This, That, & the Other

Possessions

2008-12-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

We must always remember that possessions have no inherent value. They become what we make them. If they increase our capacity to give, they become something good. If they increase our focus on ourselves and become standards by which we measure other people, they become something bad.

Kent Nerburn

The Christmas Alphabet

2008-12-06T18:01:00.000-08:00

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David." Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
"Behold, there came wise men from the east asking 'Where is the king of the Jews?'" Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
"And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
"The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, "God with us," for Christ brought man back to the Father's house.
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God's word with absolute trust.
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal present, future and past.
"I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
"And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
"She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page.
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
"And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up." John 2:17

Author unknown

A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

2008-12-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.

Amen

Everybody's Jesus by Robert Bruce

2008-11-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

Jesus.

The name alone has such power. Since Christ arrived on Earth over two millennia ago, His name has produced peace and strife, unity and division, sheer joy and pure anger. Drop Christ’s name into any conversation, and you’ll usually notice a reaction. Perhaps it’s a broad smile from a fellow small group member, or a startled stare from an unbelieving co-worker. Wars have been fought, court cases commenced, and families divided—all because of the name of Jesus.

Yet in Scripture, Jesus acted with profound love and generosity. We find Him forgiving an adulteress who faced the death penalty, taking time to talk to a Samaritan woman at a well, and accepting a brutal, unjust punishment with nary a word. So it’s easy to wonder, Why is the name of Jesus so controversial? After the life of sacrifice He lived and the spiritual example He set, why do some people get downright bitter when He’s mentioned?

In “The Real Jesus,” Dr. Stanley discusses the consistent nature of Christ. Jesus didn’t play favorites. He didn’t forgive the tax collector while ignoring the adulteress. He crossed barriers and erased cultural divides. Jews and Samaritans didn’t mix, yet there Jesus was—discussing eternal life with the Samaritan woman at the well. “The Father sent Him to send a message,” Dr. Stanley says, “And one part of that message was this: Everybody is included. Everybody can be forgiven.”

Perhaps, then, the reason so many people get upset over Jesus is not so much because of who He is, but because of how we’ve portrayed Him to the unbelieving world. As believers, we’re Christ’s representatives to humanity. Made in the image of God, we are the only example of Christian love some people will ever see. But what type of example have we displayed? Do our actions support our professed faith? And at the end of the day, do we project the same image of Jesus that He exhibited during His time on earth—that of a loving, caring, humble, unprejudiced soul who devoted His life to serving others? Sometimes I think we Christians monopolize Jesus. We project our personalities, our attitudes, and our biases onto Him but fail to grasp the true nature of Christ, the real Jesus. We seem to forget that He lived as a lower-class Jewish carpenter in the mid-East. Jesus wasn’t a Methodist or a Baptist, a Republican or a Democrat. Neither was He wealthy or even “middle class.” He was a Savior. And He came for everyone. So I guess the question is this: Do we, like Jesus, reach out to the “other person”? Does our faith cross party lines, denominational divides, and perceived cultural and social boundaries?

With the election season quickly approaching, we’re sure to hear sound bites from all types of political figures and religious leaders. Some will certainly drop Jesus’ name into conversations on news channels, in televised debates, and at organized rallies across the country. And to them, I would simply ask: Is your Jesus genuine? Is He as relevant to you—a middle-aged, wealthy politician in America—as He would be to the forlorn and abused child in Sudan, the homeless and drunken grandfather on the streets of New York, or the widowed and destitute mother of four in Kabul? Or is he fabricated and exclusionary, a prop who will appeal to a particular demographic, a platform on which to gain votes and power?Jesus is unflinching, unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 simply says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

In an ever-evolving world marked by wars, terrorism, and extreme social division, it’s comforting to know that there is Someone who can appeal to all of us, cutting through the muddiness of our personal biases and culturally influenced interpretations of Him. Yet we have a choice. We can allow “the vine” to work inside of us (John 15:5). Christ can empower us to live as He lived—to reach out to our “Samaritans” in grace and love while still communicating God’s truth. Or we can draw our line in the sand and shut the doors to our Christian communities, treating our enemies like enemies and lobbing bombs of judgment and vilification. Meanwhile, the log in our own eyes grows larger with each toss.

