God wants to mess you up!!

In my prayer time God was showing me he wants so much to get in the middle of what we are doing. But he will not force himself on you. This has to be a choice on your part to let him mess with your stuff. The things that are most important to you or that suck up most of your time.

For some of us it will be simple stuff, like your TV time, or time on the computer or face book. For some it will be quitting your job, or selling everything you have to go to a distance country to minister or to the inner city.

Everyone is wondering why God isn't moving or not revealing himself. People are blaming God for not moving and not showing them stuff and wonder where is he? But he can't,,, no he won't, make you give up the things that you love. He wants it to be your choice. You are not a robot. He wants you to make the choice to surrender these things, It's up to you. You can very easily hear from God in most cases when you decide to give up on your dreams, your goals, your hobbies and your desires.

For what Tim? Is he going to make me move to Africa and become a missionary? Maybe, but I think for most people it will be having you more focused on that person that you work with that is going through a bad time in their marriage and cause you to spend time praying for them. Or he may want you to become a mentor or a disciple to some young person. Right now our Sunday afternoons are filled with football, nascar, napping, house work, video games or just spending time with family. Are these things bad? No, not on the surface, but if these things are causing us to be distracted from our time that should be the Lords, then yes, they are evil!

Matthew 12: 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

People, my spirit is saying there is an urgency and feeling like if we don't do this now, we will miss what is going on in the spirit and miss the opportunities God has for us.

When will we hear from God? When we are REALLY listening. How will we hear from God? How ever he wants to reveal himself. For some it will be just reading his word and acting on it.

Some say, "But I've already read that whole Bible and know it well."

But each day brings new life to the word, for each situation or circumstance. READ IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN. Keep DOING what it says. He will lead you just in doing that. I really believe that he will reveal himself in our doings, not just in your begging him to.

But you must move, and pray and fast and seek. He will not move in your life if you have a remote in your hands and arms crossed and never making yourself available.

How many of us are ready to stand before almighty God at the judgment seat and say, Hey God, I gave you all my time and energy? I believe we will be mostly embarrassed by our lack of trying rather than our trying and messing it up.

Most of the time we get so comfortable with life and we don't want to make waves. It is time to let God completely mess up our lives and make it what he wants........ Will you let him?

As my pastor said this week, you are hurting God's heart when we do not trust him!

Also, Amy said “you are his treasure.”

He wants to give to you, and use you, if you let him. Give everything you have for him! When he sees your commitment, I guarantee he will move! We must be sold out to God!!!!!!!

Or just stay on the couch and wonder where God is……..

Listening for the CALL!

I really don't understand life very often. Things happen in the natural that I just think, "hey God, um, did you forget about me"? or Why would God let this happen to me. But the cool thing about God is he likes it when we have a change.... Why? To see us hurt and suffer? To sit back and laugh at our foolish whining and folly? or is he a cruel God as some would think, like the little kid taunting a fly by tearing off its wings and laughing that it can't fly away from the torture?

No, I believe that God has a much bigger picture in mind for us. He has a more kind and compassionate heart than we could ever understand, enough that he would send his only son to die in my (and your) place. And not just any kind of death, but the cruelest most painful death. On the cross. I know that seems dark and like, "really, that's how God shows his love for us"? Well yes, because Jesus is God that came here in the flesh. So now he knows the plight of man, since he became one of us.

So, if God has a plan for me, why is it that things just seem to keep going wrong and nothing that I do seems to prosper like is says it should in Psalms 1:3, 37:11, Prov 16:20, 28:25, Jer 29:11?

We must remember though that God is much more concerned with our spiritual growth than our financial or physical growth, although those are important too. When we fuss and whine about not having material things, it shows our spiritual immaturity. And when we worry about money and how we will be taken care of, it also show our lack of trust in the Lord.

Luke 6:38 says Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

I really don't understand what is happening to me now, I thought I had a job all lined up but now they don't know when I will start. I had already turned in a notice to the employer I was working with. I found out about the mix up the night before my last night with the current company. When I went in and explained the situation, the manager there said he wasn't able to get me back into the system. So I was no longer employed with them and not able to start my new job anytime soon. They don't know when the next orientation class will be.

