Alexander

Where I hang out...

2010-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

These days find me blogging at alexmurashko.com, Facebooking at Outreach New Media, and tweeting at @AlexMurashko.

Oh, by the way, The Scrooge Report is up and running this holiday season!

Life between tweets and re-tweets

2010-02-21T11:26:00.001-08:00

This morning I spent a half-hour looking for a friend’s Facebook post about the concept of time and how we spend it ... sent to me two weeks ago. While wanting to use some of the ideas in my friend’s post for this story, nearly 90 minutes went by between the time I set out to write my post and when I actually began.

So, to get to this point right here, right now, besides finding my friend’s post I did a few other things. I perused, posted, and messaged on Facebook. In between Facebooking I perused, posted, and messaged on Twitter ... that would include tweets, re-tweets (RT) ... and some of my Facebook posts that automatically appear on Twitter.

Keep in mind that social media, which still has to be explained to many people by saying, “You know, doing things like Twitter and Facebook” to which they reply, “Oh, yeah,” but still don’t get it, is a big part of my work and volunteer life. However, it’s Sunday and I did not plan to spend the entire morning chopping and hammering on my laptop.

Driving by a church announcement sign this morning proved to be less time-consuming in the pursuit of ideas for this topic. The sign read: “The Life Between Prayers and Answers.”

Sounds like a good sermon, doesn’t it? Well, here’s my question: What is life between tweets and re-tweets?

This last week I’ve been facilitating and moderating a Facebook Fan Page for an Orange County, Calif. group that is helping to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti. It has occurred to me that “staying connected” has never been easier.

However, this connectivity poses another question. “Do we always need to be connected?”

I’ve noticed that during the administration of the MISSION HAITI page that if my idea of too much time takes place between updates from someone from the team at the orphanage, then I begin to do a little jonesing (drug culture term for craving, withdrawal). And that’s when it hit me … we don’t always need to be connected to each other.

Sure, it’s nice to know that we can Twitter and Facebook each other from the ends of the Earth. However, I believe there are times when we don’t need an update from someone. Could it be a time for something else?

Jon Varner writes in his post, Unplug, “In our modern world we do not unplug very often, we are constantly connected to the entire world. Constantly being connected has an impact on our souls. It does not allow time for reflection or for God to speak.”

The team from Haiti was giving fairly regular updates during its one-week mission still taking place. Now, with the trip just a few days from over, it seems they have broken from the regularity. By not sending a message, is the group sending a different kind of message to its “fans?” Or is God sending a message? I noticed that one of the team member’s wives recently updated her status on her Facebook profile and it simply states: “... is thankful God knows.”

Yes, indeed! God knows!

And this I know ... this particular message may have come as the result of not checking or receiving updates from friends and loved ones, and delivered by simply connecting with Him!

“Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8

__________

Image found at Jon Varner's blog post, Unplug.

Alex Murashko is the founder of Outreach New Media.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexMurashko

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amurashko

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

Radicalis Day One

2010-02-10T15:46:00.001-08:00

Radical(Latin-radicalis) means “of the root.” To last in life and ministry you must be rooted in Christ, in his Word and in Love. — Rick Warren

Getting back to the basics of Christianity may be the message Pastor Rick Warren and other conference speakers are sending to the hundreds of church leaders attending Radicalis at Saddleback Church, but the delivery method is purely high tech.

ESPN-style anchors kick off each day of the 4-day event with morning reports and updates to Web-savvy church leaders following a livestream of video, chat, and tweets. Social media pros man their Twitter and Facebook accounts and echo out posts that include photos, video and audio sound bytes.

Despite the apparent information overload, the message is clear: grow RADICALIS ... develop spiritual roots by getting into the word of God.

Judging by the enthusiasm of those in attendance, the message is being delivered loud and clear!

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

Being God's man is worth the risk...

2010-02-08T07:14:00.001-08:00

Being God's man is worth the risk

"For though a righteous

man falls seven times, he rises again." - Proverbs 24:16

There is something about the sport of football that helps define things like struggle, determination, loss, and victory in a nutshell seemingly more often than anything else ... at least for me.

Photo: Drew Brees and his son Baylen Brees celebrated the Saints' Super Bowl victory together on the field Sunday night. The Super Bowl MVP's son was lifted high into the air during certain moments, giving him a prime view of the festivities. (HuffPost/Getty) More photos of Brees and his son on the field.

Thank you Kenny Luck of Saddleback Church for helping me grow stronger in knowing that "being God's man is worth the risk!"

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

RADICALIS: ARE YOU READY?

2010-02-06T13:09:00.001-08:00

Absolute Surrender, Sacrificial Lifestyle, Authentic Christianity...

A Radical Experience

Radical(Latin-radicalis) means "of the root." To last in life and ministry you must be rooted in Christ, in his Word and in Love. -- Rick Warren

Reporting from behind the Orange Curtain - @AlexMurashko on Twitter

COMING FEB. 8-12!

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

'Best Church Choir in America' on Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir performs "Hallelujah Choir"

Merry Christmas ... enjoy!

Our Best Friend

2009-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

I heard a message on joy Sunday. It was an excellent message given by Saddleback Church's Rick Warren, titled "Radical Joy," which is Part 3 of the series, Radicalis: Developing Spiritual Roots.

There was only one problem ... I didn't come away joyful ... or at least I thought I didn't. You see, my true joy has been in Jesus for the last 11 years. By His grace, after praying to accept the Lord, my life has radically changed. So, you would think I would know better than to be bummed out after Sunday's service, catching myself thinking about family "issues" that often seem to sprout around Christmas.

Nevermind that Warren produced a "Saddleback Spa" type setting, replacing the pulpit with falling snow flakes in a beautiful forested setting shown in a looping video on a large screen TV behind him. Warren, who was joined by his associate pastor, worship leader and a virtuoso guitarist, and seated on comfy leather chairs, purposefully wanted his audience to relax ... and get joyful.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time Sunday ... so, it wasn't a question of wanting to be elswhere. I just found myself asking, "Where's the joy?"

Later, I went about my business, meeting with my parents for breakfast, and having an okay day ... but, I prayed a lot. Yah, sure, I intellectually know that my true joy is in the Lord, but I don't always feel joy. I was doin' a bit of the Christmas blues dance Sunday.

It wasn't until Monday morning that my spirit was really uplifted. I read from one of my daily devotionals ... and although everything certainly is not right with the world, I can again feel the joy we all so desperately want to feel. Like Warren said Sunday, "I've got news for you, life isn't fair, but there is one who can bring you joy no matter what. That one is Jesus."

Sometimes, I might add, joy comes in a simple message.

Here's the devotion that I read this morning in Charles F. Stanley's God's Way, Day by Day:

Our Best Friend

No longer do I call you servants, ... but I have called you friends. -- John 15:15

"All who call Jesus Savior and Lord are invited to be His friend.

What kind of friend is Jesus? He is the best friend you will ever have. He does for us what no one else can do, He helps us in ways no one else can help us, and He loves us as no one else can ever love us.

We may have difficulty seeing Jesus as our Friend, but Jesus doesn't have any difficulty seeing us that way."

Can I hear an "Amen"?

Merry Christmas!

--Alexander

Christmas In A Nutshell

2009-12-04T06:14:00.000-08:00

From Worship House Media:

Admit it, you've given some terrible gifts. There's someone who has never given a bad gift, though—GOD! For Christmas, however, He gave us something no one could've imagined. This video illustrates the miracle of Christmas in a fun and poignant way.

JMC LIVE: Slaves, foodstamps, and marriage

2009-11-30T21:44:00.000-08:00

"JMC LIVE" is the husband and wife team of Jeremy and Miranda Caverley. They bring to you the hot topics that affect all of us from a biblical perspective.

JMC LIVE show for Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 8 pm EST

Tomorrow's subjects include slave labor in America, the current increase of food stamps usage, and Ohio's dismissal of an arranged marriage of a former Muslim.

Church: Let's Get Honest About Social Media!

2009-11-28T08:46:00.001-08:00

New friend Jay Kranda posted this video recently and I want to help him out! What kind of job is the church doing with social media? How much emphasis should we put in learning about stuff like let's say Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube? And if we already know how to use these social media sites, how much time should we spend using them? And for what?

