.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Check It Out!
When I hear this song come on in my car... I'm like, oh yea, the raindrop song! lol
oo-oo-oo-oo
Love It!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Make Today Count!
Don't be overwhelmed by the brokenness you see all around you. I will give you a heart to look to the future with hope and the tools to restore and rebuild what is broken. I am the same God who gave Nehemiah the strength and favor to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem, and I will give you the power and strength to do the same.
All I am asking of you today is to begin a good work by laying one stone at a time. Rebuild broken hearts with words of hope. Rebuild broken relationships with forgiveness, grace, and love. Rebuild broken cities by serving the community. I will go before you and prepare the people for your good works.
Have a wonderful Friday!
World's Best Cancer Leaflet. This is the only leaflet in the world that tells you what breast cancer looks like, feels like, and the steps for screening in just one piece of paper. And it’s free to share with friends and family. Let’s fight breast cancer, starting with you.
Click Image to Enlarge.
Ladies this is one the best sites out there with info on Breast Cancer. Please visit www.worldwidebreastcancer.com
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
If you're a survivor, fighter or supporter! Spread The Word!
The best way to find breast cancer early is with a mammogram. If you are a woman age 50 years or older, have a family history or simply notice changes, be sure to consult your family Physician and be sure to keep up with your regular screening of your mammogram.
Please don't be embarrassed or shy about asking questions, this is your life. This is a cause very close to my heart. We all know someone who has dealt with breast cancer, a family member a dear friend. When I worked in the medical field I participated in the care of patients who were going through this battle. I got to see up close and personal the toll that it takes on peoples lives. I know the importance of early detection. Help save lives and spread the word!
Please don't be embarrassed or shy about asking questions, this is your life. This is a cause very close to my heart. We all know someone who has dealt with breast cancer, a family member a dear friend. When I worked in the medical field I participated in the care of patients who were going through this battle. I got to see up close and personal the toll that it takes on peoples lives. I know the importance of early detection. Help save lives and spread the word!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Get Well Soon!
For our Pastor's Wife. You are in our thoughts and prayers during your time of recovery.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Here's a Sneak Peek of My 26th Church Photographed
I'm so excited about the progress of my project I started a while back. I now have 26 Churches that I have photographed. This is the most recent one pictured below which I took this past Saturday. This has become somewhat of a journey finding our way to some of these Churches that most often are up roads for many, many miles. Sometimes I'll get to a Church and think who on earth would put a Church here. lol There's something so sacred at times when I step foot on some of these places. It's almost like I'm on Holy Ground. Please continue to pray for His guidance in this. Tes
Lead me onward!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Who Am I?
What is your identity? Who are you? When it comes right down to it, what makes you who you are? This is more than just an empty philosophical query. This is a substantial life question. The answer to the “who am I” question is the basis of how you live your life. The problem is that many people — even Christians — begin to see their identity wrapped up in something that is completely wrong.
Choosing Identities
What is your identity? Many people find their identity in one or more of the following:
- Conservative
- Republican
- Intellectual
- American
- Baptist
- Hard worker
- Democrat
- Tolerant
- Attractive
- Educated
An Identity Crisis
There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these labels. The problem begins when these things become more important than who we are as Jesus-followers. Our identity in Christ eclipses any other identifiers to which we cling. Anything less than an identity in Christ is an identity sham.
We sin when we try to find our identity in anything else besides God. Sure, we’re affected by our age, race, income, intellect, voting record, or whatever-else. But these things do not and ought not define our identity. We all have a point upon which we center our life. Unless that point is God, we are going to find ourselves in an endless identity crisis.
Our Identity Chosen for Us
As Tim Keller said, “Our security, our priorities, our sense of worth and uniqueness – all the things we call identity – should be based on what God has done for us and in us.” God is the essence of our identity. It’s not our physical appearance, our job, our family, our income status, our nationality, our political affiliations, or even our denominational preference. Its’s God — who He is and what He’s done. When this essence of our identity controls our thinking, our actions, our behavior and our life, everything gets a lot clearer.
Our identity has been chosen for us. It was chosen when Christ chose us and we accepted him. This magnificent life change is such a radical transformation that it is our new identity. Paul described it in terms of a dead person being made alive. Jesus spoke of it as being born again. Now, we have a new identity. Our identity is in Christ.
