Happy Thanksgiving to all! May everyone be in the presents of the Lord and enjoy a blessed day! Take a look at this amazing picture captured of the Northern Light. A small example of the Lords beauty!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
God Lives Under The Bed!
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child.. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God .
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards.
Is That Jesus Knocking!
A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.
Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen," she said. "What do you suppose that is?" He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
I found this encouraging!
How to be Thankful When You Don’t Feel Like It
by Adrian Rogers
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Frankly, sometimes I don’t feel very thankful. Yet as God’s children, we are to thank Him all the time for everything. But there are some very bad things that happen to the child of God: sickness, sorrow, disappointment, death, divorce, etc.
Why does God allow these things, and how can we possibly give Him thanks always and for all things?
The Sin Factor
First, we must remember that we live in a world that is cursed with sin and filled with sorrow. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain…” Natural disasters are results of sin’s curse.
Our bodies also bear a curse. We are “the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Romans 5:12 says, “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Everyone of us have a terminal illness; we’re headed for death. Our physical frailties are reminders of this curse.
This is not the world God created it to be; it has been marred by sin. But we can thank God that one day He will create a new heaven and a new Earth. The curse will be undone, and creation will be delivered.
The Chastisement Factor
We may, in difficult times, find ourselves under the chastening hand of God. Hebrews 12:5-6 teaches, “… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,…For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
His chastening doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us; it means that He loves us too much to let us get away with sin. At times like that, we ought to thank Him.
The Dependence Factor
In his book Crowded to Christ, Dr. L.E. Maxwell proposes that God gives us problems so we will depend on Him.
For example, Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:8). God answered in verse nine: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul stated, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…” If our troubles cause us greater dependency, we thank God.
The Maturity Factor
God teaches us great lessons and matures us during difficult times. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” And His purpose is for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son…” If affliction causes us to mature spiritually, then we can thank God for it.
The Patience Factor
Could it be that God is simply working patience in us? Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…”
Sometimes, we ask, “Why doesn’t God do something?” But God might be doing something by not doing anything else. If God is teaching us the virtue of patience, shouldn’t we thank God?
The Ministry Factor
When bad things happen, they may enable us to minister to others. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 states, “Blessed be…the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
I’ve seen Joyce comfort women who have lost a baby because we’ve been through that. If we experience tribulation, then we should give God thanks for making us usable.
The Glory Factor
Somehow, when we suffer and yet praise God; it gives Him glory. First Peter 4:12-13 states, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy...”
Stephen was not delivered from being stoned for his faith (Acts 7). But to this day, we are talking about his faith and how God’s glory was all over him. If God is being glorified in our lives, we should praise and thank Him.
The Mystery Factor
We may never understand why some things happen, but God is sovereign. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.”
Sometimes, we feel that God owes us an explanation; but if God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us on the cross, we never have to doubt His love. We can trust God and obey Him — regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Real faith is not primarily receiving from God what we want, but it is accepting what He gives. He is good and faithful. So thank Him and praise Him anyway in all things, good or bad!!
by Adrian Rogers
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Frankly, sometimes I don’t feel very thankful. Yet as God’s children, we are to thank Him all the time for everything. But there are some very bad things that happen to the child of God: sickness, sorrow, disappointment, death, divorce, etc.
Why does God allow these things, and how can we possibly give Him thanks always and for all things?
The Sin Factor
First, we must remember that we live in a world that is cursed with sin and filled with sorrow. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain…” Natural disasters are results of sin’s curse.
Our bodies also bear a curse. We are “the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Romans 5:12 says, “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Everyone of us have a terminal illness; we’re headed for death. Our physical frailties are reminders of this curse.
This is not the world God created it to be; it has been marred by sin. But we can thank God that one day He will create a new heaven and a new Earth. The curse will be undone, and creation will be delivered.
The Chastisement Factor
We may, in difficult times, find ourselves under the chastening hand of God. Hebrews 12:5-6 teaches, “… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,…For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
His chastening doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us; it means that He loves us too much to let us get away with sin. At times like that, we ought to thank Him.
The Dependence Factor
In his book Crowded to Christ, Dr. L.E. Maxwell proposes that God gives us problems so we will depend on Him.
