Surrendering

Lord, please show me what your will for my life is.  I know I've asked this before, but this time, I totally give myself to you.

The Rapture

Today In Church the sermon was on the Rapture.   I hope it happens during my lifetime! Won't it be wonderful when Jesus calls us home and we're taken up into Heaven?  I can't wait, cause I know I'm going there!

Something To Remember

God Has A Reason For Everything That Happens In Your Life.

These days, I do beleive that God would be shaking his head in disbelief at how Christianity has been divided into so many different denominations. How could people get totally different ideas of what His word means?

God, I thank you for our generous friends from Church Who helped out Dad with his truck. It's sooo nice that you've put such great people in our lives. There are not that many people who would spend their own money on someone that they hadn't known for that long.

Today as we celebrate Easter, Let 's not forget what it's about! Jesus is risen after dying for you and me!

Ten Ways Jesus Changed the World



1. He split our calendar in two: B.C. and A.D.

2. He showed us God is love.

3. He refused a crown to bear a cross.

4. He occupies no grave.

5. His sermon on the Mount set forth the highest standard for how we should
live.

6. He modeled forgiveness in a world of stone throwers.

7. He transformed fishermen and tax collectors into world changers.

8. He healed the sick and raised the dead…enough said.

9. He challenged religion devoid of compassion.

10. He willingly accepted a cruel death so that we might have life.

The scriptures tell us that God “showed his love among us — He sent his one and
only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”

Our Revival Services this week had a profound effect on me. Especially the first night, which dealt with bitterness. I'm getting over all the stuff I've been through, slowly but surely, but it's not easy...

Lord, I thank you for the new friends I've met the past couple of weeks. For Mikey, for Rev. Mike, and Keeper, they have been so good to me, I thank you Lord, for putting them in my life!

Some Prayer Requests For Today:

1: Comfort For the families of those killed in the NY plane Crash

2: For the US to pull out of our financial problems

3: For My Church To Continue to grow

4: For my friends that God will take care of their needs

5: For My Family especially my 2 sister, who are unsaved

6: For me, That I can lose weight, and that I can find someone.

Dear Lord, hear my prayer:

Please forgive me for my occasional lapses in faith. I know that you are here for me, but sometimes I am just impatient in waiting for my prayers to be heard.

Can you imagine what it was like the night Jesus was born? How the shepherds felt when the angel told them about The birth of the Savior? How the wise men felt when the finally reached the baby Jesus? How Mary felt knowing she had given birth to the Son Of God? The responsibility that Joseph must have felt knowing that it was his duty to protect Jesus till he grew up? I wish I could have been one of the people in Bethlehem that night!

As we Celebrate Christmas, please don't forget it's true meaning! The birth Of Jesus, God's Son and the Savior of the World! To me, his gift of forgiveness and eternal life are more precious then anything else!

As the song goes, "I can only Imagine"

It overwhelms me when I try to imagine what it's going to be like to be in the presence of Jesus. What will it be like? I know that everyone will bow before him, both saved and unsaved. What's it going to be for the saved? Will some of us just run up to Him and embrace Him after he says "Enter, my good and Faithful servant"? Will some of us just be so over whelmed that they will jump for joy and shout? For the unsaved, It will be a lot different...

Bible Reading for last week of Oct. and Nov.


10-26: Isiaiah 12-13
10-27 " 14-15
10-28 " 16-17
10-29 " 18-19
10-30 " 20-21
10-31 " 22-23
11-1 " 24-25
11-2 " 26-27
11-3 " 28-29
11-4 " 30-31
11-5 " 32-33
11-6 " 34-35
11-7 " 36-37
11-8 " 38-39
11-9 " 40-41
11-10 " 42-43
11-11 " 44-45
11-12 " 46-47
11-13 " 48-49
11-14 " 50-51
11-15 " 52-53
11-16 " 54-55
11-17 " 56-57
11-18 " 58-59
11-20 " 60-61
11-20 " 62-63
11-21 " 64-65
11-22 " 66 Jeremiah 1
11-23 Jeremiah 2-3
11-24 " 4-5
11-25 " 6-7
11-26 " 8-9
11-27 " 10-11
11-28 " 12-13
11-29 " 14-15
11-30 " 16-17