You can also vote in the poll, "What grade is the church getting in the usage of Social Media?" posted in Jay's The Church & Social Media? post. Thank you!

Encouragment: put on the whole armor

2009-10-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

You are overwhelmed. You realize you are behind schedule. You are past deadline. Your assignment was due yesterday.

You wake up in the morning and already feel like you are barely treading water.

Then you remember... go to God. He is our King. He is the one. He is Jesus. Start with Him.

So, you go to His word. You grab the Bible and realize you've been given the tools. You've been given the armor ... you are encouraged once again ... and it's time to attack the day!

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:11-13

David Crowder Band - Here is our King

2009-09-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Big Daddy Jesus Freak, over at Tangle.com for posting this on your page. Your music video selection made my morning!

Need to get your message out? Visit Outreach New Media ... we'll help you soar!

The Way To a Balanced Life

2009-09-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. -- Proverbs 6:23

I don't like struggle. Yet, I find myself struggling much more than I think is fair. However, this week I found an antidote to struggle ... getting into the Word!

Charles Stanley makes it so clear in one of his devotions from God's Way this week:

Time With the Word

If you want to know what the Holy Spirit thinks about something, read the Bible. The Scripture is His thoughts on paper. It doesn't get any clearer than that. You and I are not left to discern the mind of the Spirit through the presence or absence of peace and the voice of conscience alone. We have His thoughts written on paper!

The most balanced Christians I know are those who spend time in God's Word on a daily basis. The most unbalanced Christians I know are those who do not. It is that simple.

__________

Internationally-acclaimed author and preacher Charles Stanley adds to his impressive legacy with a year's worth of devotionals drawn from his previous writings including best-sellers Success God's Way, Seeking His Face, and Enter His Gates. This best-selling devotional is loaded with life-changing thoughts and beautiful four-color illustrations. Divided into twelve months but not dated for a specific year, this book promises to become a perennial favorite. - Amazon.com

Get a copy of God's Way Day by Day now!

Where's Your Focus?

2009-08-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. - Ephesians 5:17 (Msg)

Are you looking for a vision for your life? I am. I've taken this summer to try and really focus on what God would have me do with my life.

Earlier in the summer, I took a couple of days retreat in the mountains ... and despite being teased about eating at a restaurant a couple times and not really "communing with nature" it was nevertheless an attempt at trying to get direction from God.

Also, this summer, I've had a 40-day focus on trying to discover my purpose. I combined reading Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life again, Bible reading, note-taking, and prayer.

Do I have a vision or goal for my life right now? Well, in some aspects I do, in others I don't. However, these things are true ... my joy is in the Lord, and my focus on Him directly relates to how well I am able to see Him working around me and even through me.

Please know that I'm still looking for answers. My words here are for me as much as they are for you. It's not about preaching!

Warren writes:

There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose. The men and women who have made the greatest difference in history were the most focused. For instance, the apostle Paul almost single-handedly spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His secret was a focused life. He said, "I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." - Philippians 3:13 (NLT)

Are you still looking for direction? My prayer is that your focus on God is more intense than its ever been. Your growth in the Lord depends on it!

_______________

Alex Murashko, the founder of Outreach New Media, has been helping people get their message out for more than 16 years.

Fear Not, For I Am With You Always

2009-08-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

"This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" - Psalm 118:24

From Fear Not Promise Book by Max Lucado

"This is the day" includes every day. Divorce days, final-exam days, surgery days, tax days. Sending-your-firstborn-off-to-college days.

God made this day, ordained this hard hour, designed the details of this wrenching moment. He isn’t on holiday. He still holds the conductor’s baton, sits in the cockpit, and occupies the universe’s only throne. Each day emerges from God’s drawing room. Including this one.

Since when did praying in Jesus' name become a legality issue?

2009-08-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Jesus is not an illegal word, the Bible is not a banned book, and evangelistic speech is not a crime. - Gordon James Klingenschmitt

Later today, people will be gathered on the steps of Lodi's city hall and praying. Another group of people will apparently be cursing the effort to keep the option of saying "Jesus" during this Northern California city council invocations.

Is it a big deal?

Well, like a good pastor friend of mine said, "I will be praying in Jesus name regardless." Regardless if this country squelches all expressions of faith. Regardless if one faces the threat of a potential lawsuit...or arrest...or prison time...he and I and others will still be praying in Jesus name.

It just seems very said that in a country whose people once boasted about their First Amendment rights, quietly, without much battle from many, saying "Jesus" in the public square has met so much intolerance.

Below is "Chaps" prayer and petition. You can sign by going here.

A PRAYER TO ALMIGHTY GOD,
and
A PETITION TO MAYOR OF LODI, CALIFORNIA, LARRY D. HANSEN,
and COUNCILMEMBERS MOUNCE, HITCHCOCK, JOHNSON, KATZAKIAN:

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:

We the undersigned, respectfully petition you to defend religious freedom by allowing visiting pastors

of all diverse faiths and denominations, to pray aloud publicly according to the dictates of their own conscience,

at or before city council meetings, even if they dare to pray aloud publicly "in Jesus name" or invoke their own specific deity.

Please do not cave-in to atheist intimidation by the enemies of religious liberty, including

Americans United and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who are threatening to sue to silence all prayers.

Please conform your decision to First Amendment precedent which allows Jesus prayers among other rotating diverse prayers,

as already decided in the 7th Circuit (Hinrichs v. Bosma) and 11th Circuit (Pelphrey v. Cobb County)

and by the Supreme Court of the United States in two decisions: Marsh v. Chambers and Lee v. Weisman.

Jesus is not an illegal word, the Bible is not a banned book, and evangelistic speech is not a crime.

Please simply adopt a policy similar to Tulsa City Council, and declare the prayers are private speech, not government speech,

or allow the prayers to be said aloud during optionally attended time, just before the first government business is gaveled to order.

Please allow pro-bono Christian lawyers, from the Alliance Defense Fund or others, to defend your pro-Jesus prayer policy in court.

We pray to God you will stand with us by taking a courageous stand for liberty, in Jesus' name. Amen."

Sign petition.

Let this be a prayer for you and me

2009-07-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! -- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening devotional guide.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional book has been very impactful for me these last few weeks. If you are looking for encouragement and strength through Jesus, I highly recommend this book.

Here is an excerpt from the July 11 morning devotion. It has been my prayer this last couple of days. Let it be yours as well!

First, the verse:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. - 1 Peter 5:10

...May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you... (more)

I'm Watching You Dad!

2009-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day!

Outreach New Media is Here!

2009-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Make Your Message Known!

Getting your message out there is no longer about just contacting a few local newspapers and hoping for some publicity. Media surrounds us in all forms. News sites, blogs, social networks, and other Internet-based forms have made public and media relations a new kind of business.

Outreach New Media is here to help get your business, or event, or ministry, out into the world. Whether it be a local barbecue or a global movement, we can provide the message and the means to make your message known!

Contact us today!

A home Bible study with parking problems...or something else?

2009-05-23T19:37:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a tip from a friend this morning I was able to get on top of a story first published on the WorldNetDaily.com site.

A legal rights group is reporting that a San Diego pastor and his wife were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home....FULL STORY

This might be something we all need to keep an eye on.

You'll find my story as the LA Church & State Examiner here: San Diego official says home bible study needs permit

Why should Christians imitate Christ?

2009-05-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I started reading Charles H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening daily devotional and if I could sum up the book in one word I would say, "encouragement."

Reading the devotions is a great way to help me make sure I stay focused on the Lord both day and night. If I'm faithful to my effort, I read the devotions for the day as the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do at night.

It has been one of the most encouraging books I have ever read. Rather than trying to par down today's morning devotion and give my two cents, I've cut and paste the entire devotion. It's just too good to mess with!

Here is this morning's verse and devotion by Charles H. Spurgeon:

"So to walk even as He walked." — 1 John 2:6

HY should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul—if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions.

It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion's sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ's own sake, imitate His example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour?

Is His name precious to thee? Is His cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it thy desire that He should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of all men."

