To My Sisters In Christ:

HCTV 2009 Dream Home!

2008-12-31T12:08:00.001-05:00

Wow! It would be SO WONDERFUL to win this!

Mary Did You Know?

2008-12-21T22:11:00.003-05:00

Chester "peacerules" Hawkins singing, "Mary Did You Know?

Thanksgiving...is it only the 4th Thursday in November?

2008-12-01T07:13:00.003-05:00

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4

"I’ve come to the conclusion that every day should be treated as
Thanksgiving! How often do we forget to say thanks, to God? To
each other? How often do we not see the small miracles in our
life? Please God remind me when I forget how blessed I am.
How you have given us the ultimate gift, your son."

This is recent a quote from a dear friend of mine...one whose husband is in the hospital trying to hold onto his life. But in the midst of it all, she is praising God!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Makes one wonder: Why is it that we humans for the most part, only make time on one day of the year to be thankful? Why is it only on this one day that we decide to put aside differences and hang out with family members that we have not communicated with all year? Did you wake up this morning? Are you clothed in your right mind? On a simpler scale, do you have a computer making it possible to read this post? That alone calls for praise to God!

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Some of the most amazing gifts that God has given to us are life, salvation, eternal life, family and friends. When is the last time that you thought to give God thanks for just one of them? On a smaller scale, when is the last time you thanked your mother or your father for anything? When is the last time you thanked your spouse for anything? When is the last time you thanked your children for anything? When is the last time you thanked a sibling for anything? When is the last time you thanked a friend for anything?

Take the time today and start to thank God for all of your blessings. Start with the simple things and you'd really be surprised at all of the things that you take for granted every single day. Then reach out and thank those in your life that God has blessed you with.

Most importantly remember-Thanksgiving is an action word; a verb. Thanksgiving is not just a noun! Find it in your heart to give thanks everyday!

"Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:12

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LOVE IS AN ACTION WORD

2008-11-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

Three weeks ago, my father died. Even though Daddy had been sick for some time, he really did not start to appear to be ill until he started losing weight within the past year. The weight loss was a result of one of the side complications of his illness. Up until the very night that he lost consciousness, Daddy drove himself around, walked on his own strength, had his right mind, and was not shy about giving you a piece of it in an articulate manner. He was becoming a little forgetful though…

On October 19, 2008, Sunday morning, his wife could not wake him. Daddy was determined to be in a diabetic coma by the paramedics, and confirmed by the hospital doctors. The doctors were aggressive and did everything humanly possible to help him. He stayed in ICU for 12 days, and then was moved to hospice for his remaining days with us. We prayed without ceasing, looking and believing that God could send a miracle if He so desired. That was not to be God’s will. Daddy never recovered from the coma, and died peacefully while my youngest son and I were at his side on November 2, 2008.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

When I got home, I called a dear friend of mine at the church, and briefly told her what happened. She evidently called some other church members, and they began to pray for me and my family. I asked my husband to call two of my girlfriends to tell them the news also. They in turn spread the word, and I actually felt love all around me. I slept peacefully that night.

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.” Ps. 34:7 (NAS)

My dear husband called my job the next day and spoke to my employers. He was told to relay to me to take my time coming back, and not to worry about anything. Soon, my phone started ringing off the hook with condolences, people checking up on me, and sincere offers of help.

Beautiful flowers and plants suddenly started arriving at my house. My living room became so flooded with cards, that I do not have a place to put even one more card! Friends started coming over with food. That’s when I first started to experience the self sacrificing love of others, and the love of God in action for myself. The Love Outreach ministry members at my church continuously called with a word of encouragement and prayer, but they also brought over food for my family and the out-of-town guests.

At the funeral home viewing, my family, extended family, friends, and even former co-workers that I have not seen in eons came out to support me during my time of bereavement. All of the hugs, love, support and encouragement that I received that night from everyone, including my family, extended relatives and friends, my Pastor and loving church family, my dear small group members, past and present co-workers all showed me very clearly one thing: That God’s love is a verb…LOVE IS AN ACTION WORD. God used everyone there to fortify us…build us up….and His love gave me the strength to carry on through the next day….the day of the funeral.

