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
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
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.
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
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
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
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
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."
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
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
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
Sunday, February 25, 2007
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."
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."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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
Thank you
Cristina
*The results came back and they found nothing, I praise the Lord for answered prayers.
Cristina
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
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)
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)
Friday, February 16, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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
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
Saturday, February 10, 2007
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)
—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
I am here ......
(1) by God's appointment
(2) in His keeping
(3) under His training
(4) for His time."
Andrew Murray
Thursday, February 08, 2007
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
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
Monday, February 05, 2007
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.
-E.E.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
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
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