WE NEED NEVER FEAR

I read this and thought to myself, everything that we go through, He is there and He knows about IT before even we know about IT, and He purposed IT. We never need to fear....

Isaiah 46:9-11 9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.

"And God has put all things under the authority of Christ,
and He gave Him this authority for the benefit of the
church." Ephesians 1:22
God has put all things, events, and circumstances under the authority of Christ! How vast, how numerous,how complicated are the various events and circumstances which attend the children of God here below, as they travel onward to their heavenly home! What an intricate maze they often seem, and how much they appear opposed to us,as if we never could get through them, or scarcely live under them!

Yet, there cannot be a single circumstance over which Jesus has not supreme control. Everything in providence and everything in grace are alike subject to His disposal.
There is not . . .
a trial,
a temptation,
an affliction of body or soul,
a loss,
a cross,
a painful bereavement,
a vexation,
a grief,
a disappointment,
a case, state, or condition,
which is not put under Jesus' authority!

He has sovereign, supreme disposal over all events and circumstances! As possessed of infinite knowledge, He sees them. As possessed of infinite wisdom, He can manage them. As possessed of infinite power, He can dispose and direct them for our good and His own glory! How much trouble and anxiety we would save ourselves, could we firmly believe, realize, and act on this! If we could see by the eye of faith that . . .
every foe and every fear,
every difficulty and perplexity,
every trying or painful circumstance,
every looked-for or unlooked-for event,
every source of anxiety, whether at present or in prospect, are all under His dominion, and at His sovereign disposal--what a load of anxiety and care would be taken off our shoulders!

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
Matthew 28:18

by J. C. Philpot

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR DAUGHTER DENISE!

I would like to share a bit about my testimony. When I was a teenager, I was very rebellious. I was disrespectful to my parents a lot of the times and spent more time with friends then family. I left home when I was 16 almost 17 and got a job and an apartment with my cousin. I felt so grown up and free! We had fun, at least what I concidered was fun then.

When I was 18 I met a man and got pregnant, 9 months later, our daughter Denise was born, a beautiful blue-eyed blonde haired baby girl that I fell in love right then. I was all by myself in the hospital when she was born and I knew right there and then I needed to change my life. I thought I loved Denise’s father, but when it came time to get married, I realized I did not love him and so I did not get married.

Denise and I began a new life on our own. I entered college and looked at life differently. My life style took a on a big change. I had a bigger responsibility now, a little girl that I adored that looked for me for guidance.

It was a sin how Denise was conceived, but it was something that changed my life forever. Did God orchastrate it? Yes, He sure did! He purposed it, Denise’s birth was His plan for my life. God seen the whole picture, He used this situation to draw me closer to Him. He made me see that my life of sin was not what He wanted for me.
I believe the Lord was drawing me back then..


Lamentations 3:37-38 Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both good and ill go forth?

A few years later I met my husband Jim and after we were married the Lord took the blinders off and showed me I was His child, He showed that He died on the cross for my sins and that He loved me with a Father’s love.

My daughter Denise means the world to me. She was my first born child and we went through a lot together. Denise has grown up to be such a loving, kind young woman. She is beautful inside and out. She is a wonderful mother fo two. I am so glad the Lord used this little baby girl to change my life.

Just as our joy is based on the promise that God is strong enough and wise enough to make all things work together for our good, so God's joy is based on that same sovereign control: He makes all things work together for his glory.

Today is my oldest daughter Denise’s Birthday! Happy Birthday my darling! I love you dearly! You are a true blessing in my life Denise!

Love your mom

WE NEED REVIVAL

*when we do not love Him as we once did.
*when earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.
*when we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.
*when church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings.
*when concerts draw bigger crowds than prayer meetings.
*when we have little or no desire for prayer.
*when we would rather make money than give money.
*when we put people into leadership positions in our churches who do not meet scriptural qualifications.
*when our Christianity is joyless and passionless.
*when we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.
*when we make little effort to witness to the lost.
*when we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.
*when we do not tremble at the Word of God.
*when preaching lacks conviction, confrontation, and divine fire and anointing.
*when we seldom think thoughts of eternity.
*when God’s people are more concerned about their jobs and their careers, than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.
*when God’s people get together with other believers and the conversation is primarily about the news, weather, and sports, rather than the Lord.
*when church services are predictable and "business as usual."
*when believers can be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue reconciliation.
*when Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.
*when our marriages are co-existing rather than full of the love of Christ.
*when our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies, and ungodly lifestyles.
*when we are more concerned about our children’s education and their athletic activities than about the condition of their souls.
*when sin in the church is pushed under the carpet.
*when known sin is not dealt with through the biblicalprocess of discipline and restoration.
*when we tolerate "little" sins of gossip, a critical spirit, and lack of love.
*when we will watch things on television and movies that are not holy.
*when our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.
*when our prayers are empty words designed to impress others.
*when our prayers lack fervency.
*when our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.
*when we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.
*when we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our own sin and the sin of others.
*when we are content to live with explainable, ordinary Christianity and church services.
*when we are bored with worship.
*when people have to be entertained to be drawn to church.
*when our music and dress become patterned after the world.
*when we start fitting into and adapting to the world, rather than calling the world to adapt to God’s standards of holiness.
*when we don’t long for the company and fellowship of God’s people.
*when people have to be begged to give and to serve in the church.
*when our giving is measured and calculated, rather than extravagant and sacrificial.
*when we aren’t seeing lost people drawn to Jesus on a regular basis.
*when we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.
*when we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.
*when we are unmoved by the fact that 2.5 billion people in this world have never heard the name of Jesus.
*when we are unmoved by the thought of neighbors, business associates, and acquaintances who arelost and without Christ.
*when the lost world around us doesn’t know or care that we exist.
*when we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.
*when the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages, and the church.
*when we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need revival.

by N. L. DeMoss


***Yes the church needs a revival today***

Cristina

AT LEAST 32 DEAD IN VIRGININA SHOOTING RAMPAGE!

