Provocative Thoughts

2012-01-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

First I want to share this link. http://lifetoday.org/video/filled-to-the-measure. After hearing Beth Moore's story, I was inspired to share mine.

Sometimes Jesus asks us to do things that are outside of our comfort zone, and we argue with Him, and struggle with Him...just like Moses did. I want to share something with you that happened to me a few weeks ago. I'm not sharing this to be recognized or praised, because it isn't about me, it's about obedience to the Lord, and the blessings that overflow as a result.

I live in a very small mill town just on the other side of the river from Charlotte. It is extremely rare to see homeless people in this little community, especially on this particular road. I had just pulled out onto Catawba Street, just a couple blocks from my house, when I saw a woman walking in the cold rain. Her nose was the first thing I noticed. It was beet red, her head humg low, and she was bundled up in baggy sweats and an oversized jacket, carrying what looked like a sleeping bag rolled up in a garbage bag. My heart immediately began to pound, and I cried out, "Oh God, help her! Have mercy on her!" Do you know what the Holy Spirit said to me? "Turn around and buy her some breakfast and a cup of coffee." I said, "Oh please don't ask me to do that! I'm scared!" So as I'm driving and arguing with God, with all kinds of things running through my head, I've already crossed the bridge into Charlotte, and the Holy Spirit says, "OBEY ME and TURN AROUND!" SO I DID, shaking and panting all the way. I see her and cut her off at a side street, roll down my window and called out to her, "Excuse me! Can I take you for some breakfast and a cup of coffee?" She looks up at me with these big brown eyes and says with a German accent, "Are you serious?" I said, "Yes I'm serious. Get in!" Well, she got in, and she smelled really bad, with dirt streaked on her plain face. She was the most meek and precious woman I have ever met. I asked her where she slept last night, and she told me she slept outside. It had rained all night, and the temps were down in the low 40's.

I took her to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and coffee. We talked a little. Her name is Bridget, and she confirmed that she is from Germany. She's been here for 6 or 8 years...I don't remember which, now. I asked her if I could take her to my church in Charlotte to get her some help, but she declined and asked me if I could take her to the corner of Woodlawn and Old Pineville Rd., so I did. She asked me to drop her off at a gas station, so I did. I asked her if she needed some cash, and she said all she needed was the food and coffee I gave her. I didn't want to let her go, but she assured me she would be fine. I gave her a card with the name and phone number of my church, and wrote my name and phone number on the back, and told her to please call me if she needed ANYTHING. She thanked me and told me, as she was getting out, "You will be blessed." She has no idea how blessed and humbled I already was at that moment. I don't know what the result of that obedience to God was or is, and I may never know.

I was told that she could have been an angel. When I heard that I got goosebumps, because that exact thing had actually come to my mind when I was struggling with God over going back for her. Maybe she WAS an angel. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13:2 (NIV), "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." But maybe she was just a woman in need of food and warmth for a little while. Maybe she was just a woman who had been beat down by life's circumstances and needed a stranger to show her some kindness, to help her make it one more day. I DO know that in that experience God taught me humility. He also proved to me that when I choose to be obedient, to step out of my comfort zone, He will provide EVERYTHING I need to accomplish His will and purpose.

2011-09-12T08:19:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from Jesus Calling devotional ~ When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or that person into My care.

One of the scriptures from that devotional is from John 14:27 (amp) ~ Jesus is speaking to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled."

This spoke to me perfectly this morning. I've been struggling for a while with a particular relationship, and that has had an effect on others. I've also had much anxiety and stress related to my 24 year old son moving back home (which is an answered prayer, and another story), spiritual warfare in my own home, and to top it all off, there's the stress of dealing with the "c" word (I won't say the word. I won't give it legs to stand on) that has effected my mom, my sister-in-law, and numerous friends and acquaintances.

It is a daily struggle to release all of this to Jesus. I love the amplified's version, "Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed..." That is exactly how I've felt; agitated and disturbed. VERY disturbed!

Abba Father, I release all of my worries, my cares, my anxieties, my troubles, and my fears to you, right now! I release this person to You, Father. I release my mom, my sister-in-law, and each of my precious friends to You! I place each of them into Your perfect care! In Jesus precious name, it is done!

2011-09-08T19:12:00.000-04:00

Watch this film, as we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, remember the families, and friends of those who lost their lives on that day. Pray for God's protection over this land. Pray for revival.

http://aclj.org/war-on-terror/jay-sekulow-presents-forever-changed-9-11-in-remembrance-full-film

2011-08-23T15:34:00.000-04:00

Just a short while ago, along the East Coast, we experienced a substantial tremor from a 6.0 earthquake in Virginia, near Richmond, which is not completely unusual, but does not occur frequently. And with that, as Christians, we are always keeping our eyes open for the signs of the end times. It is my belief that we are indeed in the end times. It is true that natural disasters, famines, disease, pestilence, wars and rumors of wars have always occurred, but these things are as birth pangs, becoming more frequent, and more severe. Look at cancer, for instance. With all of modern technology, we are still seeing more and more and more cancer. I have never in my life known personally so many with cancer. It is my hearts desire to see each an every one of my family and friends surrender their lives to the God of Israel, and accept His gift of sacrifice He himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, has offered freely to us. I beg each of you to accept this awesome gift of life everlasting, before the day comes when it will be too late.