So, what is your identity?
When we come to the point where we realize that Jesus Christ is everything, and that he is neither a Republican, Democrat, conservative, hipster, or what-have-you, then we begin to see ourselves in a clearer way. Jesus defines us. He is enough, because He is everything. Let us drop the pretense of false identities, and thrive in the ultimate satisfaction of being identified 100% as Christ’s followers.
Source/Sharefaith/Crossleadership Blog
Source/Sharefaith/Crossleadership Blog
Friday, September 28, 2012
Pour It On Me......
This is not my home....
Shine On, My Brother, My Sister!
How good it is to have ones health restored so I can get back about my Father's business. This week has been a pretty rough one, I'll just say. I reluctantly got out of my warm bed this morning with full intent to have my blogging done before noon and that just didn't happen.
I went into the kitchen and decided on a glass of crushed ice. Yea, strange I know.... here lately since I've been sick I've been doing all kinds of crazy things. I walked with my glass of crushed ice in hand to the window and God not only caught my eye but also caught my breath when I saw both a beautiful moon and sunrise through the window.
While witnessing this awesome image, I recalled a few facts from third grade science class. The moon only reflects light from the sun because it’s incapable of producing any by itself. Aren't we similar to the moon? How much light do we truly reflect from God’s only Son?
The New Moon Phase
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num. 6: 25, 26
New Moon - The Moon's side that isn't illuminated is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse,) the lighted side of the Moon faces away from the Earth. This means that the Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in a straight line, with the Moon in between the Sun and the Earth. The Moon that we see looks very dark.
The New Moon phase reminds me of a new Christian. Remember when we were newly saved? Our appetites were so veracious for His Word; we gladly turned our backs on anyone or anything that got in the way of our quiet time. Because we steadily looked in Jesus’ face for directions to every move we made, it was easier to turn our backs on sinful habits. As the moon faces away from the earth, we lost a few friends because they felt we turned our backs on them and old habits. However, the warmth we felt from being in close fellowship with Him was well worth their cold shoulder. We never knew such peace.
During this phase in a new Christian’s life, it’s easy to imagine our Heavenly Father singing this song to us.
Life can take your dreams and turn them upside down
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose My light in your eyes.
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose My light in your eyes.
People make you promises they'll never keep
Soon you'll know why people say talk is cheap
And life resembles one big compromise
But don't ever lose My light in your eyes. Original song by; Leeann Rhimes
Soon you'll know why people say talk is cheap
And life resembles one big compromise
But don't ever lose My light in your eyes. Original song by; Leeann Rhimes
Jesus, God’s holy Son is the light of the world. What are you doing to keep His Light in your eyes?
The Full Moon Phase
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Rom. 5:3-5
Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight. The lighted side of the Moon faces the Earth. This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle. The Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it.
During this time, the true Windex test comes into play. By now it is common knowledge you are a believer. Many respect your opinion and judgment calls yet some just watch to see how you react to situations. Though we may be directly in line with God’s Son who radiates light on us, we also are on the same plane as the world. People are looking for a glimpse of a Savior. Do we reflect His light in a dark world?
Most of us have heard the definition for character as what we do when no one’s looking. Character is not only what we weep over. It’s also what we laugh about.
Do we take delight at things that are really funny or do we laugh at others misfortunes?
Can we truly say we are a reflection of Christ character? People will always need the Lord. What are you doing to show His Light in your eyes?
As the song says,
Life can take your dreams and turn them upside down
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose His Light your eyes.
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose His Light your eyes.
The Third Quarter Phase
He must become greater, I must become less. Jn. 3:30
Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. Sometimes called Third Quarter. The left half of the Moon appears lighted, and the right side of the Moon appears dark. During the time between the Full Moon and the Last Quarter Moon, the part of the Moon that appears lighted gets smaller and smaller every day. It will continue to shrink until the New Moon.
The last sentence of this definition is my prayer for us. In the “full moon” phase of our walk, we’ve had ample time to reflect Christ loving character. However, the longer we are facing Christ and show His nature while the world is watching, the more time there is to make mistakes.
