2010 September | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

I read a book that changed my life.  It changed how I look at things and how I do things and how I think.  It was call “The heart of the Problem”  below is kind of some thoughts.

I am not sure why it is so hard for us to say we are sorry or to simply ask for forgiveness.  I am assuming it really boils down to pride and for whatever reason our fear.  We never want to admit that perhaps we said something wrong or did something wrong.  We don’t want to admit that perhaps we handled something wrong or that perhaps we should have our could have handled things differently.  We don’t want to admit that perhaps we had a bad attitude, or a wrong attitude, or a critical spirit when we should not have.  Why?  Why do we carry around strange feeling for other people.  Why do we want that baggage with us.  Why do we sit and wonder what others are thinking about us or whether they think about us at all.  Why are we so willing to harbor bitterness or to deny that we are at fault in anything.

To many times Christians have broken relationships and for whatever reason we think it is ok or that it will just go away.  I find nowhere in scripture that it is just ok.  I can not find anywhere where if we have offended our brother or sister that the best way we handle it is to do nothing.  I also do not find anywhere in scripture that if we have offended another or sinned against them and they ask for forgiveness that we can just assume that we have no responsibility.

The world looks at us as Christians and the very thing that we are to show them we lack.  We lack the desire to truly forgive, we lack the desire to love our neighbor as ourself, we lack the desire to ask for forgiveness.  Really we lack humility and somehow we gloss over it and we think that it is all ok.  Well it is not all ok.  It is sin and there is no human remedy for it.  It will not just fix itself.

I am sure there are people that dont like me much and I am sure there are those that are holding a grudge against me or even are bitter towards me.  I wish I knew who they were I wish they would be brave enough just to tell me so I could say I am sorry so I could ask for forgiveness, so restoration could take place.  So they could deal with any sin of bitterness or anger they have towards me, and so we could display to a world that is looking for christians to be real could see what Christianity is truly about.

So if you are reading this and I have offended you or you are angry at me or bitter towards me for some reason.  Wherever you are, whatever your thoughts I would ask for your forgiveness and say I am sorry for anything that I have done that may have caused harm.

2009 July | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

Jul 21

Homiletic

Posted by Josh

You might be wondering what in the world am I talking about.  What do I mean. Homiletic is actually the art of preaching.  I am always looking at things and reading blogs of different pastors.  Part of that is also looking at things that may help pastors as well.  I have been a pastor for over 15 years.  The other day I was doing some market research for a project I want to start and I ran across a resource that I thought could be helpful for pastors.  I know there are times when pastor just do not have the time to get a sermon ready.  So rather then snag one from John MaCarthur or Rick Warren and then claim it as you own why not use this Resource.  I mean it is discrete and not some recycled sermon that perhaps your church has already heard on the radio and it is nice fresh content plus it has powerpoint included.  Sure it may not be a substitute for preparing your own but it could be an awesome resource when you are in a crunch.  Why not check out the Free Sermons they offer and go from there.  I also wrote about this on this page .  Check out the resources below.

Uncategorized

Jul 16

Heading To Florida- Daytona Beach – World Changers Mission Trip

Posted by Josh

I thought I would take a few minutes and talk briefly about a Mission’s Trip I have coming up.  I love going on missions trips and being involved in working, and helping others in need.  In addition I have only been to Florida one time so this will be a nice chance to go again.  We will be going with over 30 teenagers to Daytona Beach and will be painting and doing some roofing projects.  I will be doing some roofing while there something I have no experience with.  However I am looking forward to learning and then maybe I can help others later on as well.

The organization we will be going with is World Changers.  I am excited about this as well because so far they have been extremely organized in how they have handled everything.  We have already received a photo of the house we will be working on and exactly what we will be doing.  If you get a chance to work with this organization I would encourage you to do so.

I am also excited because we are going to stop in Sikeston Mo on the way down there and go to Lamberts Cafe you may have seen them featured on the travel channel.  This is the place where they literally throw rolls at you and serve your food in huger portions.  I have wanted to go there for awhile so this will be cool.