“He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

At the funeral, many people came out to support me and my family during our time of loss…and their love held us up and made us strong.

My Daddy was eulogized by his Pastor, who was also a personal friend of his for 35 years. By the time the Pastor was done with the eulogy, you would have thought that in addition to all of his real life accomplishments and accolades that Daddy could walk on water too! :-)

Which brings me to today…three weeks and one day after my Daddy was called home by God. My support system is still just as strong as ever. My friends and extended family still call and check on me, they email me, cards are still arriving, and those wonderful hugs are still given to me freely. I’ve been told that several small groups at my church are specifically praying for me and my family!

And through all of this, I wonder I how do I pay anyone back? Thank you is not enough. I‘ve been there for some in their time of need, but I could not know how much it meant to them…and for others I have to admit, I was not there for. Now I truly see the importance of extending oneself, truly sacrificing myself for the needs of someone else…Out of gratitude, I am indebted to be diligent to pay it forward for the rest of my life...

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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God's 26 Guards

2008-10-16T07:17:00.004-04:00

Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and
Then just put it on a list and said, "I'll pray for them later?"

Or has anyone ever called you and said,
"I need you to pray for me, I have this need?"

Read the following story that was sent to me and
May it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. You will be blessed by this....

A missionary on furlough told this true story while
Visiting his home church in Michigan.

While serving at a small field hospital in Africa,
Every two weeks I traveled by bicycle
Through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies.
This was a journey of two days and
Required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city
Where I planned to collect money from a bank,
Purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin
My two-day journey back to the field hospital.

Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting,
One of whom had been seriously injured.
I treated him for his injuries and at the same time
Talked to him about the Lord.

I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and
Arrived home without incident....

Two weeks later I repeated my journey.
Upon arriving in the city,
I was approached by the young man I had treated.
He told me that he had known I carried
Money and medicines.
He said, "Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight.

We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs.
But just as we were about to move into your camp,
We saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards."

At this, I laughed and told him that I was
certainly all alone in that jungle campsite.
The young man pressed the point, however, and said,
"No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards,
My friends also saw them, and we all counted them.
It was because of those guards that
we were afraid and left you alone."

At this point in the sermon,
One of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened.
The missionary told the congregation the date, and
The man who interrupted told him this story:

"On the night of your incident in Africa ,
It was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf.
I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you.
In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong,
I called men in this church to meet with me here
In the sanctuary to pray for you.

Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?" The men who had met together to pray that day stood up.

The missionary wasn't concerned with whom they were,
He was too busy counting how many men he saw.

There were 26.

This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in behalf of those who love Him. If you ever feel such prodding to pray, go along with it, you don't know what it can mean for that person.

Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell.
I encourage you to share this with as many people as you know.
If we all take it to heart,
we can turn this world toward God once again.
As the above true story clearly illustrates,
"With God all things are possible."

More importantly, it illustrates how God hears and
Answers the prayers of the faithful.

After you read this, give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles He works in your own daily life... And then share your testimony with others...

Who says God does not move on the earth today?

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Human Being vs. Human Doing Part III

2008-06-30T17:57:00.002-04:00

Please start at Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I"

As I was saying in Part II, to be an effective Christian as God planned, you MUST spend time talking with your Heavenly Father in prayer...get to know His Son through the Word...let the Holy Spirit move in your life guiding you daily. To be a victorious Christian in your daily walk, you must be armed with the armor of God to defend yourself against the wiles of the enemy.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

If you are not being armed with the armor of God by doing reading and studying of the Word, how do you plan to defend yourself against the enemy? What is your plan of attack? Or are you still being a being still resting doing nothing?

Does any of God's Word seem to indicate that we are to be "resting" while God is doing all of the work? NO! This requires active participation on your part! I challenge you today, to stop being a lazy Christian and get busy getting to know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

O God, how I love You, and thank You that your transforming words are sweeter than honey to my mouth, and life to my bones!

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Human Being vs Human Doing - Part II

2008-06-29T17:54:00.003-04:00

Please start at Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I"

In spending time with Jesus in the Word, the Bible becomes more than a mere book, it becomes LIFE...it becomes ALIVE in your heart and in your life in a way that is literally unexplainable...you have to experience it for yourself! Jesus is the Word made flesh...how else would you get to know Jesus intimately unless you made a concerted effort to spend time with Him by reading the Word, getting to know Him?

