C.S. Lewis quote

shared from a post on Facebook by Family Christian Stores

window

A Christian’s life is a window through which others can see Jesus.

Lord, You have done so much for us.
You give us our very breath
and blessing upon blessing.

We give ourselves back to You
to use to spread the glorious
gospel of Christ.
Amen.

Worth The Risk

(A daily devotional from Our Daily Bread)

What would one give in exchange for a new iPad? One 17-year-old boy gave a kidney! Apparently, he couldn’t afford an iPad and wanted one so badly that he was willing to risk surgery.

Stephen, in Acts 7, took a serious risk, but it was for proclaiming the good news about Jesus. While performing miracles, he was seized, falsely accused of blasphemy against God and the Mosaic law, and brought before the high priest (6:8-14). In response to a question from the high priest (7:1), Stephen took a risk and preached a sermon he knew his hearers would not like. He said that throughout Israel’s history, the nation had repeatedly rejected God’s messengers. And now, they had rejected the Messiah.

Stephen’s sermon provoked a strong reaction. “They cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him” (vv.57-58).

Why would Stephen risk his life to preach about Jesus? He desperately wanted his hearers to know that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, they no longer needed to live under the law but could live under grace and forgiveness (6:13-15; Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus died so that we may have eternal life.

http://odb.org/2012/12/17/worth-the-risk/ 

'nough said

Found this via an email from Family Life Radio's Your Intentional Devotion and wanted to share:

Bold Speech

Peter Cartwright, a 19th century Methodist evangelist, was preaching one night when he was informed that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. He was cautioned against saying anything inflammatory.

But when Cartwright began his sermon, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here. I have been asked to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent!"

The audience was stunned, but the President later told Cartwright, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."

That brand of preaching is not advisable on your job, but you can find opportunities to convey God's truths through your words and work. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. He will prepare the hearts of those who need to hear.

     Ask God for
     Wisdom to know when and how to share your faith and
     Boldness to speak what is just when the time is right.

Today's One Thing

Offer to pray for a coworker with a personal need. You will lay the groundwork for future opportunities.

Family Life Radio and Intentional Living® are non-profit, listener supported ministries of Family Life Communications, Incorporated. Copyright 2012.

http://www.myflr.org

we are blessed

We had a wonderful lunch at Cinzetti's.

faith

praise report

Will's mother just posted this and I thought you all would like to hear an update: 



more prayer requests

From India we received requests for prayer. I hesitate to put it on this blog because of the turmoil there, (Time just posted this article about a woman 'liking' a post on Facebook and now she has been detained) but if you are interested in seeing this wonderful email and requests for prayer, please contact Carol or myself. (Please do contact us. You won't regret seeing the wonderful things going on in India. Plus, I don't know about you, but I feel it is an honor to be asked to send prayer, and a blessing from God that we are allowed to come to Him.)

Scripture
Jesus said “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” Matt 19-20 Message Bible

taken from the Bible Cafe for Women Prayer Wall

This is the last paragraph in the email they sent:

P.S. will you please say a prayer for each of these names I have profiled and ask God to give us more souls won to Christ here………and pray God will use us to touch the church in America with a Vision for the Great Commission….

lists

Jason Dukes (NY Times) interviewed Ann Voskamp and this is a snippit from their interview:

“You have recorded my troubles. You have kept a list of my tears. Aren’t they in your records?”
 ~Ps. 56:8

Does it comfort that God does not slumber for He cannot cease to bear testimony to our hurt? God keeps a list. It’s the wildest Love that drives the Father to record His child’s every lament. We never ache without God attending, and He can’t stand to see a tear fall to the floor. God cups our grief and ”puts our tears in His bottle” (Ps. 56:8).

If God makes a list of our laments, might we make a list of God’s love? Even just one thing, today. Just one. If God has a list of our pain, might we may have a list of our praise? Just look for one grace today in the midst. If God writes a list of our tears, might we write a list of our thanks? Just one. And know that even though we cry, He’s faithfully making His list too, catching everyone of our tears.

It’s Love that makes God a list keeper of our brokenness, and it’s love that may make us a list keeper of our blessings, and in this we might meet together in communion.

principal

Sometimes it helps to picture someone when you are praying for them.

