Sitting at DIA waiting for our flight to Orange County. Beautiful Colorado blue sky. God is good!May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy each and every moment, so much can happen in one year.
We are never to be fearful, but we need to be aware that life is precious and it is a gift.
Enjoy the day, enjoy life. May God lead and bless you on this wonderful Holliday.
Blessings
PMT

It’s Thanksgiving Day (everyday)

At least it should be. We most likely would all agree with this, but why is it so hard at times to keep this in focus. It is true. It helps our attitude. It’s how we enter into God’s presence. But why is it so hard? (at least at times it is)

There is an “enemy of your soul”. His purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. It’s starts with your joy, then your peace, and then anything and everything else he can. Don’t give him any place in your life. He hates it when we praise, worship and give glory to God.

This is a great place to start. So right now, wherever you are. STOP!! – and Worship God for who He is. Praise Him for what He has done and will do. Thank Him!!

The ultimate Thanksgiving Day (everyday) begins and ends with our giving Him thanks.

He alone is worthy.

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING DAY (no matter what day you are reading this).

Blessings

PMT

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Having just finished viewing a truly wonderful movie. My beautiful wife and I were discussing why we enjoyed the movie as much as we did. Linda turned to me and said what I believe to be the most profound words she has ever spoken to me.

Her words were; “The reason we loved the movie so much, was because it was true, good prevailed over evil, and it was a love story.

As I reflected on her statement, it struck me that those three elements are the foundation of the “Good News”.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is based upon the same elements. It is the truth. Good triumphs over evil. It is a love story.

God so loved the world that He gave………………….

Jesus triumphed over death, hell and the grave……………………

God’s word is truth……………………………

Thank you Linda for sharing with me.

Thank you Father for sending your son.

Thank you Jesus for paying the price.

Thank you Holy Spirit for working in and through me today.

God Is Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings – Remember, “It’s just a thought”

PMT

Yesterday morning my Pastor and friend Billy Joe Daugherty made the ultimate address change. Thank God for His grace and the comfort of His Holy Spirit at times like this. Please keep his wife Sharon, his family and the Victory Christian Center Church family and leadership in your prayers.

You may find strength in reading my previous blog posting. I shared the content of this posting with our Life Church family on Sunday at our two services. Many of our people came up to me and shared their love and concern. Four different people shared with me that it was Pastor Daugherty who led them into a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Later on Sunday afternoon, I received this e-mail as a response to a “charge” I gave our congregation to continue in the “fight”.

PM

I just wanted to tell you that the Shahans will carry on Pastor Billy Joe’s legacy. We have never sat in one of his services or even read one his books, but thru you he has a profound impact on our lives and we will pass that onto our daughter and anyone that will listen to us. We have grown more in the last few years at Life Church then we ever did before we started there. It can only be a God thing that somebody we never had any contact with has had such an influence on our lives. I thank God that Billy Joe followed Gods plan in his life, so that you could follow his plan for yours and lead me farther on mine. I am sorry for your lose and I hurt because you hurt, but I will continue to fight the fight with you and the rest of Life Church. I love and appreciate you more then I could ever express and thank you for being part of our lives and letting us be part of yours.

Jody

This is what makes being a Pastor so fulfilling.

May we all continue the fight, for many have fallen before us in the battle and many more await our bringing them the Truth that will set them free.

REMEMBER:

WE CANNOT BE DEFEATED

IF WE WILL NOT QUIT!

Blessings

PMT

So much going on: 

Friends fighting cancer, some close to death. People possibly diagnosed with MS. It’s as though every day there is another major “news item” that relates to us in a very personal way.

Trying to gain perspective is the main issue for me. I think I am getting it, but I’m old enough to know that I don’t always know it all. I will remain true to God’s Word and His promises. I will declare and defend His character.

We so often and so easily forget we are in a battle. We are at war. The frequent references to our lives being like that of a soldier must bring our awareness of how to live this life to a new level. The great statement that “The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail against the Church” only reinforces that there is a force working against us. We know this evil will not prevail, but we must also know that we must fight and that, as in natural war, there are casualties. It doesn’t change our mandate; it only serves as a reminder that we must fight on, not only for those who will follow us, but also in the honor of those who have given their all for the cause. The losses of the moment are going to be swallowed up by the ultimate victory. We grieve, but not without hope. We cry, but we will again have joy. Through it all, there is a peace and a confident assurance of a God who has a plan and will never, ever be outdone by the enemy.

A mighty fortress is our God.