WHY I CHOOSE TO BE A CHRISTIAN

I have been a Christian for 11 years. Why do I choose to be one? There are a lot of reasons why I follow Jesus. Here are some of them:


1: Jesus died for EVERYONE, we are all sinners.
2: By trusting in Him, my sins are forgiven.
3: Because my sins are forgiven , I will have eternal life and be in Heaven.
4: Without Jesus, I would be on the way to Hell.
5: He loves me more than any human could.
6: His plan for my life is a lot better then what I could design.
7: When you pray, he hears you, and listens without any preconcieved notions.

I was not forced into Christianity. God spoke to my heart and said “come to me.”

When I was a kid, I did not believe in God. I figured “If there is a God, why isn't he helping me when
I'm being tortured and picked on in school? If he does exist, he must not think much of me.” When I became a believer, it became clear to me that He allowed it to happen so that I would trust in Him. It took me a long time for that to sink in, but it was for the best, and has made me a stronger person.

I've had a lot of things going on with me the past couple of weeks. I've told you all about my problems, but God seems to be tellin me something.  A couple weeks ago, I found a magazine at Church, with 2 articles that could have been written about me.  The first one was about a   guy that was dealing with a weight problem, and he was turning to God for help with that. The one thing that really gave me hope was that he was married, even though he checked in at over 400 lbs.  I'm not that big, but it gives me hope that there's gotta be some woman out there that can look past stuff like that.  Second article was about a guy who got picked on in school like I did and it took him a while to get over it and forgive.  Ok..Saturday, while at the store, I ran into the lady that got my Mom hurt.  I walked away so that I wouldn't cause a scene.  Then on Sunday, wouldn't you know it, the sermon was on forgivness?  Funny how God lines things up to happen, isn't it? Well, after all this stuff, I feel a LOT better, letting all that crap go. 

God hears our prayers, but it's a 2 way street, we have to listen to what HE has to say!

Today in Sunday School, the topic was forgivness. I've posted about this before, because it's a bit difficult for me to forgive, when it comes to all the things I've been through. But, I'm trying with everything I have to come to terms with what happened to my Mom and what happened to me in school , and hopefully soon I'll be able to put it all behind me and forgive the people involved.

Lord, after hearing about how some of the people who live in a trailer court near where I live are in really bad straights, please help me not dwell and complain about my problems!

Some Prayer Requests for today:

For My Mom, who has to have some medical tests in October
For me to lose more weight
For everyone who needs help anywhere in the world.

I really am starting to admire Dan, my pastor. How he does all of his pastoral duties and takes care of his big family I will never know! But he is a great guy, and an excellent preacher. You can tell God is working through him!

I'm getting ready to read Revelation again. I've tried to read it before, but some of the things in it are way over my head. The only thing I know is that Jesus' return is sooner then most of us think!

Lord, I pray that you would help me get over my shyness so that I can be a more effective witness for you!

This Week

This week, we have Vacation Bible School at my church, and my Mom and I helped out.  It's amazing how quick some kids can pick up knowledge!  Most of them were eager to learn about God, and did a good job!

Things You Never Hear In Church

Things You Never Hear in Church

- Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front pew.

- I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.

- Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.

- I've decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.

- I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.

- Forget the denominational minimum salary, let's pay our pastor so he can live like we do.

- I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!

- Since we're all here, let's start the service early.

- Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.

- Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!