In addition in September I will be going to El Salvador but I will tell more about that later.

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

Jul 16

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Posted by Josh

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2010 August | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

I love to fish.  In fact if it were possible I used to spend to much time fishing, I would tell me wife that God made the world 3/4 water so we should spend 3/4 of our time fishing.  It really does not matter what kind of fishing it is either.  I like to bass fish, fish for catfish, trout, bluegill, you name it I love to go.  For me there is nothing better then hooking into a big fish.  Even when I was little I loved to go out and fish and try to catch the “big one”.  There were times when I would go and stay out all night simply fishing.  Well Jesus knew how to fish as well, Luke 5:4-11

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

This scripture has always intrigued me.  I mean Jesus tells the disciples to fish out in the deep in the middle of the day.  He is telling them to fish where everyone would say not to and during a time when everyone would say is bad time.  The disciples knew that you fished at night near the shore.  But Jesus knows where the fish are at.  So the disciples obey and they catch so many fish that their nets are going to break and they end up filling 2 boats and the boats almost sink.  Wow that is a good day of fishing.  I cant help to believe that these verses have some application to the church.

I believe it is time for the church to wake up.  For whatever reason we think the fish are just going to come and jump into our nets and we are going to have this great catch.  Fish are never just going to come and jump into our nets it is time for the church to “launch into the deep and let down there nets”  we have to stop thinking the fish will show up and start obeying where Jesus may be telling us to fish.  Jesus knows where the fish are but are we willing to listen.  We must not be content to sit back and to wait for them to come but to GO and find them.When I go fishing if I am in one spot for awhile and I do not get a bite I move to another spot looking for fish.  I am not saying the church has to pack up and move but I am saying that we have stop thinking the people will come to us and start realising we must go to the people.

We have become so good at building aquariums that we think our aquarium is good enough to make fish come and be happy just sitting in our aquarium.  I dont know about you but I have never seen an aquarium gill itself.  I mean we have grown so accustom to worrying about how our service looks, or how our church looks, or how are music sond, or what Bible we use, or whether we have a Starbucks in our church and honestly it is meaningless.  Sure it may attract a few fish here and there but ultimately our aquariums seem to be for the fish e already have. Dont get me wrong I like good music, I love Starbucks coffee but I am already in the church.  Fish are not just going to swim right into our aquarium but we must go and get them.  When will we learn that the great commission requires us to go and not to stay.  We must go somewhere and find the fish and then go fishing.

We are all to be fisher of men will you go fishing?

2009 June | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

I know that is seems that there is controversy over Rap Music in fact I know of some people that would hate rap music no matter how Godly the lyrics might be.  However I do not fall into that camp.  In fact I love Rap Music.  That reminds me of an old DC Talk song that said  ”I luv rap music, I always have, and I always will”.

A little over a year ago I started listening to Shai Linne and was immediately blown away by the lyrics.  This guy’s music in one song typically has more then you hear in one year of some churches.  This morning while exercising on of his songs came on the ipod.  The name of the song is Atonement Q and A.  I have to tell you as I was going through my exercise and listened to the song I could not help but think how often our churches are failing at teaching any type of theology from the pulpit yet in one song a lot is taught.  I may not agree with every minor point but at least and attempt is made.  So look at the lyrics below and perhaps learn some Theology from a rap song.

Verse 1

Who is God? God is the universe’s Creator

And Sustainer plus the only Savior, there is no one greater

He is triune, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute

Loving, sovereign and righteous are a few of His attributes

How do we know this? Well, we know this from the Bible

Where God has revealed Himself- anything else is just an idol

What’s the Bible about? Man’s complete ruin in sin

And what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again

What is sin? Sin is the breaking of God’s law

Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws

What’s the result? The result is by nature we’re God’s enemies

And must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy

What’s the remedy? The remedy is the cross of Christ

Where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type

I’ve been rescued by the Lamb, I’m convinced that He’s risen

And blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!