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Want to help support Alexander's media missions work? Simply click on to his articles at LA Church & State Examiner. Each individual click means a small contribution. There are no commitments, attachments, or spam associated with the link visits. Any questions can be sent to alexander(at)outreachnewmedia.com. Thank you!

New Dawn Communites video on Tangle

2009-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

_______________

Want to help support Alexander's media missions work? Simply click on to his articles at LA Church & State Examiner. Each individual click means a small contribution. There are no commitments, attachments, or spam associated with the link visits. Any questions can be sent to alexander(at)outreachnewmedia.com. Thank you!

I'll Need You Mom!

2009-05-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

President Washington went public with prayer

2009-05-07T08:28:00.001-07:00

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Our Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible. - National Day of Prayer Task Force

While President Barack Obama plans to commemorate the National Day of Prayer with private prayer and a public reading of the proclamation for the day, one president didn't mince words when it came to the need for prayer... - Washington went public with prayer

Posted using ShareThis

Note: In recognition of the choice for this year's theme, PRAYER...AMERICA'S HOPE, I want to thank the National Day of Prayer Task Force in strongly, yet subtly, showing how important it is to understand where HOPE should be placed. - Alexander

Christian teen wins case against faith-bashing teacher

2009-05-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Before giving you a link to read about Chad Farnan (David) receiving an unprecedented ruling from the Court (Goliath), I want to say thanks for following me around even though I'm all over the place (speaking of the Web, not my mind! ;) )

Speaking of which you can follow me at Twitter at http://twitter.com/ScroogeReport.

Now to this breaking news, which I believe I broke first thanks to a reader!

The 'Jesus Glasses' Case

Orange County high school student, Chad Farnan, has won a lawsuit in which the court ruled Friday against a teacher who was shown to often use his classroom to attack Christian thought.

In the Farnan v. Capistrano Unified School District case, Farnan, a sophomore at Capistrano Valley High School at the time, stated that his Advanced Placement European History teacher, Dr. James Corbett spends a good portion of each lecture attacking Christianity and other religions.

Farnan, who said he often prayed for his teacher, taped a lecture by Corbett in which he stated that "when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth."

Please read the rest of the story, you guessed it, by clicking on here: OC student wins case against Christian-bashing teacher. By doing so, you are helping to rain down pennies from heaven!

Now, pardon me while I read John 11:45-48, verses a friend of mine said he was going to use for his youth Bible study as a result of reading the above story. Get back with you later on these verses!

ADD: Chad in his own words, and more of those Corbett-isms in this video.

Your invitation to live stream from Rock Church San Diego

2009-04-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

You're invited! Miss USA runner-up to share today's Sunday message, live stream and archived - http://tinyurl.com/djrd7s

Pastor Miles from Rock Church talks a bit about the upcoming Sunday service with Carrie Prejean

Miss California's response: 'I feel sorry for him'

2009-04-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

USA Beauty Pageant Officials, Media Intolerant of Traditional Marriage View

Miss California: 'God was testing my character and faith'

LA Church & State Examiner: USA Beauty Pageant Officials, Media Intolerant of Traditional Marriage View

2009-04-20T21:12:00.001-07:00

Even before openly gay blogger and Miss USA judge, Perez Hilton, confessed that beauty pageant contestant, Carrie Prejean, lost a chance at the crown because of "the way Miss California answered her question," on gay marriage, the sharks were circling.

Full story at LA Church & State Examiner

Posted using ShareThis

Desperately Seeking Susan (Boyle)

2009-04-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

We are all desperately seeking a "Susan Boyle moment."

If you are not one of those at least 50 million people who have seen the original clip of Susan turning a Britain's Got Talent judges panel and crowd from smirking fools to joy-filled, sobbing Boyle believers, here's the link.

However, the point I'd like to make is seen in the second video... The Jimmy Fallon video. Unfortunately, there is no copying allowed either from YouTube or Fallon's blog. So, I've included the link. If you've seen the Susan Boyle moment already, then you'll be up to speed before watching Fallon's piece.

How desperate are we to find inspiration? Well, one indicator is the number of online views Susan is getting...it's one of those record-breaking viral things that I think is still going strong.

The whole phenomena is a case study in the human condition...desperate for a Susan Boyle moment. Not good or bad, just always wanting to fill a need. In this case, the need for inspiration.

Jimmy Fallon: Susan Boyle Makes Everything Better

LA Church & State Examiner: Christian college club exists on campus 'unofficially'

2009-04-14T18:58:00.001-07:00

LONG BEACH – An on-campus Christian club at California State University Long Beach is vowing to continue its Bible-based ministry despite losing a federal lawsuit accusing campus officials of violating its constitutional rights by denying the group official status.

Full Story at LA Church & State Examiner

Posted using ShareThis

Easter Together in Prayer

2009-04-13T17:10:00.001-07:00

Nearly filling the outfield grass, worshippers from several South Orange County Churches came to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at the second Easter Together at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park in San Clemente Sunday.

As the sun rose over the nearby hills as if on cue, the first of two services began with songs and a short testimony by Cornerstone Community Church member, Darryl McFann. He explained how at an Easter service 11 years ago, his life began to transform.

"I couldn’t tell you one word that the pastor had said that day," McFann said. "But, I could tell you that I immediately understood that there was a void and it was being filled. I had a heart transplant. That’s how I feel about it."

South Orange County pastors took turns giving the message of the love and healing power available in Jesus. Seven local Orange County churches hosted the event.

Photo (Jeff LaHatt): Pastors pray during Easter Together at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park in San Clemente. (L to R) Roger Gales of Heritage Christian Fellowship, SC; Ron Sukut of Cornerstone Community Church, SC; Kelly Fellows of South County Church, MV; Chris Gleason of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, SC; Boogie Rose of Branches, SJC.

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Outreach New Media - Public, Media, & Social Network Relations
Email: alexander@outreachnewmedia.com

Newsweek's Tweaking of America

2009-04-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

"The End of Christian America?"

Writer Jon Meacham and Newsweek play a little premature smash-mouth with Christians, fueled by an erroneously interpreted survey. Be sure to catch The Scrooge Report story: Newsweek Misuses Poll, Flies ‘The End of Christian America’ Banner.

Outreach New Media and Easter

2009-03-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

Must be spring! I'm launching a new business, Outreach New Media, and wanted to let you know that we will be providing public, media, and social network relations services.

I look forward to serving you in whatever type of business and/or ministry you are involved with.

In doing research for this project I ran across "Communicate Jesus - insights and inspirations to maximize your ministry."

The site's latest blog post, 108 Easter books for $1 each, is a good example of how timely and informative Communicate Jesus can be.

While we are on the subject of Easter, Outreach New Media has connected an event hosted by seven South Orange County churches to not only many traditional media outlets, but social networking sites as well. Easter Together can be found on its own website here and the following social network sites (click name):

Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook

More to come...

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts!

Hey South OC, Let's Have Easter Together!

2009-03-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

OC Register Community Event

Cry Out To Jesus

2009-03-19T10:01:00.001-07:00

To all of the people with all the burdens and pains....

....there is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken hearts...

--Third Day

What's Your Plan?

2009-03-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

World Premier Music Video on Tangle
Seventh Day Slumber
Surrender

For Such a Time as This

2009-03-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

CNN reports that the Baptist minister who was fatally shot Sunday as he led services at a church in suburban Saint Louis, Missouri, was carrying out work he believed in fervently, a church official said Monday.

"I believe that he would want us to know that he died doing exactly what he believed passionately about," Worship and Music Pastor Mark Jones told reporters outside First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, about Pastor Fred Winters, who was killed the day before...

Investigators have charged Terry J. Sedlacek, 27, with first-degree murder in the killing.

Sedlacek was further charged with two counts of aggravated battery related to the stabbing of parishioners Terry Bullard and Keith Melton. full story

Photo: A sign posted by a neighbor pressing for prayer in a subdivision where Terry J. Sedlacek lived is seen in Troy, Ill., Monday, March 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Dear President, please listen as you promised!

2009-03-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Dear President Obama:

During your victory speech on that historic night of your election you said you "especially welcome" hearing opposing views. Well, now is the time to really listen!

We've been praying for you and will continue to pray for you. We pray for your strength, for your family, and for you to have Godly wisdom.