For example, Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:8). God answered in verse nine: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul stated, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…” If our troubles cause us greater dependency, we thank God.
The Maturity Factor
God teaches us great lessons and matures us during difficult times. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” And His purpose is for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son…” If affliction causes us to mature spiritually, then we can thank God for it.
The Patience Factor
Could it be that God is simply working patience in us? Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…”
Sometimes, we ask, “Why doesn’t God do something?” But God might be doing something by not doing anything else. If God is teaching us the virtue of patience, shouldn’t we thank God?
The Ministry Factor
When bad things happen, they may enable us to minister to others. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 states, “Blessed be…the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
I’ve seen Joyce comfort women who have lost a baby because we’ve been through that. If we experience tribulation, then we should give God thanks for making us usable.
The Glory Factor
Somehow, when we suffer and yet praise God; it gives Him glory. First Peter 4:12-13 states, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy...”
Stephen was not delivered from being stoned for his faith (Acts 7). But to this day, we are talking about his faith and how God’s glory was all over him. If God is being glorified in our lives, we should praise and thank Him.
The Mystery Factor
We may never understand why some things happen, but God is sovereign. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.”
Sometimes, we feel that God owes us an explanation; but if God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us on the cross, we never have to doubt His love. We can trust God and obey Him — regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Real faith is not primarily receiving from God what we want, but it is accepting what He gives. He is good and faithful. So thank Him and praise Him anyway in all things, good or bad!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Love Of Jesus Saves Lives!
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,
'OK, dad, I'm ready.?
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
'OK, dad, I'm ready.?
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
Monday, November 17, 2008
Morning Prayer!
Please take a moment to relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God to be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc, we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends, who pray together, stay together.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.. Help me to not use your name in vain and other w ords whi ch may offend others.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplif ted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that You change people and You change things for good reasons. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every one of my family members and friends and their families. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.. Help me to not use your name in vain and other w ords whi ch may offend others.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplif ted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that You change people and You change things for good reasons. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every one of my family members and friends and their families. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Story Of Insperation, He Is Always With Us!
I Am Always Her For Those Who Look For Me!
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the
> day, Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to
> pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the
> aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't
> shaved in a while.
> His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was worn and
> frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and
> walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came
> this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch
> pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
> with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask
> him, "What are you doing here?" The old man said,
> he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime
> was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. "I
> stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away;
> as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kind a what I
> say: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY
> I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU
> TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT
> I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING
> IN TODAY." The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that
> was fine. He told the man he was welcome To come and pray
> just anytime Time to go, Jim smiled, said
> "Thanks." He hurried to the door. The minister
> knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold
> heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As
> the tears flowed, in his heart , he repeated old Jim's
> prayer: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY
> I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU
> TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT
> I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. ! ! SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME
> CHECKING IN TODAY." Past noon one day, the minister
> noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed
> without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he
> asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was
> worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim
> was with them, he brought changes in the ward His smiles, a joy that was
> contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse
> couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no
> flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The
> minister stayed by his bed. He voiced the nurse's
> concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere
> to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a
> winsome smile; "the nurse is wrong, she couldn't
> know, that he's in here all the while everyday at noon
> He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right
> down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
> "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE
> BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR
> SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH
> DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY."
Monday, November 10, 2008
Am I A Fireman Yet!
Am
I A Fireman Yet??
In Phoenix , Arizona , 26-year-old Mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,
she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &
fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer pos sible.
The leukemia would see to that. But she still
wanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son' s hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted
to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would
do with your life?'
Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman
when I grew up.'
Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can
make your wish come true.'
Later that day she went to her local fire
Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix
She explained her son's final wish and
Asked if it might be possible
to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine
Fireman Bob said, �'Look, we can do
better than that. If you'll have your son ready at
seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make
him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.
He can come down to the fire station, eat with us,
go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! ��
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform
for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'
'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix ,
so we can get them fast.' ��
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,
dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire station.
He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day
and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedic's' van,
and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the
local news program.