Chorus

Just fall back, and with the eyes of faith

Behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied

Just fall back- there’s an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied

Verse 2

Regeneration- the Holy Spirit’s true work in His love

To the elect, who receive new birth from above

Expiation- expiation means God’s removed my filthiness

The old testament type was the goat into the wilderness

Redemption- we’ve been freed from slavery to sin

And His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend

Propitiation- Propitiation means since the Lamb has died

His work is finished- God’s wrath is satisfied

Adoption- adoption means God is now my Father

I got the hottest Poppa and by the Spirit holler Abba

Reconciliation means there’s no more enmity

God is now a friend to me, we’re no longer enemies

Justification- God declares us righteous

Sanctification– we’re being made into His likeness

Glorification– that’s what happens at the finish

When God conforms believers perfectly to Christ’s image!

Chorus

Verse 3

God’s grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent

Son- through faith and repentance we get the benefits

What is faith? Faith is a gift from God- when we receive this

We trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus

Repentance? Repentance is turning from your sin

And trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within

What is grace? Oh, grace is unmerited favor

Our inheritance major ‘cause we cherish the Savior

Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan

But believers get Jesus’ righteousness through imputation

Imputation? God takes Jesus’ righteousness amount

Through faith He credits it into the Christian’s account

Anything else? Well, I guess this overview must suffice

But none of this is possible apart from union with Christ

And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord than the

only thing that you can say is Soli Deo Gloria!

Chorus

2010 December | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

You can get a Free Ipad or $599 Apple Gift Card Card for Christmas by going here YouriPad4Free.com If you do this please contact me and let me know so I can make sure I am getting credit.  When I get the free iPad I am going to do a video and show I got it.

I have never done this before but I have a Youth Pastor blog that I have been reading for a few years now and he has done this and has received a Macbook, HD video camera, Xbox 360 Elite, iPod Touch, and more that I got for free from these guys.  I know it is legit because I have seen him take videos when the stuff came in not to mention he is a great Christian guy and Youth Pastor so he has no reason to scam anyone.

Anyway this is How it works

1. Companies (like NetFlix, for example) are looking for new potential customers to try out their products and services.

2. NetFlix goes to the freebie company and says, “Hey, we’ll give you $80 for every customer you send our way to try out our online DVD rental service.”

3. So the freebie company comes to you and says, “If you try out NetFlix’s service and refer other people to try it through us, or one of our other advertising partner’s services, we’ll split the $80 with you for each person you recruit.”

4. You try out NetFlix’s service and get 6 other people to try it, too (or another product/service offered through the freebie company’s site) by giving your friends and family a special link that the site provides for you to share. (Of course, your friends can then get people to sign-up under their special link so they can work toward a free prize, too, but know that the people they refer have no benefit for you.)

5. After your 6 friends try a product or service, the freebie company says, “Thanks! We’ll give you $240 ($40/referral x 6 referrals) or an iPod Touch. Which do you want?”

6. About a week later, your prize shows up in the mail, or your money shows up in your PayPal account.

This is legit and you can get started

With a Free iPad or Apple Gift Card !!!

If you wanna check out the free iPad site, go to YourFreeiPad.com, register an account, complete one of the trial offers and, once you’ve received credit, use your referral link to start signing up your friends to do the same.

Trial offers I’ve completed and How

Since this is my first time doing it I am doing the GameFly membership.  Why?  Because it is only costing me 5.95 and I am going to get a free ipad once I get 12 referrals. In addition I will cancel my account more then like unless I like it and it cost me on 5.95 though I have to wait 14 days to cancel so I just enter it into my calendar so I have a reminder when to cancel.  You must make sure you read the conditions of the offers you complete.  Another good one to try would be Pingo it is a calling card and only 5 bucks, or you could do NetFlix I would have done that but we already have NetFlix, Emusic also appealed to me.  All of these are fairly cheap and things I would use anyway.

