Thursday, March 22, 2007

THE FATHER-LESS

When you look at the world today, you see a lot of father-less children, this bothers me very much. It saddens me to hear from a child, "Where's my daddy?"... "Is my daddy coming home?".... "Does my daddy hate me?"

Even in today's world you are seeing mothers abandoning their children. I have been taking care of children for at least 20 years and I have seen a lot of pain in children faces over the years. I have heard those question and it has tore at my heart. Children need both parents and it is just not happening today. Over the 20 years of caring for children I would say the majority of children I babysit are father-less. The father maybe takes them from weekends to maybe only once a month.......or not at all. It breaks my heart to hear what comes out of these children's mouths....and as they get older and smarter, they get angrier because they know why the parent is not in their lives. Please if you know anyone that has only one parent in their lives, pray for that child(s) and that mom, and pray that the father will return and do good by these precious children. They need their father but most of all they need The Lord. There is so much we can do as christians to reach out, help them if you can by maybe sharing your lives with theirs. Showing a little boy or a little girl what a father is all about, What our Father is about.
Cristina

*Press the arrow in the bottom left hand corner to hear this song "My Fathers Chair" by David Meece

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

I will stand on the fact that there is nothing that happens that God does not know about, purpose and fulfill to bring Him ultimate Glory.

Cristina

What is God's remedy for dejection at apparent failure in our labours? This—the assurance that God's purpose cannot fail, that God's plans cannot miscarry, that God's will must be done. Our labours are not intended to bring about that which God has not decreed.
—Arthur W. Pink

Divine sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good! Because God is infinitely wise He cannot err, and because He is infinitely righteous He will not do wrong. Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God's will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.
—Arthur W. Pink

There is a God in heaven who overrules all things for the best; and this is the comfort of my soul. --DAVID BRAINERD
The sovereignty of God is that golden sceptre in his hand by which he will make all bow, either by his word or by his works, by his mercies or by his judgements. Thomas Brooks

There has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this...God's absolute sovereignty...is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of any thing that I see with my eyes...The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God...God's sovereignty has ever appeared to me, a great part of his glory. It has often been my delight to approach God, and adore him as a sovereign God. --JONATHAN EDWARDS,

Saturday, March 17, 2007

SATAN'S WORKSHOP

This is something I found by J. A. James speaking about the power of the press and I think we could say also the power of Blogs and the effect they can have concerning the Gospel and how it is presented.

I don't want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan's scheming." 2 Corinthians 2:11

The press has a great power for evil. Infidel and immoral writers are pouring forth a deluge of skepticism and vice, which are depositing a pernicious and pestiferous slime over the minds of the people. Let it be imagined, if imagined it can be, what must be the state of multitudes in this country, when millions of pestiferous publications are annually going out among the masses of our population. Let the minds of all Christian people dwell upon . . .

the insult offered to God,
the ruin brought upon souls,
the injury done to morals,
and the mischief perpetrated in the nation,
by such a state of things!

These ungodly publications originate from "Satan's workshop", and reflect the scenes of that dreadful laboratory of mental poison! These authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, vendors, by myriads, are all busy and indefatigable--to do what? To destroy the Bible, to corrupt the mind,to pull down the cross, to dethrone God, to subvert true religion, to turn man into a speaking brute, to overturn all morality, to poison the springs of domestic happiness, to dissolve the ties of social order, to involve our country in ruin! Satan, and all his emissaries upon earth, are in earnest in ruining men's souls!We have an evil to contend with-- so gigantic in its strength, so diffused in its influence all around us, so infectious and malignant in its effects!The enemy is coming in like a flood! Infidelity and immorality are invading us! The alarm bell must be rung!


Cristina

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

WOMEN IN THE EMERGING MOVEMENT

I have been looking at a lot of different blogs lately and came across this one awhile back. I really did not know what to say about it until now. I had to really check it out and see what other sites it lead to before I commented on it.

I am now ready to comment on it....It is not something God wants for His children. First of all, it is not biblically sound, secondly it is nothing but a site that promotes the Emergement movement which is not from God and mostly it promotes The feminist movement. It leads to sites that belittle men and worse it belittles God and His word. When we come across sites like this, I believe we should reveal them for what they are. It is so sad how men and women have chosen to follow man's ideology and not the the Word of God.

Mark 8:34-3634 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels

Please check this site out..it is really sad.

http://emergingwomen.blogspot.com/

Cristina

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD....I SHALL NOT WANT

"There is nothing -- No circumstance, No trouble, No testing that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ. Right through to me if it has come that far. It has come with great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment - but as I refuse to panic, as I lift my eyes up to Him and accept it as come from His throne for some great blessing of purpose of blessing to my heart. No sorrow will disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the Joy of what my Lord is - that is the rest of Victory." Unknown - on I Cor 15:57

God never promises that the righteous will not suffer. But what He does promise regarding suffering is something glorious. He promises that He will walk through the suffering with us and give us the grace and strength to deal with it victoriously. In Psalm 23 He says: "I will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death." In Isaiah 43 He says: "I will pass with you through the high waters and will walk with you through the fire."' - Dr. David Reagan

"God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in time of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character." Joni Eareckson Tada



"God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter . First Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not think it is strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you...." Rise to the occasion - - do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality - - a readiness to face anything He sends our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father; and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and pored out wine with which to feed and nourish others." Oswald Chambers


The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. Rev. 7.17
3 He restoreth my soul:he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies:thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life:and I will dwell in the house of
the LORD for ever.