Having his dream come true,
with all �the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to
drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed
in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent
as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and
asked if it would be possible to send a fireman
in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, 'We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens screaming and see the
lights flashing, will you announce over the
PA system that there is not a fire?'
'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will
you open the window to his room?'
About five minutes later a
hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.
With
his dying breath,
Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,
'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'
'Billy, you are, and
the Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said
With those words, Billy smiled and said,
'I know, He's
been holding my hand all day, and
The angels have been
singing..'
He closed his eyes one last time.
I A Fireman Yet??
In Phoenix , Arizona , 26-year-old Mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,
she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &
fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer pos sible.
The leukemia would see to that. But she still
wanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son' s hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted
to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would
do with your life?'
Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman
when I grew up.'
Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can
make your wish come true.'
Later that day she went to her local fire
Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix
She explained her son's final wish and
Asked if it might be possible
to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine
Fireman Bob said, �'Look, we can do
better than that. If you'll have your son ready at
seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make
him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.
He can come down to the fire station, eat with us,
go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! ��
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform
for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'
'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix ,
so we can get them fast.' ��
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,
dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire station.
He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day
and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedic's' van,
and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the
local news program.
Having his dream come true,
with all �the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to
drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed
in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent
as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and
asked if it would be possible to send a fireman
in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, 'We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens screaming and see the
lights flashing, will you announce over the
PA system that there is not a fire?'
'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will
you open the window to his room?'
About five minutes later a
hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.
With
his dying breath,
Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,
'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'
'Billy, you are, and
the Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said
With those words, Billy smiled and said,
'I know, He's
been holding my hand all day, and
The angels have been
singing..'
He closed his eyes one last time.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Keep Climbing, GOD Is All We Need!
By Bob Gass
Blessed is the man who perseveres. James 1:12 NIV
It's said that halfway up the Swiss Alps there's a popular rest house. It's a good day's climb from the bottom to the top, but you can usually get to the rest house by lunchtime. And that's where you separate the men from the boys. When some amateur climbers feel the warmth of the fire and smell the good cooking they say to their companions, "I'll just wait here while you go to the top. When you come back down I'll join you and we'll go to the base together." A glaze of satisfaction comes over them as they sit by the fire, or play the piano and sing mountain-climbing songs. But at about 3:30 in the afternoon everything changes; they start looking toward the mountaintop as their friends reach it. Suddenly the atmosphere in the rest house changes and they think - If only I'd kept climbing!
Three things can cause you to lose sight of your God-given goals:
(1) Weariness. Jesus told Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). We all have to overcome the failing faith syndrome.
(2) Fear. Some days the mountain just seems too high and we're tempted to give up. Then a voice whispers, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you" (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
(3) Comfort. "Woe to you who are at ease [become complacent] in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Conflict and hard times keep us on our toes - and on our knees. But too much comfort can seduce us into settling short of our goal. So keep climbing
Never quit climbing in your spiritual faith. And God is with us every step of the way!! Have a blessed day!
Blessed is the man who perseveres. James 1:12 NIV
It's said that halfway up the Swiss Alps there's a popular rest house. It's a good day's climb from the bottom to the top, but you can usually get to the rest house by lunchtime. And that's where you separate the men from the boys. When some amateur climbers feel the warmth of the fire and smell the good cooking they say to their companions, "I'll just wait here while you go to the top. When you come back down I'll join you and we'll go to the base together." A glaze of satisfaction comes over them as they sit by the fire, or play the piano and sing mountain-climbing songs. But at about 3:30 in the afternoon everything changes; they start looking toward the mountaintop as their friends reach it. Suddenly the atmosphere in the rest house changes and they think - If only I'd kept climbing!
Three things can cause you to lose sight of your God-given goals:
(1) Weariness. Jesus told Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). We all have to overcome the failing faith syndrome.
(2) Fear. Some days the mountain just seems too high and we're tempted to give up. Then a voice whispers, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you" (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
(3) Comfort. "Woe to you who are at ease [become complacent] in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Conflict and hard times keep us on our toes - and on our knees. But too much comfort can seduce us into settling short of our goal. So keep climbing
Never quit climbing in your spiritual faith. And God is with us every step of the way!! Have a blessed day!
