For those considering starting a business, ministry, a blog, etc, this is for you. Everything you do in life that is worth doing is a risk. People go to college and study four years, spending tens of thousands of dollars. When they graduate, they have no guarantee of a job. That is a risk.

People get married to someone assuming the person they think they are marrying is who they actually are. Unfortunately, many people later realize the person is really somebody else. They end up divorced and heartbroken.

Having children is a risk. There is no guarantee your new baby will be born normal, much less alive. Your dream of having a new baby could result in utter despair.

Making new friends, applying for a job, buying a car – all a risk. Saying hello to a stranger is a risk – maybe he doesn’t say Hi back.

I have taken many risks in my life and often times it has led to disappointment. I have been through a divorce. A few years later, I tried to start a church but it failed. I have taken courses only not to get a job in that field.

But here is the thing, every good thing and every good person in my life, required me to take a risk. I would have never married my beautiful Heidi if I didn’t take a risk. I would have never had my 3 wonderful children if I had not taken a risk.

Even writing this blog post requires a risk. Maybe no one will read it. Much worse, maybe they will read and think it is boring or useless.

Friend, taking risks is part of living. If you aren’t taking risks, you aren’t living. So go ahead and take a risk. If you fall, Jesus will catch you.

In 1 Corinthians 14:5, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to EARNESTLY desire the spiritual gifts.

1) He does not tell us to avoid them, but rather he tells us to desire them.
2) He does not tell us to casually desire them. He tells us to EARNESTLY desire them.
3) He says that of all the gifts we should desire, we should ESPECIALLY desire to prophesy.

The Bible is very clear. The only question is now will you BELIEVE it, and will you DO it?

Will you EARNESTLY DESIRE the spiritual gifts?

Jesus tells us that if you ask anything in His name and believe, you shall receive. (John 14:13-14, Mark 11:24

Same say that the spiritual gifts have ceased after the death of the original apostles and prophets. Jesus was crucified, died, rose again, returned, and ascended into heaven. Shortly after, the Holy Spirit (the spirit of Christ) was poured out and believers began to speak with tongues. Jesus has not changed since then.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

John MacArthur has passed. He was an open critic towards Penrecostals, Charismatics, and Spirit filled believers. He was a cessastionist and Calvinist.

John MacArthur was perhaps the most prominent and vocal cessationist of the modern era. His cessationism was central to his identity, ministry, and influence.

Cessationism is the belief that the miraculous spiritual gifts (often called the “sign gifts”)—such as tongues, prophecy, healing, and revelatory words of knowledge—ceased with the death of the apostles or the completion of the New Testament canon. Cessationists argue these gifts were foundational for the early church but are no longer operative today.

His estimated writings including study guides, Bibles, devotionals, and sermon outlines equate to nearly 400 books and resources. His church, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley CA, has an estimated 3,500 seats.

This past weekend I went with a group of guys from the Men’s group of my church. We went to a small pond and spent a couple of hours there. It was hot and the spot we ended up had no shade. We split up in groups of two.

I had decided that I would just watch, because I really had no clue what I was doing. I was happy if I just could watch somebody actually catch a fish.

In my limited experience fishing, I have never caught a fish. Furthermore, I don’t know if I have ever seen somebody actually catch a fist. So, the idea that people catch fish was more of a belief than first-hand experience 😄.

So, the guy I was with cast his line and I watched. After a while, he said he wanted to go check something. He handed me his fishing pole.

And so there I was, alone with a fishing pole, with no clue what to do. Suddenly I felt a pull on the line. I started to reel him in, but unfortunately, he got away. My friend returned, he recasted the line and then handed me the fishing pole again.

A short while later, I felt another pull on the line, but I was more careful this time, reeling him in. Success! This time I caught my first fish!

Now I know it is actually possible to catch a fish because now I have done it! (With a little help from my friend).

Me to AI (ChatGPT prompt)

You are writing a blog post to show people their value that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. One of the things you will mention is that AI cannot hear from God. Give me about 12 things

ChatGPT Response

Absolutely, James. Here’s a list of 12 powerful, pastorally grounded reasons to encourage people by showing them that they have God-given value that AI can never replace—especially when it comes to spiritual depth, divine connection, and human uniqueness:

In an age where artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful and more present, it’s important to remind ourselves of a timeless truth:

You are made in the image of God. AI is not.

Here are 12 things AI can never do—and why your life still matters more than any machine:

AI Cannot Hear from God

God speaks to people—not programs. The Holy Spirit whispers to the human heart, not into code.
“My sheep hear My voice…” – John 10:27

AI Cannot Have a Relationship with God

You were created for communion with the Creator. AI may interact with people, but it will never walk with God in the cool of the day.

AI Cannot Experience Grace

Machines don’t sin. They don’t repent. They don’t receive mercy. Only people can be washed, forgiven, and made new in Christ.

AI Cannot Love or Be Loved

Love requires a soul. It requires vulnerability, sacrifice, and heart. AI can simulate kindness, but only people can truly love—because God is love, and we are His image-bearers.

AI Cannot Be Led by the Holy Spirit

AI runs on data. You run on divine direction. Only humans can be nudged, convicted, and guided by the Spirit of God.

AI Cannot Carry the Presence of God

God doesn’t dwell in servers or silicon chips. He dwells in people—fragile, redeemed vessels of glory.
“We have this treasure in jars of clay…” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

AI Cannot Weep with Those Who Weep

Empathy can’t be programmed. AI may analyze emotion, but only a human can hold a hand, shed a tear, and feel another’s pain.

AI Cannot Be Used by God for His Kingdom

God doesn’t anoint computers. He anoints people. You were made to be His hands and feet, His voice and vessel in the world.

AI Cannot Create from the Soul

AI can mimic creativity. It can remix human ideas. But it cannot create from heartbreak, hope, faith, or joy. Art from the soul carries something divine.

AI Cannot Experience Transformation

Machines don’t grow. They don’t change from glory to glory. Only you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

AI Cannot Fulfill God’s Purpose for Your Life

No matter how advanced AI becomes, it will never take your place in God’s plan. You were born for a purpose only you can fulfill.

AI Cannot Receive Eternal Life

You have a soul. You were made for eternity. Jesus died for you, not for machines. AI has no destiny beyond this life—but you do.

Final Thought:

AI is impressive, but it is not eternal. It is not spiritual. It is not loved. You are.
So never let the rise of technology make you question your worth.
You are irreplaceable.

Note: This entire blog post was written by ChatGPT!

As of February 19, 2025, Facebook began deleting live videos after 30 days from the broadcast date. This means that after 30 days, your live videos will be deleted from Facebook’s servers. Previously, you could keep your Facebook lives as long as you wanted to.

For those who don’t want to lose all of their past Facebook lives, Facebook provides the ability to download before they are deleted. Users will be notified before their (previous) videos are deleted and have 90 days to download or transfer them. 

Well…that sucks.

I have been doing Facebook lives since about the time they made it available, around 2016. I probably have hundreds of Facebook lives. If I didn’t download them, I would have lost them all.

It is no longer possible to go back to the vast archive of your favorite church’s live stream on Facebook. Hopefully they have it on YouTube as well.

Facebook live was probably the thing I did the most in terms of media content. I really enjoyed coming on Facebook live. The interaction was fun. But I can’t invest my time in something that is going to be gone after 30 days. As George Bush Sr. said, “No, not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent…”

So for those of you who were using Facebook live as your main platform, I suggest you find a different platform. YouTube is a good option for live streaming. YouTube allows live streaming if you have 50 subscribers or more.

For now I am focused on this blog, and making some YouTube videos (not live).

Rest In Peace Facebook Live.