Overcast days are unavoidable in spite of our best efforts when we fail to clearly show Christ’s radiance. During these cloudy times disappointing our Lord, others and us is inevitable. We often beat ourselves up because in our full moon stage, it’s easy to get comfortably confident. As “the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle, the Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it.” With the Lord and the world looking favorably at us, it’s easy to feel bullet proof. However, one slip or blot on our character sends us out of sync with the Lord and onlookers.
Although sin may find us for season, we can’t stay out of line with the Lord if our hearts are truly His. Discontentment moves in and won’t evacuate until we repent and turn towards Him. Just as the Last Quarter Moon continues to shrink until the New Moon, we finally learn in order to be truly happy, His presence must increase and we must daily decrease. With His presence increasing, the Light in our eyes inevitably increases.
Don't ever lose His Light in your eyes.
Think Before You Speak
Don't let your light be evil spoken of! Show the world your fruits..by these they will know you are a true believer ♥
Speak Truth
The world wouldn't have hated Him...the ungodly want to hear what makes them happy..The truth is difficult to accept when you don't want to believe it but it's still truth! Speak Gods truth and we will be hated, Just as Jesus was hated ♥
Be Armed With The Word of God
Jesus is the Rock and foundation of a true CHRISTian believer. If anyone tries to preach anything else...walk out! It's that simple! Separate yourself from lying lips and false teachings..be armed with the word of God and you Won't be deceived! ♥
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Prayer Requests
Please take time to look at the Prayer Request's down the right side of the page. I had a lot of requests today from facebook from friends needing prayer.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
If Jesus Came to Your Church: The Shocking State of the American Church
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would think if he came to your church on Sunday morning? What would he do? Would he be comfortable? Think about it for a second.
For seven churches in the first century, Jesus did show up for a visit — sort of. In Revelation, there are seven short, but powerful letters written to specific local churches. In these letters, we gain insight into what Christ thinks about them, and we see how our church might stack up.
The letter to the church in Laodicea is particularly striking (Revelation 3:14-22). In it, we see some remarkable parallels to the church today.
Passion! Do we really have it?
God writes to this church: “You are neither cold nor hot.” Christians yearn for something we call passion. But what is this passion? Is it the tingly feeling we get when the lights go down, the volume goes up, and we are enveloped in a sensation of sound and lights? Is this true, deep, genuine passion, or is it a surface emotion? To be sure, many Christians experience true abiding passion that comes from a right relationship with God. But often, we mistake fiery passion for a fleeting emotion. Christ takes this issue seriously. Revelation records that “because you are lukewarm…I will spit you out of my mouth.” True passionate love for God does not come from a good show, but from a deep and abiding relationship with him. Perhaps our entertainment-fueled passion is nothing but a lukewarm nod to God. Perhaps we risk God’s displeasure over our mock passion.
Purity? Is it really present?
Christ also targets the sham purity of this church. He counsels them to “buy from me gold refined by fire…and white garments so that you may clothe yourself.” This church had an issue with purity — or more specifically, the lack thereof. When a church is besot by moral and mental sin, it is difficult to develop the passion we praise. What tolerance do we have for moral laxity in the church today. Our entertainment choices do not reflect a pursuit for purity, but for a salacious interest in moral impurity. True purity comes through Christ, and righteous passion will follow.
Prosperity? For real?
There is no doubt about it; the American church is materially prosperous. But does material prosperity mean that we are spiritually prosperous as well? The Laodicean church thought they were prosperous, too. “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” But Christ knew better. “[Youy don’t realize] that you are wretched, poor, pitiable, blind, and naked.” Could it be that our material affluence has contributed to our spiritual bankruptcy? It’s easy to depend on the comfort of riches to insulate us from the coldness of a spiritually depleted life. What would our churches look like if we stripped away everything American, everything technological, everything cultural, everything material, and everything manmade? Would we even have a church left — at least one that we recognize? Let us see our prosperity for what it is — a tool to use for kingdom advancement, not for personal comfort.
Christ’s loving discipline will be dispensed.
Jesus provides a warning for churches in this state: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Perhaps if Jesus entered our churches, he would see our need for discipline. We need to repent of where we have wronged him.