My heart and prayers go out to the families and friends left behind. To have to deal with such a loss must be unbearable. Students going to school one day to advance their futures and teachers there to teach all they know to help students with their future ahead, are shot dead or injured for what?? Because a man that may have been so desperate that he looses it and decides to kill himself and take other dear lives with him or a man mad at the world or just someone and takes his life and these poor unexpected people. What is the reason for all this?? Evil comes within the heart of man.

Mark 7:21-23 21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

A man whose heart is evil has taken these poor souls and lead them into eternity, which path only God knows and they know, now. A lot of young folks don't really think about their future when they leave this world. They think they have a life time ahead of them and they should. But who knows what tomorrow will bring?
This is a good reason why the bible teaches today is the day for Salvation.
For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2)

My heart grieves for those 33 or more people and all their families and friends left behind and the shooter and his family and friends. Let us hold up those folks left behind up in prayer.

There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father's palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory.
—Charles Spurgeon

Cristina

PRIORITIES

I have been thinking lately about what is most important in our lives today? Is it family, is it friends, is it our jobs? What do we value most? We should value our family, our friends too and even our jobs. I love my family dearly, they mean the world too me. I have a wonderful husband, Jim, three fantastic children, Denise, Matt and Danielle and two amazing Grandchildren, Jessica and Noah. I am so proud of them all. I have my parents and my Brothers and Sisters whom I love dearly and Jim’s Brothers and Sisters. I have a lot of good friends. The Lord has allowed Jim and I to be apart of a small group that get together every other week and we all have such a great times studying the Word of God together, it is a sweet, sweet time. I have a job that I just love, I take care of 5 children, Brandon, Kaylee, Kaitlyn, Jackson and Andre. They fill up my weekdays with joy and laughter. I have been babysitting for 20 years and I have had the honor of taking care of over 50 children during this time. I took care of Jackson mother when she was a wee one, oh I’m getting old. *S*

When I look at all of this I ask where is my priorities and you would think these should be my first priorities but NO they should not. My first priority should be Christ and Christ alone because I can not be content unless I put Him above all. He should be my first and my last. Family, friends and our jobs are important but if we do not serve Christ in all we do it has no meaning. When we spend time with family and friends Christ should be there too, when we are at work our work should reflect Christ.

Priorities, Do we love Jesus Christ above all, do we cherish His Word more then anything? When you wake up in the morning is your priority to get ready for work, or read the Newspaper or have that morning coffee? I know mines is a lot of the times. I am going to try to start my day with the Lord more often, even for a few minutes praying before my days starts out. Before I get out of bed I am going to try to spend my waking moments with Him, praying for the day ahead. I have failed Him so much in prayer time. There is so much to pray about and as a dear brother reminded me there are so many folks out there in the church and outside of church who need our prayers. Please pray for me and my walk that I put Him first above all other things, that I make Him my priority and not put Him second.

Philippians 1:21-23 (New International Version)
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far

Cristina

HE HAS RISEN, OUR REDEEMER HAS RISEN

He went willingly to the cross for my sins, me not worthy of such love."Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to Him." John 18:

I read this by Octavius Winslow and I agree, we are but worms not worthy of such love. He went to the cross with His children on His mind and He rose again. HE HAS RISEN, HE HAS RISEN

For me a worm!
O what a truth is this!

The Son of God offering himself up a sacrifice for sin!

He who knew no sin; who was holy, harmless, and undefiled; not one thought of evil in his heart, yetmade sin, or a sin offering!

O the magnitude of the thought!

If God had not himself declared it, we could not have believed it, though an angel's trumpet had announced it. "O blessed and adorable Immanuel! Was this the end and design of your intense and mysterious sufferings? Was it that You should obey, bear the sin, endure the curse, and bow your head in death, that I might go free? Was it in my stead, and in my behalf? O unexampled love! O infinite and free grace!That God should become incarnate; that the Holy One should so take upon Him sin, as to be dealt with by stern justice as though He were Himself the sinner; that He should drain the cup of wrath, give His back to the smiters, endure the shame and the spitting, and at last be suspended upon the cross, and pour out His last drop of most precious blood; and all this for me! For me a rebel! For me a worm! For me the chief of sinners!"

Be astonished, O heavens! and be amazed, O earth!

Was ever love like this?


"Surely to be beloved by Jesus, is enough
to satisfy the soul of a worm of the dust."
-Jonathan Edwards

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

BELIEVE IT OR NOT?

The latest news is that James Cameron, who is the man who directed the movie "The Titanic". has found the bones of Jesus Christ. Apparently he claims he has located the lost tomb of Jesus and it proves that Jesus had a child. Before you lose any sleep over this and remember ...

God can not nor will he ever be seen by the natural eye
For we walk by faith not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7

There are two options, you either believe the bible or you believe Mr. Camerson....I choose to believe the word of God.


Cristina

FOR A PILGRIM SPIRIT

I read this, this morning and it really touched my heart and I wanted to share it with others. We are on a journey, a path that was drawn out by God. We are here in this foreign land, but for a time, what we do and how we live our lives may be the impact we have on someone that is not on the path as of yet. Fellow Pilgrims, we are lamps for God, may we shine brightly for all the world to see that it is Christ living in us.

