting and sometimes emotionally moving but does not grasp the power of God’s Word to transform hearts.

Third, a lukewarm heart is disobedient to the Word. When the lukewarm heart begins to respond to the Word and the Holy Spirit breaks through and reveals a truth, this heart is like the man spoken of by James: “He is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror . . . and goes away and at once forgets what he was like” (James 1:23-24, ESV). The lukewarm heart is not a doer of the Word.

Fourth, a lukewarm heart has little or no passion for souls, and little or no desire to pray for or reach out to the lost.

Fifth, a lukewarm heart only comes to church when it’s convenient. Even though the Word speaks very clearly that we are not to neglect gathering together, the lukewarm heart just doesn’t feel that it is significant (see Hebrews 10:25).

Sixth, the lukewarm heart has grown emotionally dull, it is unmoved. The lukewarm heart will read this message and hear this truth, yet will not care. It becomes emotionally dull to the things of the Spirit, to the Word, to prayer and to the lost.

But there is good news for the lukewarm — Jesus is calling you out of your lukewarm state! He is saying, “Yes, I am knocking on the door of your house. I want to come in and have dinner with you and I want to see the fire of God once again brought into your heart and life.”

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20, ESV).

Daily Smile:

Mass Hysteria

A professor of clinical psychology at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, included a lecture on crowd psychology in his annual course. To illustrate mass hysteria, he regularly showed TV news footage of teenage crowds greeting the Beatles at the local airport in the 1960's. 

One year, when he ran the footage, he heard squeals and bursts of laughter from his students. When the film ended he asked what had caused the hilarity. 

Replied one student, "We recognized some of our mothers!" 

 

 Latest report on Isaac

Happy Monday

Please remember those in the path of Isaac when you pray today... 

 

A Clean Heart by Luann Prater

"It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" Mark 7:15b (NIV 1984)

When I was little, if I talked disrespectfully to my parents, they would wash my mouth out with soap. It tasted awful! But one thing it didn't do was wash away the attitude in my heart that caused sassy words to spew from my lips.

Jesus told the people, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'" (Mark 7:15b, 21-23 NIV 1984).

Whew, that is some list! But why did Jesus take the time to name each one of those evils? We know that not one word in the Bible is wasted, so there is purpose behind Him listing each one to the crowd. Maybe there were folks there who looked good on the outside, but their hearts were unclean.

Perhaps, like me, they were not surprised when He mentioned murder, adultery, or theft. But I wonder what the reaction was when Jesus included more hidden sins like arrogance, envy and greed too.
The dictionary describes arrogance as "an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; or overbearing pride."

At first glance, we may think that doesn't apply to us. But if we let the Holy Spirit shine His search light on our heart, we may find times when we have thought, "Well, at least I'm not THAT bad," or "It's amazing her kids turned out as good as they did."

Envy is pretty sly at hiding in our hearts as well. It is the feeling of discontent with regards to other's success or belongings. Does your friend have a new car, a great body or a nice home? If so, do you ever look at her with jealousy and long for what she has? If so, that's envy. Ouch!

Then there is greed, the excessive desire for wealth or possessions. Maybe we don't think we are excessive in our want for more, but how much time do we spend trying to make more money or get more stuff? And how stingy are we with what we have?
What would it look like to take those three definitions and clean them up?

• Un-arrogance: a gracious display of selflessness• Un-envy: being completely content with all of our blessings• Un-greed: a desire to share what God has given us

That sounds like a clean heart to me!

Today I challenge myself with the words Jesus spoke, "It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" Today, I will set my mind to being un-arrogant, un-envious and un-greedy. Yes, today I want to live with a clean heart.

Dear Lord, thank You for shining Your light on my heart so I can see where it is unclean. Illuminate those sins that I dirty myself with and cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Daily Smile:

Three Hymns

The Sunday before Christmas, a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money. He asked the people to consider donating a little more than usual into the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns. After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate. A very quiet, elderly, saintly looking lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. 

Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanks asked her to pick out three hymns. Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him."