I think the biggest thing that keeps us from getting what we need is selfishness or staying in our own comfortable distractions. TV is probably one of the biggest ones. I have it on right now will typing with the volume turned down. Why, mostly cause I don't want to turn the big light on and I can't see in the dark, But I could turn a smaller light on.... there are so many excuses.

But it is time we stop making excuses and start making disciples for Jesus, That should be our primary focus!

God is most certainly calling each of us to bigger and greater things, but first we have to be willing to step out of the crap we are in now to advance to the next great thing. Too often we get comfortable with the crap even though it stinks and is nasty and difficult. but what think is so important is actually a hindrance to our walk, our lives and our new opportunities

so the next question typically would be what do I do now to support my family especially since we have been living pay check to paycheck. I completely understand my wife expecting me to have this all worked out and not skip a beet with our income, but I believe this is one of those situations where I will step back (not sit on the sidelines, just get my selfishness out of the way) and see how God will work. We, my wife and I, have been through office closures, lay-offs, transferring and now quitting without a new job to go to. But all of these previous times God has seen us through. Why should I think now he is just going to say, sorry, I've bailed you out enough, you're on your own?

Mat. 7:7 says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Why Worship?

1 Chronicles 16: 29

Give to the LORD the glory [due] His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Psalm 96:9

Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.

John 4:23

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

Psalm 22:3

But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel. KJV

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. NKJV

And Thou [art] holy, Sitting in the Praises of Israel. (Youngs literal translation)

Zephaniah 3: 14-17

Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Sing, O Daughter of Zion; Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 149:3

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.

Psalm 95:6

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

Rev 7: 9-12

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

I am seeing that most people that come to church on Sunday morning are there for one reason and one reason only. It's not for an experience with The Almighty God, or to really make any effort to get closer to Him, no, It is really almost like they get a star by there name just for showing up.

No, I really don't think that's the way it works. I think God expects a little more out of us than that. It is either that, or we have a lot of people that have a "form of godliness" but deny the power there of 2 Timothy 3:5....

In either case, God sees right through the facade and the act that we put on every Sunday during worship time. If we really believe in God wouldn't we worship Him like He was already standing there in front of us, cause He is....

proskyneō is the greek word used in John 4:23 for worship which means:

1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence

2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence

movement of the body expressing deep respect ordeferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy,orother similar gesture. in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication.

obeisance:

1. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage.

2. An attitude of deference or homage.

What I see is not an attitude of homage, but when can I get out of here so I can get something to eat and watch the football game.... I'm sorry if I am being a little blunt, but I am so tired of people wondering why God isn't moving on their behalf. But if they look, they really aren't taking Him seriously. If they were, this would not only show up in their worship, but their everyday life, how they act and how they treat people would change. We need a real touch from the Holy Spirit and I am afraid for most people it will take a tragedy, or a real difficult trial or test.

But we live in this "It's my way or the Highway" age and "I will get what's mine" mentality.I can't find anywhere in the Bible that we are promised specific wealth and especially not comfort. What is promised is pain and trials.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm34:19)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I believe, at least in my case, that God lets us go through these hardships to bring us closer to Him. like in 2 Cor 12: 7-10:

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So many times I hear people say, "God will never give you more than you can handle"... To that I say, Have you read the book of Job? Yeah, that man went through what could be considered literal Hell-on-earth. But the actual scripture that most people are refering to is

1 COR 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

This scripture is talking specifically about temptation, not trials or troubles.

God wants you to cry out to him and if it takes you going through a close friend or family member dying or a crippling accident, or like in my case, a job that is overwhelming, He will use any of these things to show you his sovereignty. You may be thinking what a mean or cruel God, but He is doing this so that He can be in relationship with you, not to just be mean. That is why it is important to take Him seriously and spend time in prayer and meditation and worship. It may not keep you from the hardships, like Paul in prison :

Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

If you go on to read, the jailer and others where lead to the Lord through this experience. This would never have happened if Paul was throwing his fist in the air asking why God was letting this happen to him.

Look, I am beginning to realize, Life is really hard for the believer. Why? I know it sounds strange, but because God really loves you. If he didn't you wouldn't have to go through discipline.