The church has become so consumed with showiness and presentation, that we have neglected the heart of worship. We think that big crowds equal a big impact for God. We attempt to coerce the Holy Spirit to do our bidding, by means of manipulative tricks with lights and sound. Yet true worship has nothing to do with fog machines or sound systems.
In Jesus Made in America, Stephen Nichols writes, “Christians in all cultures and ages have the tendency to impose their understandings and cultural expressions on Scripture or beliefs.” There is nothing wrong with media, with prosperity, or even with fog machines. But there is a need for a purer understanding of Scripture, shed of its cultural accretions.
From Scripture, we see that we are to:
- Cultivate true passion (Revelation 3:15-16)
- Pursue Christ’s purity (Revelation 3:17-18)
- Build true prosperity (Revelation 18)
- Repent of our sin, and welcome Christ into our lives and churches (Revelation 3:19-20)
Let this transformation begin in your heart and in your church.
Article Source From Sharefaith
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
In The News Today
Lex. 18 News Posted this today to their Facebook page with over 900 comments at the time of this post. With the following question "What do you think of this billboard"? Sadly more and more of these billboards are going up.
I just had to chime in and as they say put my two cents in.
I just had to tell this club.. They sure don't know what there missing. Seek and you shall find...We need to pray for the Lord to bring a great spiritual awakening to them. For once I was blind but now I see. Praise God!
Unless the Holy Spirit enables belief in someone who does not yet believe they obviously can't and won't believe. The apostle Paul addresses this in Ephesians 2:1-10. There he tells us even "faith" is a gift of God! Check it out and ask yourself what someone who is "dead in their trespasses and sins" can do...apart from the "gift of God".
People will try to justify their unbelief with saying things like well if there is a God why is there so much pain, war, destruction and poverty. Liken it to going to a dentist, and then saying I don't believe in dentists. If Dentist's exist then why are there so many people with rotten teeth? The answer is quite simple...according to the dentist he can't help it if people don't come to him to get their teeth worked on. It's the same way with God, he can't help anyone who doesn't come to Him when they insist on doing things their own way. The beauty of it is that He gives us that choice and he doesn't force us. If we come to believe in Him it is our gift from Him.
Tes
I just had to chime in and as they say put my two cents in.
I just had to tell this club.. They sure don't know what there missing. Seek and you shall find...We need to pray for the Lord to bring a great spiritual awakening to them. For once I was blind but now I see. Praise God!
Unless the Holy Spirit enables belief in someone who does not yet believe they obviously can't and won't believe. The apostle Paul addresses this in Ephesians 2:1-10. There he tells us even "faith" is a gift of God! Check it out and ask yourself what someone who is "dead in their trespasses and sins" can do...apart from the "gift of God".
People will try to justify their unbelief with saying things like well if there is a God why is there so much pain, war, destruction and poverty. Liken it to going to a dentist, and then saying I don't believe in dentists. If Dentist's exist then why are there so many people with rotten teeth? The answer is quite simple...according to the dentist he can't help it if people don't come to him to get their teeth worked on. It's the same way with God, he can't help anyone who doesn't come to Him when they insist on doing things their own way. The beauty of it is that He gives us that choice and he doesn't force us. If we come to believe in Him it is our gift from Him.
Tes
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Have a great Saturday!
Pastor Ken Bolin invited me and Randy to the tailgate party at the Homecoming football game last night. We had a great time. I even got to see Marsha hard at work selling those sweatshirts for the cheerleaders. This pic is pretty sad I'm afraid. I told Randy he looked like he seen a ghost or something.lol He dared me to put this pic anywhere. Don't ever dare me..lol
Friday, September 14, 2012
Remember
Please remember that Satan's strategy is to keep the gospel from Muslims. If we hate them or fear them, we will not take Christ to them. So today, let's turn the enemy's evil into good. Please take a moment, right now, to ask the Lord to bring a great spiritual awakening across the Muslim world. Pray for Christians in Muslim lands to be bold and powerful in their witness.
And pray for our nation this day by turning to the only One who is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1) A "refuge" helps only those who trust its protection. Have you made the Lord your refuge yet today?
D.Forumn
And pray for our nation this day by turning to the only One who is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1) A "refuge" helps only those who trust its protection. Have you made the Lord your refuge yet today?