Projected path of Isaac as of 1AM CST Monday...  Living on the East side of any Tropical Storm or Hurricane is not good... Please remember those in the path of Isaac when you pray today...

Happy Sunday

The Choice is Ours By Rachel Olsen

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

I watch Samantha Brown, Travel Channel host, as she explores Old Town in Ecuador's capital city of Quito. Watching her experience the charming hotels, mouth-watering food, and tropical adventures there, I'm slightly envious. But as she points out the sights of this South American city, my mind wanders back in time.

I've been to Quito. Not to enjoy the food or see the architecture, but to visit people there who Jesus loves.

As the camera pans over Samantha's head, I'm looking for the spot where I visited a single mother, Maria. She and her baby lived in one room smaller than my home office. She had a twin size bed, a chest of drawers, and a small electric stove.

On the stove she fried plantains for me. I had trouble at first with the idea of eating them, knowing they were from her very limited food supply. As Maria happily served me, I wondered if I would choose to share my food so freely if it were as scarce for me as it is for her.

Maria told me she had received Jesus, and was now receiving training in child care, nutrition and child development through Compassion International. She'd received these South American bananas from them too. I noticed Maria had a visible hope that her life and her child's life were now on a better path.

Around the corner from Maria lived a young boy who has also been touched by Jesus. He is a sponsored child. When we met, Eduardo told me he hopes to be a pastor. He quoted scripture to me from memory—he was eight.

Our meeting wasn't planned, he just happened to stop by Maria's door while I was there. After talking with us briefly, Eduardo reached into his back pocket, pulled out a small New Testament and handed it to me. Said he wanted me to have it. And he wanted me to read it.

Said he hoped it would remind me of him, so I would pray that he could become a pastor.

I didn't tell him I have plenty of full-size Bibles at home. Or I wouldn't be able to read much of that one in Spanish. Instead I took the small red book, said "gracias," and prayed over him and his future ministry. He smiled a smile full of possibility and disappeared out the doorway.

I'm certain that around the corner from Maria there are other single moms and young boys who don't have this hope. They feel trapped, depressed, maybe hungry and short-changed.

It is my prayer they will find "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:3).

Samantha Brown discovered Ecuador's luscious fruits, famous hat-making trade, and its romantic colonial architecture. Here's what I discovered:

• We always have a choice between hope and despair - no matter what circumstance we are in.

• We always have a choice between fear and faith - no matter how bleak things look.

• And we always have the choice to give and serve - no matter how little we own.

It's Jesus - and His church at work on the Earth - that affords us these choices.

Honestly, I wouldn't trade my trip to Ecuador for Samantha Brown's any day. Even if she did get to visit the stunning cloud forest. I'm thinking we'll have cloud forests in heaven to enjoy. And I'd like to see as much of the Ecuadorian population there as possible.

I think my eight year-old friend would like to see that too. I'm certain he will do his part toward that end - will we also do ours? We have that choice to make.

Dear Lord, thank You for living hope. Thank You for living water that quenches our eternal thirst. Anoint young Eduardo to share this hope with others in Ecuador. Show me how I can share it with others too. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Daily Smile:

Ten Commandments

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" 

Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Happy Saturday

What Is Your Calling

1 Corinthians 7:20

Some people have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming pastors, missionaries, or Bible teachers. How many would be excluded from any opportunity of spiritual usefulness if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office—it is sincerity; it is not position—it is grace that will enable us to serve and glorify God. God is definitely glorified at the workbench, where the godly worker fulfills his task singing of the Savior's love. In this humble setting God is glorified far more than in many a lofty pulpit where official religion performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the taxicab driver as he blesses God and speaks to his passengers of the living hope. He will be more useful than the popular preacher who goes about peddling the Gospel for profit. God is glorified when we serve Him in our proper vocations.

Take care, dear reader, that you do not neglect the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonor your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the Gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labor connected either with most daring deeds of faith or with persons whose lives have been illustrations of holiness.

Therefore do not be discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position or your work, remain in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first concern be to glorify God to the best of your ability where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another, He will show it to you. This evening lay aside anxious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.