Here is a picture of Travis. He is working through leukemia. Thank you for your prayers!

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. Psalm 118:21

Giving is an act of worship

My Giving Is God's Instrument of Blessing was the lesson.

"You should not give to get something from God. You should give because you love God, and He gives you abundantly in return, because He loves you more than you love Him."

We read about the principles of giving and we were given this wonderful scripture:

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.


Due to the holidays we won't be meeting as often. We will meet November 27th and January 17th - both are Tuesdays.

what I may say to the next person who tells me how bad christians are

Praise God!

Will & Angel are two little boys we are praying for and both posted wonderful reports this weekend.

Will's report:

Angel:

hope

Hope for our nation is not found in the donkey or the elephant.

Our hope is found in the Lamb.

(found on a Facebook post and given to me by a friend. author unknown.)

Yet another person sent me this link to a blog which contains much wisdom and begins like this:

“Sinful humans with all our quirks will decide who controls the White House and Congress.

But under a sovereign God, the election is no crapshoot.” Marvin Olasky

"You may not find comfort in the truth of that statement, but I certainly do. Yes, I am offended and fed up with the hostility in the current campaign. The lies and spin and distortions and underhanded things that people will do to get elected make me sick. Yes, in my weaker moments I get somewhat anxious, and occasionally terrified, about what “sinful humans” with all their “quirks” might decide two days from now. And my guess is that most of you feel the same way, regardless of which political party you support. 

But Marvin Olasky is right: “under a sovereign God, the election is no crapshoot.” Who ultimately ends up in Congress and the White House is not, in the final analysis, subject to the whims and moods of the American people. From a purely human point of view, it may appear to be a “crapshoot”, but I assure you that God is in complete control.

So what I propose to do in this article is set before you eight biblical principles that I hope and pray will both inform you about how you and I ought to think of government and politics as well as inspire you with unshakable confidence in the supremacy and sovereignty of God over all things." Read more

A Call to National Repentance

11/06/2012
In this election day, let us repent and turn back to the Lord, while there is still time. Let us not choose a leader that will certainly bring judgment upon us. People of God, let us be wise this day, vote and vote wisely. You have before you the path of life and the path of death. Let us go back to path followed by our founding fathers and pilgrims that began this nation.

As a nation, we have deviated from the path of life. We continue on the path before us, which leads to

certain death or we can return to the God of Israel, which leads to abundant life, prosperity and
abundance. There are 5 sins for which the God of Israel judges the nations. As a nation, our generation has embrace all 4 and have began to flirt with the 5th.
Sexual Immortality-Fornication (Sex outside of Marriage)As a nation, in this generation fornication is widespread. Pornography is legally allowed by our
government and widely consumed here and abroad. This industry has become a stumbling stone for us and for the nations of the world. There are consequences for sexual immortality at a national level. The God of Israel killed 24,000 Israelites for the practice of fornication in Numbers chapter 25. King Balak, King of Moab (modern day Jordan), wanted to curse Israel, but the God of Israel was determine to bless them. They were untouchable. But when Balaam suggested to Balak to send moabites women to seduce the men and fornicate with them it cost 24 thousand lives. No need for military attack. Just induce Israel to fornicate and their own God will judge them. At the moment, the United States is the greatest military in the world. It would be foolish to attack us. But you see, there is no need to attack us head on. All they need to do is induce fornication through the media and the pornography industry and the God of Israel will judge us as he did Israel. We will reap the fruits of the seeds that we are sowing. Unless if we repent and return to path of life followed by the founders of this nation.

Homosexuality

In this generation, homosexuality is allowed as an alternative to normal sexuality under the bonds of

marriage.  In previous generations, it was considered shameful to practice this sin. So it was kept
secret by anyone practicing it. Today, in this generation it is praised through shameless parades.
It is is endorsed publicly for the first time in history by a sitting president. Anyone that dares express
their stand with the God of Israel in this issue is persecuted and receives harassment and hate mail and emails. If you repeat a lie long enough, some people believe it becomes true.
But there is clear instruction we receive from the Alpha and Omega, the God of Israel on this subject:
Leviticus 18:22-30

22“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. 23“A man must not defile himself by having sex with an animal. And a woman must not offer herself to a male animal to have intercourse with it. This is a perverse act.

