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My Father helps me finish the race...

... no matter how much it hurts

Suffering

I'm here once again, preparing for the wonderfully terrifying task of preaching. The topic I hit this time is "suffering", which is a massive undertaking, so first of all, pray for me. I've been immersing myself into the Sovereignty of God over whatsoever comes to pass and his goodness in all that He does and, although I'm not going to deal with the aspect of biblical manhood in the prospect of suffering or in the midst of suffering, I cannot help but have some thoughts crossing my mind. So I'll blog a little bit in my break.
I really think that one of the most important things Christians have to do is to have a good, solid, TRUE theology of suffering. We have to know our God and his providence. We gotta know him and we gotta know him well. I also think that men have a moral responsibility to have that theology as tight as possible, just as much as we have to have a life insurance policy, for example. If we can have a life insurance policy and we don't, I actually believe it to be sin. We men are called by God to lead, protect and provide and I think that a good life insurance policy hits all three corners of our call directly or indirectly. In the same way, a true, solid theology of suffering will carry us through the sure afflictions of our lifetime. To know our God deeply in your mind and heart will allow you to suffer well. Therefore you'll will lead your family in godliness through the storms of life by word and example. A biblical theology of suffering, will protect your flock ( be it your church or family) during those times when we are most tempted to doubt God's love for his children and the reality of our faith. It arms them against the enemies of their souls trying to snatch their faith, their affections for Christ. It also provides to those lead and protected by you, with the stability they need in their leader. To have a solid theology of suffering that has no connection between knowledge and behavior does no good to you nor to them but if your theology is strongly connected, it will generate a sense of security, enabling those under your care to submit to you out of joy not fear. All we have to do to experience suffering is to live long enough. It will come. Our Lord has said " In the world you will have tribulations..." We have to prepare before it happens so when it does, our God is magnified and his banner flies high as we stand strong in the joy of the Lord.
"There is no sweeter fellowship than the fellowship of suffering."
John Piper
(Paraphrased. T4G '08)

Triplets in the E.R

Three and a half hours of pure fun. That's all I can say. I was able to get there only after 2 hrs but still. Mom was panicking because there was a small possibility that one of them had drunk half of a bottle of children's Benadryl. Turns out they didn't really but when they're playing with an empty bottle you know was half way full, you have to be proactive. How they were able to get the darn thing from a closed drawer on a shelf 6ft off the floor, remains a mystery. Opening a child proof bottle is also yet to be explained. The fact that they did it within 90 seconds makes me really proud. There probably was some serious team work going on there. We still don't know who did it because they won't snitch on each other and since they're all pretty shady, we don't have a major suspect. We'll keep investigating.

Here are some pics for you guys.

Josh says:"Nothing like a good E.R snack..."

Bella decided we would throw a birthday party. Masks became hats immediately.

Seriously, these chips are really good.

She was really enforcing the use of the party hats...

Vivi decided that she was the doctor in the party.

UFC 95 "Pre thoughts"

I was able to catch, half asleep I gotta say, the countdown for UFC 95. The whole thing weirds me out a little bit. The main event is not a title bout. The middle weight division could definitely use a title defense since it's been 4 months already. I'm not trying to hate on them but these guys have not reached the "no matter what, I'm the main event" level. Joe Stevenson is a contender and is always a fight away from a title shot. I get that. Sanchez is a great fighter that should have had his title shot instead of the Koscheck fight. You beat Riggs, Diaz and Parysian in a row and your record is 18 - 0, you deserve a title shot. He doesn't get one, gets in trouble, kinda redeems himself in his last 2 bouts and now ends up testing the waters at 155lbs. That's all that is, a test. No one knows how he's going to do. Does that deserve a main event honor? Not in my opinion.What also makes zero sense to me is the break up with Greg Jackson because the best welter weight in the world would train with them. As a professional, I would love to be training partners with GSP. Are you kidding??... Diego threw a fit and left. Mind boggling.

Gouveia Marquardt : Somebody is going home in a body bag. That's all I have to say.

Josh Koscheck welcoming Paulo Thiago. Who knows?

The main event of the night, in my opinion, Maia against Sonnen.

I am a huge Demian Maia fan and want him to win but I think Sonnen, who is no push over, will yank a decision on this one. That's about all I got on it for now. Be back after the event.

God bless.

I am one of those that believe fasting, prayer, solitude, contemplation still work. I cannot think of many things that feed my soul more than an afternoon alone listening to hymns and singing and praying. It stirs something in my soul, increasing my affections for God, convicting me of sin, bringing about repentance. It's just neat. The whole thing is pretty cool. I love when God does that. Just a couple of days ago, he did it again. I had to go on a job to Sycamore Cove. I was already thrilled with the drive. The beach is beautiful. The ocean is awesome. The gig ended faster than I thought and I had a large time slot in my hands. I new what I was going to do. Just a quick drive and I was at a very nice spot. Parked the car, climbed down the rocks, Ipod blasting "I have a shelter" and the prayer/worship walk began. Soon enough music turned into the book of Genesis, the whole story of Joseph ( I'm catching up on my ESV listen through the year podcast) and that was followed by the whole gospel of John and the whole thing felt like Jesus was physically there walking with me. I wanted to pitch a tent but at one point I had to go. I felt fully recharged. It was a much needed break that God in his providence handed to me just like that. I am eternally grateful and I cannot wait for the next one.