Though our words are important, our lives will be the basis on which God judges us one day. It’s easy to write an article such as this, or to make a speech and stand behind a podium. But in a culture which so often tunes out Christian views, our lives, when directed by the Holy Spirit, may be the only testimony we truly have. If we believe Jesus really is for everyone, then imagine the impact if the way we live reflected that truth.

The Fruit of the Spirit

2008-08-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

The fruit of the Spirit includes:

Love – for those who do not love in return.
Joy – in the midst of painful circumstances.
Peace – when something you were counting on doesn’t come through.
Patience – when things aren’t going fast enough for you.
Kindness – toward those who treat you unkindly.
Goodness – toward those who have been intentionally insensitive to you.
Faithfulness – when friends have proved unfaithful.
Gentleness – toward those who have handled you roughly.
Self-control – in the midst of intense temptation.

Charles Stanley

A Poem by Judge Roy Moore

2008-04-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama .
Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful, or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty; your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly, poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain
From sea to shining sea, our nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless judges; who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His Holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful, if you don't then you will see,
A sad, but Holy God, withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

Christians by Maya Angelou

2007-09-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

When I say...
"I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin' "
I'm whispering, "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say.. "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say...
"I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say...
"I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say...
"I am a Christian"I'm not holier than thou
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

People Come Into Your Life for A Reason

2007-09-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing! On your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real, but only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Author Unknown

The Odd Triumvirate

2007-08-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

His feather flame doused dull by ice and cold, the cardinal hunched into the rough, green feeder, but ate no seed.
Through binoculars I saw, festered and useless his beak, broken at the root.
Then two birds: one blazing, one gray, rode the swirling weather into my vision and lighted at his side.
Unhurried, as if possessing the patience of God, they cracked sunflower seeds and fed him, beak to wounded beak, choice nuts.
Each morning and afternoon the winter long, that odd triumvirate, that trinity of need, returned and ate their sacrament of broken seed.

John Leax

Two Horses

2007-08-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse, but if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those whom God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this; you don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours."

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Author unknown

I Have Learned...

2007-08-23T04:49:00.000-07:00

I have learned...that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I have learned...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I have learned...that money doesn't buy class.

I have learned that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I have learned...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I have learned...that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I have learned...that to ignore the facts, does not change the facts.

I have learned...that the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

Author unknown

Entitlements

2007-08-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Society today has duped many of us into believing that the world owes us. It owes us a good living, a loving spouse, good health throughout our whole life, sexual pleasure when we want it, and paid vacations the rest of our lives.

The world has told us if we work hard and do right, we are entitled to these things. This is the Esau perspective on life. For a mere meal, he sold his own birthright for a simple pleasure to which he felt entitled.

Society, and even the Church, is more pleasure-focused than ever before. George Barna, the Christian researcher, cites, "We are not a society that simply enjoys its time off. Our leisure appetites drive us. It is increasingly common to hear people turning down job offers because the hours or other responsibilities would interfere with their hobbies, fitness regimens and other free time activities. Even our spending habits show that playing has become a major priority. The average household spends more money on entertainment than it does clothing, health care, furniture or gasoline. Recreational activities have jumped more than 10 percent in the amount of time given to them." [George Barna, Frog In The Kettle (Ventura, California: Regal Books, 1990), 82.]

What are the motives for our work life? Is it only to gain increased pleasure and leisure time? Jesus said He came only to do the work of the Father. I am sure that Jesus had times of refreshment in His life that allowed Him to get recharged for the mission God called Him to. However, He understood the balance of maintaining mission and play. When we view life with an attitude of entitlements, we are susceptible to becoming disappointed, resentful, and even bitter when our expectations go unmet.