24“Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for the people I am driving out before you have
defiled themselves in all these ways. 25Because the entire land has become defiled, I am punishing
the people who live there. I will cause the land to vomit them out. 26You must obey all my decrees
and regulations. You must not commit any of these detestable sins. This applies both to native-born
Israelites and to the foreigners living among you.
27“All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and
this is how the land has become defiled. So do not defile the land and give it a reason to vomit you
out, as it will vomit out the people who live there now. Whoever commits any of these detestable
sins will be cut off from the community of Israel. 30So obey my instructions, and do not defile
yourselves by committing any of these detestable practices that were committed by the people who
lived in the land before you. I am the Lord your God.”

The God of Israel, destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from heaven in Genesis 19 for the practice of this detestable sin. He also tells the Israelites to eliminate all the Canaanites living in the land because of the practices of homosexuality and other sexual sins. He also warned Israel, Do not defile the land by committing this detestable sin or the land will vomit you out. Anyone committing this sin will be cut off from the community of Israel. Will the United States of America have a different fate than Sodom and Gomorrah and the Canaanites? The God of Israel never changes. He is Holy.

 

For sometime, the United States has been the greatest military in the world and one of the wealthiest

nations in the world . It would be foolish to attack us militarily. But you see, there is no need to attack
us militarily. All that is necessary is to declare through the media, schools and government that
homosexuality is OK. If they can only get employers to pay benefits to homosexuals to support their
detestable sinful lifestyle. If they can only get us to give this detestable sin a stamp of approval, by
legalizing homosexual marriage as Massachusetts and Hawaii have done. The God of Israel will judge us and we will implode from within. We will reap the fruits of the seeds that we are sowing.

Unless, if we repent and return to path of life followed by the founders of this nation.

 

Murder of Innocent Lives

Since 1973, the supreme court has approved the murder of innocent lives while in their mothers womb. This is the year that our legal system lost legitimacy. The courts might argue, we were just interpreting the constitution. Why then did congress not intervene to amend the constitution to protect the life of the innocent? Why was a new article not added to the constitution? Congress might say, well we did not hear from our citizens in this matter. So I ask the question, why did We The People not go out into the streets to protest the decision of the our highest court? Maybe then, our congress would have the sense urgency to add this new article to the constitution. You see, we are all guilty in this matter. For this reason, the blood of millions cries out to the God of Israel for justice day and night. Some say that the issue of abortion is difficult, complex and unclear. The Holy One of Israel, is not confused in this matter and his stand is clear on this subject:

Exodus 20:13

You must not commit murder

Exodus 21:22

“Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a

pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges

approve. But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life,
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25a burn for a burn, a
wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.

Leviticus 18:21; 27-30

Do not permit any of your children to be offered as a sacrifice to Molech, for

you must not bring shame on the name of your God. I am the Lord. All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and this is how the land has become

defiled. So do not defile the land and give it a reason to vomit you out, as it will vomit out the
people who live there now. 29Whoever commits any of these detestable sins will be cut off from the
community of Israel. 30So obey my instructions, and do not defile yourselves by committing any of
these detestable practices that were committed by the people who lived in the land before you. I am
the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 20: 1-5

The Lord said to Moses, 2“Give the people of Israel these instructions, which apply

both to native Israelites and to the foreigners living in Israel.

“If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death. I myself will turn against them and cut them off from the community, because they have defiled my sanctuary and brought shame on my holy name by

offering their children to Molech. And if the people of the community ignore those who offer their
children to Molech and refuse to execute them, I myself will turn against them and their families
and will cut them off from the community. This will happen to all who commit spiritual prostitution by worshiping Molech.

After reading this, I realize we are all in big trouble. Not just the moms saying “Please murder my

baby. I was fornicating outside of marriage and now I don't want to take responsibility”. According to
the God of Israel, the penalty for murdering a baby is death. But He goes on to say

And if the people of the community ignore those who offer their children to Molech and refuse to execute them, I myself will turn against them and their families and will cut them off from the community. This will happen to all who commit spiritual prostitution by worshiping Molech.

