Blackhawks Win 2013 Opener

Our Chicago Blackhawks went on the road and defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champions 5-2 in the 2013 season opener.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: NHL season opening puck drop between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 19, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kane, Hossa, and Frolik each scored in the first period.  Toews added the 4th in the second period, and Hossa scored his 2nd of the game in the 3rd period.  Crawford stopped 19 of the 21 LA shots.  It is great to have hockey back!

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his goal with teammates for a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on January 19, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Congratulations USA Hockey! 2013 World Jr Champs!

Team USA players and staff celebrate with the championship trophy following a gold medal win over Sweden at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship. Photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images

The Impact of our Words - 2 Thoughts

During the week, a few Bible verses jumped out on the topic of how we should use our words.  Here are a few thoughts:

1)  Our words should result in the ENCOURAGING of others.

Ephesians 4:29, 32 (NET) - You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need ... be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

2)  Our words should aid in the EVANGELIZING of others.

While His disciples went into the city, Jesus remained outside of the city and visited with the Samaritan woman at the well.

Painting by Giacomo Franceschini (17th-18th Century)

She believed on Him and aggressively shared the good news with her friends and family.  As a result, "many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the report of the woman who testified".  (John 4:39 NET)   We need to "always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope" that we possess.  (2 Peter 3:15 NET)

Remember, Forget, and Look Ahead

As the new year begins today -

We should take the time to REMEMBER the wonderful things that the Lord provided to us in 2012 - some Bible verses to reinforce this include:

• Remember His marvelous works that He hath done  (Psalm 105:5 - KJV)
• Remember what the Lord thy God did  (Deuteronomy 7:18 - KJV)

We should also FORGET those struggles that challenged us and move forward:

• Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead (Philippians 3:13 - NET).

Happy New Year!

Steinhaus Christmas 2012

Christmas Picture taken in downtown Greenville

Doerstling Christmas 2012

Christmas Picture taken at the Gaylord Texan

April 2012 - Daily Bible Verses

2 Samuel 5:10 (NET) "David's power grew steadily, for the LORD God was with him."

2 Samuel 22:4,7 (NET) "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered...In my distress I called to the LORD; I called to my God.  He listened to my cry for help."

Right before David's death, he gave the following guidance to Solomon, "Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws...Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish."  1 Kings 2:3 (NET)

In 1 Kings 12, we see that Rehoboam was made king of Israel after Solomon died.  He had a choice to follow the wise counsel of the "older men" which would result in the Israelites supporting him.  However, he ignored their wise counsel and listened to the advice from his peers.  This ultimately resulted in Rehoboam losing the majority of his kingdom and power.  Before we make decisions, let's seek advice from people who are wiser than us - not our peers.

In 1 Kings 18, we see the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  Elijah began his test with prayer in verses 36-37 (NET) "O LORD God prove today that you are God and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.  Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know you are the true God."

Psalm 27:14 (NET) "Rely on the LORD!  Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!"

King Rehoboam was not a good king at all; however, he did humble himself and repent a few times - which benefited him and his country.  2 Chronicles 12:12 (NET) "So when Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD relented from his anger and did not annihilate him; Judah experienced some good things."

King Hezekiah was a good king and the Lord blessed him. "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel...he was loyal to the LORD and did not abandon him.  He obeyed the commandments which the LORD had given to Moses.  The LORD was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors."  2 Kings 18:5-7 (NET)

1 Chronicles begins with lots of names, genealogies, etc.  Within this information, there are some descriptions of people. 

• Judah had a son Er - he "displeased the LORD, so the LORD killed him." (2:3)
• Achan "brought the disaster on Israel when he stole what was devoted to God." (2:7)
• The Gadites "cried out to God during the battle; he responded to their prayers because they trusted him. (5:20)

Let's make sure that we always do what is right so we will be known for Godly actions!

Sadly, the final words about King Saul are these:  "So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD and did not obey the LORD's instructions...he did not seek the LORD's guidance, so the LORD killed him and transferred the kingdom to David."  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NET)

King David was a very good example of someone who took time to thank and praise the Lord.  A few examples of this show up in 1 Chronicles 16.  "Give thanks to the LORD!...make known his accomplishments...tell about all his miraculous deeds...recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts" (vs. 8-12 NET).  In 17:20 he also acknowledges "O LORD, there is none like you."