If you have questions…

If you have any questions about the process, please let me know. I’d love to walk you through it. Personally, I’m doing this iPad site to get the iPad  as I think it can be useful for ministry, and have done a tone of research on preaching from one.  And since I right my sermons out completely I have read many that have said it is great for that. You can help me get closer to that iPad and also start earning your own free gift card or iPad by signing up here and completing a trial offer.

Complete one of the trial offers and then use your referral link to refer your own friends and family to the site. Post it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, wherever your friends are.

Hope you guys get to enjoy a free iPad or something from your Apple gift card this Christmas!

2008 December | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Feb 26, 2011 | Uncategorized

Dec 31

My Conversation With An Atheist

Posted by Josh

I wanted to write a short post about my recent conversation with an Atheist. Sometimes I think Christians are intimidated to talk with someone that believes that there is no God. However I had the privilege to do just that and trust me I am not all that intellectual if you know me you know this is true ha. This guy had his phd in Micro Biology I believe it was so trust me I was way out of my league I know little about biology. However I greatly enjoyed our conversation and my opportunity to learn why he believed what he believed.

I would like to say that many times Christianity gets lumped into just being another religion. However when I stopped him and said I am not part of a religion and that I can never get to God but that my faith is about God coming to me he stopped for a moment and said well it is all semantics. When I confronted him that it is not all semantics but rather there is a large difference he agreed with me. It is good to have conversation without arguing. The fact is I will never argue someone into heaven and I wil never be argued out of my belief that God exists. There are people alot smarter than I scientifically that believe in Jesus Christ.

I must say I really wrote this to say this. In my conversation this man relayed to me that the most hatred that he has seen from people have come from those that profess to be followers of Christ. He then said that he had friends that were Christians but when they found out he was an Atheist they wanted nothing to do with him. Isn’t this a sad commentary on our faith. How often do we do this to others just because they believe differently than us. These are the very people we find Christ hanging out with and if someone who does not believe in God does not see God lived out in us then we have a major problem.

I guess what bothers me the most is that we are notorious for making excuses we say things like “they are not interested in following Christ so it does not matter” or I have heard one pastor say “if they really want to grow they will grow” I have said similar things at times we so often excuse our failures and even sins as no big deal.  This is just not acceptable.  We must show Christ to the unbeliever.  I hope in some small way I showed Christ to this man.  When he left he thanked me for talking with him and told me it was good to meet me I told him the same.  

I am thankful that on that day I had a conversation with someone that did not believe like me. 

God Bless.

Uncategorized

Dec 27

What A Great Story

Posted by Josh

I remember hearing about this story but this is the first time I have seen video of it.  This story is such a great story and very moving.  Watch the video.

Amazing Softball Story – Watch today’s top amazing videos here

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Dec 24

The Gospel Lived Out

Posted by Josh

Please take time to read whole Story. So powerful.

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.

It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team’s fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, “Go Tornadoes!” Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on by name.

“I never in my life thought I’d hear people cheering for us to hit their kids,” recalls Gainesville’s QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. “I wouldn’t expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!”

And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he’d just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.

But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five handcuffs ready in their back pockets and marched them to the team bus. That’s because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.

Please Read the Whole Story here.

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Dec 18

Learning From an Atheist about Evangelism

Posted by Josh

I believe this video speaks for itself.  You may recognize him from Pen and Teller fame.  The video should really cause us to rethink our evangelistic efforts.

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

Dec 15

President Bush is Fast

Posted by Josh

I happen to like president Bush and I know that is hard for some to believe especially living in a world where he seems to be hated by so many people.  When I saw this clip on the news I was not surprised by the guy throwing his shoes I was surprised by how fast President Bush was able to get out of the way.  Not only that I was surprised that the President kept a smile on his face the whole time.  Well here it is.

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