We will all pay for the consequences of this terrible sin.

Fornication, sex outside of marriage, creates the environment that leads to abortion. You have sex.

You get pregnant. If you are not married, you might be tempted to kill the baby. You kill the baby. The blood of the baby cries out the Lord for justice. Where can we hide from the Living God?

For sometime, the United States has been the greatest military in the world and one of the wealthiest
nations in the world . It would be foolish to attack us militarily. But you see, there is no need to attack
us militarily. All that is necessary is to declare through the media, schools and government that it is
OK to murder human beings inside the womb. If they can get us to elect a president and a congress
that is in favor of murdering the innocent, The God of Israel will judge us and we will implode from
within. We will reap the fruits of the seeds that we are sowing.

Unless if we repent and return to path of life followed by the founders of this nation

From “in God We Trust” to “in the Government we trust”

Since the great depression, we have begun to rely more and more on our government to meet our needs. From food stamps, to public housing, to social security, medicare and medicaid and unemployment benefits. Many of us have come to rely and depend on these programs. Our trust is in these programs to bail us out. We no longer look to God to be our providor; to be our peace; to be our healer. We look to government to fulfill these roles. We elect our government officials based on who can give us more; who can bribe us more. The practice of putting our faith and trust in the government to meet our day-to-day needs is the sin of idolatry and is more commonly known through out the world as communism.

Since the great depression, communism has been on the rise on our country. From schools, to
government to the people themselves. All because we decided to reject the God of Israel. Not just in
our public schools, but in the media and government. These days you never hear about the communist party in America. This is because all their members have become part of the Democratic party. This would explain why the Democratic party is pro-murdering of babies in the womb. This is the same doctrine practiced by communist China, where abortion is mandatory. Moses was almost aborted when Pharaoh ordered for all male Israelite babies to be killed.. In the Soviet Union, China and Cuba it was forbidden to have any religion other than the government. You would be persecuted, imprison and killed. The god of communism is The Government. The God of Israel has an opinion on this subject:

Exodus 20:3,5

You must not have any other god but me. You must not bow down to them or worship

them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other

gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

For sometime, the United States has been the greatest military in the world and one of the wealthiest
nations in the world . It would be foolish to attack us militarily. But you see, there is no need to attack
us militarily. All that is necessary is to persuade us to embrace communism (where god is the
government). But the Americans will never vote for the Communist party. True. In this case, let's
have all the communist join the democratic party. Each time the Democratic party is elected, it will
introduce communist reform gradually. It all began in the 1930's with Social Security. The God of
Israel will not tolerate idolatry. He will judge us and we will implode from within. We will
reap the fruits of the seeds that we are sowing.

Unless if we repent and return to path of life followed by the founders of this nation

 

How We Treat Israel

Genesis 12:2-3

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your

father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will
bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

I attribute much of the financial blessing of this country to our favorable treatment of Israel.

Every time one of our president stands against Israel the God of Israel judges that president or judges us. When President Bush senior announced in Madrid Spain the division of the territory of Israel his house was supernaturally destroyed the same day by a huracane that came from nowhere. Now we have a president sitting in the white house that because of his childhood religion, he desires to harm and do away with Israel. Very little is known about this highly secretive president. But if we re-elect him, he will attempt to harm or divide Israel. And if this happens, judgment will come upon us. Some believe that is this the land of Israel is divided, the God of Israel will too divide our land through and earthquake through the New Madrid fault line in the Midwest.

In this election day, let us repent and turn back to the Lord, while there is still time. Let us not choose a leader that will certainly bring judgment upon us. People of God, let us be wise this day, vote and vote wisely. You have before you the path of life and the path of death. Let us go back to path followed by our founding fathers and the pilgrims that began this nation.

 

May His peace be with you.

Tuesday, October 30

We had a full table today!

My Giving Begins In The Local Church was the lesson.