Cristina

FOR A PILGRIM SPIRIT
By John MacDuff, 1852

"O Lord, in the morning I will direct my prayer to You."

"And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."—Heb. 11:13

O God, again, in the multitude of Your mercies, You are permitting me to approach the footstool of Your throne. I am another day nearer death—oh, may I be a day nearer You! With a new morning's dawn may I hear the pilgrim summons—"Arise, for this is not your rest." Before I mingle with the world, give me to feel I am not of it, but born from above, and for above; and cherishing more of a pilgrim spirit, may my prayer and watchword be—"I desire a better country."

Lord, I bless You for the rich provision You have made for the wilderness journey—for all Your mercies, temporal, providential, and spiritual. Forbid that the many gifts of Your love should draw me away from Yourself, the bountiful Giver, or obliterate the solemn impression—"I am a stranger with You and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." May I "use the world without abusing it." By the varied discipline of Your providence, may I be led to feel that all my well-springs are in You. May the world's fascinations be becoming more powerless—sin more hated—holiness more loved—heaven more realized—God more "the exceeding joy" of my soul. Driven from all creature supports and earthly refuges, may Jesus be the prop and staff of my pilgrimage. When the world is bright, may I rest upon Him, and seek that He sanctify my prosperity. When the wilderness is dreary, and the way dark, may He hallow adversity. When friends are removed, may I feel that I have One left more faithful than the best of all earthly friends; and when death comes, and the pilgrim warfare ceases, leaning confidingly on that same arm, may I enter the pilgrim's rest.

O adorable Savior!—You who were once Yourself a pilgrim—the lonely, weary, homeless, afflicted One—who had often no arm to lean upon, and no voice to cheer You—an outcast wanderer and sojourner in Your own creation—I rejoice to think that You have trodden all this wilderness-world before me—that You know its dreariest paths. I take comfort in the assurance that there is at the right hand of the Majesty on high, a fellow-Sufferer, who has drunk of every "brook in the way"—shed every tear of earthly sorrow—heaved every sigh of earthly suffering—and who, being Himself the "tried and tempted One," is able and willing to support every pilgrim who is tried and tempted too.

I beseech You this day to look down in great kindness on all my beloved friends. Seal to them a saving interest in Your great salvation. Wash them all in Your blood—sanctify them all by Your Spirit. May not one be missing on "the day when You make up Your jewels."

Pity a fallen world. Your Church is slumbering—the enemy is all vigilant—souls are perishing. Arise, Lord, and plead Your own cause. Promote greater unity and love and concord among Your own people. Let us be nearer Jesus, and then we shall be nearer one another. Give us all more of the single eye to Your glory. Make us more self-sacrificing—more heavenly-minded—more Savior-like. And all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen.

"Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust."

ALONE WITH GOD?

How often do we take time to spend with The Lord? Are we so busy with our daily routines that we just don't find enough times. How many hours do we sit in front of a TV? How many hours do we go shopping or go to see a Movie? How many hours do we over-sleep because we stayed up late doing other things? I dare to say most christians don't take the time to spend enough time alone with Jesus. I am guilty of this at times. To go somewhere quiet, where there is no disturbance and let God talk to you and you to Him. There is never too much time TO SPEND with our Lord and Savior.

Martin Luther said, "If I fail to spend three hours each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer."

Men ought always to pray" --Luke 18:1

1 Timothy 2:8 Matthew 11:25-30, Verse 28, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

1 Corinthians 6:17, "But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him."

I think the best time I have, is a quiet place somewhere with my bible open studying and praying to Lord for understanding. Seeking Him in what I am reading or what is going on with my life. it is such a sweet sweet time.

One thing I am finding more and more is that in time of prayer, He also wants me to be truthful to Him and myself. There have been times I have come to Him in anger because of things that happen in my life and I can tell you that I have come out of those times with such a calmness about me because I knew He was listening and He is our comforter.

I am no great theologian, I have a lot to learn, as you can see in my blog, but one thing I do know is that prayers is one of the most important things in a Christian's walk, without it our walk is useless. I pray that we all can take the time to find some time Alone with Christ, He deserve it, He demands it! This should be a great desire for a christian.

"We may lay it down as an elementary
principle of Christianity, that no large
growth in holiness was ever gained by
one who did not take time to be often
long alone with God." -Phelps

"Those make the most rapid, consistent,
and evident growth in Christlikeness are
those who have developed a daily time of
being alone with God for Bible meditation,
prayer, and private worship." -Whitney

Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts between His mind and ours. What is needed is for Him to fill our hearts with His thoughts, and then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him.

—Arthur W. Pink
Cristina

ASKING FOR PRAYER

I am asking for prayer for my sister Sandy. She has been experiencing pressure in her head for about about 6 months. Just this past year she started to get Vertigo which is and inner ear problem that causes severe dizziness. Her doctor sent her to a Neurologist for a MRI to be done and she just had it done on Monday and they are recalling her in today. Please pray that it is not serious. My dear sister does not know the Lord, so please pray about that too. I would really aprreciate it.

Thank you
Cristina

*The results came back and they found nothing, I praise the Lord for answered prayers.

Cristina

DYING TO SELF

The one thing WE all have in common is pride. We all battle it big or small, it is the sin that crosses each and everyones path. I question the things I do at times, is it for the glory of God or is it for my glory. The nearer we approach to heaven, the lower we grow in the estimate of ourselves. The more we seek the Lord in what we do, the less we see of ourselves. When we die to self, then and only then does God get the glory He and only He deserves.