Matthew 24

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

¹ Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” ³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.
   ⁹ “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
   ¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’^[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
   ²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.
   ²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
   ²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days
   “‘the sun will be darkened,
   and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
   and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’^[b]
   ³⁰ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth^[c]will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.^[d] ³¹ And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
   ³² “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ³³ Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it^[e] is near, right at the door. ³⁴ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. ⁵⁰The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2011-08-15T09:03:00.000-04:00

I wasn't out of bed, this morning, more than 10 minutes when poo hit the fan. When the enemy realizes he can't get you in one area of your life, he goes for the next one.

I got up to muddy dog prints all over the kitchen floor, so I quickly and quietly started mopping them up...then I just had to open my mouth (my husband was in the kitchen eating his breakfast). I made a harmless (what I thought was harmless) comment about the dog scratching up the hardwood...well that canon-balled into a full on fight that lasted all of 30 seconds. Words flew out of both our mouths, the front door slams and tears start rolling. Wow. What a way to start the day (I'm not agreeable until I've had my cup of coffee).

Well let me tell you, it wasn't a minute after he went out the door, I heard the notification signal for my daily Bible verse app, coming from my phone. I picked it up and looked at it through blurry, soaking wet eyes, and the verse of the day was James 3:7-10.

⁷For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).
    ⁸But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.
    ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
    ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.

Though the words I spoke were not necessarily evil, by human standards, they were evil by God's standards. They were undisciplined and poison. They were hurtful, and did nothing to build up my husband. They were an offense against him. What I understand this scripture to say, is that when say things that are hurtful to people, we are also hurting God. He is a personal God, and His heart is broken when we behave in ways He never intended for us to behave, just as we as parents are hurt when our children behave badly. God created us in His likeness, to be in perfect communion with Him, but when we sin, we break that communion (yes, spouting off at the mouth is a sin), and we are then separated from Him. But the good news is, when we ask forgiveness He is anxious to forgive and bring us back into communion with Him.

Moral of the story...shut your pie hole, 'cause if you can't say nothin' nice, don't say nothin' at all. Have a super blessed day!

2011-08-14T16:10:00.000-04:00

How can a loving God send anyone to hell? Good question. Here's a good answer. http://www.christianityexplored.org/tough-questions/alovinggodandhell

2011-08-14T15:59:00.001-04:00

If there is a God, then why is there so much suffering? This is one of the most asked questions about God. http://www.christianityexplored.org/tough-questions/godandsuffering

2011-08-14T13:23:00.002-04:00

Let me start by saying, in this blog I am talking to my fellow believers, but if you're curious, you're more than welcome to read on. Read at your own risk. You've been warned.

I am just home from an awesome, awesome time of worship and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I serve an awesome God, and I am not ashamed to shout His name from the mountaintops. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance... Romans 1:16 (Amp)

Some would try to stifle me by saying that a social media forum is not the appropriate place to share my faith. I say it is the perfect place! Some would say it is force feeding my faith onto unwilling subjects. I say it is my right to free speech, and that anyone who may be offended has the freedom to choose not to read or view my posts. From the beginning it has been my heart's desire to share the Good News to everyone I have contact with. I am aware that it is not received well by some, but I will venture to say, only a few, in comparison to the encouragement and positive reinforcement I have received by most.

I've been told I am crazy, and tagged with a number of labels because of my faith, People are often fast to put labels on something they don't understand, and brutal with their words because I refuse to sugar coat the truth. Even one Christian acquaintance came against me, saying that my Christianity is not necessarily her Christianity, and my response to that is that my Christianity is the Christianity taught in the Holy Scriptures, and if you don't have that Christianity, then you don't have any Christianity. Just because you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and you sit in a church pew every Sunday doesn't mean you are a Christian, even Satan knows that Jesus is the Son of God, and I'm positive that Satan is not a Christian, and I've actually seen Satan sitting in some churches. A head knowledge of this truth is not the same as a relationship. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. Being a Christian means actually living FOR Jesus Christ instead of living for yourself, having the desire to be pleasing to Him, actually wanting His will for your life. Being a Christian means acknowledging that Jesus is the ONLY way, not one of many ways. There is ONE God, and ONE Savior. Some say my truth is not their truth. I say there is but ONE truth, and that is what is written in the Holy Scriptures, spoken by Jesus Himself in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I want to encourage other believers to take a stand for Christ. To be bold for the Kingdom. Jesus says in Matthew 10:33, "Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me, I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven." I don't know about you, but I look forward to the day that Jesus, Himself, with His arms wrapped around me, says to the Father, "This is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased." What a glorious day that will be!

These are the DON'Ts. Don't sugar coat it, people! Don't sit on the fence! Don't be lukewarm, 'cause Jesus will spew you out of His mouth (His words, not mine)!

These are the DOs. Do take scripture seriously! Do be bold for the kingdom! Do be on fire for Christ! Do be proactive in sharing your faith to a lost world!

Lastly, if you don't like what you just read here, and you hate on me, you only empower me to do more of the same, because persecution for Christ's sake is an honor.

2011-08-12T14:07:00.000-04:00

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 NIV

God was speaking to the obstinate nation of Israel, but this is true for all of us today. The definition for obstinate is to stubbornly refuse to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. Have you been obstinate? Have you heard that voice in your head that says, "Don't do it!", or "This is what you should do!", but refuse to listen to that voice?