1 Corinthians 16:1
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Galations 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Malachi 3:8-10
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall be not room enough to receive it.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

We continued in our Directions book on Lesson 11 Day Three: My Giving Is An Integral Part Of My Spiritual Growth.

Several prayer requests and praise reports:

Anthony's daughter has arrived healthy, beautiful and full of grace!

Wendy, Carol's friends daughter, is finishing chemo. 

Kayden, the baby who had the heart transplant is doing wonderfully! 

Angel, the little boy we've been praying for is doing so well. Prayers are requested for his continued healing and protection. 

Cheryl, we were asked to offer prayers for her eyes to be opened. She isn't currently a believer and she is in stage 4 of liver cancer. 

Renee's parents are still overseas on vacation for their 40th anniversary and she is asking for prayers of protection.  

Beth is asking for prayers for her Uncle Kenny who had a heart transplant and is fighting for his health. Another person is fighting depression and her friend is battling brain cancer. We pray for God's grace in all of their lives.

Another person has asked for prayer for her son while he adjusts to a new daycare. She offered thanks that she has found Christian daycare.

Please remember Cari in your prayers.

Remember to pray for our country and the upcoming election and for our leaders.

John offered a wonderful prayer thanking God for the opportunity to offer our prayers.

We are a blessed group. Thank you God.

Phil Partee

Please pray for Phil and his family.

His wife died while giving birth to their baby Friday night.

Phil is the best coach. He spent three nights a week, and most of his Saturdays, motivating and teaching the boys.

He's going to need all the love, strength and comfort we can send his way.

This is what the football assocation wrote on their website:

We have some very sad news within the BSAA family. Phil Partee, assistant on the 2nd grade Silverbacks, lost his wife this past weekend. Dawn Partee, who was 33 years old and 8 months pregnant, went to Centerpointe Hospital last Friday evening. They did a heart cath and the tests confirmed she had 2 blocked arteries that were 90%. They did an emergency c-section to get the baby out because he was losing oxygen. Once they got him out they did emergency open heart surgery. Unfortunately, Dawn did not survive. Zaylen Nyphre Partee did survive and I'm sure Phil and Big brother Teyler, who plays on the Silverbacks, will be so appreciative knowing they can count on the support from his family and close friends as well as extended families like BSAA. I know Phil just a little but just by talking to Damon Dombrowski and others who know him well it's obvious Phil is an awesome husband, father and coach. Our thoughts and prayers along with our hearts go out to him and his entire family.

Here is what we will be doing to help Phil, Teyler and Zaylen.

They are registered at Babys R Us under PARTEE.

The Silverbacks (Damon Dombrowski--Head Coach) will have a tent set out at the fields this weekend to collect items like diapers, clothes, wipes, shampoo, lotion, gift cards, etc. They will also be collecting monetary donations as well. If each player could give just $5 we would have over $5,000 to help this family just from our teams/players. If you can go $10 or $20 per player then that would be even better. BSAA will be making a monetary donation as well. Every Head Coach in our league is getting this so even if you are not playing this weekend please get this information out to your Team's parents. There is no monetary value that can be put on this tragedy when someone so young unexpectedly loses their life but as we all know life is real and tomorrow must go on for Phil and his family.

Chonda Pierce

http://museconcerts.com/live-love-laugh-11312/

Is anyone interested in seeing a funny lady? Chonda Pierce will be here Nov. 3rd.

Handel's Messiah

Would anyone be interested in enjoying Handel's Messiah at the Kauffman Center?

I think it would be great to go as a group and be surrounded by this music, and that space, worshipping our God together.

newest Bible study member

“From the fullness of grace we have received one blessing after another” -  John 1:16

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” – James 1:17

“We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him.”  – I Samuel 1:27

“I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” – Psalm 92:4

giving

Bible study today we continued to talk about giving as worship.

When I got back to my desk and opened up Facebook I saw this and had to share:

blessed assurance

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.' John 14: 16-21

church and politics

Chip Ingram with Living on the Edge posted this video and I really wanted to share.

http://livingontheedge.org/coffeebreak#ooid=5lY3UwNjqf6UdOt0ByFHMrGVHm13zio7

The motto at Living on the Edge is 'helping Christians live like Christians'

:)

Tuesday, October 2

Bible study and a baby shower! Two great things over one lunch time.