Monday, November 3, 2008
How Would JESUS Vote!
How Would Jesus Vote? by Jack Kelley
But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)
For most of America’s history there’s been a direct connection between patriotism and faith, probably because the US was founded as a Christian nation. We’ve always believed that God has watched over us, made us prosperous, and been on our side in the wars we’ve fought.
That connection began to unravel in the 1960’s, but it’s surprising the number of people who still believe that if seems to be good for the country, it must be right. This is true even among believers. According to recent Barna polls, 48% of those likely to vote in the coming election are born again Christians. That means they claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. These same polls show that nearly half of them will vote for the candidate they think has the best plan for restoring America’s reputation in the world and managing the economic battles that lie ahead, rather than the one who they think will best uphold the Biblical principles they believe. So if only half the voters are believers, and half of them plan to use worldly standards in making their choice rather than Biblical ones, it follows that only 1 in every 4 voters will be exercising any spiritual discernment at all in casting their vote.
The other 3 are using standards like peace, financial security, tolerance, choice, and so on as their guidelines. They don’t realize that only God can restore peace and security to their lives, and tolerance and choice are just nice sounding words that really stand for rebellion against Him. By not considering His standards in casting their vote, they’re guaranteeing that He won’t be helping them get what they want.
What’s At Stake Here?
In the opinion of expert observers, this election could bring about fundamental change in America. Depending on the victor, we could see the last traces of the Judeo-Christian principles that have guided us in the past disappear. Restraints on behavior that God is clearly against could be removed, and prohibitions against behavior that God desires could be imposed. Parents may no longer have the ultimate say in raising or educating their children. The relationship between effort and reward could become unrecognizable. Those with the greatest ability could wind up supporting those with the greatest need. In the name of peace we could make self defense impossible. The list goes on.
If all this comes to pass, believers will be forgiven for their lack of discernment and whisked away in the rapture before things get too bad. After all, obedience to God’s word isn’t the basis for our inclusion in the Church, it’s our belief that the Lord died to save us from our sins. But the unbelieving majority will come to understand the meaning of the Isaiah passage above more clearly than they ever dreamed possible. Everyone in the Great Tribulation will have it rough, but I think that those who rebel as blatantly as people are being called to do in this election will have it especially bad. After all, look at the blessings they’ve enjoyed by being part of a Christian nation, and the light they’ve been shown because of our religious heritage. The Lord called but they didn’t answer. He spoke but they didn’t listen. They will have done evil in his sight by choosing what displeases Him, and He will destine them for the sword.
We know that all these things will eventually come to pass, that it’s only a matter of time. There’s no Scripture anywhere to persuade us otherwise. But it’s quite possible that in this election America will choose a course of action that will accelerate our downfall. We will have forsaken the Lord and His Holy Mountain.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been encouraging us all to accept a giant paradigm shift, to realize that this is not our home. I’ve been saying that we need to start thinking more about our real home and getting ready to go there. We need to distinguish between our love for our county and our love for God. As good as this country has been, it’s no where near as good as where we’re going. Like Abraham we’re looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). And the bottom line is that regardless of who wins this election, America will soon be a far different country than it has been.
So this could very well be the last presidential election we’ll ever vote in. It’s time to realize that we really don’t belong in any political party. No matter how we’ve thought of ourselves in the past, the reality is that as Christians we’re monarchists and we await our coming King. Since our fondest desire is to please Him, we should vote the way we think He would want us to. And remember, we’re not voting for someone, and we’re not voting against something, we’re voting in a way that pleases our Lord.
So, how would Jesus vote? He would vote for life, He would vote to uphold His Father’s Word, and He would make His vote count. Can we do anything less?
But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)
For most of America’s history there’s been a direct connection between patriotism and faith, probably because the US was founded as a Christian nation. We’ve always believed that God has watched over us, made us prosperous, and been on our side in the wars we’ve fought.
