"Well Done"

The water I give will be a fountain of living water . . . John 4:14

2012-01-10T19:12:00.001-06:00

This is the second time Jesus mentioned water in the Gospel of John. The first time Jesus was teaching that to be born again into everlasting life was to be reborn through the water and the spirit. I find it interesting that he used the word water because when we were born into this world the mother's water has to be broken in order for us to pass through the water and the blood as we enter this world. As we are delivered from death by the new birth - we are reborn by the cleansing of the water and redeemed by the blood sacrifice. More on that later.

When we are born we are a spirit being living in an earthly body therefore we were born of the water and the spirit. Jesus used the birth experience as an analogy of how one is changed from death to life through faith in Jesus as Lord and savior.

Jesus' use of the word water is used the second time refers to water that flows from within. The translation says water springs up into everlasting life, however I believe what Jesus is saying is the water is spraying out of our mouths like a fountain. The word water used here and used in an earlier verse is not meaning liquid water but rather the word of God is flowing out of us like a fountain.

As I mentioned in a previous note the word of God is how He speaks to our hearts. The word is the water that cleanses daily and changes us daily. The more we meditate on the word the more it soaks into our spirit man and the spirit man gets so full of the word it has to come out like a fountain.

Now the main point of this teaching on the "word" is found in the very first chapter of John and verse one. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. You see Jesus is the Word and when we have the Word flowing out of us like a fountain of Words it's Jesus that is flowing out of us. We are so full of the Word we cannot stop the Word from flowing out of us.

People had to see first before they could receive their supernatural healing

2012-01-10T06:35:00.000-06:00

Jesus performed miracles of healing in order for man to believe. Man cannot believe unless he can see so Jesus had to show man first before they could believe He is who He says he is. Once they can believe in Him then He is able to do what He came to do and that is to save man through faith in Him. He didn't come just to heal people's bodies, He came to heal our spirit man.

You will notice that Jesus did not heal everyone He came in contact with. Some were healed by there own faith. And, in some areas Jesus was not able to heal many people because they did not believe or have faith that they could be healed.

Notice in verse 50 Jesus told the man to go back home as your son is already healed and the man left in faith knowing without a doubt that his son was already healed. I find it interesting that the man's son was healed without Jesus having to travel to the man's house to physically touch the son to receive healing. The child was healed because the father acted in faith by approaching Jesus and the child was healed by the man's faith.

I also find it interesting that Jesus could not do many healings in His home town because of unbelief. The people saw Him as "the carpenter's son". Even though Jesus is all powerful He cannot and will not perform any supernatural miracles in our lives unless we do something first. We must first believe in faith the He is able and willing to do what He says and then Jesus is able to change circumstances in our lives. When we exercise our faith then, and only then are we giving Him permission to bless us with the desires of our hearts. If we do not give Him permission He cannot save us much less heal us.

One man said to Jesus,"if you are willing I will be healed.". Jesus said, "I am willing" and the man was healed. Jesus never touched the man and yet the man was healed because the man believed he would be healed if Jesus was willing to heal him. Jesus was willing, but the man was healed by his own faith.

John: 4:46-54

Winds of Change - More evidence of the growing Civil War in America

2012-01-06T07:00:00.003-06:00

Public service is an honor, not a self-serving job with benefits.

Winds of Change . . .
Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_
1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

Divorce Agreement - The New Civil War in America

2012-01-06T06:51:00.001-06:00

These comments basically describe current feelings within the US. It's amazing how accurately my right side describes me.

Since we are not going to get gasoline back to $1.50 per gallon and coffee to $2.00 per pound maybe this would be a solution we could live with.

DIVORCE AGREEMENT -- This is so incredibly well-put, and I can hardly believe it's by a young person, a student!! Whatever he runs for, I'll vote for him!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, regressive, Marxists, and Obama supporters, et. Al.:

We have stuck together since the late 1950s for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.

Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.

Here is a model separation agreement:

1. Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by land mass, each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy. Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides had such distinct and disparate tastes.

2. We don't like redistributive taxes, so you can keep them.

3. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.

4. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military.

5. We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and you can go with wind, solar, and bio-diesel.

6. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all thr ee of them.

7. We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street.

8. You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless homeboys, hippies, druggies, and illegal aliens.

9. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks.

10. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood .

11. You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.

12. You can have the peace-niks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.

13. We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.

14. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness, and Shirley McLain. You can also have the U.N., but we will no longer be paying the bill.

15. We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.

16. You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors..

17. We'll continue to believe healthcare is an earned luxury and not a right.

18. We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."

19. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine", "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", "Kum Ba Ya," or "We Are the World".

20. We'll practice trickledown economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.

21. Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our constitution and our flag.

22. Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you answer which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,

John J. Wall

Law Student and an American

P.S.: Also, please take Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, Barbara Streisand, and Jane Fonda with you.

P.S.S..: And you won't have to "Press 1 for English" when you call our country.

Forward this every time you get it! Let's keep this going; maybe some of it will start sinking in!

**If you can't stand behind our Military, Please feel free to stand in front of them! **

WHERE'S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

2011-12-09T06:11:00.001-06:00

ABOUT THE SONG

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "Where's the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios.

It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville ... still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits, and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today.

Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone!

OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

According To His Own Ability

2011-10-18T09:06:00.004-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

As you may have noticed in my previous articles I have spent a lot of time meditating on the “Parable of the Talents” found in Matthew 25. This parable is just one example of how Jesus explained to the disciples the keys to the kingdom of God in the present and in the future. You should take time to read all of chapters 24 and 25 to get the full meaning of His explanation.

While meditating on this particular parable I noticed that the master gave to each man “according to his own ability”. I had never really thought about the significance of this statement until now. To know an individual’s ability the master would have had some previous experience with that person to know what ability he is has. The master gave to each man just enough talents (money) to work with in which each man was capable of investing the talents to reap a return on his investment equal to at least double his investment. One invested five and gained another five, one invested three and gained another three. The other did not invest as was instructed and gained nothing in return.

Why was the first man given more to work with than the other two? He had more natural ability to accomplish more than the other two. I have noticed that in the different sales fields that I’ve worked in over the past twenty plus years some people have a natural sales ability that exceeds their piers. Not all sales people will produce the same results as the most successful sales person because we were not all designed with the same talents and abilities.

The bad thing about commission sales you are expected to produce and if you do not produce you will always be broke. I think this is an example of the third man that was only given one talent, which was his sales quota that was within “his own ability” to meet. The problem was that this man didn’t like his employer and also did not approve of the way his employer ran his business. This man did not respect his employer or the job he had agreed to do therefore he did nothing and was fired (cast out into outer darkness).

Jesus is the best sales person that has ever lived on the face of this earth. Every time He opened his mouth He was selling. What was He selling you might ask? He was selling the kingdom of heaven and every word He spoke is designed to sell you on the idea that through your belief in Him you will live with Him eternally. Did He sell everyone He spoke to while He walked the face of this earth? No! Does He sell everyone that hears or reads His words today? No! Jesus never let the “no” discourage Him in His ministry. Jesus was rejected, spit on, beaten and executed illegally to pay the price for our sins and deliver us from the penalty of death.

We are given the opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation and billions of people all over the world have made the right choice to accept His free gift. Many have been offered the choice and have rejected the free gift because they do not believe the gift is for them or they do not believe they deserve the free gift.

Why do they not believe the gospel of good news is for them? They haven’t been sold on the idea yet. Jesus did His part by setting His example to follow then before He was lifted up into heaven He gave to the disciples what’s known as “The Great Commission” which was for His disciples to go out and make more disciples.

As a disciple of Jesus we are like the servants in the parable of the talents. We have each been given our own ability to reap a harvest for the kingdom of heaven. Some of us are given more ability than others and we should never compare our ability to the ability of others. Our job is to invest with our own ability we have to work with. Will you sell everyone you make your presentation to? No! But, you will produce a harvest as mentioned in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:23, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.” Amplified Bible

If you are a believer in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you are like Jesus in that you too are a sales person for the kingdom of heaven. Each of us has been given our own ability to sell for the kingdom of heaven. How do we sell for the kingdom of heaven? We sell by the life we live and the words we say to those around us. Jesus did it the same way. People were changed by the life He lived and the words He said. We are not all called to be pastors or preachers of the gospel, but we are called to make disciples. How do we do that? We do it the same way Jesus did, we tell stories. Any successful sales person is the one that knows how to tell stories in such a way that he sells the listener on the idea that they need the product he is selling.

As a believer in Jesus Christ our job is to go out and make disciples. We are sales people for the kingdom of heaven and we sell people on the idea that they need to know Jesus by becoming a good story teller by telling a parable like Jesus did, an allegory, or your own personal experience. Most people do not respond well to being preached to, but rather love to hear a good story. This is why people love to read books and watch movies. This is why people love to read books and watch movies. What you say to and around other people has a dramatic effect on those of us we come in contact with every day.

As a believer in Christ Jesus you have been commissioned to sell for the kingdom of heaven. You have the tools necessary to produce a harvest for the kingdom of heaven by telling your stories and when you do you will and reap a return on your investment for the Master (building treasure in heaven for yourself) some one hundred times, sixty times, and thirty times.

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Do you have a story or testimony you would like to share on this BLOG. The words (seeds) you say can have a positive impact on those that need to hear your story. Please send me your story if you would like for it to be publish here. Your story may be just what someone needs to hear. Send via e-Mail to welldone@comcast.net

Tyler Perry - My Feet Are Off The Ground

2011-10-15T07:07:00.000-05:00

If you have never seen a Tyler Perry movie I recommend that you sign up for Blockbuster or Netflix and watch some of the best made movies of our time. His movies always tell a story that is blesses my heart and I'm sure you will be blessed as well. Below is a copy of an e-mail sent to me by a friend:

"My Feet Are Off The Ground" From Tyler Perry: Writer and Actor

This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth & start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me a year ago. I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I thought, 'I don't feel like being hustled today.' Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen. As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, 'Here goes the sales pitch'. She said 'Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?' My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.

I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, 'My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ground! Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those words. 'My feet are off the ground!' I thought, 'Wow! All she wanted was some shoes.' She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighborhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter.. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, 'He just did .' Her faith and her praise moved me. I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet. I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.

This past summer I was shooting 'Daddy's Little Girls' and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life. She was in a house now and doing very well. I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I think about complaining and mumbling I remember, 'My feet are off the ground!'

I wanted to share this with you just to let you know that when I say that I am thankful for you, I mean it. And when I say that you are a blessing to me, I mean it. We take so much for granted sometimes that I just wanted all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you every day. Thank you for being in my life.

~Tyler Perry~ When God takes something from your grasp. He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better... "When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others" Biblical Proverb I know you will love this. Even if you are not into passing on a lot of emails, this one I feel is worth sharing. God is so worthy to be praised, and my affirmation is that "God's got it" this email is a testimony to the same. May you all be blessed and remember that today your feet may be off the ground, tomorrow may be a different story, so when you have the blessed privileged to help someone else, I pray that you won't hesitate to do it, no matter how great or how small you think your actions are. Be blessed! When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it…I know you will love this. When God takes something from your grasp. He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
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If you were blessed by this article please write a comment or send me an e-mail to welldone@comcast.net

Origin of the Left & the Right

2011-09-29T06:46:00.002-05:00

The following is a copy of an e-mail (author unknown) that was sent to me and also my reply below:

I have often wondered why it is that Conservatives are called the "right" and Liberals are called the "left."

By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible: "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)

Can't get any simpler than that.

Spelling Lesson

The last four letters in American..........I Can

The last four letters in Republican.......I Can

The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats

End of lesson. Test to follow in November, 2012

Remember, November is to be set aside as rodent extermination month.
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My Reply:
The scripture that came to my mind after reading the above is found in Matthew 25:32-46 where Jesus talks about the separation of the sheep from the goats - He will cause the sheep to stand on His right hand, but the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salfvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

I think the political term left and right lines up with the world mentality that Jesus talks about the difference of the way people think and believe. I am amazed at the number of professing Christians that cast their votes and their political beliefs with the mentality of the goats who use an ass as their political symbol.

If one has spent any time at all studying the Word one cannot logically agree with the agenda of the left. I can only conclude their eyes have been blinded from the truth. My suggestion for anyone no matter what your political views are is to immerse yourself in the study of God's Word and He will reveal to you whether you are currently a sheep or a goat. And, if you find yourself a goat then continue to study His Word and He will change your heart to a sheep ( the righteous in Christ Jesus).
---------------------------------------------------------------
This article was featured on NewsClipTV.com -

Origin of the Left & the Right

Controversy Squared: Religion times Politics equals the Square Root of Angry

Comments:

Hello from us here at NewsClipTV.com! Your article, "Origin of the Left & the Right",has been featured in the Politics section of our site! NewsClipTV is a major source of news in the Hamilton area, serving residents videos, news and articles that both entertain and inform.

As the Hamilton community's source for local news, we are always open to new writers submitting the latest in any of our categories.

Please click on the following link to view the post: http://newscliptv.com/politics/left_and_right.html

Short Term and Long Term Investments

2011-09-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

On August 14th of this year my pastor preached a sermon titled “First Love” and every since then I have not been able to stop thinking about some of the things he said about Short Term and Long Term Investments. Any material wealth or possessions we acquire in this present life are to be considered Short Term as these things are only temporary. In other words we will not be able to carry them with us into eternity. Long Term investments, however, are the good works we invest in this life that build treasures for us in heaven which are everlasting.

Pastor Glenn also stated that some Christians are like a man in a burning building and just as he is about to perish he dives out the window just in time. This man is saved and on his way to heaven, but his clothes have the smell of smoke on them as he barely made it. He made it to heaven, but he had little or no time to build any good works or treasures in heaven.

When I stop to think about building treasure in heaven I asked myself, “What have I done to build any treasures in heaven?” And, “How does one build treasures in heaven?” I remember feeling ashamed because I cannot imagine what good works that I’ve done that would be considered worthy of being called treasure.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When I did a self examination of my life I discovered that the desires of my heart have been very selfish and more focused on the earthly treasures and pleasures of this life. I realized I had not done very much towards building up eternal treasures in heaven.

I made a decision I was going to change that, but I asked myself what could I do that would changes that? I struggled with this though for several days and then finally I remembered something Jesus said. He said, (see Matthew 25: 34-46 below) “I was hungry and you gave me food, I as thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.” Jesus went on to explain that when we do these things for others we are doing these thing we are doing it to Him.

To know whether we have been building any treasures in eternity we must know the condition of our heart. One of the best heart condition test is found in the “Parable of the Sower” found in Matthew 13. The soil mentioned in the parable is the heart and the different conditions of the soil represents the different conditions of the heart. The conditions of the heart is what determines the harvest, or what I believe means rewards or treasures in heaven.

Conditions of the soil( heart):

• Roadside - this person hears the word when its planted in his heart, but the seed was laying on top of the soil and evil one cause the circumstances of life that steal the word and therefore not allow the word to take root.

• Rocky Gound – this person also hears the word and received it in his heart, but there was very little depth for the seed causing the plant to wither and die before a harvest could be produced. This person received the word gladly, loses his trust in the word because of the difficulties and stresses of life.

• Thorny Ground- this person also hears and receives the word, but loses his faith in the word because he is distracted by the cares of this life and the pursuit of riches therefore unable to build any treasure in heaven.

• Good Ground – this person hears the word when its planted in his heart and its planted deep because he understands the word therefore causing him to reap an abundant harvest of treasure in heaven.

What is the secret to building long term eternal investments or riches in heaven? The secret is to plant the word (scriptures) in your heart by saying what the word says. Faith comes by hearing and by hearing the word of God. When you hear yourself say the word out loud you are planting the seeds in your heart. The more you say it the more your seed will take root causing your faith to grow and faith comes through believing what the word says is true. When you have faith in the word, planted in good soil, the enemy cannot steal the word from you and cannot steal your harvest.

As the word grows in us faith grows therefore causing the harvest to come some 30, 60, and even 100 times the seeds that were planted. This is the law of sowing and reaping in that we reap what we sow. Whatever we sow in our hearts is what our hearts will produce. As the word grows we are not so easily distracted by the cares of this life, nor are we so concerned with how much money we can build up in this life. As the word grows in us the word transforms our hearts to love one another. This is the key to what we will harvest in that our treasure is built in heaven by the way we have shared our love one for another.

How does one know whether he or she has any treasures waiting for them in heaven? Jesus said in Matthew 7:20 “By their fruits you shall know them.” I think He is saying we will recognize those that have treasures accumulated in heaven by the fruits or love we display while hear on earth. What do people say about you? Do they talk about the fruits or love you have displayed to others? If they do then you know you have treasures built up in heaven.

What do people say about you? Do they see Jesus when they look at you?

I would like for you to also hear the sermon I mentioned earlier:

http://www.brentwoodbaptist.com/brentwood/podcasts.html and then click on the “First Love” link to watch the video.

Question About the Resurrection

2011-08-03T09:14:00.001-05:00

Dear Chet,

My question about the resurrection of those that are deceased is this; how can the bodies of the dead be resurrected if the body was totally destroyed in war or even cremation?
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Very good question! I will answer that question and will also answer why we will need a resurrected body.

Whether the body is buried and in a coffin or ashes scattered to the winds the body will still be resurrected from the dust of the earth in the same way that Adam was created from the dust of the earth. God will recreate our bodies from the dust of the earth and each one of us will look just exactly as we did prior to death. God will recreate our bodies and transport our bodies to heaven to reunite our spirits with our new and glorified body.

What a wonderful time we will have in heaven in our new and glorified because we will all recognize each other and we will be given all knowledge allowing us to know those we have never met before. We will instantly recognize all our family members and the all the saints from times past. We will be given all knowledge and we will know all the answers to all the questions that we did not know or understand while here on earth.

Well, if our spirits are already in heaven they why do we need a resurrected body in heaven? The reason we will the physical body is because we will be going back to earth and one must have an earthly body to live and function on the earth as it was before our death. If we are going to spend our eternity in heaven why would be need to go back to earth? That’s because at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ those that have been resurrected will come back to earth to live and reign with Him for 1000-years. With our glorified bodies we are both a heavenly being and an earthly being and we will be able to travel back and forth between the two.

Another reason for the need of the glorified body is because after the 1000-years are finished God will bring heaven down to earth.

Now I’m sure some of you may have never heard some of this teaching before and may have questions as to where these things are found in the Bible. Please read my previous articles on the 1000-year reign of Christ for scripture references.

Please feel free to leave your questions by commenting on this article or by sending an e-mail to me at welldone@comcast.net

The Ups and the Downs

2011-05-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

by Chris Baxter

In my recent quiet times, my mind has settled on the very familiar passage found in Philippians 2. As I quote it below, pay attention to the "ups and the downs" of our Master-Teacher, as well as His followers:

(UP) Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God,

(DOWN) did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.

(UP) Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.

(DOWN) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth,

(and UP) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father... for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:6-13)

I think we as humans would always choose to be on the up-and-up of life, experiencing one high after the other concerning power, prestige, and pressure-free living. We sure don't like the "DOWN stuff", do we? Who wants to be put on the side-lines, or who wants to take the backseat, or who wants keep silent when there is an opportunity to boast? But if our Teacher was willing to empty Himself and humble Himself, shouldn't we as well? Let us remember just how UP there He was: Heaven is His throne, and the earth is His footstool (Is 66:1).

I thank my Jesus for coming DOWN. How I pray that I will learn from Him. He humbled Himself. How? By becoming obedient. Then... so must I. I must choose to obey God's word even when I really really really would rather "do it my way" or "have it my way". Friend, if you are struggling right now with feeling forgotten, or overlooked, or cheated, here is a promise for you:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (I Peter 5:6).

In humble obedience, you and I learn more about our Savior, and we become more like Him. So that at this "proper time" that God chooses to lift us UP, we will both joyfully and selflessly proclaim, not our names, but One who is above all... JESUS.

Chris Baxter

I trust you have been blessed by the above article. Please feel free to visit Chris' website for more of her inspirational writings: http://www.respitefortheweary.com/

" . . . to fulfill all righteousness"

2011-05-19T08:03:00.002-05:00

by Chet Nowlen

In my previous articles I mention that Jesus stated the importance of following His words. In this study we will begin Jesus' first words from the book of Matthew and examin why Jesus words are so important.

Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-16

"13 sThen Jesus came tfrom Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 uWhen He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and 2He saw vthe Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 wAnd suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, x“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 3:13-17

Please also read Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23

At first glance Jesus' words to John the Baptist do not see very important, but His words here are the first that introduce to the world why He came in the form of a man. He came to "...to fulfill all righteousness." These words mark the beginning of His three year journey to redeem mankind from the curse of sin and death to the blessings of righteous in the eyes of God. We have become righteous because of Jesus through faith. We can never be made righteous by anything we can say or do. We can only become righteous though accepting the free gift of salvation through faith.

I've heard people say, "I hope I've been good enough to make it to heaven." Unfortunately no matter how hard we try we can never been good enough. We can give all we have to feed the poor and we can dedicate our lives to helping the widows and orphans, but even though these works are good they do not make us righteous. "Our righteousness is as filthy rags." It is only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ that we become righteous. Even though we still live in a spiritually week body and subject to sin, mistakes, and failure, God does not see the redeemed as we see ourselves, nor as others see us. When God looks at the redeemed He sees Jesus in us who knew no sin, no mistakes, and no failure.

Sometimes it's hard for a person for accept the free gift of salvation is because they have trouble forgiving what others have done to them and especially cannot forgive themselves for what they've done in the past. The key to accepting the free give of salvation is to accept that God has provided a way for you to be free of guilt and shame of your past and that's through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Once you have accepted His free gift you are free of your past and you are free to forgive yourself and others just as He has forgiven you.

If you have questions or need help accepting the free gift of salvation please feel free to send me an e-mail at welldone@comcast.net

Your Words - Part 2

2011-05-01T10:59:00.001-05:00

by Chet Nowlen

One thing I failed to mention in the previous article is regarding the words (seed) you say about and to other people. Whenever you talk about another person to a different person you are planting word seeds in the hearer’s heart. Who is the hearer? The first is you and the second is the person or persons that you are talking to. Whether those seed words you are saying about another person is positive or negative are being planted into the sub-consciousness of yourself and the other persons hearing what you are saying.