The bad new is that here are consequences for taking the wrong path, for making the wrong choices. The good news is that God is always ready and willing to forgive us when we confess to Him that we have made the wrong choices in life, gone our own way...when we have sinned.

A couple of antonyms for obstinate, are yielding, and submissive. When we yield, or submit to that voice, to God's voice, He will honor our obedience with abundant blessing, and the promise of eternal life. His ways are far better than our ways. So when you finally decide that your way isn't really working out for you, surrender to Him, and receive your blessings.

Above All -- Kaitlyn Maher -- 5yo

2011-06-20T07:52:00.000-04:00

2011-06-18T12:20:00.000-04:00

Live as children of obedience to God; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires that governed you in your former ignorance when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (AMP)

~ This scripture really jumped out at me and got my attention this morning. Bear with me as I share a little about my struggles. In my "former ignorance" I was an alcoholic. I'm not talking about having a drink or two every day, or even having a few too many on the weekends. I'm talking about a full blown, drink a 12 pack (or more) at least five nights a week, kind of alcoholic. The kind that is still standing after that many beers. The joke was that I could drink most men under the table. Not a legacy I care to leave behind when I'm gone from this world.

Eventually, I came to the end of myself, and after many years, and much crying out to God to deliver me from this prison, He did it. I stopped drinking immediately, without so much as a twitch or tremor. I had absolutely no withdraw side effects, as I should have. Now that is divine deliverance. I had absolutely no strength to stop on my own. The only thing I did was have the willingness and desire to quit. He, and only He did the rest. That was January of 2006.

For nearly three years, alcohol never touched my lips. It felt good to be free, and to think clearly for the first time in MANY years. But then came our 25th wedding anniversary. We went to Savannah to celebrate, and our hostess gave us a complimentary bottle of wine. We pondered and debated whether or not to have some. We finally gave in to the temptation and were sorry for it later. It was another long stretch of time before we had a drink with lunch, then another stretch, and so on. We seemed to maintain a certain level of restraint.

And that brings me to today. As I read this scripture, I am wholly convicted. I am absolutely not where I was, but I am absolutely not where I want to be, or should be. As the stresses of life take their toll on me, I find myself wanting that drink more often, and that terrifies me. At the same time, I find myself more drawn to my Savior and all He has to offer. It is a constant battle between my "old man" and my "new man", but with God's strength and power the "new man" will always win. Hallelujah! I will most certainly fall from time to time in many areas of my life, but I know that my Savior, Yeshua, will ALWAYS be there to pick me up and put me back on the path that leads to life everlasting.

Even Paul struggled with obedience. He himself wrote in Romans 7:15-24, For I do not understand my own actions I am baffled, bewildered. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe which my moral instinct condemns. Now if I do habitually what is contrary to my desire, that means that I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin principle which is at home in me and has possession of me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out. For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am ever doing. Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it it is not myself that acts, but the sin principle which dwells within me fixed and operating in my soul. So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self with my new nature. But I discern in my bodily members in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh.

This scripture gives me much hope and peace. For I know that I am not alone in the struggle of obedience to my Father.

Lovely Day Bill Withers

2011-04-12T19:24:00.000-04:00

2010-12-21T08:48:00.001-05:00

Your Love for Me

2010-11-29T12:28:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace - Rhema Marvanne 7 yr Gospel singer

2010-08-03T09:37:00.000-04:00

2010-07-28T15:06:00.004-04:00

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about myself...my circumstances. So much so, that I had fallen into a depression. I am always amazed however, how God works. As I lay in bed at 4am this morning, crying out to God and feeling as though He was not there...not hearing me, I felt led to open my devotional book (that I haven't looked at for a few days), and immediately God spoke to me, and gently corrected me! The words leaped off the page, "Thankfulness opens the door to My Presence." Scripture tells us in I Thessalonians 4:18, "Thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks, for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus the Revealer and Mediator of that will." (amplified) Immediately, I felt His presence. In the midst of tears, a smile filled my face, and peace entered into my heart and soul. Obediently, I began praising Him, and thanking Him for all He has given me, for the numerous blessings in my life, reminded that all I have, all I am belong to Him...drifting off to sleep.

As I awoke several hours later in the morning I checked my facebook messages, to find a note from a very special person asking me to pray for her today. I was reminded that praying for others also takes my mind off of myself. I am very blessed, and very honored that God has entrusted me with such an awesome task!

Today has been a good day.

2010-06-30T15:52:00.005-04:00

Garbage in, garbage out...

Jesus says in Luke 11:33-36, “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (New Living Translation)

Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. Early on in my walk with Christ, I was deeply convicted about the things I allow my eyes to see, and my ears to hear. Today's technology has provided an array of ways to absorb darkness. Everywhere I turn there is sexual content, foul language, violence. It is on almost every TV program, commercial, billboard, and even in our children's classrooms. We're just one click away from it on our laptops, iphones, ipods, blackberry's, and the list goes on. The media is filled with programs about witches, vampires, people that talk to ghosts, and the like. We might think these programs and movies are harmless, but are they? Scripture warns us against these very things.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 warns, "When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you."