My God!

My God Created the oceans, the waves and everything in them.

My God can look at the gigantic waves, raise his hand and say "quit it!" and the seas obey Him to the terror of those who are present.

My God grants gifts to men so that they can perform great acts for His glory.

Every men, even the so called great ones, everyone will bow at my God's feet.

The wrath of my God makes giant waves and mega Tsunamis, feel like a pimple when we see his fiery eyes.

My God's mercy, and goodness, and grace, and love abound and are greater then any giant wave.

My God is Holy and just.

My God is merciful and redeemer to all those who trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sin and eternal joy.




Praise God.

To Him alone be glory!

Mr. Helio Gracie

My dad delivers pizza

In the midst of my own fight of faith, my own sanctification battle, my own seeking the Lord desperately, I was browsing the Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog and "accidentally" stumbled upon this one post. It was like the fresh water in between rounds of a heated fight. It stirred something in my soul and I did not know what else to do other than straight out steal it. Of course it was a civilized robbery, I asked them if I could copy the whole thing, and they graciously permitted me. I am deeply thankful for the post itself and also for the permission to post it. I hope it fans the flame of God in your heart as well.

Here is the post:

Saturday evening I drove out in the middle of a Michigan January blizzard to pick up my family’s evening meal at Domino’s Pizza. While waiting at the counter, I heard behind me the parlor door swing open, and in blew the Domino’s Pizza delivery man carrying his empty pouches. Our eyes locked. He looked a bit embarrassed.
It was Justin. Justin is a thirty-something father of three daughters. For years he’s been a successful construction entrepreneur, but apparently the recession has choked his business. So now, he’s delivering pizzas at night.
Before he could think to himself: “I’ll bet Pastor Chanski thinks I’m such a loser”, I shouted, “You’re a great man, Justin! When I was young like your kids, my dad used to work three jobs to keep clothes on our backs, food on our table, and a roof over our heads. And there’s no man I respect more in the whole world than my dad! He did whatever it took to take care of us. That’s what you’re doing for your girls. You’re a great man!”
Justin’s changed face told me he wasn’t embarrassed anymore.
Times are tough, not only in Michigan, but all over the country. We financially challenged fathers can keep up our courage by considering our grand roles as imaging our Heavenly Father to our little ones.
“Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. ‘Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. . . Give us this day our daily bread . . .’” (Matthew 6:8-9, 11).
“Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:9-11).
As image bearing Fathers, we’re fundamentally to be providers - not fulfilled self actualizers, not esteemed business owners, not corporate heavy hitters, not sharp automobile drivers, not stylish clothing wearers. We’re to be providing bread winners who sweat from our brows (Genesis 3:17-19), caring for the needs of our wives and their babies.
These hard times help us get back to the basics of true manly and godly nobility. Edgar Guest hosted an cheering radio program in Detroit from 1931 to 1942, through the heart of the Great Depression. His poem provides perspective for many in 2009:

Father
Used to wonder just why Father
Never had much time to play,
Used to wonder why he’d rather
Work each minute of the day.
Boys are blind to much that’s going
On about them every day,
And I had no way of knowing
What became of Father’s pay.
Father didn’t dress in fashion,
Sort of hated clothing new;
Style with him was not a passion;
He had other things in view.
All I knew was when I needed
Shoes I got ‘em on the spot;
Everything for which I pleaded
Somehow Father always got.
Wondered season after season
Why he never took a rest,
And that I might be the reason
That I never even guessed.
Saw his cheeks were getting paler,
Didn’t understand just why;
Saw his body growing frailer,
Then at last I saw him die.
Rest had come - his task was ended,
Calm was written on his brow;
Father’s life was big and splendid,
And I understand it now.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
You’re a great man, Justin!

Mark Chanski

Here is the original post. Don't forget to check out their website. you will, no doubt, be blessed.

GSP is brutal

BJ really improved since the last time he fought GSP. His conditioning seems to be better, his ground game is as good as it gets but aparently GSP didn't care much about it. This kid man handled the Prodigy. GSP is a beast! He made BJ's legendary guard look as strong as butter against a hot knife. Almost as bad as Sherk x Franca but GSP doesnt only ground and pounds you but he also puts his weight on his opponents like nobody does. He weights a thousand pounds man. All props to GSP. Can't wait to see him collide with the Pitbull from Fortaleza. Rock on BJ. You had a tough night but it ain't no shame to lose to GSP. The other monster is Lyoto. Thiago Silva had never been dominated like that. Much less KO'd. The Dragon is well on his way to a title shot. Guida represented once again and Diaz did his thing but clearly wasn't enough against the Carpenter. The judo match was pretty entertaining actualy, and Kim's BJJ is better than I expected. I understand the UFC is waiting on Rampage vs Jardine to decide who Sugar Evans gets next. (Rampage or the Dragon) I don't really care because Rashad is going to have his hands full either way and both match ups are pretty exciting to me. As for GSP, Thiago Alves should be no easy task standing up but once they're on the ground GSP should have a considerable advantage. Lastly, I would really love to see The battle of the Silvas now. I'm talking about Thiago and Wand. This one has fireworks written all over it.
Let's see what happens.