Have you ever noticed the feeling you get inside when you have said something negative about someone and you were surprised you said such a thing? You felt ashamed that you said such a thing, but it's too late now, it's said and you cannot take it back so you ignore the feeling and keep the conversation going. Even though you ignored what you said it still had a negative impact on your emotional feelings.

Do you remember the old saying, "If you cannot say anything good about a person then don't say anything at all." This saying is a very good saying to live by as it keeps you out of the guilt trap. Whenever we say something we regret we sub-consciously bury it so we will not have to deal with the pain and shame for out words.

Have you ever blurted out words to a loved one, friend, or even a complete stranger, that caused the hearer to be hurt, offended, and even angry. You may not have intended to hurt or offend, but sometimes the words are mistakenly presented in the wrong way. We are all guilty of saying words that unintentionally offend others. This is where we need help. Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden man's tongue has been poisoned and this is why we say words we really do not mean.

The sub-conscious mind hears all the words we say, but fortunately it does not believe every word we say because it know our emotional mind is tossed to and fro just like a ship in a storm at sea. It does not take what we say seriously until it hears us say what we believe on a conscious basis. If our words are inconsistent then we will have inconsistent blessing in life. If our words are consistent then the sub-conscious mind goes into action to bring about what we say.

Negative words spoken to us, or what we heard that was said about, us have a negative impact on us because the conscious mind (emotions) is hurt or disappointed. The conscious mind has trouble dealing with these negative emotions and therefore tries to suppress these hurt feelings. People suppress hurt emotions in various ways, some turn to alcohol, some to sex, some to drugs, some get lost in their work, and some to food.

We've all experienced these negative hurtful emotions and perhaps you too have buried all these negative hurtful emotions in the lower levels of the sub-conscious so you will not have to deal with your pain. So what are we to do with this pain lurking in our sub-conscious mind that keeps trying to surface into our conscious mind with thoughts of our own self doubt?

When Jesus suffered, bled, and died on the cross He not only died for our sins, but he also paid the price so that we could be free of our negative emotions, free of our self doubt, free of hurt feelings caused by someone else’s words, free from guilt of past mistakes, and free from the shame of missed opportunities (whatever they may be). But, how can we be free of our past and current feelings that hinder our successes in life? Jesus is the High Priest of our confessions. He told us to give Him our burdens and He will give us rest. And, when we do give them to Him we are free to leave them behind. But, we are free to go back and pick them up again. Should we go back and pick them up then again then we've taken something that does not belong to us. When we take them up again we are saying that we can deal with them better than Jesus can.

You may be surprised to find that some people love misery and prefer not to give up their burdens. They actually enjoy their burdens because it gives them something complain about to others how miserable they are. I don't think they even realize what they are doing to themselves.

One final thought is one thing Jesus said, "When you stand praying . . . forgive." He's saying for us to forgive each other, but most importantly learn to forgive your self too. Once you can forgive yourself you can say like Paul said, "I have wronged no man." How can Paul say that when we know Paul once hunted and killed Christians? Paul can say that because he was forgiven of his sin and he forgave himself of what he did in the past. You can too!

Your Words are Seeds Planted in the Soil of Your Heart

2011-05-01T06:47:00.000-05:00

by Chet Nowlen

One of the best educational tools I have ever found is iTunes so I can listen to all my favorite music and Podcasts to watch video or listen to audio of my favorite Bible teachers. There are many many Bible preachers and teachers that you can watch or listen to, but you have to be a Bible student that is familiar enough with the WORD to be able to discern what is being said. You may be surprised know that not all preachers and teachers know and understand the truth of WORD. The Bible warns us to be careful what we plant in our hearts and minds.

As I mentioned in my last article Jesus said that not all that call Him “Lord, Lord” will hear Him say to them, "Well Done . . ." instead they will hear Him say, "Depart from me you workers of iniquity." The reason I'm telling you this is if you are going to study the scriptures and study with a Bible teacher then you need to study under a Bible teacher that teaches all the truths found in the New and Old Testaments, especially the sayings of Jesus.

There are plenty "Feel Good" teachers and sermons you could listen to, but they do not plant seeds in your spiritual heart that will produce a bountiful harvest. Their words can draw large crowds and reap large collections, but they do not teach you to follow Jesus' sayings. Their words can make you feel spiritual, but their words do not teach you to trust in God and His WORD, nor increase your faith. They make you feel good for a while, but that feel good feeling will pass because you didn't learn anything that increased your faith.
The reason you have to be careful what is planted in your heart is because the mind is gateway to the heart. The mind is made up of two separate and distinct parts. There is the conscious mind which is where the brain takes in information and then files it away in areas of the brain. This filing is based on the conditioning of the brain (condition of the soil - see the parable of the sower). The conscious mind files information based on your logic, reasoning, understanding, will, and emotions. Your body reacts to events and circumstances based the conditioning of the conscious mind of what it believes and understands as truth.

What the conscious mind believes and understands can be influenced and changed by what the mind receives and accepts. That's why we have to be careful what information (seeds) we plant into the conscious mind. The reason why the reading and the study of the scriptures for your self is so important is because the mind has to be renewed daily. The truth of the WORD keeps our conscious mind from straying into thoughts of fear, doubt and unbelief. The only tool the enemy has against us is to attack out thought life with his lies he tries to plant in our conscious mind of fear, doubt, and unbelief.

The other part of the brain is our sub-conscious mind. This is the part of the brain is what keeps our bodies functioning, the heart beating, blood flowing, and constantly renewing every cell in our bodies. It does this naturally without any thinking or planning on our part. In essence this part of the brain keeps of alive until the body either wears out or stops functioning because of disease.

The sub-conscious mind has a very important job. It takes the information received and stored by the conscious mind and goes to work to cause changes in the body and your circumstances based on what you believe and understand. Now this is where it gets tricky and perhaps controversial. The sub-conscious mind takes what you think (believe) and understand and causes changes in our physical body based on your belief system (faith). Some of you may not believe or understand what I'm saying so I will give you and example. A very famous man's (I will not mention his name) mother died at age 42 and he always stated out loud that he would die at age 42. Guess what? He died at age 42!

What we say out loud is what is in our hearts and what is in our hearts is what is planted in our hearts. Whatever words we say are planted in the sub-conscious mind and the sub-conscious mind goes work to bring about whatever you say. Now keep in mind that the sub-conscious mind does not go to work just because you said it one time. The sub-conscious mind knows the conscious mind is fickle and changes frequently. The sub-conscious mind does listen to the words you say and when it hears you say it often enough then it understands that what is coming out of your heart is the desire of your heart and it will bring to pass what you are saying.

This is why the sayings of Jesus are so important for us to be a success in this life and into the next life as well. Take the time to study the words of Jesus, write down what He said and apply it to your life. Say what He said out loud and keep saying what He said. The Bible says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing the WORD of God. Every time you say what the WORD says about you, you are planting seeds of faith in your sub-conscious and then your seeds in your sub-conscious will germinate and grow because your sub-conscious accepts your words as what you accept and believe and then goes to work with the help of the Holy Spirit to bring to pass the desires of your heart.

Take a few minutes to think about your thoughts and what you think about yourself. Do you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself as if it had already happened? Listen to your own words - are you speaking self fulfilling prophecy about yourself based on the scriptures or are they based on fear doubt and unbelief. It's never too late to change the words we speak therefore changing the future circumstances that come our way in life.

Let’s Go to the Other Side

2011-03-17T07:42:00.001-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

One afternoon Jesus and His disciples were walking by the lake when Jesus saw a boat (probably Peter's boat) and said, “Let’s go to the other side.” Jesus fully expected that He and his disciples would arrive safely on the other side and did not doubt that what He said would happen just as He said. He was so confident that this will happen, just as He said it would, He took a nap on the way. When the storm arose Jesus was asleep and the storm did not disturb His sleep. The storm that came against what He had said, but did you notice the storm did not cause Him to doubt or become fearful? He did not doubt or become fearful because He knew what He said will come to pass. I will explain this in more detail later.

Now the disciples, on the other hand, did not understand the power of Jesus’ words, nor did they understand the power of their own words at this time. When the storm arose they feared for their lives and they could not understand why Jesus was not fearful as everyone else in the boat were. Let’s read what the scripture says:

Luke 8:22-25 (King James Version)
“22Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

The disciples woke Jesus saying to Him “Don’t you care that we are about to die?” The disciples thought that Jesus was so passive that He didn’t care that they were going to die in that storm. When we are in a storm of life our emotions can cause us to not think clearly and this is what caused the disciples to forget two things. Number one they forgot Jesus had already told them they were going to the other side. And, number two the disciples had been with Jesus and had heard Him preach and they could have used their own faith filled words to calm the storm.

How could they have calmed the storm? How did Jesus calm the storm? Jesus spoke the storm and it obeyed His words. Notice Jesus said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” Why did He ask them that?” He asked them that because He fully expected them to use their faith in that situation.

One thing I find interesting is what Jesus did not say, “Now let us pray about this!” He did not ask the disciple to hold hands and pray. No, He took action and spoke out loud to the storm and the storm obeyed His words. Jesus used the God kind of faith by speaking faith filled words. When we face the storms of life we have a tendency to talk about the problem to others and even ask others to pray for us and with us about the storm. “What’s wrong with this?” you ask. Well, when we do this we are relying on the faith of others to help us get God to do something about the storm. The truth of the matter is God has done all He’s going to do by giving us His word and He expects us to use our faith based on His words to overcome the situations or storms of life.

God used His faith in His own words because He knew everything He said would come to pass just as He said it would. And, Jesus used the same faith principle. He used the God kind of faith knowing in that whatever He said He knew would come to pass, just as He said it would. God spoke of things that are not as though they were. He spoke of things that hadn’t happened yet as if they had already happened and Jesus spoke the same way. What they both said came to pass, just as they said. God expects us to use our words in the same manner.

Your words are an expression of what you believe internally. What you believe or have faith in is what words you speak. You speak faith in what you believe. There are two sides of faith. There is a positive side and a negative side. The negative side is a reverse side of faith called fear. Both are faith in what you believe about yourself and what you believe will happen in you life. You can have faith that the good blessings of life are already yours or you can have the negative faith (fear) that the bad things in life are already yours. You see what ever you expect is what you will get. Right now you have what you have and you are what you are based on what you internally believe and accept about yourself:

You are what you expect
You are what you believe
You receive what you expect
You receive what you believe

Every word Jesus spoke is written for us to use as example of how the handle the storms of life that come against us, to overcome the evil one that wants to destroy us, and to acquire what we need in this life. Jesus gave us some examples of those that live by His sayings and those that do not live by His sayings:

Matthew 7:19-27 (King James Version)
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Notice the tree in verse 19. We will talk about another example of fruitless tree later in this lesson. But, for now look at verses 21 and 22. These same two kinds of people found are also found in Luke 6:46-47 – those that listen and do what Jesus told us to do and those that do not do what Jesus told us to do: Luke 6:43-49 (King James Version)43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

In Mark 11:11-14 Jesus and His disciples were walking down the road from Bethany back to Jerusalem and Jesus was feeling a little hungry. Jesus fully expected to see figs on the tree when he approached it. When Jesus arrived at the tree he noticed there were not any figs. He noticed a fig tree covered with leaves in the distance and because the fig tree has leaves means it should have figs ready to eat. Jesus spoke to the tree and said, “No one ever shall eat from you again.” Remember we read earlier in Matthew 7:19 “19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” These are the people that Jesus will tell to leave Him and will be cast into the lake of fire that was designed for the fallen angels.

Mark 11:11-14 (New King James Version)
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. 12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

The next morning as Jesus and the disciples passed by the tree the disciples noticed the tree has withered to its roots. Jesus said to the disciples, Have faith in God at all times, whoever says to this mountain (storm or situation in your life) be lifted up and cast into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believe what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you desire ask for it in prayer, saying it out loud, believing that it is already yours you will get what you asked for.

Mark 11:20-24 (New King James Version)
“20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe* that you receive them, and you will have them.” (*Translation in the greek is past tense and this word is actually believed meaning past tense - Believed means that it has already happened.)

The disciples thought it rather strange that Jesus could talk to a tree and it obeyed Him. Remember they also thought it strange that He could talk to the storm and it obeyed Him. Knowing they did not understand He explained how they too had the ability to speak of things that are not as though they were by giving them the example of speaking to the mountain and casting it into the sea. Jesus was teaching them to use the God kind of faith by speaking of things that are not as though they were. Jesus used this in everything He said and His expectation is for us to do His sayings.

The withered tree is a parallel example of an individual that does not do the sayings of Jesus. Since he does not obey the sayings of Jesus he is unfruitful and is worthless. Notice in Matthew 19 Jesus said that not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven. He will say to the Lord, but I did this and I did that in your name. And Jesus will say, “I never knew you!” Why did Jesus not know him? Because he did not know, understand, and follow the words of Jesus. This example also is the group of people that heard the good news of Jesus Christ, but rejected the free gift He offered them. These people have a form of godliness, but they never took the time to get to know God and Jesus through their words. Matthew 7:26-27 “26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Here are more scriptures about the importance of our words:

Matthew 12:33-37 (New King James Version)
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart[a] brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 15:10-20 (New King James Version)
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Here’s another parallel that relates to the tree that does not bear fruit or the person that does not do the words of Jesus:

Matthew 25:14-30 (New King James Version)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In conclusion I would like to focus on “The God Kind of Faith” as Jesus described in Mark 11:24:

Mark 11:24 (King James Version)
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Now I know this is a very controversial scripture among certain Christian denominational thinking and perhaps it’s been abused by other denominations, but Jesus said it and that settles it for me. I think Jesus’ words have not been fully understood. Notice He said, “. . . when you pray . . .” this is where we open up a can of worms. Remember I said earlier about the storm and what Jesus didn’t say? He didn’t say let us pray, instead He took action by speaking to the storm Himself. Now He prayed to God often and God revealed to Him what to say and what to do. Jesus didn’t need to pray at this time because He was already prayed up and God had already told Him what to do.

In this scripture I don’t think He’s referring to the common types of prayer that we think of when we pray. If you could listen to a recording of all of your prayers that you’ve ever prayed to God I don’t think you will find the words that Jesus is describing when He said, “believe that you received (past tense) them, and you shall have them.” If you were to hear a recording of your prayers I’m afraid you would find some of your prayers are filled with your not believing that you have already received your request. I’m very guilty of that myself. I have found that I have prayed with lack of trust that God will do just what He said in His words. Any lack of trust is just the opposite of this scripture.

I think Jesus is not speaking of just prayer alone. Notice in verse 23 Jesus tells us to speak to the mountain with our words. He’s telling us to speak to the problem, the need, the lack, the sickness, the disease. He does not tell us to talk about the problem to friends, family, pastor, or neighbor. No, He tells us to take action and tell the circumstance in life what you want it to do. Then He goes on to say, “. . . and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe (believe that is has already happened – that its already yours) that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

Jesus is telling us to get our words in line with His words. We are expected to take the God kind of faith in our words by using His words to overcome in every situation we face in this life. Jesus is telling us to use the God kind of faith by saying whatever God had to say and believe what He said and without doubting that whatever he said will come to pass.

So how do we do this? Jesus gave us the key when He talked about those that listen to His words and followed His words for every word that Jesus spoke were words that God told Him to say. The lesson here is to spend time getting to know every word that Jesus spoke and apply them in your life. Speak what Jesus said and believe what He said without any doubt in your heart and your reward will be when you stand before Jesus He will say to you, “Well Done . . .!”

Get to know Jesus and His words. Do what He did and says what He said. His words are action words Now its up to you to "do these sayings of mine" by taking action by speaking words mixed with faith, i.e., "Let's go to the other side!"

Are All Foods Are Permissible to Eat?

2011-01-08T09:29:00.002-06:00

By Chet Nowlen

To answer that question let’s take a look at what God had to say in The Old Testament out specific foods that were not to be eaten and also foods that were permissible, but first let’s talk about the beginning of food.

Before God created man He created light and then He created the atmosphere also known as firmament Heaven. Then He repositioned the earth to divide the waters called seas and dry land. Then He caused the earth to bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw this was good. Notice God provided food for animals and man before they were created.

So what did the man eat in God’s Garden. He ate fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and grains. The Garden was full of healthy foods, but there were some foods that were not good for man and God told man not to eat from a certain tree. As you know man did disobey which caused him to die spiritually. Notice he did not eat any meat in the Garden.

Man was originally intended to live forever in his natural body, but because of sin man could no longer live forever in his natural state therefore is destined to die. Adam lived to be 930-years old before he died. Adam’s children and grandchildren lived longs lives as well. The oldest man, that the scripture tell us, is Methuselah which lived to be 969-years old.

As time passed God was very displeased with man because of a terrible thing that had happened. In Genesis 6 we find that “the sons of God” saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. The sons of God are not natural men. This is teaching is controversial and I’m sure I some of you will not agree, and that’s okay. These “sons of God” were not men but were fallen angels. These fallen angels took natural women, born of men, by force and these women bear sons of these angels. The sons of the sons of God grew to be giant men both in physical stature and also in control over the people. These giants were very wicked and corrupted all of mankind except for Noah. God knew he had to destroy this race of giants and all the corruption in the earth so He chose the only one man that had a personal relationship with God to survive what was to come. You know the story of Noah and the Ark so I will not go into that detail now.

Notice in Genesis 6:3 God decided it was no longer good for man to live to be hundreds of years old. God shortened man’s life expectancy to 120-years. So, how did He do that? Notice in Genesis 9:3-4 God gave permission for man to eat flesh as long as it is not alive and the blood is drained out of it. My theory is that when men started eating the flesh of animals and fish is when his life expectancy dropped to only 120-years of age.

In book of Leviticus God designated that there are certain foods that are clean and certain foods that are unclear. Let’s look at Leviticus 11 Amplified Version

AND THE Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
Say to the Israelites: These are the animals which you may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, any of these animals you may eat.
Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you.
And the coney or rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you.
And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you.
And the swine, because it divides the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you.
Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.
These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, these you may eat;
But all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, of all the creeping things in the waters, and of all the living creatures which are in the waters, they are [to be considered] an abomination and abhorrence to you.
They shall continue to be an abomination to you; you shall not eat of their flesh, but you shall detest their carcasses.
Everything in the waters that has not fins or scales shall be abhorrent and detestable to you.
These you shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, for they are detestable: the eagle, the ossifrage, the ospray,
The kite, the whole species of falcon,
Every kind of raven,
The ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, every species of hawk,
The owl, the cormorant, the ibis,
The swan, the pelican, the vulture,
The stork, all kinds of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
All winged insects that go upon all fours are to be an abomination to you;
Yet of all winged insects that go upon all fours you may eat those which have legs above their feet with which to leap on the ground.
Of these you may eat: the whole species of locust, of bald locust, of cricket, and of grasshopper.
But all other winged insects which have four feet shall be detestable to you.
And by [contact with] these you shall become unclean; whoever touches the carcass of them shall be unclean until the evening,
And whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.
Every beast which parts the hoof but is not cloven-footed or does not chew the cud is unclean to you; everyone who touches them shall be unclean.
And all that go on their paws, among all kinds of four-footed beasts, are unclean to you; whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening,
And he who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening; they are unclean to you.
These also are unclean to you among the creeping things [that multiply greatly] and creep upon the ground: the weasel, the mouse, any kind of great lizard,
The gecko, the land crocodile, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.
These are unclean to you among all that creep; whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.
And upon whatever they may fall when they are dead, it shall be unclean, whether it is an article of wood or clothing or skin (bottle) or sack, any vessel in which work is done; it must be put in water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; so it shall be cleansed.
And every earthen vessel into which any of these [creeping things] falls, whatever may be in it shall be unclean, and you shall break the vessel.
Of all the food [in one of these unclean vessels] which may be eaten, that on which such water comes shall be unclean, and all drink that may be drunk from every such vessel shall be unclean.
And everything upon which any part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether an oven, or pan with a lid, or hearth for pots, it shall be broken in pieces; they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you.
Yet a spring or a cistern or reservoir of water shall be clean; but whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean.
If a part of their carcass falls on seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean;
But if any water be put on the seed and any part of their carcass falls on it, it shall be unclean to you.
If any animal of which you may eat dies [unslaughtered], he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
And he who eats of its carcass [ignorantly] shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening; he also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.
And everything that creeps on the ground and [multiplies in] swarms shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has more [than four] feet among all things that creep on the ground and swarm you shall not eat; for they are detestable.
You shall not make yourselves loathsome and abominable [by eating] any swarming thing that [multiplies by] swarms, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled by them.
For I am the Lord your God; so consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy; neither defile yourselves with any manner of thing that multiplies in large numbers or swarms.
For I am the Lord Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore you shall be holy, for I am holy.
This is the law of the beast, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and creeps on the earth and multiplies in large numbers,
To make a difference (a distinction) between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.

At first thought the laws given here seem only to have been made obsolete by Jesus. He taught that it is not what goes into the mouth but what comes out of it that defiles a man (Matt. 15:17-20), and Paul said that when the complete and perfect came, the incomplete and imperfect would become void and superseded (I Cor. 13:9, 10), for "there is nothing unclean of itself" (Rom. 14:14 KJV). But while all these specific laws have become void, we must not lose sight of the fact that they are "superseded" by the underlying spiritual principle, which is just as binding. Christ's teaching relates to the whole area of our living, including our eating and drinking, and is dominated by the principle, "Whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). We do well to remember that it was Jesus Christ Himself who said, "Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law...; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill" it (Matt. 5:17).

Matthew 15:17-20 Amplified Version - "Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him]."
Mark 7:19 Amplified Version - "Since it does not reach and enter his heart but [only his] digestive tract, and so passes on [into the place designed to receive waste]? Thus He was making and declaring all foods [ceremonially] clean [that is, abolishing the ceremonial distinctions of the Levitical Law]"
1 Timothy 4:3 Amplified Version - "Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth."
Hebrews 13:9 Amplified Version - "Do not be carried about by different and varied and alien teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and ennobled and strengthened by means of grace (God's favor and spiritual blessing) and not [to be devoted to] foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no [spiritual] benefit or profit to those who observe them."