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

As you start spending time in the Word, the Spirit of God has this lovely way of transforming your thoughts and your heart, causing your spirit to be convicted when you are not behaving properly in the will of God. This Holy conviction in turn brings about willing self correction with the help of the Holy Spirit to different areas of your life that God wants to make more Christ-like.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1, 2

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Timothy 3:16

Now, if you adopt the attitude that "God is in me doing the work" without any "doings" on your part such as reading the Word, spending time in prayer, spending alone time to hear from God, just how do you expect to grow mightily so that you are equipped for the great commission? (I'll expound on that thought later in Part IV or V).

The Apostle Paul says that we are to:

"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2: 12b-13

So it seems that we are continuing to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (in full reverence of the Most Holy God) because He is working in us to fulfill his good purpose for our lives.

To be an effective Christian as God planned, you MUST spend time talking with your Heavenly Father in prayer...get to know His Son through the Word...let the Holy Spirit move in your life guiding you daily. To be a victorious Christian in your daily walk, you must be armed with the armor of God to defend yourself against the wiles of the enemy.

Please continue on to Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part III"

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Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I

2008-06-28T01:45:00.010-04:00

I will preface this by stating that some of you are going to be offended. I am sorry about that, but the truth of the Lord shall prevail. Please read, and be willing to let God guide you in taking action for change.

I am sick and tired of hearing the lame excuse that "Jesus did all the work, and now all I have to do is rest in Him" "God created the earth, then He rested" "We're human beings, not human doings"...I heard someone one say that again recently, and all I could do was walk away, because I knew I would lose their friendship over our clear disagreement in bible doctrine. But I will not walk away again. The truth of God is the truth, and I will not hold back ever again.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22

Yes, God did create the earth, then He rested...but He did not rest forever! He has been intimately involved in our daily lives from day one! Start reading from Genesis through Revelation to see for yourself!

By God's design, Jesus did do the work on the cross that created the way for us to have redemption for our sins, healing for our bodies, victory over the enemy, and the gift of eternal life.... these same people think that all they have to do is accept Christ, and that is it...they have no more responsibility for their spiritual growth and maturity in Christ!

That doctrine seems to mean that you can do anything that is considered un-Christian-like or ungodly, (risking losing others to the faith who are watching you) but have the lame excuse of "I am a human being, not a human doing...God is doing the work in me!"
My goodness, dear ones how you are being robbed of a rich and deep relationship with Christ! The enemy is blinding you terribly!

Granted:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5:17

So in their defense, no, you are not obligated to do anything else, but in your thankfulness as a new creature in Christ, why wouldn't you? In any relationship on earth with mere people, don't you get to know the folks involved by talking with them? By spending time with them? In spending time with them, you learn all about them, to the point where you develop an intimate knowledge of what makes that person tick. Why would you not desire that same type of intimate relationship with the God who created you? The Jesus who saved you from your selfish self? The Holy Spirit who made you into a new creature?

Please continue on to Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part II"

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My Heart Overflows With JOY!

2008-06-25T08:15:00.004-04:00

My heart overflows for You Lord...

I thank You for Your presence,

Your inhabitation, Your love,

Your grace, Your mercy, Your

Wonderful, Holy Spirit that resides in me,

and fills me...

Thank You for continuously changing me

to be more like You...

Purge me, dwell in me, burn in me...

empower me to share Your love with others...

Let the enthusiasm that You've given me

for You, (like fire shut up in my bones),

run over with contagion to others...

Freeing them of their inhibitions...setting them free

to truly worship You for who You are!

For there is NO ONE else like You,

for You ARE GREAT, You are MORE than

worthy to be praised...

I love You, Lord...Halleluyah!

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Beware of the 'O' Factor

2008-06-10T17:25:00.003-04:00

In this video clip from The Oprah Show, you can see Oprah ask "What about Jesus?" and other anti-believer statements. It takes one's breath away when you consider her vast sphere of influence.

