"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."  Acts 5:41

When we act in true faith, there is always a measure of risk involved.  What are you risking, in your life, to walk in faith?

Have you ever participated in a Seder meal?  The word "Seder" means order.  This traditional meal has its beginning in the Passover meal instituted during Israel's bondage in Egypt when the destroying angel passed over the homes of the Israelites and killed the first born of all the Egyptians.  It is a redemption story.  Everything in this traditional meal symbolizes some aspect of that event.  The purpose is to pass the story on from one generation to another.

Doug and I are making preparations for each of our small groups to prepare and share a Seder meal together in the setting of their small group.  We will be giving each small group leader a Haggadah (from the Hebrew root "to tell&quot handbook.  This booklet will give you a complete "how to" for your own personal Seder meal.

This event is for the entire family.  Children play a vital role in having a Seder meal.  They are the ones to whom we are passing the story!  This will be a wonderful opportunity to invite visitors to your small group!  This year's meal will take place on Wednesday, which is the date for Passover, April 12th.

I will share more details in the upcoming blogs, if there is interest, about the symbolisms found in the Seder meal.

There's this lady who attends church everytime the doors are open. Her husband of 30 years goes with her every Sunday as well. But, for some reason, he had started falling asleep during the services and this was starting to bother her.  She went to the pastor to talk to him about the matter.

 "Shoo Weee Louisa, get your feet off my pillow."

I had the extreme joy and privilege of baptizing these two ladies (Marge and Marry Ellen) into Jesus on Monday!  Can't you see the joy in their eyes?  They are in love with Jesus!  All they want to do is spend the rest of their lives doing what He wants.  Marge attends at NewSong Community Church and Marry Ellen attends at First Presbyterian in Tecumseh.

Baptism is such a special time for the one being baptized and the one doing the baptizing.  Even though I've baptized many people, I never get tired of it!  The joy of fresh faith is so invigorating! 

Yup, I've made the change too! You can now find the Semper Fi Fellowship over in pastorhawkins.wordpress.com

First the Mudpuppy, then the Patriot, now Semper Fi….they convinced me that wordpress is the way to go….so here I am!  I know there will be a learning curve to get up and going.  So look forward to more Semper Fi articles in the near future.

The Guy's Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story.

(I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear "the rules" From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note… these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men ARE NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one .

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings Peach, for example, is a fruit, not! A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will Be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine…Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.

Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

What a joy when you hear God speaking to you! He has been speaking loud and clear to me via the 40th Psalm.

I'm currently memorizing this Psalm and encouraging you to do the same. Memorize it 4 verses at a time. Make sure you have plenty of selah moments. Let it sink in. Let God speak to you through this inspiring psalm.

Wait patiently for the Lord…..He will speak to you!

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

The following letter was received by a dear friend of many years. All the time I've known this person there has been relationship struggles. People, especially Christian people, have acted in ways they should not have acted. I asked this person for permission to put this person's questions before the readers of Semper Fi, to see if they can help this person find the answers to the questions this person is seeking.

Where does it all begin and end? What is the real meaning to life? Is there really The God I have believed in all my life?

Was it really Him I have thought to have felt all these years?

What is the REAL TRUTH? I find myself doubting so many things I have always thought to be true. Am I really the person I think I am? What kind of person am I, REALLY?

Do I really love the people I profess to love? Do the people who say they love me really love me? Is there really such a thing as love? Or is it just a figment of our imaginations? Something made up in our minds to keep us going….something to drive us crazy at times and feel wonderful at others.

Are couples really true to each other for the rest of their lives when they say their vows during the wedding ceremony? Why do people get married? Why do we have children?

Why do we strive so hard for so long and never really get anywhere? We achieve what we think will make us happy then find out it is the thing that makes us the most miserable!

What is true peace? Is there such a thing? Why am I the person that I am? What has really shaped me? I am so different from my parents, yet, at times, I see a lot of them in me.

I don’t understand….it is all so confusing.

Where do I begin looking for the answers I am seeking? And once I find them are they really the ones I want? What path do I follow?

I feel like there is no beginning or no end…it just keeps going round and round again. What is trust?

Is there really anyone who you can trust totally? Can anyone really trust me? Am I trustworthy?

What is right and wrong? Is there really such a thing? Or is it just someone’s made up ideas?