To finally answer the question is yes all foods are permissible to eat. However, even though all foods are permissible does not mean that they are healthy for you. Most Jews still practice the Leviticus Law and those that do have a much less sickness and disease rate than those that eat unclean foods. Pork is the most commonly eaten unclean food that people have been consuming and is the worst possible meat we can eat and its one of the main causes for sickness and disease in the world today.

Why did God distinguish certain foods clean and unclean? Was it to establish religious rules to burden the people? No, when God allowed man to start eating meat after the flood man’s life expectancy was reduced to 120-years. The designation of meats that were unclean was because these meats have a negative effect on the body. In other words the eating of unclean foods shorten our life expectance to be less than 120-years because they can cause a wide variety diseases. Meats are good protein sources that are necessary to our living a healthy life, however, we must abstain from eating the unclean foods in order to live a long healthy life.

There are so many food choices today and many of the foods that are considered everyday foods you may not have considered them as unhealthy, i.e., dairy, catfish, shrimp, crawfish, lobster, clams, mussels, and pork. Not only are certain foods we consider as “everyday foods” healthy, but there are many additives in the preparing and cooking of foods that are making us unhealthy, i.e., lard, unsaturated fat, salt, margarines just to name a few. You will be amazed when you take a look at the “everyday” food products in grocery stores that are actually unclean. The most comprehensive website I’ve found that gives a list of clean and unclean (healthy and unhealthy) food products is found at http://www.theisraelofgodrc.com/CUPL.html

Hosea 4:6 (Amplified Bible) - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children."

Hosea 4:6 was written especially to the Israelites, but I also a profound statement that I think this statement also applies to the foods we eat. We are unintentionally poisoning ourselves by eating the wrong foods because of “Lack of Knowledge!” We are dying prematurely because of "Lack of Knowledge."

Please feel free to send your questions by e-mail to Chet at welldone@comcast.net

Help Lord, the Devil Wants Me Fat

2011-01-06T06:48:00.003-06:00

by Chet Nowlen

About 20+ years ago I read a fabulous book titled "Help Lord, the Devil Want Me Fat" by CS Lovett. Mr. Lovett's book was written long before all the best known diet and weight loss books available today. I would highly recommend reading his book and it is available on Amazon.com or cslovettbooks.com.

"Help Lord, The Devil Wants Me Fat is a scriptural approach to managing one's body and its far beyond what our modern nutritionist and weight loss experts teach today.

Someone asked me recently, "What do you think is the cause for the obesity epidemic in America today?" Being obese myself this question was a bit embarrassing for me. Back in the 50's and 60's the number of obese people counted less than the non-obese people. So what happened since the 60's to cause Americans to be obese. There are several causes this and as for me mine was addiction to dairy.

Around 9-10 years old I became addicted to chocolate milk. I could not get enough of it and because of that I began to grow faster than the other kids my age. I also became addicted to ice cream and could eat a gallon per weekend. By the time I was 12 years old I was almost 6' tall and weighed 145 lbs. I was bigger than most everyone else my age, but I was not stronger, nor healthier.

When I was 13-years old I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I don't think the doctors charted cholesterol and triglyceride level at that time, but if they had I'm sure my levels would have been considered high. In 1967 I joined the Marine Corps, but failed the physical because my blood pressure was too high.

To answer the question as to why obesity is a problem in America is for the following reasons:

Eating and drinking foods that are not meant for human consumption, i.e., processed and refined foods, dairy, pork, bottom feeder (trash eaters) creatures, i.e., catfish, shrimp, lobster, craw fish etc. In a later lesson I will give you more details of God's program of foods that are safe to eat and those that are not safe to eat.
Marketing of unhealthy fast foods in the media
Chemicals added to foods for longer shelf life
Genetic engineering that alters the natural state of produce for the purpose of larger crops and less use of pesticides.
Hormones added to animals to make them grow fast and to weigh heavier - when we consume animals with these hormones we ingest the hormone as well.
Processed foods have high salt content - high salt content causes us to crave more food. It also causes us to eat beyond full
Fructose is also unnecessarily being added to processed food. Sugar in whatever form it’s added to food is also creates a craving to overeat.
Greed - I think greed is the motivation cause for companies that knowingly and willfully produce and distribute foods that are not safe for human consumption. They desire more profit (money) than they care about the effects their products on our bodies.
Stress - Since the 1960's our lives have become a lot more stressful that it was back in those days. There just never seems to be enough time for us to eat right or to exercise. This is one of the tricks of Satan to try to keeps in bondage and keep us from looking to our Heavenly Father.
Cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches - The Parable of The Sower is probably the most important parable that Jesus ever taught. Here's what Jesus has to say about cares:
o “Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.” Mark 4:19 Amplified

o “And as for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection.” Luke 8:19 Amplified

o “And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious and troubled [with cares] about your life, as to what you will [have to] eat; or about your body, as to what you will [have to] wear.” Luke 22:22 Amplified

o “And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]?” Luke 12:25 Amplified

o “If then you are not able to do such a little thing as that, why are you anxious and troubled with cares about the rest?” Luke 12:26 Amplified

o “But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;” Luke 21:34 Amplified

o Cares of this world have to do with what you think about the most. Cares can be burdens, obsessed with making money, and lust to satisfy your desires. Being consumed with the cares of this life is a trick of Satan to keep your mind distracted from trusting in God’s word. Here’s what the Apostle Peter has to say about cares: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 Amplified

The marketing of unhealthy foods has caused a brain washing of Americans to accept processed foods and unhealthy foods as foods that are good to eat. But, the truth of the matter is these foods killing us with cancer, diabetes, heart failure, etc.
Here's a scripture that I feels God is saying about processed foods:

Proverbs 23: 1-7 Amplified Version

WHEN YOU sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you;
For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire.
Be not desirous of his dainties, for it is deceitful food [offered with questionable motives].
Weary not yourself to be rich; cease from your own [human] wisdom.
Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods;
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].

Please feel free to add a comment below or send your questions via e-mail to welldone@comcast.net

The Overcomer

2011-01-05T06:30:00.000-06:00

By Chet Nowlen

The Holy Spirit has been tugging at my heart to write an article about the importance of being an overcomer in this world. Jesus overcame the world and I am in Christ Jesus therefore I am an overcomer. The curse no longer has my spirit, the eternal me in bondage. However, I still live in a body is still subject to the cares of this present worldly system. My spirit is free, but my body is still craves to be controlled by the lust for food and other worldly pleasures.

The Holy Spirit is saying to me that I am to become an overcomer of my body and its lust for worldly pleasures. Here are a few scriptures the New Testiment in the King James Version about the importance of being an overcomer:

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Romans 3:4 "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

2 Peter 2:19 "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

2 Peter 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

1 John 2:13 "I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father."

1 John 2:14 "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."

1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

1 John 5:5 "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Revelation 2:7 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

Revelation 2:11 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."

Revelation 2:17 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

Revelation 3:12 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

Now I don't know about you, but after reading the above scriptures I can see why The Holy Spirit is stressing the importance of being an overcomer. Our flesh is overcome by the sin nature and The Holy Spirit is saying that it is very important that we, the believers in Christ Jesus, are to overcome and subdue the flesh and all its carnal desires. Notice the blessings in the Revelation scriptures that Jesus promised are waiting for the overcomers.

The Bible is full of scriptures that teach us to be overcomers of the flesh and I will share these with you in future articles.
If you have any questions please feel free to send me an e-mail at welldone@comcast.net

Resolutions

2011-01-02T10:37:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Happy New Year to each of you! It seems that January 1st comes faster and faster. This day, more than any other day of the year, is a "stake in the ground", monumental, decision-making day. Our list of resolutions are made, and hopefully will be kept in the days/months ahead.

As I have thought about what I will resolve to do this year, I have heard the Lord speak two words to my heart, and I think these words go hand-in-hand: kneel and abide.

Psalm 95:6 says: Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

I think the physical act of kneeling portrays the spiritual condition of our heart. When we bow down, we are submitting in reverence, agreeing with our Creator that He is in control of each of our lives, not us. In kneeling, we relinquish our daily plans and humbly ask Him to direct our steps, each and every one. And in this place,we will find our strong and mighty King ready to act as the faithful and Good Shepherd... who abides.

The very next verse, Psalm 95:7 says: For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. What a beautiful truth: the same God that created me, also stays with me. Our God is an abiding God. We see this in the desert with the Israelites when God promises, My presence will go with you and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14). And we see this through Jesus when he says, Abide in Me, and I in you. (John 15:4). So the question of abiding is not about whether or not God is abiding with me; it really is, am I abiding with God? I hear Him calling me, "Breathe Me in Chris, trust Me, obey Me, each step, each thought, each response... each day."

So what are my resolutions for 2011? My hope is to start my day on my knees saying, "Lord, You are in control, please show me how to live today." And then when I rise, I hope to breathe in my abiding God, so I hear and obey His directive voice on January 1st, January 2nd, January 3rd... April 23rd... August 13th... October 14th... December 31st...

Would you like to join me in kneeling before our Maker, and abiding in His shepherding love? I can assure you, our God will not disappoint us.
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To see all Chris' articles see her blog at: http://www.respitefortheweary.com/

Secret to Weight Loss – Part 8

2010-12-28T10:39:00.000-06:00

by Chet Nowlen

Several weeks ago I started writing articles on the “Secret to Weight Loss” for my BLOG http://relationshipsstore.com and every since then enemy has come against me with all his might. I started the articles explaining our relationship with food in my first article. In subsequent articles I started building a foundation to help my readers understand their relationship with our Heavenly Father.

The enemy has been very upset with these articles as he has attacked me with every scheme and trick he can come against me with. I must admit I have lost some skirmishes, but he did not win the battle. The more he has thrown at me the more I am determined to destroy the stronghold that food has over me.

Food is necessary to sustain life, but food was never meant to become a place to hide from the pressures of life. As I’m mentioned in previous articles I am a recovering “food addict” as the enemy has caused me to be enslaved in bondage to over consumption of food. When I’m stressed I find comfort in eating too much food. When I eat too much I can feel my heart rate increase as my energy level decreases. Overeating causes additional stress to my body therefore my addiction fuels my desire to look to more food for comfort. The total comfort never comes because the addiction causes a never ending cycle.

The purpose of my writing these articles was to better help me learn the root cause of my addiction. I felt that once I understand the root cause of my stress then I can make some positive changes in my life that will break the food bondage that I am under and at the same time help my readers to learn and overcome their additions as well.

To read more of this article, please go to my All About Relationships BLOG at http://relationshipsstore.com/

Truth About Christian Credit Card Consolidation

2010-12-27T06:11:00.001-06:00

Are you a Christian? Do you find it difficult to manage your debts? Are you worried about your credit rating? Christian Debt consolidation service can be a suitable option for you. Look for a Christian debt consolidation counselor who is genuine and caring. He is capable of taking care of all you financial hazards and can come as a great help in settling all your credit card debts. While choosing your Christian debt consolidation counselor, shop for it. Compare different service costs, past records and suggestions that they offer. The right Christian debt consolidation service will strengthen your faith and conviction a lot. This entire task is not at all easy but with your sincere hope and faith in God you can surely overcome this hurdle and can finally bring the money back in your wallet.

Christian credit card debt consolidation service is usually provided by non- profit Christian associations for the poor Christians who found difficulty in managing debts. Debt consolidation reduces monthly payments by merging all existing debts into a single debt which the debtor can pay at a much lower interest rate. Therefore it liberates more resources of the debtor which can be utilized in more profitable ways. Christian credit card debt consolidation trim down the risk of payment default and thereby saves the credit rating of the borrower as well.

Christian credit counselors strive to create a customized debt solution and motivate its members to adopt fruitful debt resolution plans. Their well equipped knowledge and vast experience enable them to study.They can also compare between bad and poor credit thoroughly. Christian credit card counselors are the best person to suggest the right plans at the right moment for you. They also recommend the name of suitable moneylenders. These moneylenders are ready to lend money during financial hardships, to such people who are so far considered high risk by other creditors.

Both Christian debt consolidation service and Christian debt counseling, attempt to put an end to your financial struggle by blending faith with religion. The Christian principles cling with the whole process make the whole transition much easier for you. Christian debt consolidation is neither a myth nor sham; it is a professional debt consolidation counseling and service which help the individual to seek the best possible plan to get out of debt. These plans do not work for the time being, they ensure long-term results.

Author Bio: This is a Guest Post by the Administrator of We Redefine. Here he has tried to impart some education on Christian credit card consolidation.

Pray For Me – Serena’s Story (From Spirit of Christmas 2010) - Inspirational Videos

2010-12-21T07:44:00.003-06:00

Please click on the link below to see Serena's prayer request and join me in praying for Serena. If you are praying for her please leave a comment below.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=76WWWPNX

Understand that things happen for a reason and “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”

2010-12-21T07:33:00.000-06:00

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18th were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria.

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.

The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike.

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God does work in mysterious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you. His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares we know He will see us through.

So when the road you're traveling seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on to those you want God to bless.

The Father

2010-12-20T05:41:00.002-06:00

By Chet Nowlen

Once upon a time there was a man that took a young bride to share his life. The wife bore the man sons and he is now referred to as “Father”. One day a terrible thing happened. The wife betrayed the “Father” as she had been seduced by another. The betrayal broke the “Father’s heart, and separation and divorce hurt the “Father” even more.

The wife married the seducer and they became as one. The sons followed their mother’s direction and one of the sons accepted his new step-father as if he were his natural father. The “Father” came to visit his sons, but one of the sons ignored him as if he were not even there. The other son honored the “Father” and gave him honor and respect. One son could not find anything good that the “Father” had ever done for him, so he ignored him and hoped he would go away. The other son honored his “Father” and him his time and attention. This son gave the “Father” thanks for all he had ever done for him.

This story may sound like someone you know and it is. The “Father” in this story is God. The wife is the world and the seducer is of course Satan. The world and the worldly system are married to Satan. Satan is the illegal step-father to sons. The sons are all the children born all over the world since the creation of man.

Notice the parallel of the two sons and first two sons in the Bible, Cain and Abel. Even though Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, because of their disobedience, God still came to visit His family. Adam taught his children to honor God, because He was their creator, by giving back to God. Cain and Abel were the first to tithe to God.

Cain gave 10% of his crop to God as a tithe, but Cain dishonored God by holding back his best for himself. He only gave to God from the third picking, which is the poorest quality of the harvest. You see Cain dishonored God by only giving poor quality, whereas Abel honored God by giving Him his very best first.

The two sons represent two classes of people on the earth. The first is the people that ignore God and hope He will go away. The second is the people that love God and honor Him in all that they do. They give him thanks and praise Him. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Note: The greatest gift you can give you Heavenly Father is to thank Him and give Him praise for all His blessings He has given you. Sometimes we take our earthly father’s for granted too. One of the Ten Commandments is to “Honor your Father and Mother”. The greatest gift you can give your parent is your respect and honor them with thanks for the many sacrifices they made for you. Praise them for what they did right and forgive them for what they did wrong. Take the time to praise them, with your words, as you will not always have your parents.

If you’ve hurt or disappointed your parents don’t tell your parents to “Get over it!” That does not heal the wound. Tell them you are sorry for your selfishness. Ask them to forgive you and when you do you will heal their hurt and their pain of your selfish words. Words are a very powerful force. Words used the wrong way can cause much damage to another person body and spirit.

Adore Him

2010-12-20T04:29:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

One of my favorite Christmas carols is "O Come All Ye Faithful." I'm sure we can each sing the simple refrain by heart: O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

As I have sung this carol this season, I have pondered the word "adore." And just as I explored the word "behold" in my last post, I began to research this new word. Adore means: to regard with utmost esteem, love, and respect; to pay divine homage to; worship. Let's look at how the different characters adored Him at the first Christmas...

The heavenly host adored Him with anthems of praise. Indeed, there were choirs of angels singing in exultation because the process of redemption had begun--from Creator to cradle to cross to crown.

The shepherds adored Him with awe and wonder. They ran to see the Good News, the Savior, that the angels announced to them in the fields; and when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:17-18)

The wise men adored Him with humbled homage. When they finally found the King that they had been searching for, they fell down and worshiped Him (Matthew 2:11). And while on their knees, they opened their treasures.

And then, of course, there was Joseph and Mary. Joseph adored Him with faithful obedience, and sweet Mary simply adored Him with all her heart.

So, what does this line, O Come let Us adore Him mean to you and me this Christmas? I hope that I will adore Him in much the same way as these men and women of old. I too, want to sing with joy, and announce with wonder, and bend my knee, and obey in faith, and embrace with all that I am.

Let's you and I slow down and take time to ponder the great thing that happened that first Christmas night, the first Noel. And when we do, we can't help but adore Him, for He is the Savior of the World. What Good News of great joy for all people! (Luke 2:10).

But the best news about the Good News is, He came because... He... adores... us.

To Visit this article and other of Chris Baxter's work click on the "Adore Him" title.

A Prayer Request - An Expression of Love

2010-12-07T07:26:00.000-06:00

Christmas is all about giving, right! Did you know one of the greatest "Gifts" that anyone can give is the reason we celebrate Christmas. The first "Gift" of Christmas is the "Gift" that our Heavenly Father gave to us, His Son. We celebrate Christmas because God gave us the greatest "Gift" - He gave His Son and He did that because He loved us so much. Our greatest "Gift" that we can share is the "Gift" expression of love to The Father and our expression of love for each other. And, one of the greatest ways to share our love for others is by praying for one another, even those we do not even know.

My good friend Dave and his wife Ardi believe in miracles and they are praying and believing for healing of cancer. Please read the e-mail below and add Dave and Ardi to your prayer list. Your gift of prayer will make the difference in their lives.

"The Doc said the cancer in my spine and bones has increased and is active "marked progression of hypermetabolic metastases.

The blood tumor markers went from 129 to 819. Dave talked to the nurse practitioner - she says "this is not a death sentence. Doc is not recommending chemo, but has changed the med that I take along with the Zometa, so we will see how that works.

We are still believing for a miracle from the Lord and either way we will serve Him until He takes us home.

Love you all,
Dave and Ardi"

If you would like to share your faith with Dave and Ardi please respond by e-mail to me at welldone@comcast.net and I will pass it on to Dave and Ardi.

The Trail

2010-10-06T08:19:00.000-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

Last weekend my wife and I took a trip to Montgomery Bell State Park here in Tennessee. We had a wonderful buffet lunch at the hotel in the park and then took a hike on Wild Cat Trail. We had our camera with us and we were like little kids as we were having the best time looking at limbs, broken branches, rocks or whatever we could find that had the shapes of the letters in the alphabet. We found and took pictures of some very interesting letters.

We then drove around the park looking for another great place to hike and we discovered M.B. Trail and Ore Pit Loop trails. We must have walked up and down the hilly trail for about five or six miles and I remember beginning to feel very tired.

I knew we should be getting close to where the vehicle was parked because I could see it in the distance. I remember feeling concerned because the trail was leading us away from our vehicle. I remember the thought came to my mind that we are on the wrong trail and we should go back. Then I heard my spirit speak to my mind, will, and emotion, “don’t be afraid, stay focused on the trail and you will reach your destination.” Then I realized that our mind, will and emotions can cause us to get off track and cause us to miss out on the things we desire. Our mind will and emotions can cause us to give up on our journey and turn around and go back the way we came never reaching our destination.

The mind, will, and emotions is how the enemy comes against us. He uses trickery and deception to cause us to get off track by whispering thoughts of fear or with words like these; “You are not going to make it, you’d better turn around and give up on your dream, your goal, your desire, your destination.”

Jesus said that we can have whatsoever we say:

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11: 22-24 New King James Version

Notice the key words; “and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Satan hates us so much he wants to destroy us. He cannot physically do it because he is a spirit therefore cannot operate in the physical world without the use of a body. He can only accomplish his goal of destroying you and me through the use of suggestions to our mind will and emotions. He used his trickery on Adam and Eve and he succeeded because he was able to convenience them to relinquish their dominion and authority on the earth to him.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 New King James version - Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and he did just that. What Jesus did on the cross took the dominion and authority away from Satan and gave the dominion an authority back to us. Every word that Jesus said was for us to use and defeating the works of the evil one and to be an over-comer in every area of our life.

He came so that we can live life and to live it more abundantly. The enemy does not want to you know this so he keeps whispering in your subconscious thoughts of your past failures and mistakes. He whispers thought of inadequacy, selfishness, and self consciousness.

The Holy Spirit whispers thoughts to your spirit too, but we cannot hear him if our minds are full fear doubt and unbelief. The secret is to listen to your thoughts and your words and if they do not line up with what Jesus would says then rebuke those thoughts and those words in the Name of Jesus. Resist the devil and he will flee from you just as he fled from Jesus when Jesus was tempted by Satan. Jesus set Satan to running because Jesus on replied to Satan’s temptations with a quote from what God had already said.

Remembering remember 911 - September 11, 2020

2010-09-11T10:44:00.001-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

I remember 911, do you? Do you remember we were attacked? Do you remember CNN airing the Iraqi women and children jumping up and down shouting for joy the day of the attack? Do you remember the Iraqi men shooting their rifles up in the air and rejoicing because America has been attacked? I thought it strange that the news media shopped showing the footage of Iraqi women and children dancing for joy over the death of thousands. They usually replay clips for days on end. I suspect they feared it would cause Americans to retaliate against the muslim community here in America.

A holy war of Jihad has been declared against America because she is so hated. She is hated because of the freedoms we have been afforded in our constitution. The extremist Islam movement got its start in the 1950's with the trip of one man's trip to America. He was so shocked by our freedoms he vowed to destroy America. His hatred spread all across Islam and thousands have joined his holy war cause.

I do not condone the burning of a religion's holy book as a way of showing revenge for 911, nor do I condone the burning of the Holy Bible or the American Flag. According to our constitution Americans have the right to protest as a part of our freedoms, however, there are people from other religions do not understand our freedoms and constitutional rights, nor do they care to understand when it comes to the burning of their holy book.