It's very clear to me how God feels about these things. Ask yourself, "Am I taking darkness in through my eyes and ears, or am I taking in Light?" Even if you're not a born again believer ask yourself, "Is what I am taking in through my eyes and ears benefiting me as wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, or friend? Is it making me a better human being?"

2009-12-09T16:14:00.003-05:00

Today, I am thinking of a couple of my girlfriends who are either considering, or have begun the divorce process. My heart is saddened and distressed for them. I do believe that the Lord would not have a woman stay in a marriage where there is abuse, but I don't believe that is the case in either one of these marriages.

I've been married for more than 26 years, and have been through more than my fair share of marital unrest. Without going into great detail, I'll just say that early in our marriage we separated for a short time, and by the grace of God we were able to reconcile. It took many years for both of us to heal from the events of that brief separation. There have been a few times since then that leaving seemed easier than staying and hashing it out. So many people are too quick to leave, rather than stay and work it out. Our marriage is not perfect, but it is a happy one, and a strong one. Working through each trial is what made our marriage strong.

Happiness and strength in a marriage comes at a price. You see, when you marry, you vow to love, honor and cherish, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, till death do you part. That means you put your spouses feelings and needs before your own. And when you do that, you will be surprised how your relationship changes. It's not easy to be self sacrificing. It's hard work, but it benefits not only your spouse, it benefits you as well, and brings harmony to your home.

So many people give up on their marriage when things get tough, when those better times turn to worse times. I often hear, "I love him/her, but I'm not in love, anymore". That just doesn't make sense to me. Love is not just an emotion. Love is something that you must put into action. You make a deliberate decision each day to love your spouse, whether you feel he/she deserves it or not. What would life be like if God only loved us when we deserved it? We would live a miserable existence, wouldn't we. We should show our spouse the same grace that our heavenly Father has shown us.

During times of marital unrest, I look to God's Word to see what it says about marriage. In a letter Peter wrote to the churches in the northern part of Asia Minor, he speaks to the wives saying, "In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [...adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives." I Peter 3:1. This verse is saying that we, as Christian wives, should adapt ourselves to our husbands, so that if they are not Christians, they may be saved through our example. And let me make clear that being submissive, adapting yourself to him absolutely does not mean being a door mat, or never having an opinion, or an idea. In Proverbs 31, the mother of Lemuel king of Massa, tells him in verse 10, "A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman-who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls." Verse 17, "She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm." Verse 25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure..." Verse 26, "She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]." I especially like this one... Verse 27, "She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat." Read Proverbs 31. The wife that this mother wants for her son is strong, intelligent, hard working, and self-sacrificing, and she is called blessed.

Discontentment in a marriage most assuredly turns to self-pity. I know, I've been there. By nature, I am a very selfish person, and putting my husband's feelings and needs before mine have been a real challenge, but God placed in my heart a desire to not only love my husband, but to put into action that love I profess for him. Though I often fail, God has also placed in my husband's heart the ability to forgive my shortcomings. If it weren't for God's grace, and my desire to be pleasing to Him, I can honestly say that I probably would not be married today. And today, I am so very thankful and grateful for all the work that the Lord has done in my heart, and changing my mind in how I perceive my husband, and my marriage.

My dear friends, if you are considering divorce, PLEASE read God's Word, seek His perfect will, and trust Him. You must be proactive in your marriage relationship, and not reactive. Don't trust your emotions. They will most certainly lead you to make decisions that you may regret down the road. For now, the grass may look greener on the other side, but in reality it is truly less appealing than the grass you are standing on right now.

Peace and love!

2009-11-23T21:39:00.004-05:00

I am often perplexed and saddened when I hear someone say that they believe only parts of the Bible, that much of it is embellished, or made up. But how do they know what parts to believe? How does one pick and choose? Is it that they only choose to believe the 'nice' parts, or the 'feel good' parts? Do they choose not to believe the parts where there is war and famine? Or maybe the parts that convict them of their sin?

I think most of these people have never actually read the Bible, except maybe a verse here or there. I think they believe the Bible is full of don'ts, full of restrictions. I must admit, I haven't read the Bible in its entirety, but I have read nearly all of the New Testament and some of the Old. I believe Paul when he writes to Timothy, "Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action). So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17 (Amplified).

The other day, I was having lunch with a couple of dear friends. Our conversation was all over the place, so I don't even remember the subject at this point, but one of my friends turned to me and said, "But with you it's all or none." Indeed, when I gave my life to Jesus, I gave my ALL. He doesn't want just a portion. He doesn't want a half-way believer. He wants our ALL. When we enter into a relationship, we don't want the other person to give only part of himself. We want him to give his all. When you give only a portion of yourself, you miss out. But when you give your ALL, your life will be full and rich with blessings!

If you're one of those people that pick and choose scripture to believe, please take another look. Take some quiet time to sit down, open up the scriptures, and ask the Lord to speak to you through His word. Ask Him to show you His truth. His word is full of real history, with real people. It is full of poetry, and prophecy. There are letters from the apostle Paul, to various churches throughout the region. The first four books in the New Testament are the disciples personal accounts with Jesus. These accounts are told from their individual perspective. Before you start a chapter, read the introduction to give you better understanding of what you are about to read.