Beware of the 'O' Factor
By Andrea D. Hedlund
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com – Oprah, perhaps the most influential woman in the world today, has undeniably left a stamp on modern culture. Her talk show has been number one for 21 consecutive years. She is the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. We love Oprah’s big giveaways and flock to the bookstore to pick up the latest selection for her book club, which has approximately 1 million members. An endorsement by Oprah is golden. Her show has thrust the likes of Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray into mainstream America.

I have never been a devoted viewer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, but I always seem to catch some of her most memorable TV moments. Who can forget the infamous day Tom Cruise proclaimed his infinite love for Katie Holmes by jumping up and down on Oprah’s couch?

I remember how Oprah gushed over Barack Obama during an interview with him on her show before he rose from his obscurity to emerge as the charismatic figure of "change" for our country. It wasn't surprising to me when she stepped out and publicly endorsed him.

Like it or not, Oprah has great influence on our society today, and with that power comes responsibility. But a huge question remains: is her personal spiritual agenda leading the masses astray?

According to some CBN.com viewers and author Carrington Steele of Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama, and the Occult, the answer is yes. The deeper Oprah delves into new age philosophies, the more dangerous she becomes. This doesn’t mean these skeptics are Oprah-bashers or think she is a “horrible” person. Instead, there is a genuine concern for the state of her soul, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”(Matthew 16:26).

Stop Embracing the Church of Oprah

Oprah came from humble beginnings, overcame many obstacles, and has sought to be a positive voice in the world. She encourages us and is like a loyal childhood friend.

Like a chameleon, we have also watched her spiritual colors shift over the years. Raised in a black Baptist church in Mississippi, she rebelled against the establishment after being sexually abused by her own relatives. Later, she repented and returned to her spiritual roots. At one point she was linked to Obama’s former (controversial) place of worship, Trinity United Church. More recently, a 2005 Washington Post article called Oprah’s popularity the “Church of Oprah,” or the church of possibility. Self-help and self-awareness became her faith of choice.

Every so often while watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, do you get that feeling in your gut, “the spirit of discernment,” that urges you to flip the channel? If so, you may not be the only one.

Steele writes that she first had that feeling about 10 years ago. She wrote, “Oprah was interviewing a guest named Gary Zukav, author of the book, The Seat of the Soul. I decided after hearing some of the conversation, that since it didn’t seem to correspond with my Christian beliefs, I would just not watch that day.”

But how many unsuspecting Americans don’t change the channel? What happens when the Holy Spirit whispers to Christians and we don’t listen? Are we contributing to the demise of our society?

“My comfortable, familiar routine was now the source of something that is on the brink of changing America. It has slithered into our homes and we are not even aware of it, in fact…we’re embracing it,” Steele admits in Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid.

Search Oprah on GodTube or YouTube to watch video clips from her show where she openly states “there are many diverse paths leading to what you call God.” She argues with several audience members who say Jesus is the only path to God. Christians understand that worldly success doesn’t equate with true victory, nor will good works earn us a spot in Heaven. We know Jesus is the ONLY way (John 14:6).

We should be alarmed by Oprah’s increasing hostility toward the truth of the Gospel and recent embrace of New Age philosophies like Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth and “The Secret.”

“Oprah has developed an open philosophy for learning and delving into spiritual matters,” Steele writes. “It appears on the way to her quest to find the answers, her ‘truths’ have come from a variety of sources that complement each other because they ultimately come from one source; the deceiver, Satan.”

New Age Philosophies Exposed

In Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid, Steele offers a quick overview of some of the pervading philosophies presented by Oprah to her audience. These supposedly "new" ideas are really just old schemes of the devil wrapped in pretty packaging. New agers recycle the same idea that every man is a son of God, man can be like God, and that we are the source of our salvation.

Most recently, and arguably most lethal, Oprah launched a virtual classroom to promote and encourage Tolle’s A New Earth, which is a selection for her book club. Ten million-plus students met online once a week for 10 lessons earlier this year and became “awakened,” or mind trained by Tolle and Oprah. This interactive teaching is still available on Oprah.com.