D.Forumn
In The News
Why an obscure movie angers Muslims
A film called "Innocence of Muslims" has sparked violence in the Arab world that persists this morning. Why is this obscure movie causing such an uproar among some Muslims? Two facts explain the crisis.
First, Islam prohibits depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, lest they lead some to worship a man rather than Allah. To Muslims, the religious portraits of saints and other biblical characters so common to Christian worship can become objects of veneration and thus idols. They forbid representations of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and all other Islamic prophets.
Second, while the Prophet must never be depicted, he must always be respected. When speaking of Muhammad or other prophets of Islamic history, a Muslim will typically follow his name with "peace be upon him" (abbreviated PBUH in Muslim writings). Any art that demeans the Prophet is seen as a direct attack on the religion he founded.
"Innocence of Muslims" breaks both taboos. It depicts Muhammad as a child molester, homosexual, womanizer, and killer. In so doing, it offends Muslims the world over. This reaction is not unprecedented—when a Danish cartoon in 2006 portrayed Muhammad with a bomb worn as a turban, it sparked demonstrations around the world. Such slanders are not viewed by Muslims as free speech, but as hate speech.
What does the New Testament say about this crisis? First, it teaches us to relate to other religions with respect, not denigration. When Paul found himself among the idolatrous people of Athens, he observed that they were "very religious" (Acts 17:22) but did not condemn their paganism. He then led them from their wrong beliefs to the one true God (vs. 23-31). A movie that intends to provoke offense and violence is the opposite of the spirit of Christ.
Second, God's word clearly rejects violence in the name of one's faith. When Peter took up arms in his Lord's defense, "Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away!'" (John 18:11). Those who kill in defense of Muhammad's reputation do far more to harm it than to preserve it.
Who is really behind this uproar? Jesus warned us that Satan "was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44) who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Is it a coincidence that animosity is escalating in the Muslim world at the same time more Muslims are coming to Christ than ever before? Paul would say of this conflict, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Because this is a spiritual war, those who fight with the spiritual weapons of intercession are on the front lines. Where in the battle are you?
Article From The Denison Forum on Truth and Culture
A film called "Innocence of Muslims" has sparked violence in the Arab world that persists this morning. Why is this obscure movie causing such an uproar among some Muslims? Two facts explain the crisis.
First, Islam prohibits depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, lest they lead some to worship a man rather than Allah. To Muslims, the religious portraits of saints and other biblical characters so common to Christian worship can become objects of veneration and thus idols. They forbid representations of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and all other Islamic prophets.
Second, while the Prophet must never be depicted, he must always be respected. When speaking of Muhammad or other prophets of Islamic history, a Muslim will typically follow his name with "peace be upon him" (abbreviated PBUH in Muslim writings). Any art that demeans the Prophet is seen as a direct attack on the religion he founded.
"Innocence of Muslims" breaks both taboos. It depicts Muhammad as a child molester, homosexual, womanizer, and killer. In so doing, it offends Muslims the world over. This reaction is not unprecedented—when a Danish cartoon in 2006 portrayed Muhammad with a bomb worn as a turban, it sparked demonstrations around the world. Such slanders are not viewed by Muslims as free speech, but as hate speech.
What does the New Testament say about this crisis? First, it teaches us to relate to other religions with respect, not denigration. When Paul found himself among the idolatrous people of Athens, he observed that they were "very religious" (Acts 17:22) but did not condemn their paganism. He then led them from their wrong beliefs to the one true God (vs. 23-31). A movie that intends to provoke offense and violence is the opposite of the spirit of Christ.
Second, God's word clearly rejects violence in the name of one's faith. When Peter took up arms in his Lord's defense, "Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away!'" (John 18:11). Those who kill in defense of Muhammad's reputation do far more to harm it than to preserve it.
Who is really behind this uproar? Jesus warned us that Satan "was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44) who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Is it a coincidence that animosity is escalating in the Muslim world at the same time more Muslims are coming to Christ than ever before? Paul would say of this conflict, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Because this is a spiritual war, those who fight with the spiritual weapons of intercession are on the front lines. Where in the battle are you?
Article From The Denison Forum on Truth and Culture
Thursday, September 13, 2012
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