Please seek God's face and heart regarding abortion. It's one area where you simply have it wrong. You've got to please God, not man. Killing babies for convenience is wrong.

So, please don't rescind the "conscience rule" and make doctors & nurses choose between their jobs and abortion. It is morally wrong for the federal government to force a doctor, nurse or other health care professional to participate in abortion - which stops a heartbeat and kills an innocent human life. We urge you not to rescind the "conscience rule."

Thank you for your good efforts. We wish you success and will continue to pray for you and your family!

May the Lord bless you,
Alexander

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Note: To send an email to President Obama go to the American Family Association's page which is set up to do so on this very issue!

American Family Association: Obama seeks to take away religious rights of doctors and health care providers who refuse to perform abortions. Urgent: send your e-mail to the White House today!
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Read about The Red Envelope Project

Better Education: It's Not About Government

2009-02-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of hearing about it. The government saying we need better education in this country. We need to provide 21st century education to our kids in a changing world. We need to fund programs to make our schools high tech...all the buzz phrases and talking points...and yada yada yada!

No we don't. We have classrooms. We have teachers. But we need this kind of teacher...the one seen in the video above. One teacher at a time, one classroom at a time, we can rock this world. What makes this teacher so special? Her faith in Jesus Christ.

She has tapped into the transformational power of Jesus...and it has worked in her own life and now she is planting the seed in her students' lives.

This is must-see video!

Accountable To No One?

2009-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Economic Recovery, Step 2: 'We came to believe...'

Third in a series.

Sure we live in a great country! But is the U.S. itself our divine power? Can we believe so much in the good ol' US of A that by simply relying on our country for our happiness we can rest with contentment?

What about our patriotism? Our resolve? Our American "spirit"? All those things which some people point to in the time of our economic distress...not only point to, but name as our "solution." Can we rest in those things?

Well, here's a news flash: relying on ourselves can only get us so far. A bailout can only get us so far. A stimulus package can only get us so far. An inspirational "state of the economy" speech can only get us so far.

What can stop this season of insanity?

Let's continue our journey in the Life Recovery Bible.

Step Two:

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Using the Life Recovery Bible notes and the devotion titled, "Grandiose Thinking," let me substitute some of the words with economic terminology to stay on topic.

When we are caught up in our materialism, our greed, and wrong financial decisions, it's common for us to deny the truth about our economic situation with grandiose thinking.

We may believe that we, and the U.S., are above it all, a god unto ourselves, accountable to no one.

The devotion continues:

In his day, Nebuchadnezzar, king of ancient Babylon, was the most powerful ruler on earth. He believed he was a god and demanded to be worshiped. Through Daniel, God said to him, "This is...what the Most High has declared will happen to you. You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals...until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses" (Daniel 4:24-25)

This happened just as Daniel had predicted. At the end of the king's time in exile, he said, "I...looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever....When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom...with even greater honor than before.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble those who are proud" (Daniel 4:34, 36-37).

Let me take some more literary license with the devotion's conclusion:

America is not God; we are accountable to God -- a higher power. This higher power can remedy our economic madness and restore our life to be even better than it was before our season of "insanity." God will do so if we entrust our lives to him...and that includes entrusting everything, including our finances.

I don't know God's plan in all of this. I don't know how long this season of economic insanity will last. However, I do know that He is in control and His will, not our will be done.

I believe it's time to believe in Him!

--Alexander
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1) Economic Recovery, Step 1: ‘We admitted…’

2) Economic Recovery: Change Our Destiny

3) Accountable To No One? Economic Recovery, Step 2: 'We came to believe...'
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Economic Recovery: Change Our Destiny

2009-02-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

In recovery terms it's known as "hitting bottom." That moment in life where you awaken to the fact that you've hit such a low point, such despair, that be it personal tragedy through addiction of any sorts, an emotional low like you've never felt before, or mistakes or errors in judgment that led you to bankruptcy, incarceration, or sickness, that you are ready to make a change.

Economic Recovery: Second in a series.

Hitting bottom just may mean it's time to climb out of that hole.

Looking back, I was helped out of that hole by none other than God. However, there were steps, and one of those included attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Then, four years later, accepting Jesus Christ as my savior.

Recently, I began to think about our economic crisis and recovery. Can we apply the principals of a Biblical recovery program to our financial hardships -- individually and as a nation?

I wrote about Step One here and I want to focus on the step a bit more.

We admitted that we were powerless over our dependencies–that our life had become unmanageable.

The Life Recovery Bible states in one of its Step One devotionals:

There are important moments in life that can change our destiny. These are often times when we are confronted with how powerless we are over the events of our life. These moments can either destroy us or forever set the course of our life in a much better direction.

The devotional continues:

Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul) had such a moment. After Jesus' ascension, Saul took it upon himself to rid the world of Christians. As he headed to Damascus on this mission, "a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?...I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'...As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water" (Acts 9:3-6, 8-9).

Saul was suddenly confronted with the fact that his life wasn't perfect as he had thought. Self-righteousness had been his trademark. By letting go of his illusions of power, however, he became one of the most powerful men ever--the apostle Paul.

When we are confronted with the knowledge that our life isn't under our control, we have a choice. We can continue in denial and self-righteousness, or we can face the fact that we have been blind to some important issues. If we become willing to be led into recovery and into a whole new way of life, we will find true power.

Economically speaking -- aren't we confronted with the fact that the U.S. isn't perfect? Can the U.S. continue in denial and self-righteousness? Or should we face the fact that we have been blind to some important issues?

Yes, there are some important moments in life that can change our destiny -- individually and as a country. Some of us might believe we have not hit bottom. Others don't want to find out if we have or not. They want to change now.

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God... --Psalm 146:5

Economic recovery? My hope is in the Lord!
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Economic Recovery, Step 1: ‘We admitted…’

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Twelve-step devotions run along side many of the pages of the Life Recovery Bible, New Living Translation. When I was first reading this version of the Bible with its side notes, I had a total awakening. I view this Bible as the power of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous mulitplied by 1,000 times! You can get a copy here!

Friday Top Five

2009-02-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

I've featured Friday Top Five at "TheScroogeReport" twice so far and wanted to import my third list here today.

Through Peter P's "Rediscovering the Church" blog I found Kevin Martineau's "Friday Top Five - What where your favorite posts from last week?" This "Shooting the Breeze" feature is one you can join as well. You'll be able to link up your Friday Top Five in his.

In no particular order:

1. "The key thought for this series is going to be this: a lie believed as truth will affect you as if it were true." -- Shooting the Breeze: The Lies We Believe

2. "The presence of Christ in you makes all that He is available to others." -- Blackaby: devotional series, Experiencing God Day by Day, You Are Salt (Feb. 20, 2009)

3. "Contrary to what many popular books, movies, and seminars tell you, you won’t discover your life’s meaning by looking within yourself." -- Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For?

4. "The Bible is the oldest collection of wisdom...the church's stimulus package." -- Baptist Press: Financial turmoil can yield revival, Johnny Hunt says

5. "People involved in top-quality relationships do not seek happiness. Instead, they seek growth. Growth, in turn, creates happiness." -- Cloud-Townsend: The Relationships Channel

Note To Self

2009-02-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. -- Philippians 3:13

Did you know that the first seven chapters of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life can be found online for free? I went to the site today in order to bolster my comments at BlogCatalog regarding "religion" and happiness. I put religion in quotes because it's often such a point of contention in regards to its definition.

My point is that salvation is not about religion. And unless you are concerned about where you will spend eternity and what kind of life you are leading here on earth, you might just care less about how much more important establishing faith in Christ is than religion. One more reason to care...you might be in just enough pain to surrender.

Back to my "note to self." So, as I was browsing those first few chapters I found Philippians 3:13 within the text. What a blessing! I'm not in the best sorts right now. I'm physically and emotionally spent. However, my joy remains in Christ and this little verse was a definite pick-me-up.

Prune and focus...my "mantra" in the coming days. I want more of Him and less of me!

Amen?

What are your priorities?

2009-02-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine who doesn't spam me at all and sends only must-read emails sent me one I've filed for about two weeks now...it's on time management.