Christian One Liners

Christian One Liners Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Peace starts with a smile. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from? *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Don't put a question mark where God put a period. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Forbidden fruits create many jams. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God grades on the cross, not the curve. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!" *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* He who angers you, controls you! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* We don't change the message, the message changes us. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

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Bible Reading Plan for June

6-1: 2 Corinthians 10-11
 6-2              "        12-13
6-3: Galatians    1-2
6-4:   "               3-4
6-5    "               5-6

6-6: Ephesians 1-2
6-7:    "             3-4
6-8:    "             5-6
6-9:  Phillipians 1-2
6-10:  "             3-4
6-11: Colossians 1-2
6-12:    "               3-4
6-13: 1 Thess. 1-2
6-14:   "            3-4
6-15:   "            5  2 Thess. 1
6-16:                        "         2-3
6-17:   1 Timothy 1-2
6-18        "            3-4
6-19:       "            5-6
6-20:   2 Timothy 1-2
6-21:        "           3-4
6-22:    Titus 1-2
6-23:       "     3  Philemon
6-24: Hebrews 1-2
6-25:  "              3-4
6-26:  "              5-6
6-27:  "              7-8
6-28:  "              9-10
6-29:  "               11-12
6-30:  "                13, James 1
     

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Prayer for the day

Lord, I pray that justice will be done for this kid in Florida who was treated in such a cruel manner by his classmates and teacher.  No person should have to put up with that!

Lets see:

We have wars going on, earthquakes, people starving, crazy weather, and all sorts of stuff going on. Does Matthew 24 ring a bell? We were warned! Don't call me a nutcase, but it's my firm belief that Jesus will be here SOON!

Today, let's all pray for those killed, injured, or left homeless in that typhoon in Burma.

This week, we had Revival at my Church. The Guest Speaker had powerful messages every night. From it, I got a lot. I now realize that there are still some things in my Life that I need to let God handle. So That's exactly What I'm gonna do!

Christian

By Maya Angelou


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
who received God's good grace, somehow.

A common misconception is that once you become a Christian, your life will be nothing but smooth sailing. That is wrong! How can we grow if we had no difficulties in life? After a fairly difficult week this week, I've come to learn that the hard way. I am going to try my hardest from now on to give my troubles to God and let him lead the way!

We are born broken , but the Grace of God is the Glue that repairs us!

April 1: Mark 10-11
2: " 12-13
3: " 14-15
4: " Mark 16-Luke1
5: Luke 2-3
6: " 4-5
7: " 6-7
8: " 8-9
9: " 10-11
10: " 12-13
11: " 14-15
12: " 16-17
13: " 18-19
14: " 20-21
15: " 22-23
16: luke 24-John1
17: John 2-3
18: " 4-5
19: " 6-7
20: " 8-9
21: " 10-11
22: " 12-13
23: " 14-15
24: " 16-17
25: " 18-19
26: " 20-21
27: Acts 1-2
28: " 3-4
29: " 5-6
30: " 7-8

Happy Easter Everyone! Let's not forget what this day is about, the Resurrection of the Lord! If not for that, what would we have to believe in?

Forgiveness can be so hard sometimes. I've been there, when it comes to what they did to me in school, and what happened to my Mom. Somedays, I feel like I'm over it and have forgiven all the people involved, but then there are days when I just want to kill them! Forgiving needs to be done, and God is the only one who can give you the strength to do it!

To the Artist JESUS CHRIST is the
one altogether lovely.

To the architect He is the chief
cornerstone.

To the baker He is the living bread.

To the biologist He is life.

To the doctor He is the
great physician.

To the educator He is the
master teacher.

To the farmer He is the sower and
the LORD of the harvest.

To the florist He is the rose of Sharon
and the lily of the valley.

To the geologist He is the rock
of ages.

To the horticulturist He is the
true vine.

To the judge He is the righteous
judge of all mankind.

To the juror He is the faithful
true witness.

To the jeweler He is the pearl of
great price.

To the lawyer He is the counselor
and the lawgiver.

To the newspaper reporter He is
the Good News.

To the philanthropist He is the
unspeakable gift.

To the philosopher He is the
wisdom of GOD.

To the preacher He is the Word
of GOD.

To the sculptor He is the living stone.

To the servant He is the good master.

To the statesman He is the Lord
of all nations.

To the student He is the living truth.

To the theologian He is the author
and finisher of our faith.

To the sinner He is the Lamb of
GOD that takes away the sin of
this world.

To the Christian He is the Son of
the Living GOD, the Savior,
Redeemer and LORD.