Ask the Lord if you need to relinquish any rights that may be hindering your freedom to experience His love and grace.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross
Philippians 2:8

Os Hillman

Church Survey

2007-08-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

What if, at least once a month, you put a survey into the hands of your church attendees and asked them to express their honest opinion about your church, the services and maybe even the content of your sermons?

Let us consider a few simple questions:

Were you greeted and made to feel welcome when you arrived?

Did the music point you to the preached Word or was it simply one song after another?

Did the message have relevance? Did it apply?

Were your children well cared for?

Was the Lord's house honored with neatness and order?

Did you feel the church service was performance-oriented or Christ-centered?

The big questions:

Will you return?

Would you invite someone else to attend with you?

Author unknown

If God Brings You To It

2007-08-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

If God brings you to it
He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Could I Be Mistaken for Jesus?

2007-07-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.
In their rush, with tickets and briefcases in hand, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere.

Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. All but one. He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight.

He then returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did. The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister....." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?" He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake us for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world (shopping, working, reacting to others that are serving us) that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.
Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. We are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall.

He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up, on a hill called Calvary, and paid the price, in full, for our damaged fruit.
Let us live like we are actually worth the price He paid.

Author Unknown

Everyone is Important

2007-07-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned that the cleaning lady's name was Dorothy.

Author unknown

Wet Pants

2007-06-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Come with me to a third grade classroom...
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat." He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap. The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!" Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy.
The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. As life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"

At the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.

Author unknown

The Duck & The Devil

2007-06-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Duck & The Devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter? Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someones life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window!
When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!

Without Discipline, Humans and Animals Behave In Similar Ways

2007-06-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

The TV show 60 Minutes ran a segment that tells us something important about fatherlessness.

Park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos in their park. It turned out that the rhinos were killed not by poachers, but rather, by juvenile delinquents-teen elephants.

The story began a decade ago when the park could no longer sustain the increasing population of elephants. They decided to kill many of the adult elephants whose young were old enough to survive without them; therefore, the young elephants grew up fatherless.

As time went on, many of these young elephants roamed together in gangs and began to do things elephants normally don't do. They threw sticks and water at rhinos and acted like neighborhood bullies. Without dominant males, the young bulls became sexually active, producing excessive testosterone and exhibiting aggressive behavior.

A few young males grew especially violent, knocking down rhinos and stepping or kneeling on them, crushing the life out of them. Mafuto, the gang leader, eventually had to be killed.

Park rangers theorized that these young teen-aged elephants were acting badly because they lacked role models. The solution was to bring in a large male to lead them and to counteract their bully behaviors. Soon the new male established dominance and put the young bulls in their places. The killing stopped. The young males were mentored...and saved.

Citation: Ken Sowers, Mentor, Ohio; 60 Minutes (1-20-99).

If Not Higher

2007-06-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

From Saul Bellow's collection of traditional Jewish tales comes this story:

In a small Jewish town in Russia, there is a rabbi who disappears each Friday morning for several hours. His devoted disciples boast that during those hours their rabbi goes up to heaven and talks to God.
A stranger moves into town, and he's skeptical about all this, so he decides to check things out. He hides and watches. The rabbi gets up in the morning, says his prayers, and then dresses in peasant clothes. He grabs an axe, goes off into the woods, and cuts some firewood, which he then hauls to a shack on the outskirts of the village. There an old woman and her sick son live. He leaves them the wood, enough for a week, and then sneaks back home.
Having observed the rabbi's actions, the newcomer stays on in the village and becomes his disciple.
Whenever he hears one of the villagers say, "On Friday morning our rabbi ascends all the way to heaven," the newcomer quietly adds, "If not higher."

Citation: Jim McGuiggan, Jesus, Hero of Thy Soul (Howard Publishing, 1998),p.15.

The Power of the Tongue

2007-06-18T09:33:00.001-07:00

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit - Proverbs 18:21

Words have the power to motivate or destroy, energize or deflate, inspire or create despair.

Many successful executives can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either overachievement to prove their worth, or underachievement to prove he was right. Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Stories abound regarding the power of words. There are just as many stories of those who have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their lives.