Go figure. I haven't read it yet.

Shuffling priorities has become increasingly difficult in this multi-task world. I heard on the radio last night that talking on your cell phone, hands-free or not, while driving has the equivalent effect as driving intoxicated.

Blogging can add another layer of tasks that can get out of hand. Priorities can fall by the way side...simply by blogging for what was supposed to be 15 minutes and turning into an hour or so.

Although my focus in posting has been mainly in my WordPress blog, TheScroogeReport, I am still drawn here. And by here, I mean focused on God's word...learning, praying, meditating, on what brings hope, comfort, and strength.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. -- Psalm 9:10

What are your priorities?

To run or not to run?

2009-01-31T11:34:00.000-08:00

The story goes that NBC initially accepted this ad for Super Bowl XLIII, then declined. This is powerful...stay tuned!

Surviving the Unemployment Storm

2009-01-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

Many of us are looking for work now. The layoff numbers are staggering. These are tough times. Who knows how long the storm of unemployment will last?

Lately, a thought keeps popping up in my head, and that is to place a priority on seeking God's kingdom first and all else will fall into place. The thought is similar to what Matthew 6:33 reads: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

It's easy to put a priority on making that cup of coffee first, and sitting at the computer first, perusing job openings...first. However, I can't escape the fact that putting God first, praying first, reading the Bible first, just might help pave the way. Doing so has helped me before and will do so again.

It may take forcing myself to remember. It may be like forcing myself to exercise. I've been told that we should exercise our "spiritual muscle." That loving and following God isn't always easy. But, today I want to put God first. Today, I read the devotional by Blackaby below first. Let us commit to putting God first!

This from Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God Day by Day:

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. -- John 8:32

God’s truth never restricts you; it always sets you free! Are you discouraged? Is there a sense of in a particular area of your life? A lack of victory over a certain sin? A harmful addiction? It is possible that you do not yet understand a truth about God that can release you.

If you feel powerless to meet the challenges before you, take encouragement from the promise of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If you are defeated by circumstance, hold on to the truth of Romans 8:28 that God can work your most difficult situation into His good. If you are enslaved to a particular sin, work the truth of 1 John 1:9 into your life, which promises that if you confess your sin, God is faithful to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. All of these truths await the Holy Spirit’s implementation into your life.

It is one thing to know about the truth. It is yet another thing to experience the truth of God being worked out in your life. God’s truth will have no effect upon you unless you accept it and believe it. Perhaps you have already read and heard accounts of God working mightily in the lives of others. But have you allowed God to implement those truths into your life? What truth about God would you like to be experiencing in your life? Ask Him to implement that truth into your life today.

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"Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling "Experiencing God" book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life and around us.

Alexander Writes

2009-01-13T14:15:00.001-08:00

Need help with your resume? Cover letter? Alexander Writes is launching a resume writing service that includes proofing and editing of your resume to make it pop!

If you've never done a resume or cover letter I can help you get started as well.

OPENING BUSINESS SPECIAL! Just $14.95!

Get a FREE resume evaluation...whether you simply have notes on your job history or a completed resume. I'll read what you have and make an evaluation and recommendations. You'll then receive your edited and completed resume for just $14.95. That's $10 off the normal $24.95 price. Just mention Alexander Writes.

Get started by sending an email to alexmurashko@yahoo.com.

It's OK to Shout the Good News

2008-12-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Some people crank up their souped up stereo system in their car loud enough to make the cars next to them at a stop light vibrate. I've been to a football game where the crowd was so loud after a particular play that the luxury box glass windows shook, and the noise was comparable to a sonic boom. In my time, I've seen grown women scream over the Beatles, adults pledge their allegiance to all things Star Wars, and most recently, people killing each other to be the first to get a "Christmas bargain" at a department store.

All found to be acceptable and unoffensive behavior.

However, mention Jesus...suggest an afterschool Bible study, vote yes on Prop 8 (support for traditional marriage), call a parade or event, a Christmas Parade or Christmas Happening...and all heck breaks loose.

Enough. As for me an my house, I will serve the Lord.

It's time to shout the Good News! ...and not be concerned of the backlash. After all, sometimes the truth divides.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." - John 1:14

There it is...Christmas in a nutshell...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

You may not hear me shouting it right now...but, there you go, I've blogged it:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sincerely,
Alexander

A Reason to Celebrate

2008-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been to TheScroogeReport yet, now is your opportunity. I've posted a Christmas devotional there by Rick Warren, Christmas is a Time of Salvation.

Now, more than ever, challenged by the tough economic times, our celebration of Christmas is important!

Why Celebrate Christmas?

2008-12-09T07:19:00.001-08:00

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don’t be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!". . . When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child....The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God... - Luke 2:8–12, 15–17, 20 (NLT)

I wanted to apologize for originally announcing that Rick Warren would be giving the first Sunday message on the 3-week series, The Purpose of Christmas. Youth pastor and funny guy extraordinaire, Doug Fields, gave the first message, "A Change of Celebration." Also, although the previous link I gave leads to the homepage of live, current series, and archived messages, you may have had to make another click. Here's the link directly to Doug Fields message.

Here's the question to ask this first week. Why celebrate Christmas? From the verses above we see that the shepards certainly did celebrate the birth of Jesus...

They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child...The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God...

What was the reason to run, tell everyone, and praise God? What were they looking for? What did they find?

This week, let's ask ourselves these questions with a focus on Christmas.

DIGG!

Christmas Series Begins

2008-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

It's here! A 3-week study on the purpose of Christmas begins this weekend. Hopefully, you have a copy of The Purpose of Christmas. Don't worry about it if you don't. Begin by listening to the study's opening message by Saddleback Church's Pastor Rick.

You can view and listen to his first message on the purpose of Christmas here!

Hope to see you back here on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, to discuss Rick's opening message about the purpose of Christmas. Oh, and let's try and read that first chapter by then, too.

Let's have our own 3-week study right here!

The Purpose of Christmas is available at Amazon.com, Costco, and check with your local book stores.

See you later!

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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas Priority Adjustment

2008-12-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

Business program host Cavuto interviews Warren on Christmas
Pastor Rick Warren gives a way to celebrate Christmas in tough financial times

Don't forget, I'm having a bloggers book study on The Purpose of Christmas right here! Get more information, including on how to get the book at my post, Blogging on the purpose of Christmas.

DIGG!
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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Hannity and Colmes: Warren on Christmas

2008-12-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

"The Purpose of Christmas" Launches

I'm having a book study on The Purpose of Christmas right here! Get more information, including on how to get the book at my post, Blogging on the purpose of Christmas.
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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

If you stop to think about it...

2008-12-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

I hope you either already have a copy of Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas or plan on getting one soon. Remember, I'm asking you to join a "blogger's book study," if you will, right here, starting this coming Tuesday (Dec. 9).

I read the opening chapter last night and found it to be not only to the point, but fun!

Also, I wanted to share the back cover of the book with you here:

If you stop to think abouit it, it is astounding that the simple, unasuming birth of a peasant baby boy more than two thousand years ago in the Middle East can today cause traffic jams every December in places like New York City, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro.

The night Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, a small group of poor shepherds were quietly tending their flocks of sheep in a nearby field, looking up at the stars. Nothing seemed any different from a thousand other nights. But what was about to happen would transform not only their lives, but billions of other lives as well. The world would never be the same again.

Then the back cover also includes this:

Regardless of your religious background, you need to know how the three purposes of Christmas solve your three greatest needs.

Understanding and receiving God's Christmas gifts to you will transform your life...forever!

See you back here next week for the beginning of a study on The Purpose of Christmas!
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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Blogging on the Purpose of Christmas

2008-12-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

Want to do a 3-week study on the purpose of Christmas? It's simple. Start by getting Rick Warren's book, The Purpose of Christmas, then listen this coming Saturday (Dec. 6, 2008) to the study's opening message by Saddleback Church's Pastor Rick.

You can view and listen to his first message on the purpose of Christmas here!

Let's do this! Let's meet back here on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, to discuss Rick's opening message about the purpose of Christmas. Oh, and let's try and read that first chapter by then, too.

Let's have our own 3-week study right here!

Be sure to pick up a copy of The Purpose of Christmas now!