The pastors in Florida and Murfreesboro, Tennessee have the right, according to our constitution, to protest in the way they have said they would, but is it the right thing to do? We have rights according to our constitution, but just because we have the right to do something does not make it right or responsible for us to do whatever we want to do. I say the pastors should stick to preaching to good news of Jesus Christ and forget about the protest they have in mind. We are in fact in a war, but not a war of flesh and blood. Our war is against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness. These enemies are spiritual enemies that influence people to hatred and murder of innocent people for what they believe will please their god.

I am not suggesting this for fear of what the Jihadist may do, but rather as a matter of the Christian responsibility of doing what is right. I am concerned however, that Christians today have become so passive we do not know how to fight against the darkness that is trying to destroy our nation. Why is this so? It’s because the church no longer teaches God’s word. Many Christians do not know God’s word because their church has not taught them the importance of studying the word, meditating on the word, and speaking the word. The passive church has taught that much of the Bible as history and does not need to be read and believed. Where do you think that kind of thinking came from?

Immediately after 911 America, and the world, prayed to our God, but now many people have forgotten and have stopped praying. In just nine short years many American have turned their back on God and no longer think they need Him. Just the opposite is true. There is a movement of a few that are hell bent on destroying our country from within and many American's are so naïve they do not see, nor understand, what is happening right before their eyes. These few are hell bent on converting America to socialism / communism. These forms of government destroy freedom and place the people in slavery. Who do you think is behind this radical change? Is it the Democrats or the Republicans? There are people of both parties that are supporting this conversion, but who is driving them? You guessed it, Satan himself!

I declare that now, more than ever, is the time for American Christians are to put on their spiritual armor and pray for American to be delivered from what enemy is trying to do to our country. America is the only country in the world that holds the rest of the world together. If America falls then the rest of the world does not have a chance. The world will fall into chaos, which what the enemy wants. He is pushing this in order for a one world leader (his servant) to rule the world.

The enemy will not destroy America if American’s will fight for our country with the only weapons that will defeat the enemy – our prayers – our faith – and our words. When you waste your time listening to the words of doom and gloom of the mainstream news media, TV shows, and movies you are listening to the world’s words of fear doubt and unbelief spun by the enemy himself. What makes matters worse is most Americans, even Christians, are listening to the enemy’s words and saying what the enemy says. When you repeat the words of the enemy you are expressing that you have a stronger trust in your in fear than in your faith that God will protect and deliver you from the snares of the enemy. Faith is based on trust in God and fear is based on what enemy says which may or may not ever happen.

The two are opposing forces to each other and do not work together at all. When you speak what God’s word says about a particular thing you are expressing your trust in God that He will do what He said He will do. You are using the God kind of faith in that you are speaking of things that are not as though they are. When you speak words of fear you are using that same principle of speaking of things that are not as though they are. However, whichever words you speak you are releasing a creative force that causes your words to come to pass. If you speak words of fear then the things that you have feared will come to pass. If you speak words of faith based on what God said then the things that you have said in faith will come to pass.

The enemy cannot do anything of himself as he is a defeated foe. His time is short and he is turning up the heat in order to drag more people with him where the fire never burns out. There is not a day that goes by when I don’t hear someone say, “People are acting crazy, I do not ever remember at time when people behaved so badly.” In my line of work I am exposed people every day that are on edge and become very angry over the least little thing. What’s making these people so unhappy? I believe subconsciously they have lost their hope because of listening to negative comments of the media.

The enemy is a spirit and can do nothing in this physical world except for what he can talk you into doing for him. The enemy is able to whisper his deception in the hearts of man through his thoughts. When a person takes the enemy’s thoughts and expresses those thoughts out loud they have become that persons thought words and those words are the creative force that the enemy uses against us. This is how he influences people to do the things they do. The enemy was able to trick Adam and Eve with the use of half truths and persuasion. He persuaded them to receive the thoughts that God didn’t tell them the whole story and that God didn’t really mean what He said. The couple took the enemy’s thought as their own and willfully committed the act disobedience which caused the curse to come upon them.

Adam could have taken control of the situation and put a stop to the tricks of the enemy, but instead he entertained the thoughts the enemy had planted in him because he wanted what the enemy told him he could have had. Adam did get what the enemy had promised, but it was not as good what he thought it would be. The enemy can plant a pretty picture in your mind and lure you into believing a lie. It’s never as good as he says it will be.

So what is the solution? The answer is found in the heart of every individual. What’s planted in your heart comes out of you by the words you speak. Listen to yourself talk and pay close attention to what you are saying as out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If you are speaking words of fear, doubt and unbelief (the enemy’s words) then you have to change what’s in your heart. The only way to change what’s in your heart is to meditated on God’s word and speak what God’s word has to say about you. Faith comes by hearing and by hearing the word of God. The more you hear yourself say God’s word the deeper His word is planted in your heart and whatever is planted in your heart is what will come out of your mouth. The answer lies if our getting to know God by meditating on His words and by saying and doing what He says (expressing His words) and not what the enemy says. Matthew 7:24 (read the whole chapter)

Prayer Request from Sarah

2010-09-09T05:26:00.001-05:00

Several months ago, I believe I may have contacted your website in regard to a man whose name is William ("Bill"). If I am correct about having previously contacted your site, I thank you for your prayers and ask that you please continue to pray with me for this man's salvation (also, for those in his life who don’t know Jesus). I am not in a position to witness to this man personally, but others have been contacted to this regard. Please ask the Lord to extend His spirit to facilitate and lead a conversational witness through anyone whom He may choose. Please ask God to extend His grace toward Bill, doing everything needed to chase him, overcome his pride, lift the veil from his eyes, bring conviction to his heart and show him his need for a Savior. Like us all, Bill has made some mistakes, and has unfortunately had some tragic things to happen in his life. At this time, he is struggling with. Please also ask God to sober him, to protect him, to purify his mind, to work on his heart with His spirit; that He’ll place him in the company of believing friends, and that He will not only save Bill, but will use his testimony to bring others to Christ and further the kingdom.

I’ve been praying for this man for a long time, now. Regardless of what His will may be, please ask the Lord to uphold my faith in Him; to keep my faith strong in knowing that His word will not return to me void.

In Him for His glory and with sincere thanks,

Sarah S

1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 8:31-32;8:37
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Chet's Reply to Sarah's Prayer Request

Hi Sarah S,

Thank you for your request for prayer. I will be glad to join in agreement with you for Bill to come to know Jesus in a real and personal way. When you said, " . . . ask God to sober him . . ." reminded me of my Dad's miracle story. My Dad was a lot like Bill. He was a good man, but there were some horrible mistakes in his past that haunted him, and he spent most of his life hiding in a bottle. In case you haven't read the story on my BLOG just click on the link below:

The Lord Heard My Prayer For My Dad

Sarah your prayers for Bill will come to pass just as you say it will and because Jesus said, ". . . Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsover he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive (the correction interpetion of this word is received - past tense) them, and ye shall have them." Now the key to answered prayer is found in the next verse, "And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have an ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses, But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:22-26

It looked impossible for my Dad to change because he hated Christians. He had been badly hurt by a Christian and swore he would never be like them. On the surface my Dad looked like a mountain that was impossible to move, but I kept on believing for him without preaching to him. I let the Holy Spirit have His way and He dealt with my Dad's heart in a miraculous way. He was able to do what no amount of witnessing or preaching could do.

Notice Jesus said that whosoever shall say - that means you have to talk to the mountain and tell it to be removed. This mountain that Bill has is not a rock but rather a stone heart. So Jesus is saying for you to speak to that stone heart of Bill's and tell it to be gone. The next step is called faith. Jesus said you are to believe the thing you have just said has already come to pass. Believe in your mind's eye that it's a done deal, your prayer is already answered. Use your mind's eye and see Bill already changed based on what you have said. You do not have to keep praying the same prayer if its already happened, so there is no need to keep praying for the same issue. Just believe and it shall come to pass just as you have said! If may not have manifested itself right now, but by faith it has and it will come to pass in the Holy Spirits timing, not ours.

As long as there is no unforgiveness in your heart, your words the thing that you have said for Bill is already happened. It's like planting a seed. It takes time for the seed to germinate before it bursts through the soil and eventually you will see the harvest of your faith.

Now after you have planted your seeds of faith, by the words you have spoken, your job is to relax and let the Holy Spirit go to work on that stony heart. Your words now are past tense words, i.e., "Thank God Bill has accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior." You do not say these words directly to Bill until it has manifested, but you can say them out loud while you are praying or just driving down the road all by yourself. Give God thanks out loud for delivering Bill. Thank God for cleansing Bill's heart. Thank God for delivering Bill from alcohol. Thank God for hearing your prayer and answering them. Thank God that you do not have to keep praying for Bill because He has already answered your prayer.

Let's pray together, "Father in Heaven" I give you thanks for being such a loving Father. Thank you for hearing our prayers and answering them in Your timing and in your ways as Your ways are much better than our ways.

Lord God I pray for Sarah and give thanks for her as she has cared enough for Bill to request prayer for him. Lord I join Sarah in prayer for Bill to come to know Jesus and I thank you Father because it has already happened because Sarah has spoken to the mountain and has cast it in the sea. She has spoken to the mountain and has cast the image of problem out of her mind because now she sees the answer to her prayer instead. She sees Bill as a new man in Christ Jesus and she see him living for You and serving You. Sarah now speaks words of faith that what she has prayed for she has also believed will come to pass in its own timing just like a seed planted in good soil. Sarah knows her prayer will come to pass because she has not doubted in her heart and because your Word says that whatever things we desire when we pray we believe we have received them and we shall have them. Sarah speaks whatever your words are and her prayers are answered based on your words.

Lord thank you for bringing our words, spoken in faith for Bill, to pass. Lord thank you that we see the harvest already happened in our mind's eye and we will also see the physical manifestation take place in your timing.

Lord I give thanks for Sarah ask Your blessing upon her life and her ministry. We are all called to be ministers of the gospel by the words we speak and I pray that her words will be a blessing to everyone that comes in contact with her."

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Sarah the Word of God is His Will. His will is that all be saved and that none shall be lost. God has given His Will (His Words) to use in reaching the lost. Jesus said that we shall know that we are His when we follow his sayings and do what He said. When we say and do what He said then we have His will working to accomplish what He wants to happen. His calling is for a people that will stand in the gap using the power of His words - this is what will prepare the world for His soon coming. You are called to be a minister of the gospel and are called by His Word, His will to declare the good news. To everyone you come in contact with.

Sarah, I would like your permission to post your prayer request and our prayer on my BLOG. Please advise if I have your permission. Please also feel free to add any comments or questions.

Sincerely,
Chet Nowlen
http://www.welldoneblog.info/
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Sarah's Reply

Thank you, Chet. I very much appreciate your help to pray for this man. I've taken what you've written to heart, have prayed the prayers you posted, and am giving thanks to God for what He is already doing and will do, because He said so. Thank you, for the encouragement and counsel that help to strengthen my faith.

You asked if it will be alright to place this prayer request on your blog. I would be pleased for you to do that, and will certainly write again to update when I have good news to share. It will be a praise report, but I have begun giving praise today.

in Him for His glory and with sincere thanks,

Sarah S.
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Please feel free to e-mail your prayer requests to Chet at welldone@comcast.net

Please visit my other BLOGs:

http://storyofgijoe.blogspot.com/ More about my Dad

http://www.winningthewarondebt.com/ Please feel free to request a free copy of my eBook "How to Win the War on Debt".

The Latest From Chris Baxter

2010-09-07T05:33:00.000-05:00

Chris Baxter

Perspective: CREATOR

Posted:
06 Sep 2010 08:52 AM PDT

Perspective: Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy
Name

Creator

Dear Children,

When you look outside today, look all around. Do you see the remarkably blue sky, beautifully contrasted against the cotton-like clouds? And then, do you feel the saturating warmth of the far-away sun on your face? With only the brush of His hand, God created this beautiful scene...and more.

Now focus closer in. Do you see the flaming red bird perched on that branch singing its distinct little song? Look at the jet-black feathers surrounding its bright-orange beak. What incredible detail from its incredible Creator! And He even knows where this particular bird will fly. Nothing escapes the Creator of life. Heaven is [His] throne, and the earth is [His] footstool. (Is. 66:1a)

Now, focus even closer. Look at your hands. Do you see those tiny, little intricate lines on your fingertips?

Your sweet Father made those lines, and there is not a single person on this earth that has the same ones as you. He is so involved with you, that He even knows how many hairs you have on your head— remember, He put them there! Realize, sweet ones, He is delighted with how He made you. He wants you to be you, so you can best serve Him. That is why He made you. You are HIS creation, bearing His image.

Look around one last time and take this concept to art:

The same God who created The overwhelming mountain ranges, and the simple rolling hills, The rapidly flowing rivers, and the steady whispering streams, The pitch black of the night, and the all-encompassing light of the day, Is the same God who created you. And then, most importantly, realize He considers you His prized possession.

Meditate on this truth, my sweet ones. And may it send you to your knees, humbly bowing before this Master-Planner, as well as this Intimate-Creator, giving Him your all.

I love you

Teaching Suggestions for
Creator:

1. Take a walk with your children, discussing God’s incredible Creation.

2. Make fingerprints with your children, discussing His intricate handiwork.

3. Compare God’s awesome vastness with His incredible detail.

O Holy Father,

You are the Creator of all life. Everything that moves, and breathes, and has being, You have ordained. You created the beauty of the sunset, the intricate and prideful feathers of a peacock, and the awesome wonder of the wind. However, Your greatest delight in all of creation is Your fingerprint of life that You have placed on each of Your children. How You smile with each touch and each mold. With joy, You give every breath into each heart, body, and soul. O God, help my children to see Your vastness and Your power, but more than that, may they “feel” Your loving touch. Help them to know and believe, they are more beautiful in Your eyes than any breathtaking sunrise or any spectacular mountain top view. You rejoice over them with singing!

I ask they would be awed, dear Lord, by Your handiwork around them. May this cause them to humbly serve You as the Creator, not only of the universe but also as the Creator of their own hearts. Assure them that they have been made in Your image, the King of kings. Wrap them in your robe of righteousness and place Your crown of beauty upon their heads, so they may shine for Your glory. Give them the heart to respond to Your call—to live, to love, to serve, and to be a magnificent display of your splendor. Continually remind them, dear Lord, of this truth: Your purpose for giving them each breath and life is for Your glory only! Prompt them to live accordingly, dear Father, so they may find Your blessed peace in their souls.

Amen

Your Heavenly Father’s Letter of Love

Psalm 8:1,3-4

O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens! When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the so of man, that Thou dost care for him?

Colossian 1:16

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created by Him and for Him.

Genesis 2:7

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breast of life; and man became a living being.

Psalms 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Going Deeper Into His Love

Scripture references in letter:

Ps. 104:1-6; Is. 40:12-14,18; Ps. 139:1-6; Matt. 10:29-31; Is. 62:3-4; Job 38:4-12; Ps. 8
Scripture references in prayer:

Col. 1:16; Gen. 2:7; Zeph. 3:17; Is. 61:10; II Thess. 1:11-12; Ps. 150:6

Perspective: HOLY ONE

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 08:43 AM PDT

Perspective: Our Father Who Art in
Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name

Holy One

Dear Children,

Did you know that after Moses went up to the mountain to talk with God concerning the Ten Commandments, his face shone bright like the sun? The holiness of God created the radiance on Moses’ face. And did you know that a long, long time ago, in the Old Testament, God lived in a Holy Temple which His people, the Israelites, built for Him? You could not see Him, but His presence was there in the form of a thick cloud. There was one room called the Holy of Holies where His Spirit resided. No one, except the High Priest at that time, could enter this throne room because it was so full of the glory of God. If they did, they were sure to die.

Let me give you another picture of God’s holiness, as you listen to this true story found in the
Bible...

Once upon a time, king David, along with the Israelite people, desired to worship their God and celebrate His goodness by singing and dancing before His holy presence. In order to do this, they felt the ark of the a covenant needed to be carried back to their city.

Now, the ark was a holy representation of God’s presence among His people. God Himself had given specific instructions on how this “holy treasure box” should be transported from city to city. The men of Israel, however, disregarded God’s instruction, and decided to carry the ark on a cart pulled by an ox. At one point in their travel, the ox almost turned the cart over, which caused the ark to wobble. A man named Uzzah saw this shifting, so he quickly reached out his hand to steady the holy ark. But when his hand touched the ark, God struck him down instantly, and he died (I Chron. 13:9-10). You see, children, God had specifically warned His people not to touch the ark! Uzzah’s tragic death was a serious reminder to the Israelites, and to us, that God is too holy for our human touch!

However, an amazing thing has happened! Do you know where this holy God now lives? He can live in you! If you believe, sweet children, that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, then His Holy Spirit will come and live in your heart. He is the bridge between the human heart and God’s heart. You now are His holy temple, and your heart is the Holy of Holies. Jesus, the perfect High Priest, lives in you. We do not have to be terrified of His presence any longer, just awed that a God so full of power and greatness has graciously chosen to live inside His people! He longs to live in your heart and reign over it. He can “make your face shine” too! Please let Him, sweet ones, for He is all good, all loving, and altogether holy.

I love you

Teaching Suggestions for Holiness:

1. Take a flashlight into a dark room. Turn it on, and explain how God’s holiness penetrates darkness.

2. Stay in the dark room, put a white pillow case over the flashlight.

3. From this illustration, discuss how God’s holiness (flashlight) can shine through you.

O Lord God,

I pray my children will be given a great understanding of exactly Whom they serve. You are holy— omniscient, all powerful, altogether righteous, pure and awesome God:

You are the God who parted the Red Sea, making water stand like a wall
You are the God who caused fire to come down from heaven—consuming the sacrifice, the water, the wood, and even the stones around it.

You are the God, who can make a mountain tremble and shake because of your presence; and a temple curtain tear from top to bottom because of your plan.

Thank you, dear God, for the gift of being able to enter into the Holy of Holies because of the blood Jesus shed on the cross. You are our High Priest, Lord Jesus! Previous to Your holy sacrifice, no one could come before You without the fear of possible death. But now, because of You, we can come boldly with the reverence, the awe, and the gratitude of LIFE everlasting! You are the God of compassion, the God of purity, the God of absolute power, and the God of amazing love! “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty” (Rev. 4:8)

Please give my children the reverential fear of Your character, dear God, which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 11:10). May they never see You as a small god who is here only to fulfill their big wish list. Instead, may they consider the magnitude of Your holiness as they humbly, yet confidently, approach Your throne of grace on bended knee. With a thankful heart, may they present to You their praises for who You are, their confession for who they are not; and then, their petitions for what you would have them to be, through Your power and for Your glory. May You reign, dear Father, as holy King of kings in their lives.

Amen

Your Heavenly Father’s Letter of Love

Exodus 40:34,38

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle...For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

Romans 5:5-6

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time
Christ died for the ungodly.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your crown? For you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.

Romans 12:1

I urge you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Isaiah 6:1-3,8

...I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory”...Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

Going Deeper Into His Love

Scripture references in letter:

Ex. 34:1-8, 28-35; Ex. 40:34,38; Chron. 13:1-14; Rom. 5:5-6; Rev. 3:20; I Cor. 6:19-20; Phil. 2:12-15; Ps. 34:5

Scripture references in prayer:

Is. 46:8-10; Heb. 4:14-16; Is. 6:1-2,8; Rom. 12:1; Ps. 27:4-5

Perspective: REDEEMER

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 08:30 AM PDT

Perspective: Our Father Who Art in
Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name

Redeemer

Dear Children,

I want to tell you a little story:

There once was a little boy who was a little bit naughty. He told little lies now and then, and he also liked to be destructive. He would even steal small things occasionally. Well, as he grew, his naughtiness grew too. His lies became bigger and his destructive behavior grew from tearing up his own things to tearing up and vandalizing other people’s things. His stealing, as well, became a very serious problem.

Well, one day he got caught one day. He was arrested by the police and taken to jail. During the time he was waiting for his trial to see the Judge, he became very sorry for all the things he had done. He wished he could have a second chance, but he knew it was too late. However, during the night, a Stranger with a strong, yet gentle voice came to him and asked, “Are you sorry for what you have done?”

“Oh, yes,” said the boy.

“And if you were to be free from jail, what would you do?”

The boy quickly replied, “Oh, I would turn from my evil ways and do good. I have learned that the road to wickedness leads nowhere, and I don’t want to walk on this road anymore.”

The gentle Stranger sat quietly and listened to the outpouring of the young boy’s heart.

Well, the next day at the trial, the boy was standing sadly before the Judge with his head hanging low. He waited for what he knew would be a long-term prison sentence. But, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the kind Stranger walking into the courtroom. With a determined look on his face and compassion in his eyes, he stood directly in front of the boy! He then looked steadfastly at the Judge and said, “I will take his place. Let the boy go free!” In amazement to the boy, the Judge agreed with this offer. The Judge then turned and looked the boy in the eyes. And to his surprise, he had the same caring gaze as the Stranger. The Judge said to him, “You may go. But go with a changed heart, determined to pursue good things, not evil.”

The boy wept with both gratitude and sorrow, as he saw the gentle Stranger led silently away. This innocent Man was choosing to bear the punishment for the boy’s own wrongdoing. He said earnestly to himself, “I will live my life for that Man, since He has given His life for me. I will strive to be like Him—gentle and kind, caring and good, and most of all self-sacrificing.” The young boy turned and walked out of the courtroom, now... a free man.

Children, do you know the message behind this story? Do you know who the gentle Stranger represents? Yes, He is Jesus. And who is the gracious Judge? Yes, He is God, our Father. Do you see who you are, and who I am? We are that boy. There is no good in us, dear children, none at all. We were born in sin, and should die because of our sin! Yet, Jesus Christ comes in and stands in front of us, all glorious and pure. He covers us with His prefect love, so that God, the Judge, can see only the redemptive blood of His Son, which is worthy of life forever and ever! He is your Redeemer, dear ones. Believe in Him. He is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice. Please believe He did die for you, and that He conquered death by rising again! He truly was led away silently, in all his gentleness, mercy, and love. He was crucified, taking the punishment we deserve. Do you believe this truth? Know that when you confess your sin and repent of your ways, you are washed completely clean by His blood!

Now, let me ask you another question. What are you going to do for the One who gave His life for you? If you choose to live for Him, then He will come and help you. He will provide His Holy Spirit to live in you. You will not be left alone to “do good” by your own effort. (Remember, we can’t even do that!) Your Redeemer lives, dear ones. Let Him live through you!