Daily Smile:

The Titanic Test

Recently a teacher, a garbage collector, and a lawyer wound up together at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter informed them that in order to get into Heaven, they would each have to answer one question.
St. Peter addressed the teacher and asked, "What was the name of the ship that crashed into the iceberg? They just made a movie about it." 

The teacher answered quickly, "That would be the Titanic." St.Peter let him through the gate. 

St. Peter turned to the garbage man and, figuring Heaven didn't REALLY need all the odors that this guy would bring with him, decided to make the question a little harder: "How many people died on the ship?" 

Fortunately for him, the trash man had just seen the movie, and answered, "1,228." 

"That's right! You may enter." 

St. Peter then turned to the lawyer. "Name them." 

Happy Friday

FITLY JOINED TOGETHER By Ivan Burgener

   "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ, from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:15,16).

   "Speaking the truth"! What a contrast with the "cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive." The one seeks to edify and build up whereas the other seeks to destroy and tear down. But the desired progress is our "growing up unto Him in all things: We read of faith, full knowledge, a perfect man, the stature of the fulness of Christ and then the opposing "systematic deception."  But this is counteracted by being true or truthful in everything and growing up unto Christ."

   In Ephesians, spiritual growth is pictured in both Temple and Body:

TEMPLE
Built on foundation of apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) fitly framed together (2:21) Christ the Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

Grows into holy temple in the Lord (2:21) in Whom you are builded (2:22)

BODY
[Body. mentioned six times
in Ephesians chapters 4 & 5] fitly joined together (4: 16) Christ is Head (4:15)

Grows unto Christ (4:15) out of Whom...makes increase of the body unto building up in love (4:15)

No amount of activity, or meetings or advertisement or energy will produce growth. Spiritual growth requires life, health, suitable environment, sound food and walking in the light. But growth can be stunted or retarded by an environment lacking essentials of light, water or air. Of these, walking in the light is preeminent!

   Leagues, unions, societies, associations, and even fellowships cannot substitute for growth of the body being "knit together in love" which is the "bond of perfectness." Unity of the Spirit had the "bond of peace" (4:3). Unity of the body has the "bond of love" so fitly joined.

Daily Smile:

John: Would you punish me for some thing I have not done?

Teacher: No, of course not.

John: Good. I didn't do my homework.

Happy Thursday

Salt

[Jesus said:] "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." --Matthew 5:13

It's hard to believe that salt is made up of two highly unstable, dangerous chemicals-sodium and chlorine. Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally in a combined form, always linking itself to another element. And chlorine is the poisonous gas that gives bleach its offensive odor.

But combined together, these two elements produce sodium chloride, a multipurpose substance we call common table salt. It's used to season foods, de-ice highways, preserve meat, make paper (believe it or not), process metals and aluminums in textile industries, create a work of art combined with watercolors, and even seed clouds to produce rain in desert areas!

Love and truth can also be combined like sodium and chlorine to produce a powerful life-giving, life-saving effect. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, and willing to mesh with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth alone can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel of Jesus.

When these two things are combined in the life of a believer or the Church, then it produces what Jesus called "the salt of the earth." With these two elements working together in our lives, we are able to preserve our faith, give a fresh taste of God's Word to others, and build up disciples for Christ.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank You, Jesus, for the chance You've given me to be "salt" to the world. I ask You to help me always combine truth and love in my daily walk with You and when I'm sharing You with others.

Daily Smile:

If Microsoft made toasters...
Every time you bought a loaf of bread, you would have to buy a toaster. You wouldn't have to take the toaster, but you'd still have to pay for it anyway. Toaster'95 would weigh 15000 pounds (hence requiring a reinforced steel countertop), draw enough electricity to power a small city, take up 95% of the space in your kitchen, would claim to be the first toaster that let's you control how light or dark you want your toast to be, and would secretly interrogate your other appliances to find out who made them. Everyone would hate Microsoft toasters, but nonetheless would buy them since most of the good bread only works with their toasters.