That connection began to unravel in the 1960’s, but it’s surprising the number of people who still believe that if seems to be good for the country, it must be right. This is true even among believers. According to recent Barna polls, 48% of those likely to vote in the coming election are born again Christians. That means they claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. These same polls show that nearly half of them will vote for the candidate they think has the best plan for restoring America’s reputation in the world and managing the economic battles that lie ahead, rather than the one who they think will best uphold the Biblical principles they believe. So if only half the voters are believers, and half of them plan to use worldly standards in making their choice rather than Biblical ones, it follows that only 1 in every 4 voters will be exercising any spiritual discernment at all in casting their vote.
The other 3 are using standards like peace, financial security, tolerance, choice, and so on as their guidelines. They don’t realize that only God can restore peace and security to their lives, and tolerance and choice are just nice sounding words that really stand for rebellion against Him. By not considering His standards in casting their vote, they’re guaranteeing that He won’t be helping them get what they want.
What’s At Stake Here?
In the opinion of expert observers, this election could bring about fundamental change in America. Depending on the victor, we could see the last traces of the Judeo-Christian principles that have guided us in the past disappear. Restraints on behavior that God is clearly against could be removed, and prohibitions against behavior that God desires could be imposed. Parents may no longer have the ultimate say in raising or educating their children. The relationship between effort and reward could become unrecognizable. Those with the greatest ability could wind up supporting those with the greatest need. In the name of peace we could make self defense impossible. The list goes on.
If all this comes to pass, believers will be forgiven for their lack of discernment and whisked away in the rapture before things get too bad. After all, obedience to God’s word isn’t the basis for our inclusion in the Church, it’s our belief that the Lord died to save us from our sins. But the unbelieving majority will come to understand the meaning of the Isaiah passage above more clearly than they ever dreamed possible. Everyone in the Great Tribulation will have it rough, but I think that those who rebel as blatantly as people are being called to do in this election will have it especially bad. After all, look at the blessings they’ve enjoyed by being part of a Christian nation, and the light they’ve been shown because of our religious heritage. The Lord called but they didn’t answer. He spoke but they didn’t listen. They will have done evil in his sight by choosing what displeases Him, and He will destine them for the sword.
We know that all these things will eventually come to pass, that it’s only a matter of time. There’s no Scripture anywhere to persuade us otherwise. But it’s quite possible that in this election America will choose a course of action that will accelerate our downfall. We will have forsaken the Lord and His Holy Mountain.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been encouraging us all to accept a giant paradigm shift, to realize that this is not our home. I’ve been saying that we need to start thinking more about our real home and getting ready to go there. We need to distinguish between our love for our county and our love for God. As good as this country has been, it’s no where near as good as where we’re going. Like Abraham we’re looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). And the bottom line is that regardless of who wins this election, America will soon be a far different country than it has been.
So this could very well be the last presidential election we’ll ever vote in. It’s time to realize that we really don’t belong in any political party. No matter how we’ve thought of ourselves in the past, the reality is that as Christians we’re monarchists and we await our coming King. Since our fondest desire is to please Him, we should vote the way we think He would want us to. And remember, we’re not voting for someone, and we’re not voting against something, we’re voting in a way that pleases our Lord.
So, how would Jesus vote? He would vote for life, He would vote to uphold His Father’s Word, and He would make His vote count. Can we do anything less?
Please Goin Us For This Day!
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am asking every believer in Jesus Christ to set aside Monday, November 3 as a day of fasting and prayer . I would urge you to review the prayer of Daniel on behalf of his people in Daniel 9:3-19, and to pray that way for our nation. And finally, I would ask you to distribute this call to prayer as widely as possible so that the greatest number of people would lay hold of the throne of grace all at once. It may be that God will show mercy to America , that He will shed His grace on her once again. Thank you for joining with me in this.
I am asking every believer in Jesus Christ to set aside Monday, November 3 as a day of fasting and prayer . I would urge you to review the prayer of Daniel on behalf of his people in Daniel 9:3-19, and to pray that way for our nation. And finally, I would ask you to distribute this call to prayer as widely as possible so that the greatest number of people would lay hold of the throne of grace all at once. It may be that God will show mercy to America , that He will shed His grace on her once again. Thank you for joining with me in this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- John Inglis
- I am an active real estate agent working out of the Corona Prudential California Realty office.I am hear to serve you in all of your real estate need.