Jesus knew the power of words. He used parables to convey His principles of the Kingdom of God. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.

Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness?
Who does God want you to encourage through your words today?
Affirm someone close to you today.

Os Hillman

A Prayer

2007-06-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

O God, I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for help that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Author Unknown

Beautiful Affliction

2007-06-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

O Beautiful Affliction, merciful pain
This mortal wounding, bringing me to life again
In suffering there’s healing
This darkness revealing
Silence, speaking volumes to my soul
O Beautiful Affliction
Blessed brokenness, that makes me whole...

David Baroni

Things Are Not Always What They Appear To Be

2006-09-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

There were two farmers. One loved his Bible, reverenced the Sabbath, loved his Creator, and believed that He was a prayer-hearing and answering Father.
The other was an infidel, regarding all days alike; he plowed, sowed, reaped, and labored on the seventh, the same as on the other six days.When the harvesting was over, and the grain had all been gathered into the barns, the infidel's crop was found to be by far the largest, a hailstorm having visited his friend's farm, destroying the greater part of his grain.
"How now, neighbor Brown?" said the infidel, wishing to turn the joke upon his friend, "you kept the Sabbath, and what have you gained? An empty barn. I have worked on each day of the week alike, and see the result!" and he waved his hand toward his large and well-filled barn.
His neighbor quietly replied, "Friend Gray, God does not settle all His accounts in October."

From: Advocate and GuardianSource: Signs of the Times, Copyright (c) January 18, 1883, Pacific Press,

Divine Despair

2006-08-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

Tears, idle tears,
I know not what they mean.
Tears from the depths of some Divine despair.
Rise in the heart,
and gather in the eyes.

Lord Alfred Tennyson

Success

2006-08-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sucess will come to you when:

The goals you set are God's goals.
You rely on God to give you the resources to achieve His goals.
Your deepest motivation is to glorify God and know Him better.

Charles Stanley

My Question

2006-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Is the Resurrected Jesus a Jew, or did He lay that down at the Cross?

Amazing Grace

2006-08-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we'd first begun.

John P. Newton

Amazing Grace has always been one of my favorite hymns, and whenever I hear it, I am moved to tears...

The Essay

2006-08-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

A university creative writing class was asked to write a concise essay containing the following elements:
1. Religion
2. Royalty
3. Sex
4. Mystery

The prize-winning essay read:

"My God," said the Queen, "I'm pregnant. I wonder who did it!"

Author unknown

Not Everyone Can Be In Your Front Row

2006-08-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Life is a theater-invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.

It is amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time, with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships/fellowships.

Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to:

Which ones lift and which ones lean?

Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?

Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people, do you feel better, or worse?

Which ones always have drama or do not really understand, know, and appreciate you and the gifts that lie within you?

The more you seek God and the things of God--the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the Hand of God, but the face of God--the more you seek things honorable--the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row of your life and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people you are around!

Ask God for Wisdom, and discernment, and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.

Author Unknown

Humor For The Day

2006-08-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

An Indian is horse riding through New Mexico. Suddenly he hears an enormous explosion. He sees a giant mushroom cloud covering the skies; it is an atomic bomb test. The Indian stops, looks, and says to himself, "I wish I had said that!"

Author unknown

This is, indeed, wisdom

2006-08-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

It is often argued that the people who will be affected by a major decision should be involved in it. Paul Kruger, president of the Transvaal in southern Africa, once resolved a dispute between two brothers about a land inheritance they were to share.
Kruger's decision: let one brother divide the land, and let the other brother have first choice.

Louis E. Boone

Gossip

2006-08-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

To silence gossip, do not repeat it.

Profanity

2006-08-14T15:42:00.001-07:00

Profanity disgraces the user and demeans the hearer.

Truth

2006-08-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Truth is not determined by how many people believe it.

Doing Good

2006-08-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as you ever can

John Wesley

Illusions

2006-08-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

One of life's greatest illusions is that sin has no consequences.