A mighty fortress is our God,

            a bulwark never failing;

            our helper he amid the flood

            of mortal ills prevailing. 

            For still our ancient foe

            doth seek to work us woe;

            his craft and power are great,

            and armed with cruel hate,

            on earth is not his equal.

2.            Did we in our own strength confide,

            our striving would be losing,

            were not the right man on our side,

            the man of God's own choosing.

            Dost ask who that may be? 

            Christ Jesus, it is he;

            Lord Sabaoth, his name,

            from age to age the same,

            and he must win the battle.

3.            And though this world, with devils filled,

            should threaten to undo us,

            we will not fear, for God hath willed

            his truth to triumph through us. 

            The Prince of Darkness grim,

            we tremble not for him;

            his rage we can endure,

            for lo, his doom is sure;

            one little word shall fell him.

4.            That word above all earthly powers,

            no thanks to them, abideth;

            the Spirit and the gifts are ours,

            thru him who with us sideth. 

            Let goods and kindred go,

            this mortal life also;

            the body they may kill;

            God's truth abideth still;

            his kingdom is forever.

Isn’t it time for all of us to stop our whining and complaining? Did He not say that we would not be tested beyond that which we could endure? A good soldier takes time to honor his fallen comrade, but then he marches on. He continues to take his place in the battle and fights until the end.

This life is not a game. It is war! The foolishness of so many to aimlessly wander through the “mine fields” creates the inevitable sound of yet another explosion. These are casualties that can be avoided, but then there is the direct hit taken when we are face-to-face with the enemy. There will be losses! There will be victory!

We are “Tougher Than Hell” “Stronger Than Hell” and Will Overcome Hell and The Grave. We are More Than Conquerors! We Will Win Because He Is On Our Side!

PMT

Received this from my oldest son. Linda and I are so blessed! 

Time to get our Thanksgiving speeches out. You know, the ones you make around the table after you have put more stuffing in you than what was in the turkey. I pray that we all would be thankful everyday. We have so much to be thankful for. All of us need to "arrest" our attitudes when we are not thankful. Perspective is an important part of our living and not existing. 

I am thankful as I begin this day. To know how much God loves me. The blessings I have of a wonderful family. The privilege of being a Pastor of a Life Giving Church. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow in His Grace. What a blessing! 

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Col 3:15 msg.

Have a wonderful day!

I have been wonderfully blessed to have several great Aunt's and Uncles. Men and women who have loved me and helped me grow up. My Uncle Ken encouraged me to play baseball and told me I could be really good at it. I believed him, and because of those positive words, I am sure I overachieved in this area of my life. My Uncle Jim really taught me how to work. I only thought I knew what intensity and commitment were until I worked with him. My Uncle Bus is the coolest Uncle I have. He's amazingly handsome, and while I never got his good looks, I always wanted to be like him. I even tried to enlist in the navy as he did. I think I secretively thought I could look like him in the uniform. The reason I didn't join was that they would not guarantee me that I could train in San Diego, and I didn't want to be training at Great Lakes (N. of Chicago) in the winter. 

My favorite relative however is my Aunt Donna. We became "re-connected" during the last days of my sister Lana's life. I didn't have that much interaction with her while growing up, but for some reason memories of her in my life are so much more vivid than others. She and my Uncle Bus are "California Cool". My dad almost moved our family out there and I would have gone to San Dimas High (like Bill and Ted).

She introduced me (and all my family) to Taco's, way before anyone in Wisconsin knew what they were. So many wonderful memories, but the one I remember most was when she was trying to get me and my cousins to learn "The Lords Prayer". My cousins were doing great, but I wasn't. All I wanted to do was go out and play (today I would have been diagnosed as having A.D.D). My aunt was wise and found the motivation I needed. She offered me a silver dollar if I would memorize the "Lords Prayer". It worked! Now that I am a Pastor, perhaps I should try that on our congregation? For those of you that are a part of the Life Church family and reading this, that is not going to happen. 

Memories can be a great thing. All of us have the opportunity to be influential in others lives. Words we speak, acts of kindness, so many different ways to bless and help others. I pray that I will be as loving and kind as my Aunt Donna, that I may leave a legacy that demonstrates God's Love. May we all slow down, and be sensitive to the needs of others. May we be the reflection of His love, mercy and grace. 

Today, look for someone you can encourage. They are closer than you think. 

"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you his kindness and have mercy on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you peace." (Nu 6:24-26 ncv)

Blessings

PMT