Basically, Tolle teaches:

* A glimpse will initiate awakening, which is irreversible.
* We are the light.
* Sin means missing the point of exit.
* We have a choice: evolve or die.
* Heaven is not a location but an inner realm of consciousness.
* The source of all energy is within you.
* Jesus is an archetypal figure. He is every man and woman.

Of Tolle’s A New Earth, Oprah says, “Being able to share this material with you is a gift and a part of the fulfillment of my life’s purpose.”

Unbelievable! Did you know Oprah’s name was supposed to be Orpah, a biblical name meaning “stiff-necked” and “turning back?”

We must step in and intercede for Oprah and others of the new age philosophy and pray that their eyes and ears would see and hear the Gospel and no longer be deceived (2 Timothy 4:3, Mark 13: 5, Romans 12:2).

Pray specifically for those who practice new age beliefs, such as:

* Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret who believes we think things into existence.
* Eric Butterworth, author of Discover The Power Within You, who says we are each God and sin is “self-inflicted nonsense.”
* Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of The Soul, who considers Jesus the most evolved of our species and mixes Hinduism with everyday beliefs.
* Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love, who says we are all sons of God, it is our destiny to be as Jesus, my holiness is my salvation, my salvation comes from me, and there is no sin.

We cannot allow false prophets and those with great power to lead us astray any longer (1 John 4:1). Let’s pray for our broken nation to once again stand on the rock of true salvation.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Meet Him today.

Comments? Email Andrea D. Hedlund, the author of this article.

You are free to comment here on this blog also.

Yes, you can....

2008-06-09T10:13:00.007-04:00

This is a true story about Dick and Rick Hoyt, who together comprise 'Team Hoyt'.

The son asked his father Dick, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?'. The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together.

Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.

For those who don't know, the Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island Father and son went on to complete the race together.

View them together in the Ironman race below. This is an incredible video about the relationship between a father and son.... and if you think about it; God's incredible relationship with us.

This goes a long way to prove that, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENETH ME!"

Yes, you can....Halleluyah!

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The beautiful song playing in the background of the video is 'Redeemer' by Nicole C. Mullen. Thanks Lucy, for sending this moving story our way to be shared with countless others !

Do you REALLY Love Me?

2008-06-06T14:49:00.006-04:00

Think back to when you met that special person that you just knew would be 'the one.'
Remember when you realized and admitted to yourself that you really loved him/her.

Now remember how much you wanted to act like you were in a movie, and proclaim out loud to everyone in the football stadium 'I love (his/her name here)!'

You told all your family and friends how perfect he/she was; he/she was just what you were looking for.

Well, I told THE LORD that I loved Him today.

And He said to me, “How MUCH do you love Me?
You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you.
You haven't shared how perfect My love with anyone.
You haven't spread the Good News in your circle of influence.”

“You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or even how you knew it was Me who got you a better job…”

“You haven't shared with anyone how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but also would have cost you that man/woman whom you felt was the perfect one that you were looking for.”

"So I must ask you again, HOW MUCH do you REALLY LOVE ME ?"

So I told Him for starters, that I would share with my family friends just how wonderful, perfect, merciful, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and I know God to be.

He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in.

But even more than that, He has saved me from destruction I couldn't even see coming...and gave me the gift of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ.

He gave to me the peace of knowing Him, the surety of my future, and the assurance that He will never break a promise, for He is not a man that He should lie.

Truly He is the BEST thing that ever has, and EVER will happen to me!

And I stand in my stadium today (this blog) to tell to you all,

“I LOVE THE LORD!”

BE BLESSED and PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

This was written by an Unknown Author, but I took the liberty of making some amendments.

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Zion is Calling Me (and You!)

2008-06-02T20:47:00.017-04:00

Zion is Calling Me by Clint Brown

"Zion is calling me, to a higher place of praise, To stand upon the mountain, and magnify His name To tell all the people and every nation that He reigns, Zion is calling me to a higher place of praise."

Just so you know, my blogs are extremely soul baring for me...yet I am expressing my core essence to you in hopes to encourage you to in turn share some of your own experiences with God with others. Your relationship with God is personal yes, but it does not have to be the world's best kept secret! With people being proud to "come out" and everything else going on these days, it sure seems that anything pertaining to God and the wonderful news of the gospel, is worthy of discussion.