Remember this...half way won't get you all the way. Peace and love!

2009-09-10T08:46:00.001-04:00

Leslie Nease was a contestant on Survivor China. On the show, as a Christian she faced ridicule and persecution for her faith. In her blog she talks about the worlds perception of Christians.

Real Life! with Leslie Nease: Living in the Shadow of a Stereotype

2009-02-10T11:09:00.004-05:00

If you are one of those poor people that believe the FDA, please read the following article on the latest findings for the safety, or lack thereof, of the artificial sweetener, Splenda.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/10/New-Study-of-Splenda-Reveals-Shocking-Information-About-Potential-Harmful-Effects.aspx

The fact is, ALL artificial sweeteners are unsafe, at least for the long term. It's best to opt out all together. The FDA says the additives, preservatives, artificial this and artificial are perfectly safe in such small doses...well, add all those small doses up and over time you become a walking time bomb. Your body becomes so toxic that you begin to have digestive problems, develop allergies, are diagnosed with various types of cancers, or develop migraine headaches, etc. The list goes on.

Is real sugar any better? Not much. It has been processed so much that it no longer has any nutritional value, and is laced with chlorine residues. So what do you do? If you must have sugar, eat raw organic sugar. There are many other options to take sugars place, as well. Agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, stevia, raw honey (not heated), pure maple syrup, and a few others. You will pay more, but what price are you willing to pay for better health?

2009-02-06T21:09:00.001-05:00

Call it a woman's right to choose if you want to...you can call it whatever you like, but it doesn't change the fact that it is still murder. We all have the God given freedom to make our own choices, but with every choice we make, there is a consequence.

Abortionist say abortion should be legal for victims of incest and rape. The reality is that only 1% of abortions are performed for those reasons. Only 4% of abortions are performed for medical reasons. The other 95% is for birth control. 70-85% of rape and incest victims choose NOT to abort! Chew on that.

I received the following short story in an email and thought I would share...

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.' So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.' The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: 'No, doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!' 'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.' The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

(Sounds somewhat like the wisdom of Solomon; remember the suggestion of cutting the baby in half?)

2008-12-29T11:42:00.003-05:00

Romans 3:24 (Amp.) says, "[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace, through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus."

Let's talk about grace. The grace of God. In scripture the word 'grace' is translated from the greek word 'charis', meaning 'favor', or as the Amplified version explains, 'unmerrited favor and mercy'.

When we ask God to forgive us, we are saved (delivered from judgement) by His grace (unmerrited favor and mercy). He gives His grace freely. It is impossible to gain His favor by doing 'good works', for it is not our 'works' that saves us or justifies us in His eyes. ONLY by the grace of God are we saved (delivered from judgement).

Does this mean that once we are saved we never have to do good works? Absolutely not! God then equips us with the abilities needed to fullfill His awesome purpose for us, whatever that may be. And if we are obedient to Him, He will use us no matter where we are. Whether we volunteer at a local shelter, travel to far away countries, stay at home with our children, or have a corporate career.

Bottom line...works DO NOT save us or make us okay. God's grace is it.

Ask Him to forgive your sins, and invite Him to be the Lord of your life. Freely, and graciously He will do what you ask.

2008-12-17T15:12:00.008-05:00

In my quest to prove that you don't have to be an idiot to believe in God, I chose to use Solomon as an example. Solomon had a passion for knowledge and wisdom. He asked God to give him an "understanding mind and a hearing heart" so that he could discern between good and bad for the people of Israel.

God was pleased with Solomon for asking for "understanding to recognize what is just and right", rather than asking for "long life and riches". So God gave Solomon wisdom and a discerning mind, and a long life and riches, too! God also tells him that no one before him was equal to him and no one after him shall be equal to him. Either he was a genius or everyone else was really stupid...

I learned that Solomon was a literary genius. Kings came from all over to hear him speak (ref. I Kings 4:34). He lectured on botany and zoology (ref. I Kings 4:33). He was a political ruler who ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. He had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah (modern Syria) to Gaza, over all the kings west of the River, and there was peace on all sides around him (ref. I Kings 4:21, 24). Solomon was a scientist, a businessman with vast enterprises (ref. I Kings 4:26), a poet (ref. I Kings 4:32), moralist, and preacher. (ref. I Kings 4 & 9).

So the question is...is it possible to be a believer and be intelligent? Absolutely! History if filled with men and women with extraordinary intelligence, that believe in the one true living God. Solomon is a perfect example of that.

2008-12-11T18:56:00.006-05:00

Mark 1:15 (NIV) Jesus says,"The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news."

What does it mean to repent? It means to have a complete change of mind. To turn away from your sin, and change your behavior.

What does the word believe mean? According to my study, believe translates to English from Greek as pisteuo. Pisteuo means to trust in, rely on, and adhere to.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we must put away our old self. Turn completely from our sin, and we trust, rely on, and adhere to good news (the Gospel).

Many will say it's hard to be a Christian in this day and age, but it isn't. Not if you seek God's will in your life, and allow His Holy Spirit to lead you. That doesn't mean you won't have trials, and temptations, because the enemy will most certainly attack where you are the most vulnerable, but the beauty of it is, Immanu'el (God is with us)! Sometimes He will carry us, and other times He will walk beside us. Either way, He helps us through it.