Here's Something my Pastor gave me that I thought you all might find
useful:

March 10: Read John 15&16
11: " " 17&18
12: " 19&20
13: John 21& Matt. 1
14: Matt. 2&3
15: " 4&5
16: " 6&7
17: " 8&9
18: " 10&11
19 " 12&13
20 " 14&15
21 " 16&17
22 " 18&19
23 " 20&21
24 " 22&23
25 " 24&25
26 " 26&27
27 28& Mark 1
28: " 2&3
29 " 4&5
30 " 6&7
31 " 8&9

Lord, please give me the vision to tell if these so called "Poor" African, Indian ect., people are telling me the truth about their problems, and if they really are, please help them out. And if the ones who say they are preachers are real, help their churches out too.

Remember

Remember that your presence is a present to the world.

Remember that you are a unique and unrepeatable creation.

Remember that your life can be what you want it to be.

Remember to count your blessings, not your troubles.

Remember that you'll make it through whatever comes along.

Remember that most of the answers you need are within you.

Remember those dreams waiting to be realized.

Remember that decisions are too important to leave to chance.

Remember to always reach for the best that is within you.

Remember that nothing wastes more energy than worry.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful
stroke of luck.

Remember that the longer you carry a grudge, the heavier it gets.

Remember not to take things too seriously.

Remember to laugh.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.

Remember that a lot goes forever.

Remember that happiness is more often found in giving than getting.

Remember that life's treasures are people, not things.

Remember that miracles still happen.

Church Feud

-

 

There was a feud between the Pastor and the Choir Director of
the Hicksville Southern Baptist Church..

It seems the first hint of trouble came when the Pastor preached on
"Dedicating Yourselves to Service" and the Choir Director chose to
sing: "I Shall Not Be Moved". Trying to believe it was a coincidence,
the Pastor put the incident behind him.

The next Sunday he preached on "Giving." Afterwards, the choir
squirmed as the director led them in the hymn: "Jesus Paid It All".
By this time, t he Pastor was losing his temper.

Sunday morning attendance swelled as the tension between the two
built. A large crowd showed up the next week to hear his sermon
on "The Sin of Gossiping." Would you believe the Choir
Director selected the song: "I Love T o Tell The Story".

Ther e was no turning back. The following Sunday the Pastor told the
congregation that unless something changed, he was considering
resignation. The entire church gasped when the Choir Director led
them in: "Why Not Tonight"?

Truthfully, no one was surprised when t he Pastor resigned a week later,
explaining that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was leading him
away. The Choir Director could not resist: "What A Friend We Have In
Jesus."

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Bible Word Search Puzzle > Parables of Jesus Christ

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Bible Word Search Puzzle > Parables of Jesus Christ

Parables of Jesus Christ Word Search Game

This Bible word search game has 14 answers.

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Two Debtors - Good Samaritan - Rich Fool - Lost Son - Fig Tree - Unjust Steward - Tares -

Hid Treasure - Pearl - Drag Net - Two Sons - Ten Virgins - Talents - Sower

In my Yahoo Christian Group, we have been having a spirited discussion about the Rapture. We have members that think it will happen before the Tribualation,(My View), some during the middle, and some after. My opin is, if you're saved, it doesn't matter when it happens, cause you'll be going!

Here's a quick question to you, Readers: What kind of Bible do you use? Personally, I mainly use the good ole KJV, but recently I've acquired a version called God's Word, it's pretty much in plain English.

Lord, Once again I come before you to tell you how much I love you, and how thankful I am for you!

Isn't it great to know that no matter who you are or what you've done in your life, Jesus accepts you just as you are! All you have to do is accept him into your heart and let him take control!

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17 )
I am bought with a price(1 Cor.. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth ( Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant ( Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ).I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor.. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10 )
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven(Col.1:14).I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive it isn't.

Here are some prayer requests for today

1: Keep prayin for my friend Nicie and her son Cameron, they are still having problems with school.

2: Please pray for my friend Elisabeth. Her Boyfriend did her wrong and she's really
heartbroken.

Thanks!

