Thursday, April 30, 2009 @ 4:36 pm by Josh Burcham

Over the last couple of months God has had me on a journey to truly love Him and love others. Something all believers are commanded to do. It’s been a journey for me. A journey that has had it’s pains and its joy, but a journey that I wouldn’t change for the world.

In Matthew, Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is; it went something like this:

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:24-40

Side Note: Look at the religious persons response on Mark 12:32-34: 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

I found it interesting that Jesus said, “…are not far from the kingdom of God.” Was that in reference to the fact that I can say I love God and love others, but until I do, they are just words said by a religious man and not a Christ-Follower?

(more…)

Thursday, April 23, 2009 @ 10:36 am by Josh Burcham

Spent a long weekend last weekend at my Dad’s hanging with them and my sister’s family. Took some video while I was there and had to share it! Yes, I’m a proud uncle and I have some GREAT nephews, that just crack me up.

(more…)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 1:42 pm by Josh Burcham

An open letter to anyone that could use some help:

Hello,

I know there are a lot of needs within our communities and I would love to be able to help one or more of those needs. It could be anything for anyone. If you know of someone, or a family or even yourself that has any type of need that I can meet, please email me under that contact tab at the top or respond back in the comments. Honestly, it could be anything from yard work, to cooking, to construction, to transportation, to cleaning, etc. I’m just looking to help anyway I can and have a group of friends that are willing to help as well.

Why am I doing this you ask? Because I’ve been blessed with so much and want to be a blessing back to someone else.

Appreciate your help in finding those needs. Thanks.

Josh

Christ calls us to love on others and that is what we are trying to do. If you know of a family or a person that has a need that needs to be met, please contact me and I will do everything in my power to meet that need. Pass the letter on and post it to your Facebooks. Let’s show Christ’s love and stop just telling people about it.

Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 10:00 am by Josh Burcham

I was a little surprised that I typed so quickly. I would of thought I would of been around the 40-50 words a minute range.  Not bad for not using my own keyboard. FYI really loving my Dad and Dane’s new iMac. We need more switchers in this word; stop “having to deal with Windows” and come to the dark side. Tedd, would be interested in your speed.

Test Your Fingers’ Speed

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 @ 3:24 pm by Josh Burcham

I can’t believe the season has ended and playoffs start in a few hours. Didn’t this season just start? What happened to the last couple of months? The real question…what happen to my Avs!?!

It’s always fun to make your predictions on the outcome of the cup. Though, I’m never good at this I gave it a shot over at the NHL’s PLAYOFF CHALLENGE.

Try your luck! I have Capitals beating the Sharks in six games. I know that the Sharks aren’t a great playoff team, but it could be their year. Don’t think they will take the cup. The Eastren conference just seemed stronger this year. But that’s my pick and I’m sticking to it. Mainly because the PLAYOFF CHALLENGE won’t let you adjusted your picks.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 @ 1:36 pm by Josh Burcham

My addiction to VitaminWater by Glaceau, a CocaCola company, is bad. I’ll go to QT (Quicktrip) and load up on this stuff. “Energy” blows to other out of the water. If you haven’t tried it, try it! I have a problem with it though… I drink them too fast. So, last night I stocked up at Walgreen at 50 cents a bottle (that’s a deal)!

On another note: I probably shouldn’t share this, but whatever. The company that created VitaminWater also makes SmartWater. I started buying SmartWater because of what the bottle looked like. I could careless about the water itself and I’ll pay the $1.50 for the bottle. I know, I have a problem. But here is how I look at it: if you think your product is the “best”, don’t you think that you should create the best packaging, cover or marketing for that “best” product. If you don’t invest in your marketing/product development; do you really believe in your product?

“Our product speaks for itself.” No it doesn’t. Not until someone tries it. “I can package poop in great packaging, but it’s still poop.” True, but your “best” product won’t last after the first try from your customers. The two go hand in hand. Great products, need great marketing and product development.

Now apply that to the church.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 @ 8:51 pm by Josh Burcham

Over the last couple of weeks, God has been really working on my heart about baptism and the importance of it. I’ve never really understand it as I do today. It’s always been something we were called to do as followers of Christ. But as I read through the tenth chapter of Mark, God rocked my world with some ridiculous truth.

James and John approached Jesus and asked to have to honor of sitting at the right and left of Christ:

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” Mark 10:38-40

“Baptized with the baptism I am baptized with…” Do you realize what He just said? Let me share a little truth about the weight of that statement. Matthew 3:13-17 is the account of Jesus baptism by John the baptist. Verse 16 and 17 give us a small glimpse into what it means for us to share in His baptism. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

As Christ-Followers are baptized, it’s not only a public statement of their faith, its an experience with their creator. Jesus is telling us that as we come out of the water the heavens open! The spirit of God (Holy Spirit) descend on us! But that’s all, yeah we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which is absolutely nuts to think about, but a voice from heaven speaks: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The Creator of this universe announces to the heavens and the earth that we are His child! That is LOVES us! And is pleased with us!

I don’t know about you, but how amazing is that to think about. Makes me want to go be baptized again!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 @ 11:49 am by Josh Burcham

In class on Monday we had a little friendly competition with some word puzzles and I thought you all would get a kick out of them. Lets test your mental flexibility & creativity and see if you can be ranked as a genius.

This is how is works. Below are word puzzles built on the number they start with. Your job is to complete the puzzle. For example: 50 = S in the U answer: States in the Union. Get it? Let’s have fun. Post your answers in the comments at the bottom.

DON’T SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OR YOU WILL

FIND ANSWERS IN COMMENTS. 36 PUZZLES.

1. 26 L of the A

2. 7 D of the W

3. 1001 A N

4. 12 S of the Z

5. 54 C in a D (with J)

6. 9 P in the S S

7. 88 P K

8. 13 S on the A F

9. 32 D at which W F

10. 18 H on a G C

11. 90 D in a R A

12. 200 D for P G in M

13. 8 S on a S S

14. 3 B M (S H T R)

15. 4 Q in a G

16. 24 H in a D

17. 1 W on a U

18. 5 D in a Z C

19. 57 H V

20. 11 P on a F T

21. 1000 W that a P is W

22. 29 D in F in a L Y

23. 64 S on a C

24. 40 D & N of the G F

25. 76 T in the B P

26. 50 W to L Y L

27. 99 B of B on the W

28. 20,000 L U T S

29. 1 H on a U

30. 9 J on the S C

31. 7 B for S B

32. 21 D on a D

33. 7 W of the A W

34. 15 M on a D M C

35. 6 D of S

36. 101 D

I have the answers, but I haven’t read through them just yet. I want to give all the extra ones a try. Good Luck!

COMMENTS CONTAIN ANSWERS BELOW