I love you

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending us a Redeemer, strong and pure, gentle and kind, full of mercy and grace. Sometimes my soul cannot grasp the awesome LOVE that was lavished on me by Your living and holy sacrifice, Jesus Christ. Thank You, dear sweet Jesus, for offering Yourself, a Lamb without blemish, and for enduring the cross for me, a human heart spattered full of stains. Although One with God, You chose to deny Yourself and take my punishment, my afflictions, my iniquities, and my death. What amazing and unconditional love of both God, the Holy Father, and Jesus, His obedient Son.

Dear sweet Jesus, may my children fully understand this mighty act of love from You, their perfect Redeemer. May Your love prompt them to give You every beat of their heart, which was purchased by Your blood. May they realize it is only because of the cross that they can now have the comfort, the power, and the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. I pray You will give them a continual sense of reverence and gratitude towards You, the One who is mighty to save. May
they pledge to lovingly live for the One who lovingly died, giving His life as a ransom, in order to set them FREE!

Amen

Teaching Suggestions for Holiness:

1. Gather three pieces of construction paper: one purple, one black, one white.

2. Inform your child the purple paper represents God, the Royal Judge; the white paper represents Jesus, the Great Redeemer; and the black paper represents all
sinners.

3. Illustrate the story above by placing the white paper over the black one. Discuss with your child how Jesus covers our sin from a Holy and Righteous Judge, when we believe and confess His name.

Your Heavenly Father’s Letter of Love

Matthew 27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. And they stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him , they took His robe off and put His garments on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

II Corinthians 5:21

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I Peter 1:18-19

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Romans 6:4

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Going Deeper Into His Love

Scripture references in letter:

Is. 30:1, II Cor. 7:10; John 8:1-11; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 3:10-11; Matt. 27:27-31; Rom. 6:23, John 14:26; I Cor. 10:13; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:4

Scripture references in prayer:

Eph. 1:7-8; I Peter 1:18-19; II Cor. 5:21; Is. 53:4-10; Rom. 5: 8-9; I Cor. 6:20; Gal. 3:13-14; Matt. 20:28.

Perspective: MASTER, LORD

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 08:22 AM PDT

Perspective: Our Father Who Art in
Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name

Master, Lord

My Dear Children,

When I think of the term “master,” I tend to think of an evil man, holding a whip in his hand, yelling insults while mistreating his slaves. In biblical times, the Egyptians treated the Israelites like this when they were in bondage. They had no heart towards the Israelites, no compassion whatsoever. The slaves were only there to fulfill the objectives of their masters. Yet the harder they worked, the more they were pushed.

Well, I would like you to know another Master. He is so opposite of what I have just described, it is like comparing night and day. Do you know Whom I’m talking about? Yes, His Name is Jesus. Oh children, He is so gentle and kind and humble in heart. His desire is to give you rest for your souls! He does not have a whip for those who love Him; instead, He has a rod and staff to comfort and guide all who trust Him. Did you know that God, Jesus’ Father and Equal, goes to the wonderful extreme of adopting us as His own sons and daughters? We are not slaves wearing filthy rags. We are children of the Most High God, wearing righteous robes as His ambassadors! He does not order us to be removed from His royal presence; as a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. He invites us to His own banqueting table. He has prepared a feast of you, dear ones.

I encourage you to know this Master. There is none like Him. You will find all other masters will be very similar to the Egyptian rulers—abusive, demanding, and full of sorrow and pain. Children, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15).

I love you

Teaching Suggestions for Holiness:

(Role play with your children. You are the “master”, and they are the “slave.”)

1. First, act like the evil master. Give strict orders, no words of encouragement, and stale bread and bitter water (imaginary or real) as food and drink. Discuss some “evil masters” that might exist today: money, pride, selifishness, envy.

2. Now “become” the Gentle Master, Jesus. Love them, encourage them, and give them fresh fruit (representing the fruits of the Spirit), and pure water to drink.

3. Discuss and compare the two masters while you enjoy your fruit together.

Dear Lord God,

I ask that my children would serve You alone as their Master. I pray nothing in this world would take the place You so jealously desire in their hearts. Please keep them from developing a love for money, a prideful spirit, an unhealthy relationship, or anything else that might lure them from completely submitting their hearts to You as Lord of all. Instead, may they flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (II Tim. 2:22). Allow them to become a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to You as their Master (II Tim. 2:21). And as they submit to You, dear Lord, please continually show them what a gentle and loving Lord You are. May they see that Your desire is to bless those who live in obedience to You.

Thank You, dear Father, for longing to lavish your love on us; and even more, thank You for choosing to call us Your own children. You have made us Your heirs, O great High King! Please dear God, help my children to live accordingly. May they serve You with joyful hearts, recognizing that all other masters on this earth come with weighted chains. But You, Abba Father, Lord of life, have come with magnificent truth— tremendous Truth that will cause those who live by it to soar like an eagle in freedom!

My prayer again, dear Lord, is for you to continually reign in the hearts of my children. I want them to have a driving desire to serve You alone as the Lord of their life. Through Your word, may they respond quickly to Your teaching, Your reproof, Your correction, and Your training in righteousness; that they may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). May they bring glory to You, dear God. Be their Lord and their Master.

Amen

Your Heavenly Father’s Letter of Love

Isaiah 40:11

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them
in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Song of Solomon 2:4

He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.

Romans 8:15-16

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

John 8:34-36

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the house forever, the son does remain forever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1

It was freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Going Deeper Into His Love

Scripture references in letter:

Ex. 1:6-14; Is. 40:11, Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 23; Song of Sol. 2:4; Ps. 46:10-11; 1 Tim. 6:10-12

Scripture references in prayer:

Ex. 20:4-6; James 4:4-8; Josh. 1:7-8; Rom. 8:15-16; Matt. 6:19-21; John 8:34-36; Is. 40:28-31; Gal 5:1.

Perspective: FRIEND

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 08:10 AM PDT

Perspective: Our Father Who Art in
Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name

Friend

Dear Children,

I am grateful to be able to say that God has generously blessed me with wonderful friends throughout my lifetime. They have not all come at one time, but they have been sprinkled over the years of my life. From a young age like you, through my teens, my twenties, and now my thirties, I have been blessed with true friends. When I think of each one, she warms my heart, brings a smile to my face, or even a tear to my eye. Friendship is such a cherished possession. Such a strong bond is formed between hearts that neither time, nor distance, nor change, can
ever break it.

Children, I pray you will have these kinds of friends, ones who will last for eternity. I want you to have friends you can laugh with and cry with. You need friends you can trust, and friends who will hold you accountable. I pray God will provide these soul-mates for you, when you seek Him. He graciously knows we need each other.

And guess what? He has already provided the greatest Friend you could possibly have, Jesus Christ. It is from Him, my dear ones, that all other true friendships begin. He knows you like none other. He came for you, even in your sin. He understands you, because He made you! Talk to Him, dear children, and walk with Him. Then you will be sure to find out, He is the One who is the greatest lover of your soul.

I love you

Teaching Suggestions for Holiness:
1. On a sheet of paper, have your children list their friends. Also, write down an adjective describing each friend (kind, sweet, funny). Tell them their friendship with Jesus far exceeds the friendships they will make throughout their lifetime.

2. Now write down the name, Jesus. Beside His name, fill the page with adjectives describing His character.

3. Finally, put two paperclips together. Have your child hold them, pull them, “study” them. Discuss how Jesus is bonded to their heart. He is their true Friend (who never has to “go home”)!

Dear Lord Jesus,

I pray that my children will know You as a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). Open their eyes to see how much You care for them and listen to them; how much You pray for them and love them. You died to be their FRIEND! Thank You for the promises You have given us that will never be broken.

You give: the Bread of Life to those who hunger,

Living Water to those who thirst,

Comfort to those who are hurting,

Peace to those with a troubled heart.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for never leaving us nor forsaking us. Draw my children to You, sweet Savior, and take hold of their hand with Your gentle one. Convince them, they are walking with a Friend that intimately loves their soul. Give them the desire to walk with You alone in the quietness of their day. And there, teach them of Your unconditional and sacrificial love. May their companionship with You be filled with joy, laughter, and song, as well as comfort, compassion, and grace. Thank You for giving us Your all in order to call us “friends.”

O God, I also pray my children would consider this loving bond with You as a responsibility on their part as well. Convict them, and then help them to be a friend to You, dear Jesus, the One who died for them. I pray they will not be ashamed of You, deny You, ignore you, or do anything that will dishonor their relationship with You. May they also give their all, so they can sincerely call you “Friend.”

And finally, impress on their hearts one of your greatest teachings: being a friend to others, in reality, is being a friend to You.

May they realize, when they give their time, energy, and effort to someone in need, they are not only doing this for just a human being, but they are also doing it for You, dear Jesus. May this truth challenge them to be a great friend to others throughout their lives, knowing this is a mere reflection of their love for You. Thank You, for loving us first, sweet Savior, and dear Friend. May my children pour Your love into the hearts of others.

Amen

Your Heavenly Father’s Letter of Love

Exodus 33:9,11

And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent..Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.

Psalm 139:1-3, 17-18

O Lord, Thou has searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thoughts from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down. And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.. How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I am awake, I am still with Thee.

Psalm 37:23-24

The steps of a man are established by the Lord; And He delights in his way. When he falls he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

John 15:13-17

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves...but I have called you friends...You did not choose Me, but I chose you...This I command you, that you love one another.”

I John 4:19,21

We love, because He first loved us...And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Going Deeper Into His Love

Scripture references in letter:

Ecc. 4:9-12; Ex. 33:9-11; Pr. 27:6; John 10:14-15; Ps. 12:39:1-3, 17-18

Scripture references in prayer:

I Peter 5:7; Ps. 145:18-19; Heb. 7:25; John 15:13-17; John 6:48-51; John 7:37-38; II Cor. 1:3-4; John 14:27; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 37:23-24; II Tim. 2:11-13; Matt. 25:35-40; I John 4:19,21

Glass Of Milk

2010-07-26T06:13:00.000-05:00

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the water comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Now you have two choices.

1. You can send this page on and spread a positive message.

2. Or ignore it and pretend it never touched your heart.

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which -- to burn.

This really touched my heart, I hope yours will be touched as well.

Who wrote Precious Lord?

2010-07-26T06:07:00.000-05:00

I did not know and it is one of my favorite hymns.

Who wrote the song "Precious Lord"? I was very surprised to find out who it was.

THE BIRTH OF THE HYMN "PRECIOUS LORD"

Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go; Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis . I kissed Nettie goodbye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago
on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting
to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope....Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could
hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'"

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis . Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie.

Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody. Once in my head they just seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on,let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.

And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

- - - -Tommy Dorsey

For those too young to know who he is, Tommy Dorsey was a well-known band leader in the 1930's and 40's.

Did you know that Tommy Dorsey wrote this song? I surely didn't. What a wonderful story of how God CAN heal the brokenhearted! Beautiful, isn't it?

Worth the reading, wasn't it? Think on the message for a while. Thought you might like to share this, I just did.

Order your free copy of "How to Win the War on Debt"

2010-07-15T07:20:00.000-05:00

"How to Win the War on Debt" is my free ministry gift to anyone that is interested in managing their money the way God intended. Some have critized the book saying that the book is too simple. I agree it is simple, easy to read and easy to understand. This book was not designed for entainment and does not have a lot of usless fluff. Instead this little instruction manual is full of Biblical principles that you can anyone can use to better their financial situation no matter what's going on with the economy.

To order your free copy of my eBook "How to Win the War on Debt" send your e-mail requests to allaboutchanges2@comcast.net

Nashville Rescue Mission - From Hunger to Hope

2010-06-03T05:02:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T05:10:00.002-05:00

This is my beloved family in whom I am well pleased. See all the pictures on FaceBook at http://www.facebook.com/chet.nowlen

Communication Breakdown

2010-05-31T10:39:00.000-05:00

It happens to the best of us. Communication is such a fickle thing, and the lines of communication can become blurred every so often, especially when feelings are involved. Even those who think that they are immune to the confusion of conflict can find themselves drawn into a communication breakdown when they least expect it, and chaos ensues.

This happened to a friend on the weekend, and until to be quite honest, it took them by surprise. Even those of us who are better equipped than many others are not immune. A few cutting words from a loved one, hurt feelings, and a defensive retort that left both with regrets. It was a silly argument, over something as simple as a misplaced bottle of soda, the lid off the juice, or newspapers not picked up. But to them, it represented something much deeper that had been simmering away for a couple of weeks until the frustration reached breaking point.

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There was intense frustration at having to search for something when it is not where it was expected to be. Worse still when one person shifted it and the other didn't know the first place to begin searching.

Searching for that particular shirt or needles and thread, lost car keys, a document missing from a drawer, missing covers for the outdoor chairs, all were examples of instances where the house had to be turned upside-down. A moment's thought or a supportive reply when these things were discussed would have saved a lot of time and frustration. And the answer that was received? "You need to open your eyes and organize yourself better"

This off-hand comment characterized the undercurrent of misunderstanding and lack of compassion that had been running through the relationship for quite some time. One partner did the majority of the household chores and felt aggrieved that their efforts weren't recognized.

Praise or gratitude was not expected, but simple recognition was. Getting told that "I don’t expect you to tidy the house or cook my dinner every night" was interpreted by my friend as ingratitude, and hurt her even more.

So where to from here? My friend's partner felt guilty at coming home every night to the perfect household, whereas she felt guilty if it wasn’t perfect. It was never about her trying to make him feel guilty, but it seems it did. And this is where the communication fell down. He misinterpreted my friend's efforts, and she in turn misinterpreted his response.

Communication, communication, communication. My friend needed to be considered when things were not put back in their place. When two people live together it involves and adjustment in routines, habits, and attitudes. Some consideration of her feelings needed to be taken into account in order for the relationship to move forward.

There was a need to voice frustrations before they get to boiling point. What was needed was a commitment to talking about feelings more often, and in such a way that both partners could do so without judgment or consequence. Open communication was the key to their success, rather than suppressing feelings.

When people feel guilt or stress, it leads them to act funny ways. Often stress and guilt are barriers to communication. The key to overcoming them is to recognize what it is, and have the courage to talk about it. You might be able to do it as a couple, or you might want the help of a friend who can listen to the way you are communicating with each other and offer insights and advice.

They got it sorted out, and kissed and hugged. It wouldn’t hurt so much if you didn’t feel such love at the same time. But it serves as a good reminder to all. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in your own emotions that you forget to think of the other person. You also need to entertain the possibility that you are misinterpreting each other. Talking about it is the way to expose the miscommunication and let the healing begin.

A problem shared is a problem halved...

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The Passive Church

2010-03-14T09:07:00.004-05:00

The following is from a conversation on FaceBook:

Are you surprised that it is politically correct to allow anti-Semitism in our colleges, but its not politically correct to disagree with allowing these people to spread this propaganda in the USA. Christians and Jews are not allowed the same freedom of speach on the campus. What has happened to "US" as a nation? We the church have failed as we have become too passive and allowed the enemy of our souls to weaken the strength and foundation principles of what this country was formed upon.

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Russ - The anti-semitism shown in the video is appalling, as is any violent prejudice (racist or otherwise). I didn't however, see anything that said it's not politically correct to disagree with the racists or that others weren't given the same freedom. Did I miss it, or is that info somewhere else? (in fact, it showed a headline in which Harvard's ... See More president lamented the anti-semitism -- that doesn't seem consistent with it being a preferred political correctness). This ancient conflict, like most religious ones, breeds extremists.

Chet - Political Correctness was not mentioned the clip, however, Political Correctness has become a social disease that cause fear and passiveness. Fear to speak out against this type of thing because of retaliation. It is more prevalent in Europe right now, but is spreading to the USA.

The Passivism I'm speaking of is against the church because the church is . . . well I'd better not get into that right now because that's another can of worms that I'm not ready to open just yet.

Russ - Use the can opener whenever you feel comfortable. We all would like to hear from you about it, when you're ready.

Chet - I do not consider myself to be denominational as I have attended and have been members of several different evangelical denominations. I am amazed at the different levels of theology among denominations and within particular denominations. Unfortunately the different denominations have turned the "Church" into religions and I do not believe this is what the early church was designed for.

The churches are not all on the same page so to speak. Some denominations teach that only their denomination will go to heaven. They teach that all other denomination will go to hell. It’s not a denomination, church membership or affiliation, not anyone's good works that grants one to heaven. It is only the shed blood of Jesus and our personal relationship with God the Father that grants our membership in the heavenly church. There is only one way to a relationship with the Father and that is through Jesus.

Some mistakenly teach there are many ways to earn heaven. No one can earn membership in the heavenly church. It is a free gift that is offered without works or good deeds.

I can tell you some stories of some of the conversations I've had with various people that want to argue with me. This is a very sensitive subject some therefore I will tread carefully and say more about this as time permits.

Russ - I do appreciate your comments! What you've laid out here is essentially the same as I've come to understand (that should make you worry!!). Happy to have more of your comments as they're available.

The "church" the Bible refers to is not a brick and mortar building nor is it a particular denomination. The church is not even a religion. The church is the body of believers with Christ as the head of the body. The Bible also teaches that the church is also known as "The Bride of Christ". Israel is the wife or bride of God, and the church is the bride of Christ.

Chet - If you are "In Christ" you are a member of the church, not a member of a particular church building or denomination. I'm not saying that going to a church building is a bad thing. I am saying that just because you belong to a particular denomination or attend a particular church building every time the doors are open does not guarantee that you are a member of the body of the church that Jesus is the head of.

My scripture I base this teaching on is found in Matthew 7:21-23 (King James Version)

"21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

On the surface I would say these people sound like "churchy" people. Can you imagine just how horrible it would be to stand before Jesus and hear Him say, "...I never knew you..." I look forward to hearing Him say to me, "Well Done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful...Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world..." from Matthew 25:14-46

Why is there so much confusion and differences among the different denominations? God is not the author of confusion then who is? Satan is the enemy of our Heavenly Father and he hates the church so much therefore he is the author of the confusion among denominations and the creator of denominational religion.

More on that later if you want to hear more.

Chet - One more thing! The people described in Matthew 7:22 are likened to the parable of the sower found in Mark 4. The parable of the sower is a representation of word sown in four different kind of soil conditions, meaning four different kinds of conditions of a man's heart. The first condition is of a person that welcomes the word when he hears it, but the word is quickly stollen from him therefore it never has time to take root.

The second condition of the heart is full of rocks which are preconceived notions and negative thinking. They have no root in themselves and are easily offended when trouble arises because of the word. The word is sown in the heart, but only very shallow. These people have head knowledge about the word, but they do not care to take the time to get to know the word therefore they become displeased, indignant, resentful when things aren't going their way and they fall away.

The next soil condition is sown among thorns. This is the group that I think is most like the people mentioned in Matthew 7:22. These people are probably active in their local church and may be an outstanding member of the church. They may even be a part of the worship service. They are so involved in the business and activities of their church they get distracted with cares and anxieties of the world. They are distracted by the false glamour, glory, and attention they receive from other church members. They find themselves craving wealth and pleasure rather than growing in the knowledge of the word.

The last group is the people that will hear Jesus say, "Well Done" ...more on that later

Chet - More on the second soil type, the stony soil. This group is usually very intelligent and well educated. They are very logical and realistic. They don't accept ideas that are beyond their ability to rationalize. It's difficult for them to trust anything that they cannot see, touch, for feel. An example of this personality is the disciple is Thomas. Thomas was with the WORD daily and heard the WORD every day, but yet he did not fully trust and believe what he heard. His faith was hindered by his logical mind which affected the condition of his heart.

More on the third soil type, the thorny soil. This condition accepts the WORD and it takes root. These people are very active and very busy all the time. They are easily distracted by the circumstances around them that interfere with their goals. They like to make things happen and they like to do it their own way. They are impatient and if things are not going their way they tend to do things to make it happen. An example of this soil type is Judas.

Judas was an active disciple and in charge of the treasury for Jesus and the other disciples. He controlled the money and managing the money was very important to him. He complained of waste when the woman poured the expensive oil on Jesus' feet and washed His feet with her hair. Judas was more concerned with the waste than the act of worship.

Judas also had it in his head that Jesus was going to cause a revolution, an uprising against the Romans. Judas was more concerned with the political affairs of life than he was the affairs of the kingdom of God. Judas because impatient when he realized that Jesus was not going the cause the revolt he wanted. Judas planned to force it to happen by betraying Jesus. He thought that Jesus would rise up, take charge and lead a revolt against the Romans. Judas was seduced by Satan and believed a lie. Why? Because he was not listening and understanding what Jesus was here to accomplish. All Judas cared about was the overthrow of the Roman occupation.

After Jesus was arrested Judas realized that his plan to force Jesus to take action failed. Judas could have repented and asked God for forgiveness, but he didn't. He repented alright, but not to God. He repented to himself and then hung himself. The WORD was choked in Judas' life by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

Chet - One more thing about Judas, Judas will someday soon appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment. All the Judas' of the world will one day stand before Jesus and they will say, "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" and Jesus will say, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." I like the way the Amplified Bible says it; "23And then I will say to them openly (publically), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]."

Chet – Now back to my earlier comment about the church being too passive. I am not that the church be political activist like Judas was. What I am saying is that the church has lost its identity, its value in America. Jesus was not a political activist and spoke very little of politics. He did have a lot to say about religious leaders and their hypocrisy, but most of his words were to train and inspire us to be over-comers in life. In short, His words were about how to overcome the works of flesh and Satan’s influence in our lives.

My position is Satan has been successful in weakening the church through religious divisions. Therefore the church has been too silent or passive regarding its job of ministering to the needs of people. The church, as a whole, is divided instead of being united. Some teach from the pulpit that part of the Bible as truth and the other part died with the apostles. Some teach that the stories in the Bible are just stories and never really happened. Some teach that God is a good God and would never send anyone one to hell therefore they deny the existence of hell. Some teach that not all prophecy in the Bible is real or will eventually happen.