Soon we'll have a new baby in our family. We can't wait!

We shared our presents, and our food, and Anthony and his wife, Briana, were wonderful and shared  verses from the bible concerning children. There are so many!!

Psalm 139:13 ~ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

blogging

Just saw this article about blogging and I want us to keep it close: http://thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/the_bible_for_bloggers

a successful day!

so now I say to you

Isn't this THE commandment? :)

Yesterday I saw a fellow 'Encourager and Equipper' walking down the stairs, and as he turned to me, I smiled at him thinking that it is nice to see him, and then my thoughts immediately turned to Jesus. Does that happen to you too?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:33

picture found on Facebook via Godvine

trust . . . faith . . . they don't need an explanation

giver or a taker?

Today in our Bible study we finished Chapter 10 of the Directions work book and we talked about givers and/or takers.

This morning via email I got this verse as a daily verse:

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. 'If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,  and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.  The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. ~Isaiah 58:9-12

This verse is yet another example of how giving is mentioned so many times in the Bible.

We really aren't on this earth to satisfy ourselves. We are called to be lights in this world, and if we follow the example the first church gave, they showed their faith and love by giving, just as our Lord gave Himself, we are to give.

Also in the mail today I got this link that speaks even more about giving:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/09/the-1-habit-we-cant-afford-to-forget/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29

a thank you

Just got this from Will. He's the little boy who fell last year and we all prayed for his recovery. He's still recovering but he lived! He is loving! He is alive and a blessing. :)

Em

As the one year anniversary looms we are looking for a memorial to place in the paper. I found this one that speaks to me of Beth and all the other Mothers who have lost children.

Her Name Sings my Soul
The mention of my child's name
May bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring
Music to my ears.
If you are really my friend,
Let me hear the beautiful music of her name.
It soothes my broken heart
And sings to my soul.

author unknown

The Disciplines of the Christian Life - Eric Liddell

Last week ChristianAudio.com offered a free audio book of The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Eric Liddell. I downloaded the book and if you would like to listen - just email me and I'll share.

This is a wonderful book and a great resource.

~Kelly

Sharpening One Another

Sharpening One Another

August 21, 2012
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: 1 Kings 19:19-21

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. —Proverbs 27:17
Social networks on the Internet are on the rise. Even when separated by great distance, people are still able to gain insights and a listening ear from peers on-line. Blogs, Twitter, e-mail, and Web links add to the ways we can receive and give spiritual guidance.

But it’s also valuable to meet face to face with mature believers for mentoring. “Elisha . . . followed Elijah” (1 Kings 19:21), and Paul mentored Timothy as “a true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). He even admonished Timothy to set up a chain of mentoring which would multiply spiritual growth (2 Tim. 2:2). Moses exhorted parents to teach their children throughout their day: “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:7). The Master Teacher, Christ Himself, illustrated how to mentor: “He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out” (Mark 3:14).

From these passages we see the value of meeting face to face in a variety of settings so that we can sharpen one another spiritually (Prov. 27:17). Along life’s journey, there are times when we can benefit from a wise guide or provide this same service to one who wants to follow. —Dennis Fisher

Lord, who could be my mentor? And is there a
younger person in the faith I could help?
Please lead me so that I might grow stronger
spiritually and help others as well.
We need each other to get where God wants us to go.

http://odb.org/2012/08/21/sharpening-one-another/

Nigeria needs our prayers. I got this update in an e-mail today. After reading this please find time in your day to send up a prayer for our christian brothers and sisters overseas. Thanks.