Pride and vanity cannot thrive at the foot of the cross. It is only when we remove from this holy ground, that they shoot out their pestiferous branches in awful luxuriance. True humility loves the sacred mount of Calvary, on which the lowly Savior bowed his head and died There, repentance sheds the contrite tear.There, faith views with joy the great atonement. There, love glows with fervent desires to the Friend of sinners. Man is naturally a proud, selfish creature. He tries indeed to appear humble and unselfish, but the monster Pride is easily seen through the thin veil of false humility, which is thrown over its frightful visage; while Self, like another Proteus,assumes a thousand forms to escape detection. It is only when the divine Spirit puts forth his new creating power, through the instrumentality of the everlasting Gospel, that the proud selfish sinner becomes the lowly follower of the Lamb. Humility is, then, the work of grace. "Oh! Spirit of holiness, open my blind eyes to see the wonders of your grace. Quicken my dead soul to feel its sacred influence. Make me truly humble in heart, emptied of every self exalting thought, which would oppose the freeness of your love. Mold my whole soul into the lowliness and meekness of Jesus. Preserve me from the subtle influence of pride and vain glory. Keep me ever low in my own eyes.Root out every sinful, selfish principle; and give me a single eye which aims at nothing but your glory."

(from Thomas Reade's, "On Humility")

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

THE LOVE OF A WIFE ..I love you Jim

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye woman, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the east doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we love no more, we may live ever.


by Anne Bradstreet (?1613-72)

COMPROMISE & PRAGMATISM

Very interesting reading....

Compromise & Pragmatism*

from a sermon titled Apostate Church in Prophecy, preached 11/26/89 (Gil Rugh).

"... Satan works to blend together his system with God's system, because when you blend error with truth you have destroyed the truth. You no longer have a mixture of truth and error; you have error. Just like when you take poison and put it in a glass of milk -- you not only have a glass of milk and poison, you have a glass of poison, because the poison has corrupted the good milk. So it is with Satan's system when it is mixed-in, even with Biblical things, it becomes a corrupting influence and you no longer have truth and error -- you have error. And the truth is even corrupted by the error.

"... Part of the ministry and message of Jeremiah was one of condemnation because Israel had adopted the corrupting influence of the worship of the Queen of Heaven [Jer. 44:17,18] ... Important to note -- people are concerned about what works. One of the things destroying the church today is pragmatism. We find even believers looking to see what works and that becomes the standard for what they want to adopt, rather than looking to the Word of God and building upon that. And this is the foundation for why the people of Israel were worshiping the Queen of Heaven ... It's just a pragmatic approach; things worked better.

"And that's the way some Christians look at it. They look around and see what's going on in some churches and they say, 'Well, that's what we ought to do -- it works!' But that's never a fair test or standard. The question is, 'Is it Biblical?' not 'Does it work?' Because here the testimony of the Jews [Jer. 44:17,18] was, 'We were better off; we had less misfortune when we worshiped the Queen of Heaven then we do now, so Jeremiah, you can't change our mind.'"


What is most important...TRUTH


Cristina

TAKING A STAND

Paul tells us in Romans that false teachers are so good at deceiving christians and he was so right. You look at the church today and all the new gimics preachers are using to entice people to come to their churches and then they are fed pablum instead of the meat of the word or they are taught man made ideas. Numbers seem to make a successful church, the more you have in church on a Sunday, the more successful you seem. These preachers with their flowered shirts, their fancy stages, their famous guests are a failure to the Gospel because they are man-centered, not God-centered. Our attention is taken away from the true message. While they tell us their pretty little stories, sell their books and water down the truth of the word more and more people are being decieved. When we stay in churches like this, we are opening ourselves to be deceived. Their are so many babes in Christ that are being deceived by these false teachers and if we do not stay in the word of God we will be deceived also. If this is happening in your churches RUN! GET OUT.... before you get drawn in. Satan is at work in the churches and he is using these false teachers to do his evil deeds.

Thes. 3:6
We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us.

Thes 3:14,15
13 But you, brothers, do not be remiss in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our word as expressed in this letter, take note of this person not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame.

1John 4-6
1 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh be longs to God, 3 and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus 2 does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. 4 You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.


"I have preached God's truth, so far as I know it, and I have not been ashamed of its peculiarities. That I might not stultify my testimony, I have cut myself clear of those who error from the faith, and even from those who associate with them." -- C.H.S., October 1888.

"Constantly we hear of proposals for union, and truly these are welcome where mere technical matters divide true Christians; but what is the use of pretending to create union where there can be none? There is another matter which needs to be thought of as well as union, and that is TRUTH. To part with truth to show charity is to betray our Lord with a kiss. Between those who believe in the eternal verities and those who constantly cast doubt on them there can be no union. One cried of old, 'Is it peace?' And the answer was a sharp and true one. We render it thus -- 'What hast thou to do with peace while departures from the truth of God are so many?' The first question is, 'Are we one in Christ?' And are we obedient to the truth revealed in the Scriptures? If so, union will necessarily follow: but if not, it is vain to clamour for a confederacy which would only be an agreement to aid and abet each other's errors." -- C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel, February 1887.


"For Christians to be linked in association with ministries who do not preach the gospel of Christ is to incur moral guilt. A Union which can continue irrespective of whether its member churches belong to a common faith is not fulfilling any scriptural function. The preservation of a denominational association when it is powerless to discipline heretics cannot be justified on the grounds of the preservation of 'Christian unity'... It is error which breaks the unity of churches, and to remain in a denominational alignment which condones error is to support schism." -- C.H.S., The Forgotten Spurgeon, pp. 164-165.