Hebrews 12:16 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Sin almost always has consequences.

Even if you repent right away. I feel like I am still dealing with wrong choices I made about 25 years ago.

He is working on us like the potter does to the clay, if an imperfection is found, sometimes he will distroy the clay to start fresh.

That is why it is so important to seek God in all things, like in the 1 Cor 10:13 scripture, he will always provide a way out of our sin, if we will only accept it now.

He will also give you better insight and clarity about things happening in the spiritual world. Also I have had many times where I was healed of a pain or ache during radical worship.

I pray that this will encourage many people to really dig in and seek The Lord with all of their hearts in all they do. He wants you to come to him in desperation and a true hunger for Him!

We could never fail!!!!!!?

We keep hearing people say, this nation is too strong, we will never fail.... this makes me think of the game angry birds, such a deep philosophical game. If you don't know it is where you fling birds, yes I said birds, from a sling-shot onto a structure that houses pigs. As strange as it sounds, it's much fun. But in the game it is always better to attack the structure from the foundation instead of the top. The structure will usually collapse on itself killing the poor oinkers inside. I know, PETA probably hates seeing those piggies get slaughtered. Our current administration is doing the same thing though.. attacking our country at its foundation, the constitution. But they are masking it with words like 'living constitution' and 'net neutrality'. Like the dumb little pigs in the game, we set there thinking, the structure will protect us. Now that they are attacking the foundation, we must move to protect it or we will be the poor slaughtered pigs!!!!! Hey, maybe this is why we are seeing so many dead birds around, we are under attack!

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Social Justice or Equal Justice?

Here we go again, there are many websites that talk about what the bible says about social justice, but if you look a little deep here is what you will realize. Many places on the web if you search will say it is government doling out the wealth of the majority to the lesser few. Many of the bible verses use are as follows-

Luke 10:30-37, Romans 12: 15 - 18, Romans 10: 12, Matthew 25: 31-46,

the problem is that all of the scripture that is referenced is all speaking of the personal scale, how I should treat the poor and needy and that we personally should have compassion, but in none of this does it include the government. This progressive idea has been a push for both democrats and republicans. All this is doing is killing jobs, industry, capitalism and freedom. We as a CHRISTIAN NATION need to stand up against the progressive push and speak the truth in the word.

you dont know my pain.

You don't know my pain.

You don't know my pain, I don't know yours.
My pain is real and shows on my face and how I move, yours is hidden in your smile and fluid motions. My face strains and congeals and writhes on display. Your face is bright and cheerful and pleasant. I limp a lot slumpping to the ground. You have a spring in your step and song on your tongue. How do you hid your pain so well. What is your focus when you are hurting. Mine is God and his promise to us, to delight in the Lord and he will give our desires. How do you get through the day? My pain will end when I see Him face to face. Will yours? Why am I so sure? The word of God is truth. There is no other way. Jesus is the way!

Dr. Rev. Merle J Plotner

On August 26 1933 Merle J.Plotner was born to Frank and Mabel (Whipple) Plotner. He was raised in a farm family in central Ohio area. He served in the military from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Germany for 18 months of his tour and named his tank Donna. He married Donna Marie Kunze Sunday June 17, 1956 at Chesterville Methodist Church by Rev. Harry T. Lambert. Merle became a Methodist pastor in 1962 also.. Him and Donna had 4 kids. Dad got his Doctor of Divinity degree at Methesco Theological School in Delaware Ohio in 1971 or 72. He was a great man of God and was friend to everyone he met. He died march 22, 1981 of a Non-ballooning aneurysm of the aorta. Just a few days before that he had driven himself to the Morrow County hospital then they transported him to a hospital in Columbus. That Sunday as we were getting ready for church got a call from the hospital saying he was getting worse and we should get down there right away. My sister Debbie and brother in law Mark were there due to dad going to the hospital so he drove. As we drove Mark noticed the odometer was about to turn to 77777 miles. When we got to the hospital they were already doing a heart massage on him. He was gone. I remember seeing everyone crying and my sister Deb coming out and telling me. I was kind of in shock. I just took this warning and the drive to Columbus as a chance to get out of church. Now my dad is gone?