Sunday Bombings

In northern Nigeria, radical Muslims of the Boko Haram sect have chosen Sunday as their favored day for bombing churches. “We attacked simply because it’s a church, and we can decide to attack any other church. We have just started.” -Boko Haram spokesperson in a UPI interview Many Christians have been martyred in Nigeria, including church leaders, the elderly and even children in Sunday school classes. While some want to retaliate against their Muslim attackers, many Christian leaders urge prayer as the best recourse. VOM has intensified its work in Nigeria because of the attacks, providing additional medical assistance, aid to families of martyrs and care for orphaned children in the aftermath of the attacks. The Stephen Center, a children’s home partially funded by The Voice of the Martyrs, was established specifically for children orphaned as a result of persecution against Christians. “The Voice of the Martyrs has always been committed to providing for families of Christian martyrs,” said VOM President Jim D. “These precious children need our help, and it is the least we can do in honor of their parents, who boldly laid down their life for Christ.” Please click on the link below to read more about The Stephen Center or to learn how you can help support the increased needs of children orphaned as a result of persecution in northern Nigeria. Meet the children of The Stephen Center.

Found on Facebook this morning via Godtube:

Lord, I just want to take a moment...not to ask You for anything but just to thank You for my friends.



This is how I feel about each and every one of you. Not just while we are in bible study, but even when I see one of you in the hall, my mind goes to our God and how thankful I am for everything. He has blessed us with this job and with our time together . . .

our God, Father, Creator

update on Will

Will is a boy that we started praying for quite a while ago. His was a head injury and we all know how hard those are to come back from. What inspires me is how his parents continually show their love for God throughout all these times:

Request for prayer

A co-worker of ours lost her husband recently. Please send prayers.

Here is the email that tells the story far better than I ever could:

I requested prayer for my co-worker Angie Yelton.  She is Pete Zanoni’ secretary.  I went to her wedding last year on July 16.   She had their first child, a little baby boy, on July 14 of this year.   Yesterday her husband, Andy, passed away unexpectedly.  He was only 32.  He had shoulder surgery last week.   Mark Rohe, an engineer from BMcD and his wife had gone over to see the new baby.  Andy said he wasn’t feeling well and went upstairs to lie down.  Angie’s daughter from a previous relationship, Taylor-5 yrs. old, went upstairs later and said she couldn’t wake him up and that he had “stuff” (foaming) on his mouth.   Mark Rohe tried to do CPR on him, but it was unsuccessful.  They won’t know for 6 weeks until the autopsy results come back as to what the cause of death was. They had all just gone to Disney World a couple months before the new baby was born.    We took food over to her this morning and she is heartbroken.  Please pray for Angie, Taylor and Baby Tatum.

Colossians 3:15-17              

  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

As I was reading today a revelation came to mind that made me smile. On this one I want you to use your immagination. Think of the world as a garden, God is the master of the garden. We as Chritians are his children who are intrusted to tend the garden. The lost souls are the crop that we have been instructed to go out and bring in to the masters house. Some of Gods children are going to and fro harvesting, some never go beyond the fence they just watch the fields slowly grow out of control. Some go out in the field and get lost themselves, while yet some come home scarred from the snares of the vine only to be bashed by those that have never left the yard.


I dare you to search yourself and see which of these are you?
Are you the faithful Christian working daily ministering to the lost souls for God?
Are you the Christian that goes to church regularly but never venture's out to tell the world about God?
Are you the Christian that went out but got caught up with old friend, friends or habbits?
Are you the New Christian that has has turned to God only to find that the people in the chruch make you feel worse that those in the world?


These are only a few examples of what this analogy represents. Despite where you fit in know and remember this important fact. Our job as Christians as instructed by Christ is this; Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creacher. (Mark 16:15).
So to those that are living up to your purpose take courage knowing ...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. (Luke 15:10).
To the man/woman that has lost your way know that your father has declared ...For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:20-24). So come back home knowing that he will accept you with open arms. 
To the new Christian know that Christ has said ...inasmuch as they do unto you, they do also unto me. (Matthew 25:40). To the shallow hearted that sit in your self righous position looking down on others know this ... Judge not and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven: ...For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  
Futrthermore if you find it most comforting in the church and not out helping in the vinyard know this ...unto everyone that have shall be given more: but from him that have little even that shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant shall be cast into outter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:29-30).

GOD!!!!

things that make you go hmmmm

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities'?

Garza's Goodies Chocolates & Confections

We need more stories like this one.

Shouldn't we welcome them to our neighborhood?

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/14/3658870/cityscape-a-sweet-spot-opens-in.html