Cristina

AND ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITE

My brethren, let me say, be like Christ at all times. Imitate him in "public." Most of us live in some sort of public capacity—many of us are called to work before our fellow-men every day. We are watched; our words are caught; our lives are examined—taken to pieces. The eagle-eyed, argus-eyed world observes everything we do, and sharp critics are upon us. Let us live the life of Christ in public. Let us take care that we exhibit our Master, and not ourselves—so that we can say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me."

—Charles Spurgeon

(this quote and the previous one are posted on my fridge, they say so much)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES

"In times of trouble say, First: He brought me here ; it is by His will I am in this strait place: In that I will rest. Next: He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child. Then: He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last: In His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows. Say:
I am here ......
(1) by God's appointment
(2) in His keeping
(3) under His training
(4) for His time."

Andrew Murray

THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS

Can you remember if you dropped something, or you said something wrong, or you hurt someones feelings by words you had spoken, or you may have got pregnant outside of marriage , and you say, "Oh, It was an accident!" A baby dies, a mother gets murdered, there are countries at war, are they accident too?

Well there are no accidents in life. It is God's Providential Will that it happens.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Divine Providence is a daily practice,things that happen because our Sovereign God allows it to accomplish his eternal purpose. God brings to pass what he purposes for eternity. God has planned the start to finish and the things that we struggle with, the sin that we commit, He know about and uses it for His purpose. It's hard to understand this, but I believe it.

When you look at what is happening in the world, and you hear a lost person say to you, " Your God has no control over anything, look at the wars and the poverty, the crimes being commited. If your God had any control, He would fix it." Well not being a believer in Christ, I would probably think the same way, but I know because the bibles tells me that God is in control and even if it is hard to understand what is going on in the world, I know He has a purpose for it. That is where faith comes in.

Psalms 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”35 “Or who has given a gift to himthat he might be repaid?”36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

When you become a christian, your eyes are open to the Providence of God. You can see Him in times of trouble, you will have assuarance, He will abide with you through it all, because the Word of God tells us that He has a purpose for everything, you feel comfort in even time of sorrow. There is nothing God doesn't know about.

When I look at the way God designed the world and humans. It is just so mind-boggling! We could never fully grasp how He thinks, all we know is He is God and He knows exactly what He is doing. All I know is I need to bow to His will

Isa. 46 9-13
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see."--Corrie Ten Boom

Cristina

THE FACT...

The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him of all that I am and all that He wants me to be.
-E.E.

WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?

I read this in a book by Philip Yancy a few years ago. The name of the book is "What's so Amazing about Grace?" It is a bit long but I encourage you to read it.

Evertime I read this part of the book. it brings tears to my eyes. It kind of reminds me of the Prodical son...The picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship . Any one, if not by God's grace, could have been in a similar situation like this. It just shows us How Amazing His Grace is.....

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard street just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old fashion, tend to overact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you" she screams at her father when he knocks on the door of her room after an argument, and that night she acts on a plan she has menatlly rehearsed scores of times. She runs away.

She visited Detroit only once before, on a bus trip with her church youth group to watch the Tigers play. BecauseNewspapers in Traverse City report in luird detail the gangs. drugs and the violence in downtown Detroit, she concluded that is probably the last place her parents would look for her. California, maybe or Florida, but not Detroit.

Her second day there she meets a man who drives the biggest car she's ever seen. He offers her a ride, buys her lunch, arranges a place for her to stay. He gives her some pills that make her feel better then she's ever felt before. She was right all along, she decides her parents were keeping her from all the fun.

The good life continues for a month, two months, a year. The man with the big car-she calls him"Boss"-teaches her a few things that men like. Since she is underage, men pay a premium for her. She lives in a penhouse, and orders room service whenever she wants. Occasionally she thinks about her folks back home, but their lives seem so boring and provincial that she can hardly believe that she grew up there.

She has a brief scare when she sees her picture on the back of a milk container with the Headlines "Have you seen this child?" But by now she had blonde hair and make-up and with all the body piercing jewlery she wears no one would mistake her for a child. Besides most of her friends were runaways and no one rats on anyone.

After a year the first sallow of illness appears, and it amazes her how the Boss turns mean. "Theses days we can not mess around", He growled. And before she knew it she was out on the streets without a penny to her name. She still turns a couple of tricks a night, but they don't pay much and it goes to support her habit. When winter blows in she finds herself out on the grate in front of a Department Store sleeping. Sleeping is the wrong word-teenagers girls in Detroit can never relax their guard. Dark bands circle her eyes, her cough worsens.

One night as she lies awake listening for footprints,all of a sudden everything about her life seems different. She no longer feels like a woman of the world, she feels like a little girl, lost in a cold and freezing city. Her pockets are empty and she's hungry. She needs a fix.She pulls her legs tightly underneath herself, as she shivers under the newspapers she piled atop her coat. Something jolts a synapse of memory and a single image fills her mind: of May in Traverse City, when a million cherry trees blooming at once, with her Goldern Retriever dashing through the rows and rows of blossom trees in a chase of a tennis ball.

"God Why did I leave?" she said to herself and pain stabbed at her heart. My dog back home eats better then I do now. She is now sobbing and knows more then anything else she wanted to go home. Three straight phone calls, three straight conections to an answering machine. She hangs up without leaving a message the first two times but the third time she leaves a message "Dad, Mom it's me, I was wondering maybe about coming home?" I'm catching a bus up your way and It will get there about midnight tomorrow. If you are not there, well, I guess I'll stay on the bus until it hits Canada.