The short of it is...Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Turn from your sin. Love others as God has loved us. Can't get much simpler than that, can it?

2008-12-07T15:37:00.010-05:00

When we become a born again Christian, the old person begins to disappear. For some of us the change happens more rapidly, but for others it is a slower process. The Holy Spirit now dwells within us, and leads us. Our sin is exposed, and we begin to really see it for what it is. It is ugly, and putrid, and hideous.

Often times we lose friends, and/or the support of family members because of this change that is taking place. We never stop changing, and growing. Eventually, we are no longer invited to certain parties, or get-togethers, and it struck me recently, why this is. It's not because these friends and/or family members don't love us, or care for us anymore, they simply become uncomfortable with us. They don't feel comfortable drinking, or swearing in our presence. When you're in the room they don't feel comfortable listening to certain music, or watching certain movies or TV shows. They may feel like you are judging them. Why?

Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-15, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house."

What is sin? It is darkness. What happens when you turn on the light? The light exposes all that is in the darkness. Your light exposes the sin in their own lives.

You will know you are walking on the straight path when you no longer fit in. When the world no longer wants you.

"See what an incredible quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him." 1 John 3:1 Amplified

2008-11-21T18:02:00.007-05:00

'Translating the Bible from the Hebrew and Greek causes meanings to be lost' is just an excuse to omit those scriptures that convict one of their sin. When we take the title of 'Christian' we cannot pick and choose what scripture we will believe or not believe. We cannot conform scripture to suit us. We must conform to scripture.

Those that call themselves Christians, and try to conform scripture to suit their carnality have been blinded by the enemy. II Corinthians 4:4 Amplified says: For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds (that they should not discern the truth), preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV also applies. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If one has received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but continues to sin, or turns a blind eye to, or condones the sin of others, and refuses to acknowledge ALL of scripture is valid and is Truth, then what does this mean for them? Are they truly saved? How can one be truly born again, and continue to disregard the Word of God, and live a life of disobedience? I don't think it's possible. I believe that when one sincerely gives their life to Christ, that it is impossible to continue living a habitually sinful life. That's not to say that one will never be tempted to sin or fail from time to time. So when we fail we come to the throne to confess our sin, then we will be forgiven. The Holy Spirit puts in us a desire to be right with God. We no longer have the desire to sin. We desire to be Holy.

2008-11-05T07:27:00.004-05:00

Every kingdom split up agaist itself is doomed and brougtht to desolation, and so house falls upon house. Luke 11:17 (AMP)

This nation has never been more divided. I have never seen more hatred and intolerance for Christians.

The results of this election has set the wheels in motion. There will be a honeymoon period, then all hell will break loose. I pray God gives us the strength to endure.

The people of this nation have prostituted themselves to greed and self gratification far too long, and God has just handed them exactly what they've been crying for. A "savior". Except this "savior" will only devour.

I thank God that the vale has been removed from my eyes so that I can see Truth. I have placed my eyes on the One and Only Savior, Jesus Messiah. We must pray without ceasing that not one of God's sheep will be lost!

2008-10-27T09:04:00.003-04:00

I received this in my email this morning, and I could never have said it better. Please take the time to read it. I checked it out on snopes.com, and found it to be legit. It is an email written by Huntley Brown to his friends who asked him to support Obama. Huntley is a black concert pianist, who is also a Christian.

You can read his comments on snopes at http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp

Why I Can't Vote For Obama
By Huntley Brown

Dear Friends,

A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating...

First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.

Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads, I follow. I can't dictate the terms, He does because He is the leader.

I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning - to name a few, then wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.

We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, 'don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.' I don't know Obama, so all I can go on is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.

<http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/> NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)

To beat Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.

There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted 'No' on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted 'No' on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted 'No' on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue. The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:

A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps.
(Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are the opene to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

God help him.

There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.

Think about this: You can' not give a child an aspirin without parental notification but that same child can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.

There is a reason Obama went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years.

Obama tells us he has good judgment, but he sat under Jeremiah Wright's teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now?

Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?

Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a

1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.

Would you support a President who went to a church like that?

Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.

This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discover he'd been going to a racist church. The TRUE church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world.

A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandates. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church based on racial values, it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book 'the goals of the black community'. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.

Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this?

So what does all this mean for the nation?

In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.'

Then God says

1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.'

Here is what we know for sure.

God is not schizophrenic

He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father ,based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.

I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions. Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends.

Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,
1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation.

2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?

Blessings,
Huntley Brown

2008-10-25T20:03:00.003-04:00

Well...it's election time once more, and a very important one at that. As each of us wonders which candidate will help improve the economy, and bring the war to an end, I ask several far more important questions. Which candidate values the life of an unborn child? Which candidate values the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman? Which candidate is not afraid to say it is wrong to take the life of an innocent little baby...who does not think it is "above his pay grade" to say so? Which candidate does not look down his nose at those who "cling to their guns and their religion"? At the risk of offending anyone, I will just come out and say it. McCain is he.

If Obama is elected we will become a socialist, or communist society. A government who will take our freedoms away. Our freedom to pray in public places. Our freedom to choose not to purchase health insurance if we choose. Our freedom to bear arms. Our freedom to oppose laws we see as wrong or unjust. Our freedom of religion. The list goes on. Those of us who have worked hard for their money will be forced to give charity to those who believe it's the governments job to provide for them. The small business owner, such as Chris and I will be penalized if we do not provide health insurance for our employees. It does not matter if we have 10 employees or just one! Health insurance is a privilege, not a right.