Pastors have an awesome responsibility to teach and to train its flock what the WORD says and there are some pastors that are doing just that. There also other pastors that teach man made theology that is not based on scripture at all. There are also pastors that teach doctrines of socialism and communism from their pulpits. Their congregation has no root in the WORD (soil type number one) and does not even realize their minds are being feed with religious propaganda. If your church is not teaching what the WORD actually says then you need to go to any other church.

In Revelations Chapters 1 thru 4 there are seven letters to seven churches. In these letters to the churches Jesus commented on the things the church was doing right and also if he had anything against them. Just as the letters to the seven churches in Revelations Jesus knows the things today’s church as done right, but He also has some things against the church just as He had to say in Revelations 1-4. Read those chapters and you will see what I mean.

In conclusion, I believe that if the church was united in teaching the truth from the WORD and not a man made theology (rooted from the doctrine of demons) then there would not be any anti-semitic protesters on our college campuses. There would not be any Americans willfully converting to Islam. There would not be any political corruption because the politicians would have a firm foundation based on the WORD.

How We Eat Is Making Us Fat – How To Break The Cycle

2010-03-12T08:03:00.000-06:00

Here is an article you may find helpful -

Consistency is key to achieving your goal so it is best to keep at it. The one thing that will set success apart from failure is your ability to keep on track. Even if you feel to quite just keep going. Most people give up right when they are about to experience the results they wanted.

Gaining weight for most individuals was a life long love affair with food, we tend to use food as therapy, food like a pacifier, food as reward and food simply because it's available, most individuals in North America eat foods for all the wrong reasons and that has manifested itself in the obesity pandemic we are now experiencing in this Nation.

In the initial stages making some of these changes shall be tough, but it will all be worth it in the end. Weight loss programs look and sounds good on paper, but unless they offer a permanent solution to your weight-loss, you will visit the same road over and over

The basic weight gain fact is that if you take in more food than your body is able to use, you will gain weight.

Our consumption of these foods are at it's highest now than ever before.

With so many food choices, how will I know the right ones to eat? This is where self education will come in.

It is crucial that you keep in mind that the best way to get rid of fat isn't having to lose it in the first place. What do I mean by that? The extra calories you consume from foods will need to be burnt off some where some how, but what if you did not consume those extra calories in the first place? Then there would be nothing you would have to do to lose weight.

When we eat deals with the time of day and the frequency of those meals. The times we choose to eat is a vital step in our efforts to lose weight. It is important that you've a large healthy wholesome breakfast, a medium-size lunch, and a small supper.

If you stop the habit of eating late at night ofter 8 AM, then you will begin to notice a change in your energy levels the nest day and you will be more inclined to eat breakfast.

How much we eat is also a very important aspect of diet. I remember a time when our portion sizes were so small we would always ask for seconds. Not any more. Cutting back on our food servings can help us o get in shape. So gradually reducing how much you eat is the third step in permanent weight loss

Get moving is the best way to speed up your metabolism and turn your body into a fat burning machine.

By: Edward Knight

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Stubborn and Rebellious Nature - Part 3

2010-03-07T09:08:00.000-06:00

The following is one of many of my favorite scriptures, but yet it is controversial for some of my friends. In my various jobs I have had the opportunity to work with and made friends with gay men. I remember talking with one of my gay friends and I was about to discuss the following scripture with him and he because very angry and walked away. He would not speak to me for two weeks after that. He assumed I was going to condemn him because he was gay and he did not want to hear and preaching on the subject. He knew I attended a Baptist church as the time and he assumed I was about to bring hell fire and damnation upon him.

What I was about to explain was that the church has been quick to condemn those that homosexual because of this scripture, but the word homosexual is only one of the descriptive words that are used to describe those that will not share in the kingdom of God. Notice the all the words: impure, immoral, idolaters, adulters, homosexuality, cheats, greedy, drunkards, foulmouthed, slanders, extortioners, and robbers. The church has caused an isolation and division for the homosexuals based on this scripture, but the church has failed to teach the whole truth about this scripture. The truth is all of us are guilty of one or more of these descriptive words, therefore none of us (not just homosexuals) are worth to share in the kingdom of God.

Thank God HE sent Jesus to deliver us from "ALL" our sins and to forgive us from "ALL" unrighteousness. Even after we have accepted the free gift of salvation and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus we still find ourselves being guilty again of one or more of those descriptive words. Thank God HE allows us to confess our sins and forgives us when we fail. It is impossible for us to be righteous on our own because we still live in a body that still carnal, but because of the Blood of Jesus we are made righteous "IN HIM".

1 Corinthians 6:9 19 Amplified Bible (AMP) 9Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,

10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

11And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

12Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.

13Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[a]to save, sanctify, and raise it again].

14And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power.

15Do you not see and know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never!

16Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh.(A)

17But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

18Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

19Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

Read Matthew Henry’s Commentary on this scripture - Sins which, if lived and died in, shut out from the kingdom of God.

"The Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of which they had formerly been guilty. There is much force in these inquiries, when we consider that they were addressed to a people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others in wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning sin, nay, every actual sin, committed with design, and not repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven. Be not deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that they

may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life. They are reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of

God. (1Co 6:12-20)"

Notice verse 12 above - I believe that now that I'm "IN CHRIST" Jesus all things are permissable to me, but not all things are beneficial for me. All food is permissable but not all food is good for me to eat. The Old Testiment law of clean and unclean foods is still the best guide at to what foods we should eat and not eat. More on that in a later segment.

If too are battling the bulge caused by over eating I would like to hear from you. Please write to me via e-Mail at welldone@comcast.net

Stubborn and Rebellious Nature - Part 2

2010-03-07T07:48:00.000-06:00

I asked the Lord last year, "Lord, why have you had me have so many different jobs? I feel like such a failure, unstable, and unreliable." He said, "You need the experience." I said, "But Lord, at everyone of these different jobs I've seen the worst in people and I've been so hurt and disappointed by how people behave." He said, "I know, I have been very hurt and disappointed in the way my children behave too." I asked, "Why did you want me to experience this? He said, "I will be sending someone to you that needs to learn from you because you have experienced these things." I felt ashamed that I had even asked, but now I'm glad that I have sufferered through what I thought was a horrible experience. It turns out it was part of my education.

Romans 13:13 Amplified Bible (AMP) 13Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.

I love Matthew Henry’s commentary on this scripture - To temperance and sobriety.

Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time. Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend our pace, we are nearer our journey's end. Also to make ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand;

therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon himself undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan's temptations, and the assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for justification.

Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you as Jesus to save you; and in both, as Christ anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling, saving work. And how to walk. When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still, but to appear abroad; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the works of darkness. Where there are riot and

drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts these all together, Pr 23:29 to 35. See what provision to make. Our great care must be to provide for our souls: but must we take no care about our bodies? Yes; but two things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with anxious, encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires. Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be checked and

denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our duty, we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts, is provoking God, Ps 78:18.

Ephesians 5:18 - 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.(A)

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Directions to a contrary behaviour, and to relative duties.

Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to

complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong

drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God's people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things;

being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their duties to each other. (Eph 5:22-33)

Proverbs 28:7 Amplified Bible (AMP) 7Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.

See Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them. (Pr 28:8)

Speaking of shame, obesity brings shame to our selves. As an obese person I’ve experienced shame by the way people look at me. I have even been guilty of looking at others and subconsciously thinking to myself that the obese person I’m looking at cannot be trusted, they are weak, they are lazy. If that’s what I see when I look at other obese people then others see that when they look at me. There is no telling how many job interviews I was unsuccessful in because of my excess weight. I hang my head in shame, but I will not let the cares of this weigh me down and feel sorry for myself. I have confessed my sin to God and HE is faithful and just to forgive my sin. HE is dealing with me and helping me overcome my lust for excess. Amen

Stubborn and Rebellious Nature - Part 1

2010-03-07T07:27:00.000-06:00

In my last article I confessed my sin of “Gluttony” and today we will find out what the Bible has to say about the subject. Webster defines the word “Glutton” used as a noun means - as one who eats too much, one eager for anything in excess, e.g. work, books, etc.; When used as a verb it means to eat to excess or beyond full. When you think about it anything we do to excess is gluttony.

Deuteronomy 21:20 (Amplified Bible) “20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”

By this scripture I see reason I tend to overeat is because I have a stubborn and rebellious nature. That’s my carnal nature, my fleshly nature.

Proverbs 23:20-22 (Amplified Bible) “20Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat,(A) 21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 22Hearken to your father, who begot you, and despise not your mother when she is old.

The key words that hit home to me are “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty . . .” Wow! My dad was a drunkard and I am a glutton and is this why I grew up in poverty and why I have continued to struggle financially? This morning while I was placing my daily doses of medications in my pill pack and the Lord spoke to my heart. He revealed to me that I have suffered financially because of my dependence on doctors and medication to keep me from dying prematurely. He also reminded me of the amount of money I have wasted paying medical bills and high insurance premiums because of my not overcoming my stubborn and rebellious nature. I said, “Lord, how can I overcome this natural nature that I was born with.” He said, “You cannot overcome this on your own. You cannot overcome this without my help.” I ask, “Lord, what do I do?” He said, “Quit struggling and trying to do it yourself. Trust me and let me show you how.” I asked, “Lord, how will you show me what I need to do?” He said, “I will enlighten your mind every time you renew your mind through the study of my WORDs.”

Luke 21:34 34 "But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the [a]giddiness and headache and [b]nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the [c]business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;"

This scripture has always bothered me because I do feel sluggish and sleepy whenever I eat too much. I then feel guilty and depressed because I know I have not exercised any control. I confess that the pressures and stress of life cause me to use food, like an alcoholic uses drink, to drown my anxieties. My job is so stressful and the horrible things people say to me on the phone causes me to come home depressed and overburdened with the cares pertaining to the business of making a living. I have asked the Lord many times as to why He gave me this job and the many other jobs that I’ve had. He said, “I want you to experience the different personalities of my children and understand why I need you to teach my children. I said, “Lord, I have failed so miserably how could you use me as a teacher?” He said, “Do not worry, I will bring those to you that need to know and understand what you have learned.” The Lord said to me, “Your job is to have faith in me in everything you do and I will bring those to you that need to hear what I have to say through you.”

Wow! I never thought about it like this before – “MY JOB” God has given me a job to do. HE is my primary employer – HE is the one that supplies all my needs when I put my trust in HIM instead of my earthly employer, my insurance company, my doctors, and my pharmacy.

Read Matthew Henry’s commentary on Luke 21 - Christ exhorts to watchfulness.

Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor

betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should

be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore,

and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.

I'm A Recovering Food Addict

2010-03-02T11:22:00.001-06:00

A week or two ago Glen Beck was the keynote speaker at the CPAC convention and he publically announced that he is a recovering alcoholic. I was impressed that he was brave enough to admit that he had an addiction problem and then the Holy Spirit impressed on me that I have an addiction problem too. My father had an alcoholic addiction, but that’s not my addiction. My addiction is to eating too much food.

I have been over weight since I was about ten years old. I remember it started with an addiction to chocolate milk and then ice cream. By the time I was twelve or thirteen I was taller and heavier than everyone else in my class. Because my father was an alcoholic I turned to food as a way of coping with the stress of being around a drunk that never stopped talking.

When I was thirteen a doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure and advised my mother that I need to watch what I eat and lose some weight, but that fell on deaf ears. When I graduated high school I was 6’ tall and weighed 175 lbs. That sounds like an ideal weight, but I was still fat around the middle as I was not athletic at all.

When I was about twenty seven years of age my doctor told me I had three strikes against me; one I was overweight, two I smoked, and three, my cholesterol was too high. At the time I weighed 202 lbs. The doctor’s words shocked me into reality and went on a lipid lowering regime of 1,000 calories per day. I lost down to 165 lbs in about three months. My wife, now ex, complained to the doctor and asked him to take me off the diet as my hip bones were hurting her during sex. What a lame excuse! Anyway I listened to the doctor and stopped the diet and the weight gradually crept back and more so. It took several years but the weight did come back and I was no longer able to get back on the lipid lowing regime and stay with it. I had allowed the enemy to crush my will, my drive, and my desire to be thin.

As the year go by I always intended to get serious about my weight because my doctors regularly check my cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. I have been border line diabetic for several years. Some doctors say that there is no such thing as border line diabetic. They say you either have it or you don’t have it and the 6.0 level says you have it. This condition is brought on by excess weight and in activity and this condition is reversible if you can only get serious and watch what you eat and exercise regularly.

When I was in my early 50’s my doctor did a stress tests to see the condition of my heart. I passed the stress test but doctor stated that he’s has patients pass the stress test and then shortly thereafter have a heart attack. My doctor had me schedule a cobalt imaging of my heart and found that there was calcification in my heart. He then scheduled me to meet with a cardiologist. The cardiologist scheduled me for a heart catheterization and 75% to 80% blockage was discovered and I needed a quadrulple by-pass. Although I did not have any symptoms of heart problems I agreed to have the surgery for preventive measures.

Even before the diagnosis of calcification in my heart I had started walking everyday and then worked up to running every day. I lost about 10 lbs and my cholesterol had dropped from around 300 to 150 and my blood pressure was down too. I almost feel like I was too hasty in having the by-pass because the cholesterol numbers had dropped significantly with the exercise and diet. My cardiologist wanted me to have the surgery to make sure we prevent a heart attack, but I think it was because she did not think I would stick with the exercise or diet.

After the surgery I was advised to continue walking and dieting and to get the weight off to prevent a recurrence. I lost another 10 lbs. while in the hospital, but sadly to say I lost my drive again to continue with the diet and exercise program. I knew I needed to do it, but for some reason I just could not stay with it.

I would exercise from time to time and would do well for a while, but then I started having knee problems. I could no longer run on the tread mill without my left knee hurting. I went to an orthopedic surgeon and he advised me that I had some arthritis in my knee and needed a scope done to get that arthritis scraped out. After the surgery the doctor told me I had a stretched ACL and a meniscus tear. He advised me to never get on the tread mill again. Later I started having terrible pain in right wrist and the doctor told me I would have to have my hand and wrist fused together to eliminate the pain.

With all this pain in my left leg and right wrist I felt I was no longer to exercise at the gym. The doctors told me I needed to do my exercise at the pool every day, but exercising in the pool with a bunch of old people has never appealed to me.

A couple of years ago I went on a self developed low carbohydrate diet and lost 20 lbs and about in about 6-weeks. The way I did it was by eliminating drinking soft drinks, bread, and dairy. Every day I listed all of my foods in my www.sparkpeople.com food counter and kept my calories between 1000 and 1500 per day. All of my blood profile numbers were normal again, but my doctor sent me to a dietician to make sure the foods I’m eating are balanced. This was a big mistake as the dietician told me I need to back off on restricting me carbohydrates. Well I did as she suggested, but lost my drive, my direction, and my will again. I got discouraged and gave up again.

After watching Glen Beck’s speech I realized that my health and weight problems all these years is because I am addicted to eating too much food, or a Biblical term known as gluttony, meaning one of the forms of carnal self gratification.

More on this tomorrow.

The Bible has a lot to say about eating and food

2010-02-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

Please click on the following link to be directed to all the scriptures regarding food: http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=food&version1=45&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no

The Folded Napkin - A Truck Stop Story

2010-02-24T10:26:00.000-06:00

If this doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet!

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counsellor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie.

He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.

The ones who concerned me were the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded 'truck stop germ'; the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks..

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.

After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers' thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and peppershaker was exactly in its place, not a breadcrumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag.

If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.

He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine.

Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news.

Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table.

Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.

He grinned. 'OK, Frannie , what was that all about?' he asked..

'We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.'

'I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?'

Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: 'Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK,' she said. 'But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is.' Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do.

After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

'What's up?' I asked.

'I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off,' she said. 'This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup.'

She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed 'Something For Stevie'.

'Pony Pete asked me what that was all about,' she said, 'so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this.' She handed me another paper napkin that had 'Something For Stevie' scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: 'truckers.'

That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work.

His replacement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back.

Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.

'Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast,' I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. 'Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!' I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room.

I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins 'First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess,' I said. I tried to sound stern.

Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had 'Something for Stevie' printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.

Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. 'There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. 'Happy Thanksgiving.'

Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well.

But you know what's funny?
While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table..

Best worker I ever hired.

Plant a seed and watch it grow.

At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need!

If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.

Tip: Today's "unthinkables" are tomorrow's realities!

2010-02-09T08:38:00.001-06:00

Tip: Today's "unthinkables" are tomorrow's realities!

Recently I had the opportunity to hear a man by the name of Scott Rigsby share his life story. It was one of the most remarkable talks I have ever heard. About 20 years ago, Scott was riding in the back of a pickup truck with some other guys when an 18-wheeler tried to pass them and "clipped" the side of the pickup. He was thrown from the truck and dragged over 300 feet. In the space of 9 seconds, his life was changed forever. From that accident he lost both of his legs.

Although Scott suffered through some difficult moments, in 2005 his life turned around when he became the first double-amputee to successfully complete the Iron Man competition in Hawaii.

As I listened to all that he has overcome and accomplished in his life, I realized once again that many of the "problems" in my life were not really problems at all, but only slight irritations. Scott has overcome insurmountable odds, and I predict that you will hear of him many times in years to come.

In his talk, he shared that there were five concepts that have helped him in his personal life. I quickly got out my notepad and jotted them down. I thought I would share them with you because each one is so powerful.

1. Have a dream

He pointed out that Helen Keller once said that it was bad to not be able to see, but it was even worse to have no vision. As you know, Helen Keller was blind, yet she had more vision than many people who have eyesight. Scott said that having a dream for what could be done, rather than complaining about the circumstances that had come his way, kept him going through the difficult times.

2. Gather good people around you

For many months after the accident, Scott spiraled downward into a place that was so dark he felt that he might never recover from it. Yet, through the love of family and friends, he did recover and is now devoting the rest of his life to helping people who have similar situations.

3. Operate in faith, not fear

Scott said that he continued to look upward, asking God to give him guidance each step of the way. There have been many miracles that have unfolded as he has allowed his faith to be his guide. Fear does no good and keeps you stuck, but faith will keep you strong and moving in the right direction. This does not mean that fear will ever completely go away; it simply does not have to be the driving force of your life.

4. Difficult obstacles are really opportunities to help you grow

This one was particularly hard for me to swallow. I am not sure how I would have responded if I had faced the "difficult obstacle" of losing both of my legs. However, Scott pointed out that these were the opportunities that caused his life to become what it is today. Although he would not have chosen the path that he is on, he has certainly excelled because of it. Scott now works with medical specialists, developing new methodologies for those who are physically challenged. He is constantly trying to better his life, as well as the lives of others. He has been through many, many surgeries, yet each of them has brought him, as well as his team of medical personnel, to new levels of understanding as to how to best treat insurmountable circumstances. He is truly an inspiration to those who listen to him speak!

5. Focus on the things that you can control and not on the things you cannot control

I was impressed to hear Scott say, "I know I cannot control the weather, but I can control my own attitude." Many of us become upset about things we cannot control. None of us has power over the weather. However, every one of us does have control over our own individual attitudes and how we accept what comes our way. What a powerful truth to practice on a daily basis!

Scott has experienced those five truths, perhaps in a way that is much deeper than I ever will know. Nevertheless, I certainly agree with all five of them. I believe those concepts will give each one of us guidance, strength and hope as we move ahead in our life.

I am grateful to have had the privilege to hear Scott Rigsby share his story. Keep your eyes and ears open for the opportunity to hear or see him if he comes to a church, school or business near you. It will be a powerful experience! But, it will be even more powerful to practice the truths that he teaches on a daily basis.

Tip: Today's "unthinkables" are tomorrow's realities!

Have a great week! God bless you!

Robert A. Rohm Ph.D.
Personality Insights, Inc.

Relief

2010-02-02T10:14:00.001-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 31 Jan 2010 08:09 PM PST

Ah... relief. Mac's home from Haiti, and I'm one thankful wife.

After five giant hugs (and then some), the kids and I gathered around our Man as he downloaded his pictures on the computer; of course, each one had a story. I loved the tenderness in Mac's voice as he spoke of the people, combined with the toughness of the job that he was able to fulfill while there. He spent a week, giving, giving, giving, and said he felt a little guilty for leaving his "post." The need is still so great. Thankfully, an orthopedic team arrived the very day he and Rick flew out of Jacmel. Please "hear" his own words of gratitude:

Thank you all for praying for me while in Haiti. God was good to us and allowed us to help many people. We did more than thirty surgeries, treating severe fractures of both arms and legs. We told the Haitians of God's love for them and that we came to tell them about Jesus; we wanted to give them hope... spiritual and physical hope.

I asked Mac questions like:
"What did you eat?" (rice, beans, and goat);
"Where did you sleep?" (in a bunk bed with my clothes on, ready to race out of the orphanage in case of another aftershock);
"What about the devastation?" (immense, overwhelming, heart-breaking);
"What about the people?" (friendly, appreciative, tough-as-nails, non-complainers even with their terrible fractures--amazing).

I will close out this Haiti adventure with one more question I asked Mac: "Was there a particular Bible verse that kept going through your head while you were in Jacmel?"

Without hesitation, he responded, "Yes, I John 3:17; it's what got me there." It reads:

But whoever has the worlds goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in Him?

Mac went with his goods--his surgical gifts--and took God's love to the hurting people of Haiti. For seven days he and Rick were able to give them ... ah ... relief. Mac went to Haiti, and I am one thankful wife.

Emotional Roller Coaster

2010-02-02T10:09:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 26 Jan 2010 05:36 PM PST

I am all too familiar with the term "emotional roller coaster." But I have to confess, this past week will definitely be one for the personal record books. Mac's trip to Haiti, of course, "locked me in" for a topsy-turvy ride. Since roller coasters are enjoyed (or not!) on an individual basis, I will let you decide where each of these emotions belong on the tracks:

FEAR-- My "ride" started here, with the what ifs coming, just like the clack-clack-clack of the train slowly ascending: What if the six-seater puddle-jumper Mac's on takes a plunge into the ocean-blue?... What if an after shock catches him at the "wrong place" at the "wrong time"? ... What if ...? You name it, and not only did I think it, I lived it.