Remember, God will give you what you need, though it might not be what you want!

Dear Lord, I thank you for putting Nicie in my life. She is such a wonderful person! She's helped me get back on the right track, and get myself closer to you again. I pray that our friendship will last forever! Once again, THANK YOU LORD!!!

As we prepare for the New Year, I pray that God will bless each one of you, my readers!

As we prepare for Christmas, let's not forget that Jesus is the reason for the Season!

Readers:

I have a couple of prayer requests for you:

1: Please pray for my Sister Lori and her family, they're having real bad problems.

2: Please pray for my friend Nicie and her son Cameron, they're having trouble with his school.



Thanks!

The sermon in my church today was on the birth of Christ. Jesus could have came as some conquering hero, but instead, he came onto Earth as a baby. He went through all the things we humans go through every day. He played with the other kids, (dunno if he got into any fights, what do you think?) probably gave his parents a bit of trouble like we did as kids, came crying to his Mommy when he got banged up and scraped from playin, and got sick like us. Anyway..I'm glad he came that way, so he could relate to us!

God has a plan for us all, all we need to do is believe in Him and Seek his will in our lives!

Patience and Expectation are important when it comes to prayer. First off, you must have patience when waiting for a prayer to be answered. It may not be God's time for it yet. Second, You must enter into prayer with an expectation that if what you're praying for is in God's will, that IT WILL HAPPEN. So many people (Me included several times before) after they're done praying and seeing that nothing has happened right away say "It's not going to happen". People, just keep praying about it! Whatever you ask for (if it's in God's Will) will be given to you!

Here are some prayer requests for this week:

Pray for my Pastor, Dan and his family as he gets ready for his surgery and as they search for a bigger house.

For my best friend Kat, as she works through problems in her life.

For the People displaced by the California Fires.

And as always, for my family and I!

To all my readers, please pray for my Pastor, Dan Howard. He's going to have surgery sometime in the near future, an I pray that he will make it through without incident.

As a long time chatter online, one thing that really gets to me is people who PM you, ask for money, and when you say No, they use religion to try to put a guilt trip on you. This is so wrong! Although we as Christians are supposed to look out for our fellow man, we should also use discresion and common sense. Plus, I don't think Jesus looks very highly on those who try to rip off people in his name!

Sometime, I wish I could have lived in the time of Jesus. Wouldn't it be awesome to be in His Presence, and actually watch him perform all the things the Bible said he did? Reading about them is one thing, but seeing them in person---WOW!!!

Lord, as I enter another year of my life, please continue to guide me!

Sometimes to do his work, God takes us out of our Comfort zone. Take for example Carrie Langley, the new Mission Service Corps Volunteer who has come to work with our church. She has moved all the way from Texas, giving up a teaching job to come here and help us develop a ministry for the kids in our church. This is not a paying job, she had to get support from people and churches in her own town, and had to find a house and a new job on her own here. Just goes to show you, that when God tells you to serve, expect some personal sacrifices!

Dear Lord, I pray that you would please help Kat get through all her health problems, and the other problems going on in her life! She is my best friend in the whole world, and I don't know what I'd do without her.

10 PRINCIPLES

Stop and ask yourself today, "How do I really feel about myself? " Before you answer read these ten principles.

Better yet, keep them before you daily.

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(1) Never think or speak negatively about yourself; that puts you in disagreement with God.

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(2) Meditate on your God-given strengths and learn to encourage yourself, for much of the time nobody else will.

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(3) Don't compare yourself to anybody else. You're unique, one of a kind, an original. So don't settle for being a copy.

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(4) Focus on your potential, not your limitations. Remember, God lives in you!

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(5) Find what you like to do, do well, and strive to do it with excellence.

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(6) Have the courage to be different. Be a God pleaser, not a people pleaser.

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(7) Learn to handle criticism. Let it develop you instead of discourage you.

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(8) Determine your own worth instead of letting others do it for you. They'll short-change you!

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(9) Keep your shortcomings in perspective - you're still a work in progress.

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(10) Focus daily on your greatest source of confidence - the God Who lives in you !