Have you ever stopped to consider the wonderful aspect of belonging to a God who actually desires a relationship with us? In all of His Supremacy, Omnipotence, Purity, Holiness, the mere thought that He loves us so much that not only would He provide a way for our salvation and bridge the gap between us and our sin, but that He actually wants to be a part of our everyday lives! I know this to be factual based on the Word, and my own experiences, but the mere thought of this still gives me goosebumps in wonderment at times.

"It becomes my highest praise, When all that I am, responds to who You are"

We sang this particular song two Sundays ago in church, but this past Sunday, as I was singing praises thinking of His wonderfulness, this experience mentioned here in the lyrics again became alive in me! In the midst of praising Him, forgetting about myself and others, it feels like my soul somehow connects to God! It is really unexplainable...words cannot express it, but it is a phenomena actually occurs when you are focused solely on Him!

"It becomes my highest praise, Just to know You Lord."

I am continuously bowed over by His grace and love that He has for me that He would make a Holy provision to allow me to get closer to Him day by day....

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John:14:18

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Clay Balls

2008-05-28T12:54:00.006-04:00

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

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Author Unknown

REVELATION

2008-05-09T18:33:00.005-04:00

I can remember the time
When I was at church all day

And I wondered what my friends used to think
Used to think about me

Can you remember the time
When service it seemed like it lasted so very long
If I knew what I know now
I would have stayed all day

Come take me back
Where I come from
Haven't you heard that
Revelation is here

I'm so glad this revelation is here
I'm so glad this revelation is here
I'm so glad this revelation is here
I'm so glad this revelation is here

"REVELATION"
- YELLOWJACKETS: Shades (1986), Live Wires (1992)
Lyrics: Lorraine Perry / Music: Russell Ferrante

=======================================

I remember the first time I heard this song...I had just gotten married...the year was 1988. This song resonated within me the sentiments I held as a child, and also then as an adult. I had never heard of the Yellowjackets before, but my new husband introduced me to their music.

Fast forward twenty years later: I have missed 3, soon to be 4 church services consecutively, due to my recuperation period from major surgery...and boy am I missing it all! Strains of this song came to my mind today, as I had wistful memories of the singing, the music, the wonderful worship atmosphere, fellowship with my friends, and last but not least, the sermons that I am missing at church...sigh!

Boy, I wish I could be there, and if I could, just like the Yellowjackets, I would stay all day!
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Resurrection Day!

2008-03-23T15:31:00.004-04:00

For me, Good Friday, through today, Resurrection Sunday are the holiest, most sacred days of my faith...from the day that my Lord and Savior suffered on the cross, taking on all the sins, suffering and shame of the world, to the day that my Savior rose up victoriously from the grave, transcending death, pain, suffering, heartache and disease.

What a wonderful God we serve! That He would sacrifice His only Son, for the likes of me and you....would you do that for me? Honestly, I have to admit that I would not sacrifice one of my sons for you!

But in my great love for my own sons, if necessary, I would gladly sacrifice myself to save either of them...and that is just an inkling of the great love that God has for ALL of us! It's mind boggling to realize that He could love all of us, sacrificing His only Son for us, as if there were only one of us to love, isn't it?

What a wonderful and mighty God we serve. Have a blessed time of remembrance and celebration! \0/

This Day is Coming...

2008-03-18T09:54:00.003-04:00

It seems like any other ordinary day. You are in your car driving home from work. Your thoughts wander to the show on television that you want to see and the meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. Is it a trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know.

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has suddenly become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents with their faces turned upward are searching the skies.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None!

From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen, riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains, myriads at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North, South, East, and West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, Holy, Holy! The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!

Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, Holy, Holy. Between each word is a pause. 'Holy' has suddenly become so much more than just a mere adjective. With each word, you sense a profound reverence, more than the word itself can contain. You lift your voice to join in the chorus. You have joined in the proclamation as the Spirit has now given you utterance.

And suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is: Jesus.

Through waves of moving light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a huge, white, billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are totally consumed by his declaration:

I am the Alpha and the Omega.

The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so intensely permeating that you know.you instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget the stock markets and school reports.the sales meetings and the football games. Nothing else is newsworthy Nothing else has ever really matteredall that you wasted time on, matters no more... For Christ has come.