JOY--Then a phone call from my honey would send me sailing! He's safe; he's good. And he's safely doing God's good work. I felt a surge of joy when I heard that he helped bring a newborn into this world. And then another heart pounding rush came when I read this update:
Mac spoke this morning in a church about his call to come and help the people of Jacmel. He was able to share with them that the reason he was there was because of the great love of Jesus. He shared the gospel with all who were there and then they returned to their operation clinic to resume surgeries again.
With this information, I wanted to do a loop-de-loop with my hands in the air. I absolutely love Mac's love for Jesus!

CONFUSION--Roller coasters "boggle" my mind--am I going up or down, right or left?-- As I was reminded in church this past Sunday, I am "glued" (the Hebrew meaning of the word "cleave") to my husband. So all week, it has seemed odd that he's there in chaos, and I'm here in comfort. While he's fixing broken bones in a make-shift tent, I'm folding loads of laundry in my red-brick house? While he's using a surgical knife on hurting Haitians, I'm spreading peanut butter for my "hungry" kids? While he's sleeping on a cot in an orphanage, I'm snoozing under my electric blanket? The Bible tells me I am one with him, and I believe it. We are knit together in love. For now, however, our "calls" are vastly diverse, and a world apart.

RELIEF-- This emotion is experienced when the roller coaster makes its entrance into the loading/un-loading zone and comes to a complete stop. In other words, Lord willing, it will occur when my babe's big old GMC truck pulls into our garage on Thursday afternoon. Ah... he's home. And when he walks through our door, Maggie, Bink, Davis, Emmy, and I will all embrace the "doctor who went to Haiti" as their very own (until the next time). We will all say with relief, "Thanks for going to them, and thanks for coming back to us."

PEACE THROUGHOUT--I must say these emotions were/are very real--up, down, loop around. BUT, I will also say, no matter the emotion, I have learned that I am never alone. I must choose to take every feeling and ground it in my faith. God is my "steady." So, I may be weeping, laughing, hollering, or sighing on the outside; however, on the inside:

My soul waits in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 61:5

Yes, I will continue to hold on to my God tightly; and He promises to keep His strong hold on me... as He sits right by my side ... on my all too familiar emotional roller coaster.

Hands and Feet

2010-02-02T09:56:00.001-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 24 Jan 2010 11:48 AM PST

I am praying...

Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

I am praying for my husband's hands. Through a brief and broken phone conversation late last night, Mac informed me of the continuous flow of surgical operations he has done since his arrival in Jacmel, Haiti. Yesterday's day lasted from 7:30 am-11 pm. The surgeries range from various fractures--hip, tibia, femur, foot--to limb amputations (one of which was a sweet eleven year old girl). I am praying that Mac and Rick, his surgical assistant, will have God's strength and might in their hands as they continue to provide medical healing to the masses of Haitians that are lined up waiting for care.

I am praying...

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15)

I am praying for my husband's (beautiful?) feet. As you can imagine, standing over an operating table all these hours has to be exhausting to Mac and Rick, not only physically but also emotionally. I am praying for steadfastness as they stand on their Rock of strength, even though the ground has rumbled beneath them. (These aftershocks truly "rattled" Mac's nerves at the time it happened). I am praying that their medical care will bring good things to these people. And I am praying that each patient laying on the operating table will personally feel the love of Jesus Christ through the two men standing over them.

I am thankful that Mac and Rick were able to step away from the operating table this morning and stand in a worship service together; what a privilege to praise their God along side of the hurting but hope-filled Haitians. Mac said the message of the Good News was "dynamic" and that many people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. Now this is reason for each of us to get on our own two feet and jump up and down with joy!

How ironic to me (but not to God) that Mac and Rick are staying at the Hands and Feet Orphanage in Jacmel. If you would like to see where they are staying and get a closer "feel" to the conditions over there, please check out this wonderful organization's web site at: http://handsandfeetproject.org/home.php . I am so thankful Mac is locking arms with these compassionate people.

For now I am praying... I am praying... I am praying. Thank you for doing the same. One thing I know for sure, when my husband gets home, I will hold his gifted hand and massage his beautiful (yes, beautiful) feet.

"Open the Door"

2010-02-02T09:43:00.001-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 12:06 PM PST

My husband Mac, an orthopedic surgeon, was glued to the news as the tragedies of the earthquake in Haiti unfolded--devastation, destruction, death. From the very first media report he kept saying, "I wish I could go"..."I need to be there"..."people are dying"..."I can help"...and then a resounding, "I've got to get to Haiti."

So I prayed, "Lord, if he's meant to go, open the door."

... phone calls, emails, texts, organization, tentative planning, coming together...

Mac woke me at 11:15 pm this Tuesday and said, "Chris, it's happening, I'm leaving tomorrow." Reality opened the floodgate of my heart, and the tears (of fear, of worry, of love) poured out. He told me he wanted to be someone that ran to the battle line, not away from it. I held my hero close, and prayed... "O God, bring him back to me."

Wednesday morning I woke the kids, Maggie(18), Bink(17), Davis(14), and Emmy (12), and told them the news of their Daddy's quick departure. We all met in the kitchen, speechless, but not emotionless; the air was thick with deep, deep love. Mac hugged each one--goodness, how they adore their daddy, and how he adores them. Bink called 30 minutes later on his way to school and asked pleadingly, "Daddy, is there any possible way I can go with you?".

I want to share a few verses from the chapter that our family just finished memorizing over the fall semester. Remember, God is always in front of us, preparing our hearts:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride ... the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Psalm 46:1-3,7)

I must tell you, I've never loved my husband more than I do right now. I love his eagerness to leave all behind and then go "through the door" towards chaos and danger in order to help desperate people. I love seeing Christ in him. And I love that he knows and claims that God is his stronghold, both here in Brentwood, TN, and there in Haiti.

Right now, I pray that he has landed safely on the little air-strip in Jacmel, a city 30 miles south of Port au Prince; he will performing surgeries there at a medical site for a week. I also pray that he and Rick, his faithful assistant, will be the hands and feet of Christ to hundreds and hundreds of Haitians, giving them not only healing but also Hope.

A Father's Hatred, A Son's Love - Gospel for Asia

2010-01-21T09:01:00.000-06:00

A Father's Hatred, A Son's Love - Gospel for Asia

Please read this article!

Type A, Type B, or Both

2010-01-19T09:35:00.001-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 08:53 PM PST

We had a couple of "snow days" here in Tennessee. The half-inch white fluff made our world stop for a short while, and I absolutely loved it. I am a southern wimp when it comes to ice on the roads, so I just holed-up in my home, put on my comfy clothes, and kept the fire going. As I watched the snow fall one morning, I just sat very very still; I was mesmerized by God's immaculate beauty. I didn't want to move. I just wanted to... "be"...

My "stillness" got me to thinking about personality types. As you know, there's the "A" type and the "B" type.

Words that come to mind when describing Type A are: Alert, Attentive, Aggressive, Always Active, Absolutely Accurate most All of the time. I am positive that "they"--whoever "they" are--must have done a case study on my husband when creating this personality type. God loves him and so do I.

And then there's type B: Be still, Be Quiet, Be Steady, Be Careful, Be thinking of many things, but doing close to none of them. And yes, "they" came back to study me on this one. As a matter of fact, if "they" were putting me on a grading scale, I would have gotten a B minus, with the next personality being type C: Comatose, Cave-dweller, Cocoon, Closed-in, Cute (sorry, I had to add "cute"; my self-esteem was beginning to wane).

Have you ever wondered about Jesus' personality type? Was He A or B, or both? Of course, He was (is) the perfect blend, with no sin involved. Wow, think of that. No wonder people climbed trees and rooftops, walked miles upon miles, and dropped everything just to get a glimpse of Him. He was calmly charismatic, peacefully powerful, winsomely wise--all in One.

The wonderful news is this: Jesus is ALIVE today, in you and in me! He has given us His Spirit. So, just like God graciously gives us spouses and friends to help us counter-balance our core personalities, He, much more than this, has given us Jesus Christ, not only to enhance who we are, but also to birth and grow who we are not.

Therefore, a type A personality can call on Christ to help him/her respond to this simple, yet difficult command:

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

While a type B, when relying on Christ, can come out of his/her comfort zone and respond to verses such as this:

Get yourself up on a high mountain...bearer of good news...Lift your voice mightily; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" Isaiah 40:9

Let's face it, no matter our personality, we all need Him. Let Him come in and enhance His unique design (you). Trust Him where you are weak, and watch a steady strength arise.

On that note, this closed-in cave-dweller needs to go find some hiking boots; I have a mountain to climb and some Good News to bear. Any other "B's" want to join me?

Hope-full New Year!

2010-01-19T09:20:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 07:26 AM PST

Every New Year's Eve and Day the world exclaims, "Happy New Year!" to each other; some shout it passionately at a wild party, while others whisper it politely to a passer-by.

Well, I have decided that I would like the world to stop saying this phrase (do you think they will listen to me?). The word "happy" is really such a small, shallow word, and the world needs so much more! Happiness is over when the party is finished, or when the last bite of dessert is eaten, or when the money runs out, or when the doctor walks in with negative news--on and on.

What the world needs is a "Hopeful New Year." Hope is not dependent on the outside influences of health, wealth, and the next best thing. Hope comes from within, no matter the circumstances, no matter the trial. Listen to this verse:

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

God's love in us--wow! I am not alone in my trial; there is no need to fear. Again, because of my faith in Christ, God is with me, in me. Because of Him, I will not be shaken (Ps 62:2). This makes me more than happy; this makes me hopeful. Yes, He promises each of us this:

He who believes in Him will not be disappointed. Romans 9:33

You and I may receive disappointing news this year; but He will be with us as we receive it, and as we walk through it. His word can direct each of our steps--into peace that passes understanding, and into joy that causes others to wonder. Let's make this declaration is 2010: "In His word I will put my hope" (Psalm 130:5).

So I expect to see "Hopeful New Year" on all party hats, plates, and napkins next year. Do you want to help me start the movement? (I'm kidding, but not really). Just tell a handful of people the difference between happiness and hope, and who knows what will happen? Because remember, nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37)

Good Lessons to Learn

2009-12-27T07:33:00.000-06:00

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
It's OK to let your children see you cry.
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
Always choose life.
Forgive everyone everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
Your children get only one childhood.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Yield.
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It's estimated 93% won't share this. If you are one of the 7% who will, share this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

Mary Hennigan
Executive Director
Texas Occupational Therapy Association

The Bundle of Blessing

2009-12-26T12:16:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 10:09 AM PST

As you can tell from my previous three entries concerning Celebrating Christmas, I have "nestled myself into" the appointed feasts of the Lord found in Leviticus 23. Once again, another feast, the Firstfruits Feast, (say that seven times real fast!), caught my wondering heart and mind. Listen to these words of instruction concerning this Israelite celebration:

When you enter the land which I am going to give you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted. Leviticus 23:9

A sheaf is a bundle; so the priest would take a bundle of the first of the harvest, barley in this case, and lift it high into the air, all the while praising and thanking God for His provision to His people.

Listen now to this part of the first Christmas story:

And when the days for their purification were completed they (Mary and Joseph) brought Him (Jesus) up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord...and behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And when the parents bought in the child Jesus...Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed God. Luke 2:22-28

Simeon the priest knew the instant Mary and Joseph entered the temple that they were carrying with them the long-awaited Messiah, Savior of Israel (and of the world). He humbly took their first-born Son, the fruit of her womb, and raised Him high into the air, praising and thanking God. Yes, this bundle was of another kind than the days of old. This bundle was the fullfilment of all the other wave offerings that had come before. This bundle was the final firstfruit so that we may be accepted. This bundle was the best of the best, the holy of holies, the perfect blessing--Jesus, high and lifted up, for you and for me. And now ponder all that He has given us in the Spirit:

But the fruit of His Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galations 5:22

I encourage you to bring visual reminders into your homes concerning God's final wave offering, His own Son. Whether it's earthy grains tied with a beautiful bow, or fresh fruit and berries sitting in a glass bowl, let these things created by Him cause you to worship Him with praise and thanksgiving. He gives and keeps giving, just like the harvest.

I love my Bundle of Blessing. And He will be high and lifted up in my heart this Christmas season.

Yes, thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15

A Tree is in My House!

2009-12-18T09:11:00.002-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 17 Dec 2009 05:59 AM PST

Have you ever wondered why we bring a tree into our house at Christmas time? There must be something to this engraved world-wide tradition. Hmm...ask, seek, knock, and God promises to answer. I think He led me to the root (no pun intended) of this generational tree practice by guiding me to Leviticus, of all places. Listen to God's explicit instruction to Moses concerning the Israelite's celebration, the Feast of Tabernacles:

You shall celebrate the feast of the Lord for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. Now on the first day you shall take foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord... Leviticus 23:39-40.

The Israelites were to put all of these beautiful branches in and around their tent to signify His goodness to them while they wandered in the desert those forty years. He protected them, He provided for them, He was with them both day and night...

And now, do we not have even more reason to celebrate God with us? He dwelt among the Israelites in a tent; He dwells among us in our hearts through Jesus Christ. Yes, He has brought light into my darkness, hope into my existence, Life into my soul. My sister and brother, it is now our turn to rejoice before the Lord.

So yes, a tree is in my house! And it is adorned with lights and balls and berries and bows. For it represents the abundant Life I have found in my Savior. He became poor (think of the tree He died on, the old rugged cross), that I might become rich (the tree of Life!). I am rich because my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Eternal Father, my Prince of Peace has filled my hollow heart with love and joy and peace. You see, it's not really about the gifts under the tree, the gift is the tree. Rejoice, rejoice, again, I say rejoice.

I challenge you (and myself) to do two things this Christmas; actually, I think God does. One, bring in foliage of beautiful trees, or your Christmas tree, and worship the goodness of your God who is with you. And then, go to the world, your world, and tell them why they have a tree in their house; keep this in mind, they are dying to know.

Amazing Grace Remix

2009-12-17T09:10:00.002-06:00

I like this!

"Daniel's Gloves"

2009-12-16T08:43:00.000-06:00

A good friend sent this to me as an e-mail and I have seen it before, but it is such a good story I just had to share it with you. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Chet
-----------------------------------------

A terrific story for all the time, but especially as we celebrate the Savior's birth. Take a moment to think about what's really important.....Merry Christmas

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me"
(John 14:1 NLT)

An Anonymous Story called "Daniel's Gloves"

(Author Unknown or is it? Please. Read on.)

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'

Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.

'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'

'Have you eaten today?'

'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'

'Would you like to have lunch with me?'

'Do you have some work I could do for you?'

'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'

'Sure,' he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'

' St. Louis '

'Where you from?'

'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ...'

'How long you been walking?'

'Fourteen years,' came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'

Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God

'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'

'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.

'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'

'What?'

'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'

'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'

I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.

'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.

'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'

'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'

'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'

'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'

'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'

'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.

A long time,' he replied

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'

'I'll be there!' was my reply.

He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'

'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them.... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will....

'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'

My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to people you want to be blessed.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!

'Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious Name......Amen.'

I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.

GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

Make a Joyful Noise!

2009-12-12T08:28:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 06:05 AM PST

One of the God-appointed feasts in the Israelite's day was called the Feast of Trumpets. How interesting--trumpets. I decided to dig a little deeper to find out more about this musical instrument. First of all, God loves trumpets! In fact, I'm wondering if these are His favorite instruments. (Remember, when He comes back for us on the last day, the trumpet of God will be blown for all the world to hear!) In Biblical times, this magnificent sound was used:

-to signify the first day of the month and at the beginning of feasts
-to assemble the Israelites when moving throughout the wilderness
-to lead the Israelite army into battle
-and to announce extraordinary events

Extraordinary events? Wouldn't you agree that the night that the Messiah was born was the most extraordinary event in all of human and heavenly history up to this point in time? The Creator of the universe in a feeding trough? The bliss of heaven sleeping in a bed of hay? Yes, extraordinary. Let's re-visit that holy night, that night divine:

...There were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flocks by night...and suddenly an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them...and the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."...and suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God...(Luke 2:8-13).

Indeed, the angelic trumpet section was on that night, with full range and projection! If I could have been anywhere in the first Christmas celebration, that's where I would have been--to hear the angels play and dance and sing--to feast my eyes and ears on the resounding praise concerning the wonders of His love. The only response would have been to fall on my knees. But then, I would have gotten up and run in haste with those lowly shepherds to find the newborn King--the King of kings, the Lord of lords!

But, I was not there; I (and you) are here, today...

Dear friends, it's now our generation's turn to make a joyful noise! O come let us adore Him! Praise Him with your Christmas carols--praise Him with your ipods, praise Him with your CD's. Praise Him with your musical instruments, praise Him with your merry dancing--praise Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Yes, O come all ye faithful, and sing to the world:

Immanuel, God with us. Your joyful noise is sweet to your Savior's ears, and to your neighbor's hearts.

Thank You For The Miracles

2009-12-07T11:26:00.000-06:00

by Chet Nowlen

Lord, You deserve all the thanks and praise I can think of for you have for you have blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Oh, by the way, the word deserve reminds of the phrase I hear some people use, “I have been blessed more than I deserve.” I never really understood why people would say that to me, but now when I look back on my life I find that I too have been blessed more than I deserve.

Do you believe in miracles? I don’t know about you, but I do because I’ve seen several in my life time. I cannot go into a lot of detail about each miracle, but I will tell you as much as I can at this time. The first miracle happen when I was in my twenties. There was a very troubling issue at church with a person that had threatened me because he thought I had stolen his position in the church. The Lord came to me in a dream and said, “Do not worry, everything will be alright!” I found out later the man that had threatened me was killed in a car accident, but the good news he had accepted Christ shortly before his death. My faith was uplifted to the next level as I knew then God does hear and answer our prayers.

The next miracle was my Father’s salvation experience. My Dad was, on the outside, a rough and tough John Wayne type. He could out cuss and out drink everyone around. My Dad hated Christians because of what some mean spirited Christian woman said to him. I had prayed for my Dad for years and it looked impossible for him to every accept Jesus as his personal Lord and savior. One Sunday morning Dad woke my Mom and told her she has to pray for him right now. He told her they must get on their knees and she must lead him in the sinner’s prayer. My Mom was shocked as she had never heard him talk like this before. She did as he asked the best she could and then he said something else that shocked her. He asked her, “What time does church start?” She could not believe her ears. They went to church and when the invitation was offered my Dad was the first one down the isle to make his profession of faith.

I don’t know what happened that caused my Dad to repent, but I have a feeling the Lord came to him in a dream and warned him that he had to be ready for what was coming. Two weeks later my Dad suffered a brain aneurism which caused some brain damage. He was no longer mentally able to handle his affairs and had to retire at age 62. My Dad lived to age 83 and spent most all of the last 20-years of his life in a VA nursing home, but he always made sure my Mom is she was still going to church.

Shortly after my Dad’s brain issue my Mom kind of went off on the dark side for a while. I guess she couldn’t take the stress with dealing with my Dad and she was easily seduced by some predators into the night life. I could not believe have my Mom had changed into someone I didn’t know. I called my Mom my “Prodigal Mother” because she had wandered away into a life that was just totally not her. I kept praying for her and God heard my prayer and delivered her so she was miracle number three.

There were two other miracles that I didn’t mention before that I must not forget to mention. These two are the births of my two sons, Eric and Tim. I think we take the miracle gift from God of our children for granted. Our children are a gift of Love from our Heavenly Father and I thank Him for blessing me with these gifts.

I wish there were no such thing as divorce, but sometimes it happens whether we believe in it or not. When my divorce happened I thought my world had come to an end. When you allow yourself to not stay connected with God you open yourself up to the snare of the evil one and that’s what happened in my marriage that failed. We both have accepted our responsibility for the failed marriage and have asked each other’s forgiveness, but life must go on.

After the divorce I dated several women and the relationship got kind of serious, but failed because I think I the Lord was protecting me. He was keeping me for the right person and this brings my next miracle. One day a friend girl of mine told me she wanted me to meet a lady that would be perfect for me. She described her as tall, trim, blonde, and very pretty. She said that this lady is not ready yet because she is going through a divorce, but she will call me when she is ready. I didn’t take it to serious so I sort of forgot about it.

After a few weeks my friend girl called me and told me that this lady, Gale, is ready now and gave me the Gale’s name and phone number. She said it was up to me to call her and ask her out. It took me a while to work up the courage to call this lady, but when I did I could not believe how much fun it was to talk to her. The month was July and I stood out in the blazing sun and talked to this wonderful lady for two hours. My shirt was ringing wet with sweat from the heat, but I enjoyed every minute of the conversation. She tested me with a few choice questions to see if I qualified and then she tried to discourage me by saying that she weight 210 lbs. I knew that was not the way my friend girl had described her and I didn’t care if she did because I enjoy talking to so much I asked her out on a date.

We scheduled the next Saturday for our date and I took her to Amerigo’s Restaurant in Ridgeland, Ms. When I knocked on her door I was so taken with her beauty I could not speak without stuttering. She was just as my friend had described her and she did not weight 210 lbs. I was so impressed with Gale that while waiting outside to be seated at the restaurant I asked her for a second date and to my surprise she accepted and we’ve been together ever since.

What a joy my life has been since Gale came into my life. When God decides to bless you He does it in such a tremendous way. Gale and I are so much alike in so many ways and in the ways and where we are not alike we compliment one another. We’ve been married 16-years, as of this writing, and I thank God everyday for the joy and happiness I have because of the many wonderful gifts of love God had given to me. I call them my miracles because even though I may not deserve them God gave them to me as a Father gives good gifts to his children.

To Him that gives to His children exceeding and abundantly beyone all we can ask for think of deserves all my praise and thanks. Ephesians 3:20

The Red Ribbon

2009-12-03T10:07:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

Posted: 02 Dec 2009 06:35 AM PST

As my family and I traveled home from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend in Hernando, Mississippi, we passed by many homeowners pulling out their decorations for the next upcoming holiday, Christmas. I saw lights being strung on railings and rooftops, wreaths being hung on windows and doors, and various fixtures being placed in front yards and on porches. Yes, Christmas is upon us, and we're all getting ready for...what? Is there a purpose behind this preparation? I wonder, across America, and the world, has Christmas become just another reason to throw a seasonal party in order to break the monotony of every day life?