A fact I've learned the hard way the past few years is that God puts situations in your life, but it's up to you to figure out how you'll handle them. You can run away from them, or you can call on God for help,and tackle them head on! I wish I would have chosen the latter a lot of times, it would have saved me lots of grief!

A little something I found on a website. Thought it was nice.

Life is a Trainer , and God is the back seat instructor. He's their to let your spirit soar, and keep you flying straight. After you've passed, you earn earn your wings.

Lord, I pray that you would show me what you want me to do to serve you. The past couple weeks, I've had a feeling that you're trying to direct me to something, but I just don't know. Please Show me! I'm not the most talented or smart person in the world, but if you tell me to do something, I'll do it!

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

- Henry David Thoreau

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times or more – if you want to reduce the stress in your life you need to simplify. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Simplify, Simplify.” But this is much easier said than done, of course, and there is no shortage of experts who are happy to tell you exactly how to do it.

All of that advice and guidance can quickly become confusing and even overwhelming – so much for simplifying your life! So I’ve sifted through this huge onslaught of information and picked out the ten best tips I could find to help you simplify your life. These tips are my ten commandments for a simpler way of life:

I. You shall find work that is fun.

Nothing complicates your life more than forcing yourself to go to work every morning when your heart tells you that you should be doing something else. To live is to grow and change, and nowhere is that more evident these days than in the world of work. So find work that is fun and uses your natural gifts. Wise people spend their days on pursuits that engage the fullness of their natural strengths. In doing so, they always meet with success.

II. You shall laugh on a daily basis.

Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times. It will renew your perspective and rekindle the childlike enthusiasm that you may have lost. Most of us are too busy to laugh and too serious to smile. We have become caught up in our own sense of importance. We have forgotten to nourish the child within all of us who is just waiting to get out and have some fun. Never forget that children come to us more highly evolved than adults to teach us the lessons we need to learn. Study children. Learn from their natural wisdom. They will remind you that if you haven’t laughed today, you haven’t lived today.

III. You shall sell the box sitting in your living room.

Although it has the power to do good, television is eating up your free time. And do you really have anything to show for all that time you have given to the box sitting in your living room? When you deeply reflect on all the hours, days, weeks and months you have given to your television, has it done anything to raise the quality of your life? While TV has some excellent programs, don’t be a slave to it. The average American watches 3-4 hours of TV per day. Don’t lose the best years of your life spending every evening on the couch.

IV. You shall break your addiction to the news and go on a “news fast.”

News is predominantly negative. And one of the universal laws of the mind says that “as you sow, so shall you reap.” What goes into your mind determines what comes out. So break your addiction to the news. All those killings, all that violence and the calamity do nothing to add to your inner peace. If you want a simpler way of life, spend the next seven days away from the news. Read some great books or listen to some good music instead.

V. You shall get in the habit of taking daily “silence breaks.”

Slow down. Silence is golden. In this crazy age we live in, the average person doesn’t spend even an hour a month in silence. Yet silence renews us, it relaxes us, and it allows us to reflect on how we are living and make necessary corrections before it is too late. Try spending 30 minutes a day in silence and solitude. It will help your mind to relax, so you can shift from the work-and-spend treadmill and focus on what’s most important to you.

VI. You shall clean up your act.

We all collect “stuff” along the way - it is inevitable. So try spending some of your time going through a closet, a shelf, a drawer, and getting rid of anything you don’t need or cherish. What’s exciting is that once you start on these surface areas, weeding that out, the skills and mindset carry over to more complex areas like your work and relationships.

VII. You shall turn off your technology.

Are you feeling the stresses and strains of modern life? Turn off your cell phone in the evening, answer email once a day instead of constantly throughout the day, or put down your laptop computer for an afternoon. Let yourself be unconnected to the rest of the world for a little while and relish in the freedom that creates.

VIII. You shall be spontaneous.

Routine is good to a certain extent, but sometimes you just need to break free and do something different. Let yourself be spontaneous, choosing what to do and how to do it based on your own wishes rather than someone else’s wishes. You’ll feel more in control, have more energy, and lift your spirits immediately.