It takes about 7 hours for a bus to make all the stops between Detroit and Traverse City, and during that time she realized the flaws in her plan. What if her parents are out of town and missed the message? Shouldn't she have waited another day or so until she could talk to them? And even if they were home, they probably wrote her off as dead a long time ago. She should have given them some time to overcome the shock.

Her thoughts bounce back and forth between worries and the speech she is preparing for her father. "Dad, can you forgive me?" She says the words over and over, her throat tightening even as she reherses them. She hasn't apologized to anyone in years.

The bus has been driving with lights on since Bay City. Tiny snowflakes hit the pavement rubbed worn by thousands of tires, and the asphalt streams. She's forgotten how dark it gets at night out here. A deer darts across the road and bus swerves. Every so often, a billboard. A sign posting the milleage to Travers City. Oh, God....

When the bus finally rolls into the station, the air brakes hissing in protest, the driver announces in a crackly voice over the microphone, Fifteen minutes folks. That's all we have here. Fifteen minutes to decide her life. She checks herself in a compact mirror, smoothes her hair, and licks the lipstick off her teeth. She looks a the tobacco stains on her fingertips and wonders if her parents will notice. if they are there...

She walks into the terminal not knowing what to expect. Not one of the thousand scenes that had played in her mind prepared her for what she saw. There in the cononcrete-walls-and-plastic-chairs-bus-terminal in Traverse City Michaigan, stands a group of forty brothers and sisters and aunts and Uncles and cousins and a grandmother and great Grandfather to boot. They're all wearing goofy party hats and blowing noise makers, and taped across the entire wall of the terminal is a computer-generated banner that read "Welcome Home!"

Out of the crowd of well wishers breaks her Dad. She stares out through the tears quivering in her eyes like hot mercury and begins the memorized words "Dad I'm sorry, I knew....."
He interupted her, "Hush, child." We got no time for that. You will be late for the party. A banquet's waiting for you at home.



Cristina

WE SOMETIMES ASK WHY?

When suffering enters a christian's life we sometimes question God, "Why is this happening?" It is somtimes hard to grasp God's reasons why as a child of His we would suffer so much. When a family member, a friend or a child dies it is so hard to understand. When someone close dies without knowing Christ, even after witnessing to that person so much, we sometimes still ask why, even though we know the reason why?

Well I was reading John Piper's book on Desiring God and the first chapter kind of answered these questions so clearly. Here is a part in the chapter Mr. Piper used Johathan Edwards understanding about it.

Jonathan Edwards struggled earnestly and deeply with a problem that stands before us now. How can we affirm the happiness of God on the basis of his sovereignty when much of what God permits in the world is contrary to his own commands in Scripture?

How can we say God is happy when there is so much sin and misery in the world?

Edwards did not claim to exhaust the mystery here. But he does help us find a possible way of avoiding outright contradiction while being faithful to the Scriptures. Putting it in my own words, he said that the infinite complexity of the divine mind is such that God has the capacity to look at the world through two lenses. He can look through a narrow lens or through a wide-angle lens.

When God looks at a painful or wicked event through his narrow lens, he sees the tragedy or the sin for what it is in itself and he is angered and grieved. "I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the LORD God" ( Ezekiel 18:32).

But when God looks at a painful or wicked event through his wide angle lens, he sees the tragedy or the sin in relation to everything leading up to it and everything flowing out from it. He sees it in all the connections and effects that form a pattern or mosaic stretching into eternity. This mosaic in all its parts-good and evil-brings him delight.

God sees the whole picture, we don't. He wants us to trust Him and know He has a purpose in all that happens in our lives.

Faith endures as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27); endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognizing that all comes from the hand of Him who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind. But so long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But when we receive all that enters our lives as from His hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings—whether in a hovel or prison-dungeon, or at a martyr's stake—we shall be enabled to say, " The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Ps. 16:6). But that is the language of faith, not of sight nor of sense.

—Arthur W. Pink

Cristina

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

What we do now as parents, our children will take with them and may be what they will be like as parents when they have children. It's not just our children we may be an example to, but an example to our grand children and their grand children.....

"Be an example . . . in speech, in the way you live,in your love, your faith, and your purity."
1 Tim. 4:12

The mother must strive to be herself, just what she wishes her child to be. She must cherish in her own spirit those virtues and those graces, which she desires to see as the embellishments of the character of her child.Our children have more right to expect that we shall be model parents--than we have to require that they shall be model children.

Words alone are air. They fall upon the ear, and are forgotten. But who ever forgets abiding, consistent, unvarying example? What child ever ceases to remember the life--the daily life, of its father and mother?

The ornaments and graces of the natural character can best be inculcated upon children through the influence of example. Would you have your daughter learn to control her passions,and cultivate a subdued, gentle, and submissive spirit?
Would you have her speak soothingly to her little brother, when he is irritated, and bear her own little troubles without fretfulness or complaining? Show her how to do it by your example!

In the same manner, all other right moral sentiments of heart, can be best cultivated through the influence of parental example.

The great work of the formation of the character of children, should be done in the heart of the mother herself. I am to teach my child to avoid vanity, and pride, and selfishness--by cultivating within myself, with never-tiring industry, the spirit of meekness, of humility, of self-sacrifice. It is thus, more effectually than in any other way, that I am to reach and influence his heart.

So I am to curb the impetuous passions of my child, mainly by gaining the victory over myself, and bringing all my own passions under perfect control. It is thus within myself--it is in my own heart, that I can work most effectually in molding
the character of my children; for in promoting their moral progress I must go before them and lead the way.