I asked this very question again as I began decorating my own front door. Why the wreath?Does this circular object have meaning, or is it just "pretty" and "fitting" at Christmas? And then, why the greenery with the velvety red ribbon that I was placing around my door frame? I do love the look, but is that it? When I asked these heart-questions, the Lord of my heart faithfully answered. He sweetly reminded me of a certain passage of Scripture while I held the red ribbon:

Each household is to take a lamb...your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old...the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts..." Exodus 12:3,5-7

When my mind settled on these verses, the crimson red ribbon that I was hanging around by door frame became much more than traditional decor that I found at Michael's on a shelf. I suddenly felt a beautiful connection to the Israelites of old. Their Savior is my Savior. The Spirit of life has passed over my household as well. He has come, and He lives within. So, I continued hanging the greenery with red ribbon, but now, in humbled worship.

This led me to my next thought concerning the red-ribboned wreath on my door. (God had more answers for my heart.) Could this decorative piece represent God's matchless love that is complete because of the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son? In your mind's eye, trace your finger around a wreath from top to bottom to top while reading these all too familiar words:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

So as the world celebrates, does the world know why? When you hang your wreath and greenery at your door, celebrate your Savior. May the red ribbon remind you of His crimson blood shed for you and your household. His entry into the world has purchased your entry into heaven. This is what the world needs to know. Yes, may our homes and our hearts and our voices sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"

Room For Rent - Do you know anyone that can help?

2009-12-03T09:44:00.000-06:00

I have an interior designer, Jennifer Ussery, that has a sad story and is losing her home in Lenox Village. She is looking to rent a room. If you know of anyone that is interested in paying it forward and helping a women who has had nothing but bad luck, turn her life around, here's your chance. If you, your church, or someone you know can offer a helping hand, she is in need. To learn more about Jennifer, you may phone me. Or phone Sprintz and ask to speak to Jennifer personally. Store # 615.236.1700 Jennifer is single (2 failed marriages) No children - but has a small dog, and 2 cats that are her kids. She received her eviction notice yesterday and emotionally is a wreck. She is a sweat person that could possibly sit or assist with an elderly loved one.

Cheryl Oglesby

Who Am I?

2009-11-29T10:24:00.001-06:00

by Chet Nowlen

Some have said of me that I do not matter because I am not a real person. They say I'm just a blog of matter –

Some have said its okay to kill me because I’m not alive-

I don’t know who my father is, not sure if my mother knows either-

I wonder why my mother did not protect me from the jaws of death-

I moved and squirmed to avoid the jaws of death that were after me-

I fought as hard as I could, but the jaws of death pulled me apart into several pieces-

Mother how could you not know that our Heavenly Father had a plan for me even before the foundation of the earth? How could you not know that I was created in His image and you were chosen to bring me into this world so that I could make a difference?-

Mother how could you not know my coming into existence was not by accident?-

Mother how could you not know that I was here for a purpose, for God had sent me to you?-

I asked the Lord to forgive you because you didn’t did not know my existence was real. You were deceived by the evil in the world.-

Please do not weep for me as I am not alone, for I am with billions of others, just like me.-

God has prepared a special place in Heaven us and I talk get to the Father everyday about you. I tell Him and I miss you and want you to be with me. I asked Him to forgive you, as I have, and to bring you to me.-

I want you to hold me and love me as it was meant to be, for you see the reason I was created in the first place was to be a blessing of joy to you. You were always are my mission - I was His gift to you because He loves you-

I know you must think of me and wonder about me and what could have been. I know you secretly grieve for me because as a mother a part of yourself died when I died. Mother forgive yourself as I have forgiven you. Seek the Father and He will give you peace. -

Mother I also pray for my earthly father, whoever he may be, because I miss you both and pray for you every day. I cannot wait for us to be together as it was meant to be.-

The current earthly laws says you have a legal right to make your own choices and I respect your right to make a choice. I wasn't given any legal rights because I am not considered a person, but as for me my Heavenly Father gave me the choice to love you or not to love you. Therefore I am excercising my heavenly legal rights and I choose life. I choose you to live life with me eternally, but you have to make another choice. You must decide to accept His love and forgiveness. I pray you will make the right choice this time. I will be waiting for your decision. I love you Mom.

"Who Am I”
Your Son

The Greatest Gift a Father Can Receive

2009-11-27T08:54:00.000-06:00

by Chet Nowlen

Ephesians 3:20 is one of my favorite scriptures I use to worship and praise our Heavenly Father in my own paraphrased version is as follows: “Lord you have blessed me exceeding and abundantly beyond all that I could ask for or even think of.” I give thanks to my Heavenly Father every day because He has made me so rich in a family that is filled with love, joy, and peace, which is worth more than material wealth and possessions. The Father loves the thanks and praise that His children offer Him.

As a father I too love thanks and praise from my children. Praise and Thanks are the greatest gifts that a child can give their parent. My Christmas gift has already arrived as both my sons have shared with me that the life that I lived before them was the inspiration that shaped their character of who they are. The both shared this message separately that their fondest memory of me was, as children growing up, they always found me at the kitchen table studying the Bible when they got up in the mornings.

I remember thinking that I had not done much in my life that the Lord would be proud of, but now I know that’s not true. The Lord said to His disciples that they would do greater things than He did. Now I think better understand what He meant. I think He was talking about our seed as in the parable of the sower. He was talking about our planting our seed in fertile soil and new life would burst forth through the crust of that soil and produce an abundant harvest. My seed’s seed has been planted and has burst forth new life, which is a perpetual, never ending, seed time and harvest. (Genesis 8:21-22) As you can see I have a lot to be thankful for.

The Greatest Gift a Father Can Receive is the gift I received from my two sons, the gift of thanks and praise. The Greatest Gift you can give your Heavenly Father is the gift of thanksgiving and praise for the free gift of sacrifice He made for us on the cross. He gave it all to deliver us from the curse of sin and death so that we might have life. No matter what your circumstances are right now, no matter what you’ve done in the past, give Him thanks for what He has done (Ephesians 5:20). Give Him thanks no matter how bad things may look. Give Him thanks even though you think you do not deserve His love. Give Him thanks even though your flesh is still holding on to sin. Give Him thanks because your spirit, the real man, was reborn and lives forever, not your flesh.

Spend time with your Heavenly Father every day. He’s waiting to hear from you. Tell Him about your hurts and disappointments. Tell Him about your needs. But, more importantly take the time to tell Him about the things He’s already done for you and when you do you will find the joy and peace that you long for.

The Re-Birth

2009-11-27T07:12:00.000-06:00

By Chet Nowlen

Recently I was driving to work and for some strange reason I was thinking about the term rebirth or born again. I think “born again” is a term that has been worn out in the media ever since the Jimmy Carter days so I didn’t like to use that term.

The Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit with a picture I had never thought of before. He revealed to me that the spirit man is changed from death to life as if he passed through a womb and came out a new spirit man. The old spirit man of sin is dead and the new spirit man is a new creation and is alive forever more. The new spirit man is no longer under the curse of the law of sin and death.

The change or this re-birth takes place the moment that one accepts the free gift that Jesus provided. His free gift was paying the price (once and for all) for our redemption through His shed blood, death, and resurrection. All one has to do is accept that free gift by believing that Jesus paid that price for us and by faith believe that we heirs and joint heirs with Jesus.

I said to the Lord, “Sometimes I do not feel saved.” And He said, “The good news of the gospel is not based on our feelings (mind, will, and emotions). If it was then no one would be worthy of salvation.” He said the spirit of a man is changed, but the body and the mind of a man are still of this worldly system. When the body dies it goes back to the dust of the ground, but the spirit man lives forever and is transferred to heaven to await the resurrection. At the resurrection the body will be re-created from the dust of the earth and reunited with the spirit man, but this time the body will be a glorified body. This glorified body is necessary so that the spirit man can be active here on earth just as Adam was in the beginning. You see we will have an active job to do here on this earth for eternity. Our bodies will also be glorified bodies therefore we will also be able to be active in heaven and all the universes of the heavens.

I cannot imagine why anyone would not want to accept the free gift that Jesus has for us, but unfortunately some will reject His free gift. Some have said, "I do not believe a loving God would create hell and do not believe there is such a thing as hell. God did not create hell for mankind. He created it for the future punishment of the fallen angels. Because of the fall of man, man too will receive this punishment at the great white throne of judgement. God does not want anyone to go to hell, but rather He has no choice for those that have heard the gospel and have rejected His Son. Those that reject Jesus send themselves to hell, not God.

Some religions have tried to make His gift complicated and difficult, but He made it easy just by accepting His free gift in faith. When you do your spirit man will be changed even though you may not feel a change in your mind or body. Your mind and body will notice the change as you get to know Him through reading and meditating on His Word.

I am so excited to think about Jesus will someday soon come back to earth and rule and reign here on earth for 1000-years and I’m going to be a part of His Kingdom. I cannot wait to find out what my eternal job will be. I look forward to seeing you there.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

2009-11-27T06:57:00.000-06:00

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
Instead of writing the President and complaining about the wording on the cards his staff will be sending out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

I LOVE YOU.
JESUS

Picture taken in 2003 at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando

The Center of His Wheel

2009-11-20T11:04:00.000-06:00

by Chris Baxter

"Behold, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand..." (Jeremiah 18:5)

I have always loved the clay/potter analogy given in Scripture. What a beautiful picture of our personal relationship with our Maker. While doing a little deeper research on this topic, I found a short video on www.millhousepottery.com. Master potter Alan Frewin works quietly and intentionally on his thought-through vessel. Please watch this 3 minute video keeping these lessons in mind concerning our Potter:

1. The center of His wheel--The clay is placed in the center because it is the foundation of the vessel. The pot is only as true and as strong as the centering (Out of Fire Studio). Likewise, our life's foundation should rest on Christ alone. If it does not, then everything will be off kilter.

2. In His Hands--The potter uses the palm of his hands to gently press and pull, in an upward and then downward motion to obtain his smooth, desired results. The potter also uses his arms and shoulders, with elbows resting on his knees, to help support the motion; he doesn't mind the mess because he knows what he is doing. Our Potter, too, holds us between His hands securely, making us and molding us into His planned vessel. We may wonder what He is doing at times, but He always knows the plans He has for us.

3. The utensils--The potter uses different tools to chisel away excess clay, and to create something new. Similarly, our Potter allows certain circumstances to enter into our life to groom and grow us.

4. The water--The potter continually adds water throughout the whole process so that the clay stays soft and manageable. Our Living Water, the Word of God, keeps our heart tender and our will bendable so that we can become exactly what our Potter desired from the beginning.

I pray that I will let my Potter have His way with me. I must trust Him fully. Yes, I want to stay in the center of His wheel.

-------------------------------------------------

My Resume

2009-07-22T09:57:00.004-05:00

By Chet Nowlen

One day I was talking with my Heavenly Father like I would be if I were talking to my best friend. I said, “There is something that I do not understand.” He asked, “What is it you want to know.” I said, “One day I will stand before you and you will open the books of my life and I dread the thought of all the bad things that I have thought, said and done, which I don’t even remember much less asked for forgiveness. I dread the thought that others will hear all those things written in the book of my life.”

He said, “My son, what is written in the books of your life is not what you think. ‘Think of it this way, when you are ready to change jobs you type a nice resume with all your work history showing your experience and accomplishments. You did not type any of your past failures or disappointments did you?” I said, “Well no, no one would hire me if I did that!” He said, “Well think of what is written in the books of life is your Resume listing your experiences and accomplishments which will determine the job you will have for eternity.”

I said, “Now I’m really confused. Are you saying that when the books of my life are read my faults and failures will not be read?” He said, “That’s true because when you, by faith, accepted the fact that my Son, Jesus, paid the price and redeemed you from the curse of death and delivered you from the penalty of sin the spirit man, the eternal you, was changed from death to life eternal. The spirit man was saved from death but the soul (mind will and emotions) of man is still subject to the fleshly cravings of the body and is in constant battle with itself. The soul and body of man needs to be renewed daily. It must be trained in order for the spirit man rule the body as it did before Adam sinned.”

I said, “I think I better understand now, but how do I elevate my spirit man to rule over my mind and body.” He said, “You cannot do that yourself. You need to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to make those changes for you.” I said, “How do I do that?” He said, ”When you accepted Jesus My Spirit came to live within your body within your spirit. My Holy Spirit is inside you and He is constantly talking to your spirit and He speaks to your mind through thoughts, dreams, and meditating on my Words. The problem is enemy is also speaking to your mind through thoughts, dreams, and meditation on his words. Your job is to learn to know who is talking to you and to reject lies of the enemy.”

I asked, “Lord, by my worrying about my faults and failures am I listening to the enemy more than to you?” He said, “Yes, the enemy’s job is to keep your focus on the wrong things in your life and therefore reduce the good things written about you in the book of your life.”

I said, “Lord, what things are written in the books of my life?” The Lord told me about many different good things that are written in my “Resume of Life” that I was not even aware of or I didn't think that He would even notice. My heavenly eternal job is based on the good things that are written in my “Resume of Life.”

He asked me to share with you that no one can ever be good enough to earn eternal salvation. Jesus is the only one that was ever “Good enough” and we are only worthy of heaven because we are in Him and He is in us. We are justified in God’s eyes only because of our relationship in Jesus.

There will come a day when we will all stand before Jesus and the books of our lives will be opened. For some He will open the book and nothing will be there. They will say to Him, "I have healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead." He will say to them, "Depart from me because I never knew you . . ." My prayer is that Jesus will open your book of life and He will say to you, "Well done, you have been faithful over a few things and I will make you ruler over many things and enter into my rest."

Michael Jackson's REAL cause of death! [OFFICIAL]

2009-07-21T05:15:00.000-05:00

What really happened to the king of pop? Here is a very clear and clever message shared by Ray Comfort on Hollywood Blvd in front of Michael Jackson's star. Why do people die and what happens after death...

Wear a Smile and Wear it Out!!!

2009-07-12T06:42:00.001-05:00

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Nelson Mandela, Victor Frank, Gerald Coffee,

The men listed above are famous for 1. having been in prison - usually solitary confinement, and tortured.. for long periods of time. 2. Writing about the one Freedom that they never lost and that we all have.

The last bastion of freedom we have is our minds and our ability to make choices, etc. These are rights we are all born with and are ours to use. While even today there are those who want to have control over our thinking....the truth is only you have control of your thoughts.

So how do you go about deciding to change your ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)?The first and important step is deciding what you want to change, and WHY. Sometimes there is something you want to do differently, sometimes something you want to do better. But first consider "why" you want to change. Because the "why" goes to the reason, the motivation, and of how strongly you desire the change. The strength of your desire is a key factor!

Very often, we want to change to please someone else and often this isn't considered in the process of change. Since we get feedback from others about our behavior, how do we decide which behaviors to change? So what criteria do you use to decide? What is your criteria for information? Where do you get it, from whom, when and how?

If someone else decides to provide you with feedback about some behavior of yours, what is the feedback? Is it accurate? How are they deciding that it's something for you to know? Is their feedback based upon fact or fear? (All too often the ones closest to us fear that when we "change" they will somehow lose their relationship with us.) Does the feedback they're giving require a change and how would you know?

All of these questions connect to decision strategies you have and can be decided by yourSelf. While I agree that it's certainly useful get additional information from outside oneself, it certainly isn't necessary to rely on others to help you to change yourSelf, your behaviors or your results.

It's important to remember that the more you exercise your personal freedom, the more you can enjoy it. The more you learn to help yourself, the more you will. The more you learn to be better at something than the time before, the more you will. So today when you say the script;

Wear a Smile and Wear it Out!!!

Best Selling Author Releases Supernatural Living

2009-05-26T05:17:00.003-05:00

Cecil O. Kemp Jr. has just released his 26th book. In Supernatural Living (4 Steps to Achieving Real Success!), Kemp shares step-by-step instructions on living unusually and achieving success that matters and lasts. From personal experience, he points out the huge flaws of religious and secular self-help philosophies and how living them assures we live far below our possibilities. For the reader's consideration, Cecil offers the secret, keys, and steps that he has discovered for enjoying a truly difference-making life of genuine excellence. Supernatural Living, and Cecil’s best-selling book (7 Laws of Highest Prosperity) and others, are available at: http://www.supernaturalliving.org/

click on picture to enlarge

Supernatural Living!

2009-02-23T05:53:00.002-06:00

Patty and Cecil are residents of Greater Nashville (Franklin), TN. Childhood sweethearts married since 1971, they have two children and four grans!

The Kemps answered the call of God into full-time ministry in 1998, after selling their nationally prominent financial and investment services group of companies that managed over $100,000,000 in assets for thousands of individuals and businesses. Prior to that, Patty worked in the financial services industry and Cecil was Chief Financial Officer and later, Chief Operating Officer of a publicly traded health care company. He began his career as a practicing CPA with Deloitte Touche.

The Kemps' ministry is operated under an umbrella that includes The Wisdom Company and The Hope Centers which house their writing and publishing endeavors, a floruishing life, finanical and business coaching practice and their speaking services.

Patty and Cecil's vision is a global marketplace of Christian faith in action. Their purpose is educating and inspiring individuals on how to achieve real success, what they call success that matters and lasts. One candle at a time, their mission is lighting and empowering individuals to live passionate lives that are Christ-centered and Spirit-led. The Kemps provide the proven tools that equip people to rise above usual and ordinary, to live fully and fully live, to live unusually and extraordinarily.

They call it Supernatural Living!

What is Real Success?

2009-02-21T01:58:00.003-06:00

by Cecil Kemp, Jr.

Everywhere we turn, we hear voices telling us that success means what we do to get better off . . . achieving goals, enjoying the fruits of our efforts, acquiring wealth, possessing power and prestige, and being surrounded by bands of admirers.

In a constant barrage, these voices shout their messages of how to achieve their versions of success…false success. They tell us what it looks like and assure us that successful people are those who are self-made: the trendsetters, decision makers, and the movers and shakers in government, the marketplace, churches, and other places of influence.

Daily we’re inundated with extravagant claims of how to achieve “success” in phrases like “new and improved,” “greatest and most powerful ever,” “miraculous results,” and “revolutionary product!” You’d think losing twenty-five pounds, earning a higher investment return, or having whiter teeth, cleaner clothes, a higher intelligence, a college degree, a faster, prettier car, a bigger house, or a better-sex pill were the Second Coming . . .or at least more important than spiritual well-being!

Incredibly, we hear, over and over, that these and “other things” like better time management guarantee happiness, prove we’re successful, and show we’ve found the good life.

In television, radio, and newspaper ads, and all over the internet, the fallen world’s ways and its definitions of success are trumpeted. Advertisers, wealth merchants, prosperity hawkers, religious do-gooders, and even misguided, well-intentioned Christians assure us that “more” is what we need and it’s up to our efforts to get it! More . . . obtained through self-effort . . . is said to be the key ingredient . . . the wonder-formula . . . that fixes everything and brings us success! Many say that we achieve the better life by freeing ourselves from dependence on God or others, and instead opt for a way of life that trusts and counts on no one except ourselves and our own natural talents and skills.

But, they never tell us about the layers of corruption that will result in our inner persons and the negative impact on others that will eventually result from applying their self-centered philosophies that promote and constantly appeal to sinful desires of the old-natured self.

They certainly don’t tell us about the pain we’ll experience when we hit the walls and have to peel off dead layers of spiritual flesh in order to address all the consequences of our sins . . . you know, those desires, thoughts, choices, and actions that the self-making wizards falsely promised would result in living extraordinarily!

Unfortunately, many Christians genuinely believe that the better life requires us to work harder, be in charge of our lives, and do secular and religious things through self-efforts that earn us rewards like more money, material possessions, and education.

But the Truth is, the words of religious and secular self-helpers are cheap, and following them doesn’t lead to Real Success. They wholly fail to recognize Real Success’s Source and they don’t define and measure success or how to get it as scripture does.

So if all I’ve cited is not real success, then what is?

The answer is found at Romans 8:29. There, real success is referred to as Christ-likeness.

I call it Better Being.

Rather than being better off, Better Being is scripture’s definition and measurement of success.

And, scripture is clear that the indwelling Holy Spirit is the secret agent and supernatural causal Agent of genuine Better Being. God is the source of the new heart that is the genesis point of true Christ-likeness. Scripture teaches that the greatest expressions of Christ-likeness, or spiritual maturity if you prefer, are the direct result of the Spirit’s proactive presence and work in our new spiritual hearts. I like to say those are hearts that are Spirit-operated CPUs (Central Processing Units).

Those hearts and the Spirit’s active presence assure we are “Jesus in skin”.

Walking the Walk

Christ-likeness is proven not by words or even by being born again.

As Paul says in Galatians 6, what really counts is being changed into a new and different person. That’s the proof in the Real Success pudding. And it shows in a life and lifestyle that mirror Jesus’ earthly walk. It is Better Inward Being that plays out in the outward lifestyle I call Highest Prosperity.

Romans 8:29 is a clear indication that God doesn’t just save us for the hereafter. He has declared that those who come to him should, by the Spirit, strive to become like his son, Jesus . . . in the here and now. Above all, God desires to change us to be like his son, so that, as Jesus did, we live special earthly lives.

Independence and self-help were not in Jesus’ vocabulary. Instead, dependence on, and interdependence with, the Holy Spirit marked his earthly life. By the Spirit, he was truly one with God the Father. Consequently, he lived as God desired him to live…His will was done, not Jesus the man’s will!

Summary

The Holy Spirit and the Better Being He creates in you will lead you to walk like Jesus walked…to the same absolute trust of God that led Jesus the man to live out his life with child-like faith in, and total reliance upon, God. And like him, you’ll live a life full of genuinely godly actions and deeds.

From a scriptural perspective, success that mattes and lasts is determined, not as the world assesses it, but by how much we are like Jesus the man.

That’s Real Success!

How much like Jesus are you?

The more like him you are, the more genuinely difference-making your life will be.

Cecil O. Kemp Jr. is a former practicing CPA and founder of a national-scope financial planning and investment advisory firm that managed over $100,000,000 for thousands of individuals and businesses. Cecil and his wife Patty have written 26 books and are sought after inspirational speakers and life coaches. For more information, call The Wisdom Company toll free: 800-728-1145 or visit their web site: http://www.supernaturalliving.org