IX. You shall set a bedtime and stick to it.

Chronic lack of rest affects every aspect of life, from the amount of energy you have to your performance at work or in school. Simplify your life by setting a bedtime and sticking to it. Get in the habit of going to bed early and you will transform your life.

X. You shall learn what is “enough.”

Many of us are turned off by ideas like simplifying or frugalizing our lives, but it’s really about transforming your life in a conscious and deliberate manner. It is about determining what is enough in your life, so you can do more with less. Keep that in mind.

Remember what separates the peak performers from the weak performers: the first group says “no” to anything that is not important while the second group says “yes” to everything. Live a simpler way of life.

I hope you liked the mail

Do keep in touch

A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak.

This week, I'm helping out with my church's Vacation Bible School. I'm having a good time so far! We've got kids of all ages attending, most of them eager to learn about Jesus. I hope and pray that many of them will be saved during this week, or at least start considering starting a relationship with Christ.

In Church, we sing the song "I Surrender All", but do we really do that? God wants you to give your life to him %100, and lay all your burdens at his feet. NOTHING LESS WILL DO!!!

I feel sorry for Churches who say that you have to dress up to attend them. God doesn't look at the outside, he looks at what's in your heart. As one who doesn't like to dress up, I am sooo glad that my church isn't one of those who have a dress code. As our pastor Dan would say " I don't care what you're wearing, just make sure ya got something on"

In Sunday School today, we talked about forgiveness. This is not my strong suit! I've told you all about all the things I've been through in my life, and this is really giving me problems. Some days, I'm Ok with it, and can forgive those people from school who picked on me, and some days, I just wanna kill em. I know deep down that I need to forgive, and Lord, I pray that you'll help me, because I know that you can't do the things with me that you want to do if I can't forgive.

Lord, as Hannah prayed so fervently for a Son all those years ago , right now, with everything I have, I pray that you would guide me to the Woman you've made for me. I don't know how much longer I can take the lonliness. I know that it will only happen in your time, but I pray that you will take my feelings into consieration.

Prayer is the most powerful tool in the life of a Christian! How can you really worship God without talking and listening to him? You might not get the answer you seek right then and there, but beleive me my friends, God does hear your prayers, and he will answer them in his time, if you come to him with a sincere heart!

Our Revival services this week were awesome!!!! The guy who was our speaker was only 24 years old, but his knowlege seemed to be that of someone twice his age! You could tell that God was really with him! I really got a lot out of it! I feel like I'm out of the spiritual slump that I was talking about it the previous post.

Tomorrow, we begin our yearly Revival Services at Church. I know I'm gonna be there every evening, because I feel like I'm in a spiritual slump of sorts, and I pray that I can get something out of this to restore the spark!

Never Forget, the Lord doesn't give us more then we can handle!

Today we celebrate the Ressurection of Our Lord! I can only imagine what the ladies who went to the tomb that morning, found the stone rolled away, and Jesus not there were thinking! He had told them that he would be back, but I don't know if they actually understood what He meant. Anyway, without the Ressurection, where would we be?

Lord, I pray that you will take care of my friend Kat, she is going through very tough times. I know she says she's OK, but deep down inside, she has to be hurting, so please watch over her.

A couple of days ago, while I was out, my Parents watched The Passion Of The Christ on video. I got home to see the last few minutes of it. It just makes me cry thinking about how much Jesus suffered for me and all of us!

They say the way to conquer your fears is to face them head on, and with God's help, I am going to od that when it comes to beating my shyness. I cannot keep hiding any more! For all my 35 years, I've let what people say and think about me and my weight dictate my life, but no more! There are probably millions of frienships I've missed out on, and maybe I'd probably be married by now, if I hadn't let the actions of a few cloud my opinions of the many. So here I come life! Thank you Lord for helping me get through this!

I have some good news. I might be going on a trip this Summer! Our Church is planning to take a trip to Ligonier, PA in July to help the church and community there. For those who say I need to get out more, there we go! Hopefully things will go as planned. Even though I'm shy, I try to do everything to get the word out about Jesus.