I'd love to see you back!

Note: The books are available at Costco as well!

DIGG!
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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Cyber Help Needed!

2008-12-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

Can you believe all the hype around Black Friday and Cyber Monday? If you've been following the news you've heard about the tragedies at a Wal Mart in New York and a Toys R Us in Palm Springs during Friday's mania.

Hopefully, today will be a bit more subdued. Can carpel tunnel be fatal?

Anyways, wanted to let you know that, like many of us, my employment is on the line right now. If you have a moment please go to my post, Help Keep My Job, about my own personal bailout plan. You can actually help me out by doing something you may already be doing or planning on doing - shopping online.

I pray your shopping decisions are wise and that all of us think about the one we are celebrating this season and always, Jesus Christ!

Can I hear an Amen?

DIGG! (For this bailout plan!)

Youth Group: A 50-Cent Parable

2008-11-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

What are you worth?

I wanted to share a parable about Jesus' sacrifice for you, what it means and how valuable it is. Presented by the CICF Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Nov. 23, 2008, during the annual Thanksgiving gathering. Cast: Michael Quintans, Daniel Custodio, Krista Flores, Myles Dacio, Jimmy Aviles and Jonathan Benjamin.

For Such a Time as This, How Do We Pray?

2008-11-13T17:53:00.000-08:00

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. — Psalm 46:1-2

How do we pray?

With confidence and belief that He will deliver: “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome” (Ephesians 3:12). “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16).

This is my prayer...that His Church grow strong and unified. As individuals we reflect Him in us like never before. Our opportunity to do so is now!

And on another note...

The election is over, and I'm committed to pray for the new President. I've signed up for The Presidential Prayer Team's 77 Days of Prayer for Our Next President initiative. I'd like to invite you to sign up too. You'll receive an email every morning with a concise, scripturally oriented prayer for the new President. It's a wonderful way to help our country move into the next chapter that God has for us. You can sign up here:

The Presidential Prayer Team's 77 Days of Prayer

This is a meaningful way we can help our country during these difficult days.

Shortcuts and Me

2008-11-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

I'm a pleasure seeker. That's my disease. I'd rather seek pleasure before responsibility, before work, and before a lot of things.

Now, don't get me wrong. Having pleasure is a God-given feeling. However, for some of us, we reason that if one day at Disneyland is a blast, then why not spend a week at Disneyland? If one In-and-Out cheeseburger is good, why not have three of them? If one wife is good, why not have a dozen? (Just kidding on that last one.)

My desire for pleasure too much of the time is the first thing I thought about when I read a devotion this morning by Henry Blackaby. You will sometimes be tempted to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. The first line in this devotion made me think, "Heck, ya! A shortcut is so much better in my life then having to endure any struggle, any pain, and any responsibility."

Well, guess what I learned (again) today? I better squash that desire to do it my way and wait for God's way. Why? Because His plans are so much more important than my plans...and my pleasure.

This from Blackakby's Experiencing God Day by Day:

TEMPTED BY SHORTCUTS

Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!" - 1 Samuel 26:8

You will sometimes be tempted to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God’s prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:12–13). Yet, while David waited on God’s timing, he watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his life.

Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of David’s warriors, offered to kill Saul. It seemed to make perfect sense. Saul had tried to kill David on numerous occasions. God had said He intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into his own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God’s anointed servant. Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully his. Accomplishing God’s will in any manner other than the way God prescribed was unthinkable.

At times you may face similar temptations. Well-meaning friends advise you to hasten God’s will for you rather than waiting upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will.

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"Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling "Experiencing God" book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life and around us.

Early Exit Polls Show...

2008-10-31T06:32:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS: Unidentified pollsters staking ground outside early ballot voting locations across the U.S. have discovered a common thread in Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and other key battleground states.

With the 2008 Presidential Election results still not in, the anonymous group, with the help of key indicators, was able to make 10 substantial predictions:

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

and...God approves this message!

Note: Reporters were able to publish this story with the help of an intercepted email from an unidentified campaign brother or sister...ah, er, check that...staffer.

DIGG!

Your Connection

2008-10-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light. — Matthew 11:29–30

As I got out of the shower this morning I had running in my head the song lyrics "I will wait upon the Lord, I will wait upon the Lord. He reigns! He reigns forever!" Not sure of the name of the song or who wrote it, but I took a deep breath and said to myself, "there, that's better. I have connected with my Lord!"

I love it when He does that! When He reminds me that life is so much easier with Him. That's not to say that we are given a free pass on hardship or upheaval. It just means we can lean on Jesus to get us through not only the day, but the rest of our lives!

This from Greg Laurie's Harvest Daily Devotion:

The Two-Part Invitation

In Matthew 11, Jesus follows His invitation to rest with the invitation to take His yoke and learn from Him. He is telling us there is more; His invitation to rest is a package deal. If we are true followers of Jesus Christ, then we will take His yoke upon us. But what does that mean?

The concept of a yoke would have been readily understood by the people of Jesus' day. It was a steering device that was placed on animals to guide the plows or carts they were pulling.

So Jesus, in essence, is saying, "Take my steering device upon you." He is saying, "Let me be in control of your life. Let me guide your life. Let me direct your life."

You might be thinking, "Here Jesus says that He will give me rest. Now He is saying to put on His yoke and learn. That sounds like work."

I want you to know that it will be as much of a weight to you as wings are to a bird. It will be a joy, because now, instead of wasting your life serving yourself or living for pleasure or success or whatever else one lives for, you will be channeling your energies into following and serving Jesus Christ.

You may give up some things to follow the Lord. But what you give up can't begin to compare to what He has given you. It is not just a great thing to do with your life. It is the most satisfying to do with your life.

It's OK To Run the 'Opposite Way'

2008-10-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. - 1 Corinthians 1:21 NIV

I found myself getting weak this political season...defending my positions, getting tired of the fight, the attack on Jesus...and the numbers of the lost. However, my hope is in Him...I will stand my ground with His help...and remember that it's okay to run the opposite way! - Alexander

OPPOSITE WAY by LEELAND

Living in the same town
For all these years
Doing the same old things
Hanging with the same crowd
And it’s starting to get crippling
You’ve never felt in place
And you tell yourself it’s all okay
But something’s different today
You want to run the opposite way

And it seems like you’re locked in a cage
And you need to find a way of escape
When everyone is setting the pace
It’s okay to run the opposite way - "Opposite Way" by Leeland

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GRAMMY-nominated, 5-piece rock band Leeland, from Baytown, Texas, goes the 'opposite way' with its second in-studio release, Opposite Way. Produced by Matt Bronleewe (Jars of Clay) and engineered by Ben Grosse (Ben Folds, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Opposite Way is passionate and progressive music that provides an unforgettable, emotional experience for all who listen.

There's No Debate

2008-10-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. - John 1:14 NKJV

This morning I needed to reconnect. I dropped on my knees and prayed. I told God I was sorry for being such a loser...and you know what? He told me it was OK, that He loved me no matter what, and to be strong in Him. I started to cry and after a few good heaves, He told me to get up and start my day.

At work, at my computer, before I started doing my job, I read a blog post from wafererjon at walking with Father. His journal-style blog was titled "Why Do I Write This Blog?" For me, it was encouraging, and yet another way to reconnect with the one who loves me no matter what.

One more attempt at bolstering up my day brought me to a devotion by Max Lucado...and now I think I'm ready to start my day! There's no debating that God loves me...sometimes I feel it, sometimes I don't. But, that doesn't matter. He loves me all the time.

I hope and pray you find the encouragement you need to do this day, walking strong, knowing He loves you!

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

"The Word became flesh," John said. In other words…he was touchable, approachable, reachable. And, what’s more, he was ordinary. If he were here today, you probably wouldn’t notice him as he walked through a shopping mall. He wouldn’t turn heads by the clothes he wore or the jewelry he flashed.

"Just call me Jesus," you can almost hear him say.

He was the kind of fellow you’d invite to watch the Rams-Giants game at your house. He’d wrestle on the floor with your kids, doze on your couch, and cook steaks on your grill. He’d laugh at your jokes and tell a few of his own. And when you spoke, he’d listen to you as if he had all the time in eternity.