What fearful questions, then, arise in the mind of every parent? Am I what I wish my child to be? Am I grateful, submissive, cheerful? Have I conquered my passions--obtained weanedness from the world--and am I daily, in my life, presenting an example such as my child may safely imitate?

Here lies the great work of parental faithfulness. Here is to be laid the deep foundations of all salutary family discipline. Thus did our Savior plead. Such was the influence He wielded. Persuasive as were His words--infinitely more
persuasive was the power of His example!

(John Abbott)



Proverbs 23:26 "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."

2Tim 3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 29:17 "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."

Titus 2:4 "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,"

"PEACE! BE STILL!"

Mark 4:36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

How many times have I come face to face with a problem and either try to handle it myself or I just gave up... too many times I have to admit.

When I look at what the disciples faced in The Sea of Galilee, I too would have been frightened. When we face storms in our lives today, we should try to Be still and find that peace only found in in our Lord. How often do I leave Jesus out of my plans? How often do I lean on my own understanding?
I should be leaning on the hope I find in Him...
1Thes 1:3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
And pray constantly (without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5)
Our relationship with Christ should be constant.

This year that just past has been a year of awakening for me, I have been taking a real good look at myself and was not pleased at what I seen. I am so thankful that the Lord does not give up on us when we turn our back on him at times. He has been so patient with me. His promise has been to never leave His children.
One of my favorite verses is...
Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He is a patient and loving Father, when the discipes seen Jesus calm the storm, they seen the power of God, they seen that He had complete control of the situation, If he can control the storms of the Seas, can He not control what happens in our lives, He sure can. We can be Still and find peace by just allowing Him to control the reigns in our lives.

John 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

He laid down His life for me, He calls me friend, He called me to be His child..I owe Him so much...I owe Him my life.

If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble -- THOMAS WATSON
Cristina

FULL SURRENDER- Spurgeon

Don't keep back any part of your life.
Make a full surrender of every inclination
of your heart; work to have but one purpose,
and one aim. And for this purpose give God
complete control of your heart.
Cry out for more of the divine control of
the Holy Spirit, so that as your soul is
preserved and protected by Him, that
it may be directed into one river, and
one only, that your life may run deep
and pure, and clear and peaceful;
its only banks being God's will,
its only river the love of Christ

.........and a desire to please Him

A WOMAN'S MISSION

I read this today and I thought this was worth sharing....As I said in my previous blog, it is not a menial job, it is a calling from God.

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Gen. 2:18

Woman's mission is to be the suitable help-mate of that man, to whom she has given herself as the companion of his pilgrimage upon earth.

She is, in wedded life, to be his constant companion, in whose companionship he is to find one, who meets him hand to hand, eye to eye, lip to lip, and heart to heart--to whom he can unburden the secrets of a heartpressed down with care, or wrung with anguish;whose presence shall be to him above all other friendship;whose voice shall be his sweetest music;whose smiles his brightest sunshine;from whom he shall go forth with regret; and to whose company he shall return with willing feet, when the toils of the day are over; who shall walk near his loving heart, and feel the throbbing of affection as her arm leans on his, and presses on his side.

In his hours of private companionship, he shall tell her all the secrets of his heart; find in her all the capabilities, and all the promptings, of the most tender and endeared fellowship; and in her gentle smiles, and unrestrained speech, enjoy all to be expected in one who was given by God to be his companion and friend.

That companionship which woman was designed to afford to man, must of course be included the sympathetic offices of the comforter. It is hers, in their hours of retirement, to console and cheer him; when he is injured or insulted, to heal the wounds of his troubled spirit; when burdened by care, to lighten his load by sharing it; when groaning with anguish, to calm by her peace-speaking words the tumult of his heart; and act, in all his sorrows, the part of a ministering angel.

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Gen. 2:18

-J. A. James

And to think as we all do this for our husbands, how much easier it will be for him to obey what God has asked him to do as a husband.

Ephesians 5:25 - 33
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

Cristina

GOD GIVEN ROLES

This is to all you dear ladies that read this....

I am amazed at the amount of women that are in the pulpit today! I believe these women are disobeying God and and His word. God has given men and women roles that we should obey. I do not mean to insult women that believe that it is alright for them to be in the pulpit, but God said it, not me. Further more I am going to say that feminism is behind most women in the pulpit, by not excepting the role they are given, they think they can preach in the pulpit just like man can and they are wrong.

The role of preacher/teacher is to be the role of men and men alone.

1 Corinthians 14:34-37 34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

look at 1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

I have heard women and men say, "This is sexist, old fashion and even narrow minded, but they are wrong, it is what God says. Ladies, we want to follow what the word of God says and please God. I often hear "Christianity" being put down because of verses like these but it is not a put down. It is what God is asking of us and we should gladly obey him.

Many times I have heard this verse being used to prove that it does not matter what gender we are God uses women and men in the pulpit.
Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Yes we are equal in Christ, however God has given men and women roles that differ. We as women are to be quiet, the word says silent, I dont think it means we can not speak at all as we sit in the church, but to be quiet, not unruly, I'll go as far as to say lady-like. Also women are to learn with all submission, I believe God is telling us not to usurp over men.

When you look at verse 12 of 1 Timothy it tells us:
12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
This does not mean we can not teach. Titus 2 tells us we can teach and train. older women are to teach the younger women. God has given us a mind to study and to share with others and yes teach others. God's role for a woman is to teach other women and children.
1Tim. 5:14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach

Titus 2:3-5 NASB 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

The role of a woman in church and in the home is a God given role and it should be a role that we obey. We are to be a helpmate to our husbands. This is not just a menial job, it is a job of importance. We are to take care of our homes and most importantly take care of our children and raise them up to be Godly children and be there for our husbands.