If we pull our troops out of the middle east now, we will be seen as weak by our enemies, and be more vulnerable to more terrorist attacks on our own soil. We can not have "discussions" with an enemy that sees Christians and Jews as dogs. If we do not drill here, and use our own natural resources to become energy independent, we can not survive as a free nation much longer. We must vote NO to big government, to socialism, to a man who associates with domestic terrorists, a man who was pastored for 20 years by a racist who hates America!

My relationship with Christ has determined my political views, and I can not separate my faith from my politics. I can not, in good conscience, vote for a man such as Obama.

2008-10-21T19:38:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone!

Assuming you all are conservative (and praying you have a change of heart if you're not), this link is a GOP voter guide to take with you when you vote. http://www.meckgop.com/uploads/2008-Palm%20Card-2(2).pdf. It includes conservative judges, and other city, county and state officials.

I didn't know this before, but if you pull a straight ticket it does NOT select the President or Vice President! The President, Vice President, and all Judicial candidates MUST be selected separately.

It is extremely important that you select conservative judges, as well as conservative candidates! These candidates tend to make social decisions that best represent Biblical principles more so than liberal candidates.

What ever you feel about the war and the economy, Biblical principles are more important, because without these, our safety and our economy will be lost. We should NEVER compromise God's principles! He will show us mercy only for as long as we are obedient to Him.

Please vote this election! If you are not registered you can still register and vote early. I plan to vote early, so if anyone wants to carpool with me I will be happy to drive, or you can follow me. I can seat four extra people. It would be fun for a group of us to get together and take part in this most important election. Remember, if you don't vote, you have no right to complain!

Again, you can register and vote at the same time! You have no excuse.

Let me know if any of you are interested in voting early.

God bless each of you!

2008-09-08T13:20:00.002-04:00

This is worth watching. Sarah Palin speaks at Wasilla Assembly of God.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1766638341

It doesn't matter whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent; what matters is that you vote this election, and that you vote for the Candidates that best represents the Kingdom of God! If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.

There is far more at stake here than high gas prices, healthcare, abortion rights, or gay marriage. The freedoms of Christians, and every citizen of the USA are trampled on more and more everyday. With McCain and Palin in office, we will be able to, to quote Obama, "cling to our faith & guns", at least four more years.

Something to chew on.

This time the Religious Right is right (OneNewsNow.com)

2008-07-24T08:27:00.000-04:00

If you are a child of the one true God, read this article before you vote in November. This time the Religious Right is right (OneNewsNow.com)

We may not agree with many of McCains policies, but at least, I believe, he is who he says he is. Obama is a deceiver. There is far more to this man than meets the eye. If you read and meditate on God's word, you will see the truth.

2008-06-18T14:40:00.005-04:00

Interesting... I just read this interesting article by Cal Thomas, titled "Obama is no Joshua " http://www.calthomas.com/index.php?news=2288. He refers to Obama as a false prophet, but one of his readers more appropriately calls him a false teacher. Either way, Obama is misleading many people, including some Christians. Read Cal's article. He quotes some things that Obama has said regarding his so called "Christianity". None of it holds up in Bible Court. There are NOT many paths to salvation. There is only one, and it is laid out plain and simple in God's Holy Word. Matthew 7:13 says, 13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

2008-06-11T09:20:00.004-04:00

Believing Jesus is the Son of God does not a Christian make. Being a Christian is so much more than than just believing. Even Satan believes Jesus is the Son of God!

It is putting Christ first, above all else. It is seeking a deeper relationship with Him. It is a desire to truly know Him. It is obedience to His word, applying it to our everyday lives. It is true love. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' In John 14:15 Jesus says, 'If you love me, you will obey what I command.'

Obama claims to be a Christian. What do you think? I haven't really seen or heard any evidence supporting that. At least nothing that remotely resembles Biblical truth.

The scriptures warn us about false prophets. Matthew 24:10-11 says, 'At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.' Wikipedia says, 'Traditionally, prophets are regarded as having a role in society that promotes change due to their messages and actions.'

I'm not suggesting that Obama is a prophet, by religious definition. I am suggesting, however, that he may be seen as somewhat of a prophet by many of his supporters. I also believe he is deceiving a lot of people. People are so hungry for something different. Hungry for "change". Obama is extremely charismatic, and people are drawn to him like a magnet. I may be way off, but I get a sense that he is leading the poor little lambs to slaughter.

Do religion and politics belong together. I believe, yes. God has placed leaders above us to guide us and direct us, but unfortunately, democracy has given way for fewer and fewer Godly men to be in leadership. We, as Christians have been a sleep, or maybe been too afraid to stand up for the things of God. We have been passive. I think Christians have confused meekness with passivity.

I can whole heartedly, and assuredly say that I AM A CHRISTIAN. I am not ashamed. What about you?

2008-05-20T14:11:00.003-04:00

Word of the day - Discipline. Moreover, self-discipline.

To discipline means to teach, or instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct, or to adhere to a certain order.