Humor For The Day

2006-08-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Roses are red,
Violets are blue-ish
If it weren't for Paul,
We'd all be Jewish.

Anonymous

The Cross of Christ

2006-08-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Cross of Christ-the Crossroad to Heaven or Hell

From Streams In The Desert

2006-08-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

God is in every tomorrow,
Therefore, I live for today,
Certain of finding at sunrise
Guidance and strength for my way;
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each momemt of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain.

John 3: 16, 17, 19

2006-08-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. v 16

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. v 17

This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. v 19

The Bible

2006-08-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth

The Promised Land

2006-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Promised Land always lies on the other side of the wilderness.
Havelock Ellis

Humor For The Day

2006-08-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

Did you hear the one about the teacher who was arrested trying to board an airplane with a compass, a protractor, and a calculator? He was charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.
Gary Fish

Two dolts are walking down the railroad tracks. After a couple of miles, one says, "Man, all these steps are killing me."
The other dolt replies, "It's not all the steps, it's these darned low handrails."

(Jokes taken from: Reader's Digest, Laughter-The Best Medicine)

Take Time

2006-08-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Take time to think;
it is the source of power.

Take time to read;
it is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to play;
it is the secret of staying young.

Take time to be quiet;
it is the opportunity to seek God.

Take time to be aware;
it is the opportunity to help others.

Take time to love and be loved;
it is God's greatest gift.

Take time to laugh;
it is the music of the soul.

Take time to be friendly;
it is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream;
it is what the future is made of.

Take time to pray;
it is the greatest power on earth.

Author unknown

I Don't Remember Where I Found This Quote

2006-08-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

"The purpose and goal of Bible study is not knowledge, but a personal relationship with the Creator who made me, died for me, and offers to live His life through me."

Does anyone know who the person is who quoted this statement?

One of my favorite poems

2006-08-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

How The Great Guest Came
by Edwin Markham

Before the cathedral in grandeur rose
At Ingleburg where the Danube goes;
Before its forest of silver spires
Went airily up to the clouds and fires;
Before the oak had ready a beam,
While yet the arch was stone and dream-
There where the altar was later laid,
Conrad, the cobbler, plied his trade.

It happened one day at the year's white end-
Two neighbors called on their old-time friend;
And they found the shop, so meager and mean,
Made gay with a hundred boughs of green.
Conrad was stitching with face ashine,
But suddenly stopped as he twitched a twine:
"Old friends, good news! At dawn today,
As the cocks were scaring the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me,
And said, "I am coming your Guest to be!"
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing the floor with branches of fir.
The wall is washed and the shelf is shined,
And over the rafter the holly twined.
He comes today, and the table is spread
With milk and honey and wheaten bread."

His friends went home; and his face grew still
As he watched for the shadow across the sill.
He lived all the moments o'er and o'er,
When the Lord should enter the lowly door-
The knock, the call, the latch pulled up,
The lighted face, the offered cup.
He would wash the feet where the spikes had been,
He would kiss the hands where the nails went in,
And then at last would sit with Him
And break the bread as the day grew dim.

While the cobbler mused there passed his pane
A beggar drenched by the driving rain.
He called him in from the stony street
And gave him shoes for his bruised feet.
The beggar went and there came a crone,
Her face with wrinkles of sorrow sown.
A bundle of faggots bowed her back,
And she was spent with the wrench and rack.
He gave her his loaf and steadied her load
As she took her way on the weary road.
Then to his door came a little child,
Lost and afraid in the world so wild,
In the big, dark world. Catching it up,
He gave it the milk in the waiting cup,
And led it home to its mother's arms,
Out of the reach of the world's alarms.

The day went down in the crimson west
And with it the hope of the blessed Guest,
And Conrad sighed as the world turned gray:
"Why is it, Lord, that your feet delay?
Did You forget that this was the day?"
Then soft in the silence a Voice he heard:
"Lift up your heart, for I kept my word.
Three times I came to your friendly door;
Three times my shadow was on your floor.
I was the beggar with bruised feet;
I was the woman you gave to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street!"