Open Door Christian Center Promo Video

Hello all, I finally finished the promo video I have been working on for the center.  I tell you what, Sony Vegas is an insanely wonderful video editing utility.  Anyway, this video gives an overview of what the Open Door is all about, and that is being about our Fathers business.  Places like this exist all over the country, saving lives for Christ.  I owe this and other facilities like it my life, because it is only through Christ and these ministries that I am here today.  I love Jesus.  I finally know what it is to actually love Him and not just fear or know He is there.  I owe a debt of gratitude to Pastor Charles, Melinda, and all the other staff and interns who have helped me during my time here so far.  I thank God every day that He has been able to use my problems to help my wife grow strong in her relationship with Christ as well.  I know I am sort of rambling, but hey, when you you are in love you want to talk about the object of your affections, and I hope I never stop.  God bless you all (whoever "you all" may be ;-)

Almost forgot.  Tony, it was great getting back into contact with you.  I am proud of you, and very glad to hear that you are working in an area that you love.  You can do great things in life, but always remember that your Father in heaven has all the answers, and if you will just submit yourself to him always, you will grow to be happy and content, and He will pour blessings on your life.  I am living proof.  When I do things His way, my life becomes blessed, my way and... well you know.  I love you son.

Functioning Invisibility Cloak

I managed to re-tailor the invisibility cloak, it's more form fitting, but seems to work a whole lot better.  Hope you like it!

Anne and Jude went to the HMR Fall Festival.  Her company, Grove Medical Supply sponsored a face painting booth.  This lady was really good.  This is a picture of Jude with her face painted like a kitty cat!

Broken Invisibility Cloak

Someone donated a slightly dysfunctional invisibility cloak today...  It still works (somewhat), but I am sure Melinda will sell it for next to nothing.  she has a habit of underselling items.  If anyone is in the market, it's at the Open Door Thrift Store, come get it while it's still here!   ;-)


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Romans 7

I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not.  Isn't this also your experience?  Yes.  I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison.  What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.  So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.  But I need something more!  For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help!

I realize that I don't have what it takes.  I can will it, but I can't do it.  I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.  My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.  Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.  It happens so regularly that it's predictable.  The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.

I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight.  Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.  I've tried everything and nothing helps.  I'm at the end of my rope.  Is there no one who can do anything for me?  Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.  He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.  With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved.  Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.

A new power is in  operation.  The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

Sound Familiar?  Love you all!