We often cringe when we hear the word discipline, but discipline is an act of love, an act of kindness and mercy. Just as we discipline our children to teach them the way they should go, and to protect them, God disciplines us (Deuteronomy 8:5). Scripture says that if we are not disciplined, then we are illegitimate children, not true children of God (Hebrews 12:8).

Self-discipline means training one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behavior, even though one would really rather be doing something different or behave in a different manner.

When we are self-disciplined, we deny the flesh, or the sinful nature. We walk according to the Spirit, and not according to the flesh. Those who are not self-disciplined can not please God (Romans 8:1-17).

Todays society is an undisciplined one. Even many Christians are living undisciplined lives. Eating too much, drinking too much, spending too much, gossip too much, and so on. Without God's discipline we are like unruly children with no direction. We are lost.

Ask God today, in what area of my life am I undisciplined? Psalm 139:23-24 says, 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

When we walk in the way everlasting, with Yeshua the Messiah as King, we experience the fullness of God's peace.

2008-04-02T16:20:00.007-04:00

I am appalled and dismayed each time I read an article about a school that blatantly disregards the right of a students freedom of religious expression. Of course, this only applies to Christians. Read this article at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=74297.

God bless those students who have put on the breast plate of righteousness, and are bold for our precious Messiah, Yeshua! God have mercy on those who persecute His Saints, for they know not what they do. Remove the scales from their eyes, so that they may see your Truth.

Our youth is so troubled today because of this kind of non-thinking. Over the past 30 years, as basic Christian principles have been removed from the classroom, it has become a battle ground. Our kids are suffering. They are killing each other...and themselves. The destroyer is working overtime on our children as they become future, Godless teachers, leaders, and parents raising up a new, Godless generation...that is if they haven't murdered their classmates and then taken their own lives first.

2008-03-03T17:12:00.003-05:00

It pays to be an activist!

While I was waiting in the check-out line at Bi-Lo, perusing the magazines, I noticed, at child's eye level, the swim suit (or not) edition of Sports Illustrated. The girl on the cover was not. Her bottoms were barely covering her private parts, and her top was nil. Her breasts were bare with only a string of beads covering her nipples...and not doing a very good job of it.

Being the big mouth that I am, I told the cashier that the check-out line is no place for Sports Illustrated. She agreed. I wasn't satisfied, so when I got home I emailed Bi-Lo's corporate office, and today I received an email from Susan Laws, administrative assistant for Bi-Lo, stating that the magazine has been removed from the shelves. Awesome!

2008-02-29T15:47:00.003-05:00

If you haven't been yet, I strongly recommend going to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. I pass by it nearly daily, but had never visited until today. It's really fascinating to see so much memorabilia from Billy's travels in ministry. The food isn't too bad, either. They have sandwiches, salads, soup, cookies, etc. Ruth Graham's headstone says, "Construction has ended. Thank you for your patience".

2008-02-28T14:25:00.008-05:00

Are magazine sales so low that they have to run 21 prescription drug ads, as in Ladies' Home Journal?

I don't subscribe to magazines, but my mother-in-law does, and she gives me a stack when we visit.

As I was thumbing through a few of these magazines I started to notice the huge, and by huge I mean one, number of prescription drug ads. I was board, so I started to count them. Ladies' Home Journal wins a blue ribbon for the most ads at a count of 21, with Family Circle coming in second place at 16 ads, Women's Day & Better Homes and Gardens both in third place with 10 ads, & finally Southern Living in fourth place with only 6 ads. Women's Day magazine is only a fraction in thickness of the other ones, so 10 ads should technically raise it to about second place, along with Family Circle.

If you're tired of being bombarded with prescription drug ads on television and in magazines, go to stopdrugads.org and petition your congressman or congresswoman to introduce the Public Health Protection Act.

Did you know that recreational drugs are far less likely to kill you than prescription drugs? I don't, however, suggest using recreational drugs.

Go to the Mercola.com archives and look for the article dated 2008/1/15, or copy and paste the link below.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles
/archive/2008/1/15/recreational-drugs-
far-less-likely-to-kill-you-than-
prescribed-drugs.aspx

2008-02-26T13:05:00.007-05:00

I learned something very interesting today. You've heard the adage, 'hot water opens pores, and cold water close pores'. Well...this article I read says that to every wives tail is some truth.

Here is a snippet:

Heat and humidity causes acne flare-ups because the skin "swells" from the cardiovascular system kicking in. When you get hot or exercise, two things happen at once. Your skin swells from the freshly oxygenated blood sent to the surface to feed the muscles that are "working" and then you start to perspire producing acids and salts to "cool" the body off. This combination of swelling skin with acids and salts irritates and dries the skin and can cause ZITS to get worse and become larger.

When you ICE lesions or areas, which are covered with Zits, these areas shrink slightly in size. This allows acne products to work more quickly to minimize or eradicate these lesions. Ice your face with an ice cube for one minute before applying your products. A Physician would have you do this for a sprain, burn, or bruise to reduce swelling and irritation. Keep these Acne Fighting Products in the refrigerator because they also work more quickly when cold.

If you want to read the entire article go to http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acne4ltr.htm.

Sounds like a plan. I'll be tryin' the ice thing. Now, I'll just have to install a mini fridge in my bathroom to store my skin care products.