Cristina

Sunday, March 11, 2007

CHAMELEON CHRISTIAN?

1 Corinthians 9:17 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law--though I myself am not under the law--to win over those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became like one outside the law--though I am not outside God's law but within the law of Christ--to win over those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Are we willing to be a "ChameleonChristian"? What I mean by this is, are we willing do anything to get the gospel out there, as far as we can with a good conscience. Paul did when he became everything to everybody.

Where the Jews were concerned, he did not needlessly offend them. He did not attack and oppose their views, when there was no danger that his conduct should be mistaken. To those under the law (the law of Moses ), He also conformed to the rites, customs and even the prejudices of the Jews. And same with the Gentiles, He did nothing to oppose their veiws. In doing that he obtained their confidence and affections. He did this, so that he may not outrage them, excite their prejudices, and provoke them to anger; and that he might thus have access to their minds, and be the means of converting them to the Christian faith.

Are we willing to go that far, are we willing to put on a servant's heart, become a slave so that others around us can come to Christ? When you look at missionaries, a lot of them are what I would see as cameleon Christian. They learn a new language, they learn how to live in a different culture, they change their own culture to be excepted by the country folk they will be living amongst. Many of them live lowly lives. They eat the countries food, and that can take a lot of adapting.

We received an email last week from some friend's son who is a missionary in Bolivia. He was sharing how he was enjoying his lunch, while sending his emails out. He shared that at the moment he was sucking the skin off a grilled Iguana. Also, our pastor shared this morning about a mssionary who was in the jungle and the King of the Tribe, he was trying to witness to, asked him to share with him, one of their favorite Delicacies. He handed the missionary a 4 inch furry Caterpiller that will still alive and asked him to share in this Delicacy, the missionary ate it.. to please the King of the tribe.

Another missionary was given a large egg and then asked him to peel the shell off and inside was some sort of duck. He was expected to eat the whole entire duck, which he did in respect for the tribes men.

(I thought to myself as the pastor was sharing, not my kind of quacker! Just a little joke on the side. hehe. I know what a groaner)...my husband thought it was funny! *S*

The pastor asked the missionary, "Did you eat even the beak?" and the missionary laughed and said with dry humor , "No, I used that to pick my teeth!" *S*


Another dear couple Chuck and Alena Johnson. who are now in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ served in Bolvia years and years ago. They shared stories with us that would just amaze you. They lived on $80.00 a month. When they first arrived in Boliva they lived in the trees because they had to get the Tribes men to trust them. They ate monkeys, plant life or anyting that was edible. They had 2 children with them and had 2 more before then returned home. They were amazing people and they brought many many tribes folk to the Lord.

I really don't think I could go that far, my stomach is to weak, but then you never know what the Lord has prepared for us?

The question is, are we willing to be that kind of servant for the Lord. How far will we go to present the gospel to others. There are people all around us that seem to be so unreachable but Paul didn't care, He did what he had to do without compromising his stand. We have family members that we are afraid to offend. I know I am one of them, I am getting bolder but it is so hard when they are so unreachable. The bible does tell us, truth does divide, even families, but what's more important offending our family and friends and watching them follow the path to hell or offending them because of the truth and for the sake of their eternity.

I think what Paul was trying to teach us is, we can take on a servant's heart and be there for those around us, show them the love of Christ, don't brow beat them. I am not saying to agree with what they believe, but to show them that we are reachable, that we care and maybe then the door will open a bit so that they will listen. I see so many christians brow beat people in an unloving way, thinking they are doing them a favor when in fact they push people away from the gospel. Please pray for me that I can be more kinder and more of a servant or slave to others so that they can see Christ in me.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

(Luke 6:35 NKJV) ""But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Our example........Mark 10:44-45 NNAS) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Cristina

Friday, March 09, 2007

GOSSIPING

Three pastors went to the pastor convention and were all sharing one room. The first pastor said, "Let's confess our secret sins one to another. I'll start - my secret sin is I just love to gamble. When I go out of town, it's cha-ching cha-ching, let the machines ring."

The second pastor said, "My secret sin is that I just love to drink. When I go out of town, I like to take a little nip of something."

The third pastor said, "My secret sin is gossiping and I can't wait to get out of this room!"


Gossip is something we sometimes all fall into. What does God say about Gossip?