My question to you the reader: Are you ready for this day? Are you ready to meet the King of Kings? Your day to meet Jesus may not be the Day of His Second Coming, but sooner! So again, I ask you, are you ready to meet the King of Kings?

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Author Unknown/Author of this blog made contributions

Drug Problem??

2008-03-18T07:24:00.002-04:00

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a
Meth lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining
county and he asked me a rhetorical question.

'Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing
up?'

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to
church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and
funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no
matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was
also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie,
brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke
ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort
in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with
soap if I uttered a profanity.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and
cocklebur's out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help
out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the
clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever
known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she
would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in
everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine,
crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug
problem, America would be a better place!

God bless the parents who drugged us!

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Author Unknown

Steve Harvey Introduces Jesus Christ...

2008-03-10T00:29:00.000-04:00

Falling in Love With Jesus

2008-03-09T23:17:00.002-04:00

The best thing I've ever done....Halleluyah!! \0/

Just Breathless...

2008-02-17T22:31:00.011-05:00

God is so wonderful, so good, so tangible!

To be given the gift of life, the gift of salvation, the gift of mercy and grace, and to experience His endless streams of unconditional love, just makes me weep for joy!

To be given the Holy Spirit as my Comforter, who dwells within me, leaves me awestruck...

Singing praises before Him leaves me just breathless at times...

To be allowed the privilege to worship the only living God, leaves me extremely humbled...

Heaven is unimaginable!!!

Zion is Calling Me by Clint Brown

Zion is calling me, to a higher place of praise,
To stand upon the mountain, and magnify His name
To tell all the people and every nation that He reigns,
Zion is calling me to a higher place of praise.

It becomes my highest praise,
When all that I am, responds to who You are,
It becomes my highest praise,
Just to know You Lord.

Halleluyah! Amen!

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Victorious at Last!

2008-01-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

A great man has left us. My dear father-in-law went to be with our Lord and Saviour last night. He did not want prayers for healing, as he was ready to meet Jesus face to face. He was at peace with dying and was very much looking forward to going to Heaven. I can envision him now singing with a big smile in his beautiful high tenor, leading the heavenly choir, rejoicing!

The hospital staff commented that it was very rare these days to see a family surround a loved one for their final moments like we did "Pop." Our family was all around him when he left this earth and his earth tent behind, for his new eternal home with Christ.

Pop quoted to me the words of Paul, a couple of weeks ago:

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8

What a testimony for Daddy, Carroll, Brother Carroll, Pop, Pop-Pop and Mr J. (the different names we knew him by) to have!

Are you spiritually ready to face Christ right now?

What will your life say about you?

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Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me....

2008-01-17T13:19:00.001-05:00

Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

Author Unknown

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A Poem To My GIRLFRIENDS

2008-01-17T12:09:00.000-05:00

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be skinnier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Some of their children will do better in school.
And some of their husbands will fix more things around the house..
So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it!

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's may have the car, the house, the clothes~~~~ but still might be lonely.
And the Word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.'
So, again, love you.
Love who you are.

Author Unknown

"1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13

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Troubles...

2008-01-09T07:14:00.000-05:00

Paul says troubles are light afflictions. We need to remember that in our daily lives. Here is an acrostic my Pastor shared with us this past Sunday.

T - Times to trust God!

R - Remember: I am not self sufficient (Psalm 100:3).

O - Opportunities will do things for you that nothing else can do. It makes you be more creative, and seek fresh solutions.

U - Unbiased: Trouble is an equal opportunity provider. Trouble rains on the just and unjust alike.

B - Blessings in disguise, trouble opens up doors that you do not usually go through in good times.

L - Lessons: Each lesson becomes your teacher if you learn from the lesson. Listen, be observant let the lesson teach you.

E - Everywhere: Trouble abounds everywhere...

S - Solvable - Every trouble that you go through has a solution. The question is, are you going to find it? Are you going to be open, and be available to God to give you the wisdom, and to be attentive to hear the solution from Him?

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

II Corinthians 4:7-11, 14-18

\0/ Happy New Year, Halleluyah!