I had just the week before told him I hated him. I had no chance to tell him I was sorry. I at that point wanted nothing but my father back. For days, weeks, months and years after became more and more upset that a God would ever let this happen to me. I ran farther and farther from God.

A few years later I had a friend that passed away. He was a good man and when I went to his funeral it was a celebration, not a humdrum thing. I started seeing people that had the true spirit of God in them. I started going back to church and one Sunday heard the preacher read in Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

I began to realize that God was right there the whole time trying to lead me back to him. All I had to do was stop running away from him. My dad was a great example for me, things may have been different if he were here now, but my relationship with Father God is so much more than my earthly dad could have given me. And I, being a father, understand how important my relationship is with my kids but I want the relationship they have with Abba Father to be even stronger.

I am trying to be a better son to my Mom also, I get so caught up in all I am doing sometimes I don't call her or see her as often as I should. But God commands in Matthew 15:4 God says, `Honor your father and mother,' and`Anyone who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.' This is a serious command.

My Mom and Dad wouldn't really be considered radical people but for the Methodist denomination, my dad was pretty radical. He meant what he said and said what he meant. He was selfless and would do anything for anyone. I hope that some of the qualities my dad had have rubbed off on me. I know my dad felt called to the ministry, I thought at one time I was, but realize i am not much of an orator, but look at Moses, he didn't either. I am opened to what ever the Lord has for me...... Praying!

Here I am 45 and don't know what I should do when I grow up. All the people around my age in my life have either retired or are so well off they are spending money on things they really don't need or even want. We struggle for everything. I keep telling my kids that lacking for things is helping us grow and be stronger. I must be a full grown mature person by now!

Well, any ways, I do still miss this guy. He did so much for so many. I pray I can see him someday and bring as many people along with me as i can to meet him. We may be too busy being in awe worshiping Abba Father to notice him.....!? I can only imagine...

What other people say about Dad:

Chris Caldwell -

What I think is interesting about Grandpa (even though I never met the man) was when Grandma use to tell me after I moved in with her. She use to say that some mornings when she woke up she smelled coffee brewing. I don't drink coffee that much so I knew it wasn't from me, but I can say living in that house (even though Grandpa didn't live there) I could smell coffee brewing some of the mornings too. It's weird how our loved ones pass on to glory but somehow their traits and habits live on in us. I can't wait for the day I get to walk on the streets of gold with him and give him the biggest bear hug ever. And I know he will be ready to do the same with each one of us grandkids. Charles Kunze, Sr. - We definitely remember all the late nights we used to stay up playing cards and games. I also remember our exciting road tour with your dad going from church to church down at Cadiz. Merle had to have someone riding with him or he would never have made it.

Also remember all the coffee drinking, he definitely loved his coffee.

Mary Lou his sister and I ran around together while in school. I remember Merle playing the accordion and his dad playing the juice harp and organ when I would go to their house. Really had some great times.

Ron Kunze -

He left a good job to go to school to become a minister even though he had a growing family to support and how it all worked out well for everyone.

Ron remembers when he would preach that when he would do the prayer, he would kneel beside the pulpit - very impressive.

Cindy (Poister) Huddle -

I do remember him kneeling at the altar or pulpit too ; I remember a particular childrens sermom he did when we must have been to one of his churches-- he had some kind of metal coverd dish with colored ribons representing Shadrack. Meshack, & Abendigo & fire-- but the ribons were not burned---
I remember well getting to go with you, Aunt Donna & Uncle Merle for Mike's wedding & Uncle Merle drove with a glass coke bottle behind his back for lumbar support--- I will never forget that trip-- I enjoyed it so much!---- also I remember several of us swimming--- I think at Candlewood lake's pool & he jumped off the diving board & his toupe' flopped up!!!---- I will always think alot of Uncle Merle!

Also, at our last reunion-- I remember talking with your Mom & was really impressed with her testimony of her & your dad getting together-- It really was a God thing-- how she had the dream that she was to be a pastors wife-- & hadn't even realized that God had called your Dad to preach yet--- It is fun to see God's handiwork!