And one thing’s for sure, you’d invite him back.

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Max Lucado has touched millions with his signature storytelling writing style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. Max is the first author to win the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year three times—1999 for "Just Like Jesus," 1997 for "In the Grip of Grace" and 1995 for "When God Whispers Your Name."

Max Lucado is a fixture on the national bestseller lists – a Max Lucado title has appeared on the CBA hardcover bestseller list every month for the past dozen years. He has appeared on the Publishers Weekly, USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. He has won eight ECPA Gold Medallion awards. - MaxLucado.com

Go to Max Lucado's Book Selection at Amazon to order now!

Philadelphia Harvest '08 With Greg Laurie

2008-09-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Big weekend coming up in Philadelphia. If you aren't in the area or can't make it, be sure to click on the links found here to watch the event live.

More than 350 area churches have invited Pastor Greg Laurie and the Harvest Crusades team to partner with them in an evangelistic outreach in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Harvest 08 will be held October 3–5 at 7:30 P.M. at the Wachovia Center. The event will feature some of the top names in contemporary Christian music, along with an evangelistic message from Pastor Greg.

For more than 18 years, Harvest Crusades has put on large-scale evangelistic outreaches around the United States and in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. More than 3.5 million people have attended a Harvest Crusades event in person, and more than 275,000 people have registered decisions of faith in Jesus Christ.

Harvest Crusades events are designed to be opportunities for Christians to invite unsaved family members, coworkers, friends, and acquaintances to hear the life-changing message of the gospel in an environment that is entertaining, yet nonthreatening.

The cornerstone of each event is the presentation of the gospel by Pastor Greg Laurie. Biblically-sound and culturally relevant, Pastor Greg brings a clear gospel message, providing an opportunity for people to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

See you there!

Our Security in God

2008-09-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

Wanted to post a prayer from the Presidential Prayer Team, a ministry aimed at "mobilizing millions of Americans to pray for our President, our Leaders, our Nation, and our Armed Forces." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Be blessed...

September 29, 2008

Dear Friend,

Treasury Secretary Paulson has worked with President Bush, leaders in Congress, both presidential candidates and other advisors on a plan to rescue our failing economy. Congressional leaders toiled through the weekend creating a plan deemed acceptable by members on both sides of the aisle.

Today, the House of Representatives failed to pass that bill. Members from both parties pointed fingers as the stock market plunged. Commentators are saying that the economy is doomed and the next Great Depression is inevitable.

Interestingly, some pundits are saying that this crisis has but one source—greed! Greed is a spiritual problem, not an economic one. And a spiritual problem requires a spiritual answer.

In this time of unprecedented uncertainty, we need God’s intervention. We need His solution, and we need Him to reveal it in such a way that we know it’s Him—and only Him—acting on our behalf.

Please, join me in praying for God’s help in this potentially disastrous time in our nation’s history. Pray that God will guide the leaders into the solution He desires. Pray for wisdom for all involved—for Secretary Paulson, President Bush, Fed Chairman Bernanke, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader Boehner, House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank and others as they work together.

Thank you in advance for praying with us in this insecure time in our country. Together we place our security in God, and in His answers to our prayers. It will be exciting to see how He provides.

Prayerfully yours,
John Lind
President/CEO

P.S. Please help our country by forwarding this email to as many people as you can.

DIGG!

Help Doesn't Come From a $700 Billion Bailout

2008-09-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth. - Psalms 124:8

Once in awhile we get that "ah-ha" moment when we realize that there absolutely was a reason for that pastor to have been hammering out a point in that sermon long ago or maybe not so long ago.

I had such a moment when I was reading through a couple Psalms the other night and got to the last verse in Psalms 124...Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Oh, ya! My help doesn't come from a $700 billion bailout package! My help doesn't come from John McCain or Barack Obama (not even Sarah Palin)! My help doesn't come from the Republicans or the Democrats!

Then, when I was meditating on this verse some more, I remembered something else: God's word is comforting and healing. That's why it's important to have it ingrained in our hearts.

Now convicted, and recalling that I've often heard from pastors and Christians trying to embold others, I awakened again to the fact that memorizing scripture is important. Ah-hah, it certainly is!

Psalms 124

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,"
Let Israel now say,
"Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
When men rose up against us,
Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their anger was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have engulfed us,
The stream would have swept over our soul;
Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul."
Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;
The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
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Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times

Paul Long: 'Be alert. Be watchful. Be ready.'

2008-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Associate pastor who died on Metrolink becomes the "object lesson" of Sunday message.

This from the Los Angeles Times:

A sermon on the lessons of Metrolink 111

Minister delivers message on life of fellow preacher who died after being injured in train crash.

For more than 13 hours, Pastor Tony Amatangelo had prayed and watched over his friend and fellow minister as he lay in a county hospital after being pulled from the wreckage of Metrolink 111. Paul Long died, and four hours later, physically and emotionally spent, Amatangelo returned to his Moorpark home.

Sunday service was coming. What would he say? The pastor felt chances were slim that the sermon he had written for the service would be relevant after the crash.

Then he remembered....

I wanted to do one pullout quote before you go to read the full story that I highly recommend.

"We didn't see it, but as those trains collided just on the Chatsworth and Simi Valley border, Pastor Paul saw the sign of the Son of Man," the pastor told a hushed church. "We looked at a body that was bloody and bruised. Pastor Paul saw glory. He would tell us to comfort yourself with this thought: 'It didn't look to me like it looked to you.' "

Full Story

Note: The head-on collision with a Union Pacific freight train on a bend in Los Angeles County's Chatsworth punched the Metrolink's locomotive right into the first car. At least 22 of the 24 passengers killed in the Sept. 12 crash -- the engineer also died -- were riding in that car, according to the coroner's office. LA Times crash victim story.

His Open Door Policy

2008-09-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

Now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near. - Ephesians 2:13

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

AN OPEN DOOR

Nothing remains between you and God but an open door.

Something happened in the death of Christ that opened the door for you and me. And that something is described by the writer of Hebrews.

"So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death. We can enter through a new and living way that Jesus opened for us. It leads through the curtain–Christ's body" (Heb. 10:19-20).

To the original readers, those last four words were explosive: "the curtain–Christ's body." According to the writer, the curtain equals Jesus. Hence, whatever happened to the flesh of Jesus happened to the curtain. What happened to his flesh? It was torn. Torn by the whips, torn by the thorns. Torn by the weight of the cross and the point of the nails. But in the horror of his torn flesh, we find the splendor of the open door.

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Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

Moving From Sunday-Only Christians

2008-09-09T18:58:00.001-07:00

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. - James 1:22(NKJ)

I've heard about a week of messages, starting last week, pertaining to this very topic...on my favorite radio station, KWVE, the message I heard on Sunday (Sept. 7) at Revival Fellowship, and friends and bloggers like Yvette... seemingly everywhere else I stop and listen!

This from Yvette Nietzen at Fresh Wind Ministries:

BE DOERS OF THE WORD

My husband was speaking to a friend of ours who went to do some work at a couple´s home. The worker commented that the couple did not portray their Christianity, and that he is routinely treated very poorly.

It is sad to say, but these stories are common today. We act like Christians on Sunday, and during the rest of the week we are someone completely different. We behave and say the right buzz words with our Christian friends, but then face the world and act like them during the week.

The word above says that we are to be doers of the word. In other words, be Christ-like in every area of our lives.

I am particular when it comes to treating people. We are all God´s creation, saved or unsaved, and when we interact with others we portray Christ in us. We portray Christ with our words and actions. We are Christ´s representatives on earth.

I would be saddened to hear of someone speaking about me, that person not having a clue that I have Jesus in my heart. I then began to think; If I was belittling a fellow Christian, don´t you think that the Lord would be saddened as well?

Let us learn to be doers of the word in all areas of our lives. Our speech, our manner of treating others, and our actions towards strangers. If we struggle, we have a helper with us that will teach us and guide us every step of the way.

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Fresh Wind Ministries has been birthed with a passion to serve the Body of Christ. Our desire is to impart and teach the deeper things of God to the believer and to lead them onto a new path where they will rise up in the authority that the Lord has already given them.