Proverbs13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction

Provers 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise

Porverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

1 Tim. 5:13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.


When you think of Gossip, God thought it important to talk about in the bible because he gave it to us in one of the Ten Commandments.
Exod.20 "Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor"

Sometimes in our lives we all like to hear a good juicy story. I know I have been guilty of it at times in my life. We sometimes forget how gossiping can be so damaging to someone else and to ourselves. Let's say you repeat something you were told by someone else to another party. Now maybe what you said was not 100% right and then that person tells someone else and they repeat it to someone else and there has been more added or taken away from the original truth, what kind of effect will that have on the person in question. You could dammage his or her reputation and you could dammage their lives. Gossip is not a good thing at all. You are also bearing false witnessed against that person and that is a sin.

I have to admit it is difficult sometimes to walk away from a good story. I am going to go further and I hope I do not offend anyone but I think women struggle more in gossip then men do. Women love to talk and many times it turns into gossip . When this begins someone should speak up and stop it before it gets out of hand. When I hear people call a group of women a bunch of "Cackling Hens" I can see why sometimes. I have done my share of cackling in which I am ashamed of and I repent of it.

In 1 Timothy 5:12-13 it speaks of widows and how they struggle with gossiping.
12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to

Timothy spoke to the widows about entertaining the habit of gossiping.Women would go from home to home and listen about the home lives of other women and I think gossip about one another. That happens now a days too, women get together either over coffee or meetings or what even and open themselves up to gossip amongst one another. We need to be careful and not let that happen. Help each other when someone starts.

I think we should pray for one another but even in prayer I have heard prayers being used for gossip. Example.... We need to pray for Suzi because her daughter Maggy is pregnant and she is not married. We need to pray for John because he was seen coming out of a shop that sells dirty magazines. Let's pray. Now That is sad when we hear those types of prayers. I think in a situation like that, when there is a group of folks we can say lets pray for Suzi or John because they are struggling. God knows their needs.

Now I am not picking on women because men are just a s guilty of gossip. We all struggle sometime in our walk with gossip. Have you ever ask to keep a secret? It's hard to do sometimes, let's be honest. When someone shares something so private with you and asks you not to share it with anyone we should honor that request. I don't think we should even share it with our husbands and wives. It was meant to be confidential and that person is trusting us to keep it confident, right? A good verse for that is
Prverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension,and a gossip separates close friends.

Don't we want to be a man or woman of intergerity? We want folks to trust us, don't we? We want to please God don't we? Well of course we do!

When you hear things like' "It is to good not to share....wow...that sounds like trouble to me." Leave at once, don't put yourself in temptations way, avoid people like that. If they are going to talk about someone else they surely are not going to keep you out of thier conversations. Gossipper will only tear down someone, avoid them at all costs.

Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence;so avoid a man who talks too much

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.Prov. 11:13


Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.- ROGERS, WILL (1879-1935, ) hehe

Our speech tells others who we are, may we all avoid any type of words that will not bring Glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Please pray for me and my tongue, please pray what I say is edifying to the Lord.

Cristina

Thursday, March 08, 2007

A POEM A DEAR FRIEND WROTE

You’re a jewel in His crown

A rare and precious gem

A daughter of The Most High King

Created to bring glory to Him.


You’re a jewel in His crown

A woman of excellence and worth

A priceless diamond in His court

Fashioned for His glory since birth.


You’re a jewel in His crown

Loved by the King beyond measure

A royal princess, a coheir with Christ

A beauty to behold and treasure.


You’re a jewel in His crown

A unique and distinctive stone

Purchased by the blood of Jesus

You belong to Him alone.


Oh, sweet sister of the Kingdom

In God’s work may you abound

You’re a blessing, an awesome woman of God

You’re a jewel in His crown. †


Crystal Godfrey

Sunday, March 04, 2007

A MESSAGE OF CONVICTION

I would like to encourage you to take some quiet time and listen to this message by Paul Washer. It is a message that is very convicting and a message that I believe all Christians should hear. I would like to thank Pat from the blog "Burn the Ship" http://burnem.blogspot.com/
I visited his site and He had this sermon posted there and he showed me how to post the You Tube on my sight. Thank you Pat.
What a message!!
Cristina

Saturday, March 03, 2007

WHEN SEARCHING FOR A CHURCH


What are we looking for when searching for a home church? Here is something I read about seeking out a church to attend.It was taken from a commentary on Romans 16:17-20 & 2 Peter 2:1-3, preached 12/15/91 (Gil Rugh).

How important is the word to you and I?


"We [the Church] are more concerned with our feelings and our experiences than we are with the Truth of God ... You better be looking for a place where the Word is believed and taught. That's what the Church is; it's the pillar and support of the truth ... Are you looking for friends or are you looking for the truth? We want to corrupt and twist the Church to make it what people want ... Come to the church that believes and teaches the truth! ... God's power does not operate apart from God's Word ... If Satan wants to disrupt the work of God in your life, what does he do? -- attack the Word, so that the power of God does not work ... You could never have been saved apart from the Word of God, and you ought to understand, you can never grow, you can never be firmly planted as a child of God, unless you are constantly, constantly taking in the diet of the pure milk of the Word of God ... We must have that imbedded in our hearts and minds. Never be satisfied, never tolerate anything else, than a ministry that is focused in its entirety on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."