Ladies, if you believe that it is ok for a women to be in the pulpit, I encourage you to ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do. Rightfully divide the word. When you search the word of God, search out these few verses I have used and really study them. Feminism is hurting the church, it is deceiving the church just like so many other things out there.
There is no greater calling for men and women then to be obident to God's word. Men and women, husbands and wives were meant to compliment one another not compete against one another.

Cristina

GOODBYE MICHAEL...SEE YOU SOON

When we loose a brother or sister in the Lord, it is a sad time but then it is a joyous time because we know we will see him/her again and we know he/she is home with our Lord Jesus Christ. What ever pain he/she had, is wiped away and they will feel at peace. They will be were we all want to be, in the presence of Jesus. I say goodbye to Michael for now, but one day I will be leaving this foreign place to go home also...so I will see you soon Michael!

Here is a beautiful song I heard at a dear brother's funeral a few years back. His name was Earl, and he was another fine soildier for the Lord. He was in a lot of pain in the end of his life, but hardly ever complained.When we don't want our brothers and sisters to leave this world because we will miss them..this song kind of says it all

Cristina


If You Could See Me Now(Kim Noblitt)

Our prayers have all been answered.
I finally arrived.
The healing that had been delayed
has now been realized.
No one's in a hurry.
There's no schedule to keep.
We're all enjoying Jesus,
just sitting at His feet.

If you could see me now,
I'm walking streets of gold.
If you could see me now,
I'm standing strong and whole.
If you could see me now,
you'd know I've seen His face.
If you could see me now,
you'd know the pain is erased.
You wouldn't want me
to ever leave this place,
If you could only see me now.

My light and temporary trials
have worked out for my good,
To know it brought Him glory
when I misunderstood.
Though we've had our sorrows,
they can never compare.
What Jesus has in store for us,
no language can share.
You wouldn't want me to
ever leave this perfect place

If you could only see me now
If you could see me now
If you could only see me now

PLEASE PRAY FOR AN DEAR FRIEND

Could you please pray for a dear online friend , Michael. He found out he had cancer last year and is going Home to be with our Lord and Savior anytime now. Michael was saved later in his years but from the time he was saved he read and studied God's word fervently. He defended the truth even if it meant loosing friends. The Word of God was first in his life.

Also please pray for his mom, Joanna. She is really taking this hard and Michael was so good to her. Michael will be missed, but I am so thankful we have the gaurantee that we will one day talk again and praise the Lord again together.

thank you Cristina

THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE!

The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down. George Whitefield

A PURITAN PRAYER

Lead me to the Cross (A Puritan Prayer)

O Holy Spirit,Have mercy on me. Move, I beg You, upon my
disordered heart. Take away the infirmities of
unruly desires and hateful lusts. Lift the mists
and darkness of unbelief.
Brighten my soul with
the pure light of truth. Make my soul . . .
as fragrant as the garden of paradise,
rich with every goodly fruit,
beautiful with heavenly grace,
radiant with rays of divine light.

Be my comforter, light, guide, sanctifier.

Take of the things of Christ and show them
to my soul. Teach me more of His . . .
love,
grace,
compassion,
faithfulness,
beauty.
Lead me to the cross
and show me . . . His wounds,
the hateful nature of sin,
the power of Satan.
May I there see my sins as
. . . the nails which transfixed Him,
the cords which bound Him,
the thorns which tore Him,
the sword which pierced Him.
Help me
to see in His death, the reality
and immensity of His love.
Increase my faith in
the clear knowledge of . . .
atonement achieved,
expiation completed,
satisfaction
for sin made,
guilt done away.

May I start to ask more of what God wants for my life....

Cristina

IN CHRIST ALONE

Here is a beautiful song, one of my favorites. Only someone that knows Christ personally can really feel the Love they have for Christ after reading these words...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

( Andrew Shawn Craig and Donald A. Koch)

Cristina

2007

A New Year has begun and I look back at the year that just past and reflect and look ahead and wonder what is instore for me in the year ahead.

When I look back I do feel a bit like a failure, I look at what I wanted to do in the last year and feel I did not acomplish everything. I look back at times when my walk was not as strong as it should be. Yet I can look back and learn from my failures. I can see where I did wrong and pray about change. God allows failures in our lives so that we can learn from it. Success nor failure is ever final, it is just inevitiable. It is how we handle our sucesses and failures that matter most.Our greatest accomplishment is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.

Mary Pickford once said "Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call " failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down"

With God's help I can stand up after failure and continue on..

(Phil 3:13-14) 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I must confess I am not happy with my walk with Christ. I look back and feel.....no I know, I have failed Jesus and yet I look at what Apostle Paul said forget which is behind you and look forward. Press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.

It is so amazing how God uses His word to encourage us, even when we fail Him. He just shows me His grace and His forgiveness.

And again as The ApostlePaul says (Phil 4:13) 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We have the Holy Spirit that will guide us and change us because we can do all things through Him in joy, in pain, in suffering and in failure we can draw strength from the Lord.

I look ahead to 2007 and my prayer is that I will rely more on Christ then myself. I pray that my walk will be a reflection of Christ. I pray for strength I can only find in Jesus. I pray I will spend more time in prayer and in His word.

(Phil 4:4-9) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

I pray this for all those that know Him as their Savior....

Cristina