The Things Which Are Impossible With Man Are Possible With God.

IT’S UP TO YOU

It’s not what happens to you that can make your life or break it.
The thing that really matters is the way you choose to take it.

You can feel sad about what has happened and say life’s not worth the living,
Or find some place that needs the love and help you could be giving.

You can crawl into a shell, and reach a state of deep depression,
Or count the many blessings you still have in your possession.

You can say that life’s not fair, and that you simply cannot bear it,
Or seek what’s good in life, and find a way that you can share it.

No, it’s not what happens that decides the winning or the losing.
It’s how you take it -- and you’ll find it’s strictly your own choosing

Mary Jensen

Last Sunday in Sunday School, we talked about how we have been wonderfully created by God. No matter how fat, thin, beautiful or ordinary looking we are, all people are worth loving, and those who think they are worthless need to seek God's guidance to learn that there lives really matter! I used to think that way because of my weight, but I don't anymore.

The Top 10 Ways to Know If You're Obsessed with Prophecy
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1: You Always leave the top down on your ocnvertible in case the Rapture happens.

2: You never buy green bananas.

3: You talk your church into adapting the sixties pop song "Up, Up, And Away as a Christian Hymn.

4: Barcode Scanners make your nervous.

5: You refuse a tax refund check because the amount come to $666.

6: You can name more signs of the times than you can commandments.

7: You believe that there is an original Greek and Hebrew text with Scofields's notes.

8: You believe that the phrase "church fathers" refers to Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye.

9: You get goosbumps when you heara trumpet.

10: You use the Left Behind Books as devotional reading.

As this new year begins, Lord, I make my resolution to you to keep striving to be closer to you, and continue to seek your will in my life!

Here's My Church

After several years of pain, I have finally figured out why the Jesus said that you must forgive. Grudges, and the need for revenge do nothing except drag you down. For me, all the things that i've been through the past few years made me physically ill, but after plenty of prayer and thinking "the past is the past, nothing you can do about it, except get on with life" I have forgiven the kids that picked on me in school and the lady that got my Mom hurt, and I feel %100 better. I wish I could have done this a long time ago, because I can only imagine the life I've wasted feeling sorry for myself!

These past few weeks, I've learned a lot. First off, I've learned my own weaknesses. Yes, I do get down on myself a lot! I'm trying, with God's help, to have a more positive outlook. Second, just because someone criticizes you, it doesn't mean they're picking on you. And finally, but most importantly, When you're down and just about ready to give up, God will be there for you, even if no one else is!

How do you read your Bible? Everyone seems to have a different method. Me, I usually pick on book, and try to read 2 or 3 chapters a night till I finish the book.

Lord, I pray that you will help me be the person that you've designed me to be! I know you have something planned for me, but I need some direction.

After reading John's description of Heaven as recorded in Revelation, I can't wait to see it in person! It is going to be wonderful, being surrounded by all the believers that came before us, and finally seeing Jesus himself!

Please Pray for My Family, we're having financial trouble again, my Mom's lawsuit didn't pan out, and the money she did get is almost gone. I don't want to be out on the streets!

The members of my church are some of the most wonderful people in the world! I felt welcome there from the first time I ever stepped through the doors. I didn't think they'd talk to me much because of my weight any my shyness, but boy was I wrong! As much as I'd love to move back to my home state of Virginia, I don't know if I'd ever find a church as good. You can just feel the presence of God everytime you enter the doors, and I have a feeling that God is going to be using us for great things!

After seeing all the things my preacher does, I don't know if I could ever be one! Dan always seems to be on the go, helping someone or doing something for the Church. I honestly don't know how he finds any amount of time when he isnt't tired to spend with his family! But, when God calls you to do something....

Heavenly Father, now that you have helped me forgive all of the people who were involved in Mom's injury, please help me get over what they did to me in school. Even though it's been over 2o years, it still hurts, and has really kept me from being the person I can be! I know that they are adults now, and probably have forgotten about me.