Our goal is to reach the English speaking people living in Latin America, as well as other countries where the Lord leads. This way we can minister to them in their native language, and have them be refreshed by His Spirit. We believe the End Times Church will rise up in power and authority, and that signs and wonders will be manifest on the earth.

Fresh Wind Ministries believes that we will see a great outpouring of His Spirit upon the earth, and we wait and listen to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. - Fresh Wind Ministries

God's Poetry: In Different Ways

2008-08-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

We are his workmanship. - Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

I've been hearing an awful lot of "those other" Christian churches bashing. What a waste of time! Although it's important to stay sound in God's word, the Holy Spirit works in more ways than we can understand...so it's best to let God do His thing!

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment,Volume 2:

GOD'S POETRY

Scripture calls the church a poem. “We are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10). Workmanship descends from the Greek word poeo or poetry. We are God’s poetry! What Longfellow did with pen and paper, our Maker does with us. We express his creativity best.

You aren’t God’s poetry. I’m not God’s poetry. We are God’s poetry. Poetry demands variety. “God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all” (I Cor. 12:6 Phillips). God uses all types to type his message. Logical thinkers. Emotional worshipers. Dynamic leaders. Docile followers. The visionaries who lead, the studious who ponder, the generous who pay the bills...Alone, we are meaningless symbols on a page. But collectively, we inspire.

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Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

Heaven is a Lot Closer Now

2008-08-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. — Mark 16:12

Hope you were able to catch the Harvest event this past weekend. I felt that Greg Laurie gave some remarkably powerful messages. Laurie had lost his son, Christopher, only days before the evangelical outreach. His "Heaven is a lot closer now" statement will reverberate for a long time.

This from Greg Laurie's Daily Devotion:

WALKING WITH JESUS

I think it's interesting to note those to whom Jesus chose to appear after His resurrection. We don't read about Him appearing to Caiaphas or Caesar.

Now if it had been me, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pilate: "Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can't keep a good man down, can you?" Or I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who, for the most part, orchestrated the crucifixion.

But it is interesting how Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey. We don't know who they were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.

The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared in another form to them as they went into the country. In other words, He was going incognito. They didn't know that it was Jesus.

The last sight they had of the Lord was His beaten and bloodied body. Surely they wanted to get that image out of their minds.

There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It's a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don't realize it, Jesus is walking with us.

Isaiah 43:2 promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

Maybe when you are in church, you feel close to God. But wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there too. When you are going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.
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Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Riverside and founder of the Harvest Crusades, recently released Lost Boy: My Story. Anyone interested in not only how Laurie came to be one of the most prolific evangelicals of our time, but a peak at how Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith's preaching affected many during the "Jesus movement," will want to read this book.
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Living For Personal Gain

2008-08-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." - Matthew 6:19-21

You can be stopped at an intersection anywhere in the OC (Orange County, Calif.), waiting for a green light, and see three Mercedes Benz, two BMWs, and a Hummer stopped at that same red light. In the OC, where I live, it's hard not to covet!

Yet, there are often times I think, I would not trade in a million years what I have in the way of my relationship with Christ for that Hummer or any other expensive car. I'll go on driving my 1999 Chrysler Concord, asking for God's will in everything I do.

"Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:22-24

Lately, I'm finding it more and more important to check my motives. Am I making a decision based on what God wants for me, or am I deciding while keeping only my own desires in mind?

This isn't a one-time struggle. Daily, we must surrender and do God's will not our own. Dangling ourselves out into this world on our own power may seem to work, but it's short-lived at best.

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." - Matthew 6:25-34

Here's the Reflections part of the Life Recovery Bible in regards to these verses:

In Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus made it clear that living for personal gain will only lead to great anxiety. Materialism and anxiety are two enemies of recovery. They often work together to lead us away from a balanced life. We need to realize that the essence of life is not found in the possession of things and that worry about the future availability of material things is never helpful. We are powerless to change the future and must trust God to take care of us and empower us in recovery. As we entrust our life to him, we will no longer need to worry about what is around the corner.

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Read notes on bible verses as they pertain to recovery from our hurts, hangups, and addictions in the Life Recovery Bible, New Living Translation. Also, read 12-Step and Serenity Prayer devotionals with scripture references. Get a copy now!

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

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For Such a Time as This...

2008-07-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of quick notes. If you did not get a chance to listen to Greg Laurie talk at Harvest Christian Fellowship's service Sunday, you can do so by going to Harvest.org and clicking on the "I Still Believe" screen at the top. You can also view the video below.

I Still Believe

Although Laurie only spoke briefly before Sunday's message, it came only a few days after the tragic death of his son, Christoper Laurie.

Also, now more than ever, it's a good time for prayer in regards to the upcoming Harvest event in Anaheim, California. Laurie is the founder of the Harvest, which has impacted many for Christ. Since 1990, more than 3.6 million people have attended a Harvest Crusades event in person, and more than 290,000 have registered their decisions of faith in Jesus Christ.

For such a time as this...

Lord, if...

2008-07-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

"Lord, if you had been here . . . "

It's still hard to put into words what transpired this week for the Greg Laurie family, including of course, his daughter-in-law Brittany Laurie. This weekend's Harvest Devotion comes at an especially somber time.

This from John Collins, who is Administrative Pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship:

"Lord, if you had been here . . . "

These are the words of Mary and Martha at the death of their brother Lazarus in John 11.

There, at that moment in time, when death was cruel and vile and heartless, they stood before what seemed an unbreakable valley of darkness. They wrestled with grief, and the grief was unbearable and unbeatable because grief can never be beaten, only experienced.

And so when Jesus came to them, they said it, "Lord, if . . . "

They both said it, at different times, but to His face. We get the sense that they most likely had said it among themselves, too.

"Lord, if . . . if you had only done this or that . . . "

It is the perfectly human response of a heart that is broken because hopes have been dashed and their world shattered. Someone they loved has been taken away. Life as they knew it was now different. They stood on the cliff of that dark valley and peered into the blackness and thought, "Lord, if . . . "

This morning, as I write this, my pastor and his wife stand on that cliff. They are suffering the loss of their eldest son, who was taken from this earth quickly and tragically Thursday. They are battling the unmerciful giant called grief and, like Mary and Martha and every human soul who has waged that battle, they are losing.

It is painful to watch for the end is not near, and with every merciless blow they cry out, "Lord, if . . . "

I have been in that ring before, but only as a young man of 16. My father had died of cancer. The last night of his life, I left the hospital with the words, "I'll be back to watch the World Series game with you tomorrow."

There was no tomorrow. I had missed those precious last hours with him. And I grieved, "Lord, if I had only stayed with him . . . "

"Lord, if . . . " is the cry of every forsaken moment, every unsaid word, every failure to perfectly love the ones we love and now can only remember.

"Lord, if . . . " is how we ask God, "Why?", when we know He won't answer, when we are unsatisfied and frustrated by "seeing through a glass darkly."

"Lord, if . . . " echoes in the darkness and, like all echoes, it returns with no answer. The price of life and love is death and separation. As C.S. Lewis once said, "That's part of the deal."

So where is Jesus? We ask, "Lord, if I must drink this cup of grief, where are you?" To that, we have an answer in Psalms 139:8–12:

"If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you." (NLT)

For Mary and Martha, the darkness and grief for Lazarus was temporary. Jesus allowed it so that His power over death could be made known at the resurrection of Lazarus.

Jesus was there, orchestrating His plan. Out of the darkness of that tomb came a foreshadowing of his own resurrection, which would give light and hope to all the world now that death was defeated.

Where was Jesus? He was there in the darkness of that tomb. And before raising Lazarus, He was with Mary and Martha, weeping with them!

Where is Jesus? He is forever in the midst of our darkness, in the black caverns of our life. He sees the grieving widow. He sees the grieving father and mother. He sees our pastor and his wife and He visits them in their grief. He knows the pain of the journey.

Isaiah said, "He is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3 NKJV). It is comforting to know that our sorrows are His sorrows and that He knows the aching sense of loss and grief. God never promised to remove our grief, only to give it purpose.

Mary and Martha were united with Jesus in sadness, the grief of loss. And Jesus entered into that grief.

How sweet and comforting to know our God is with us in our moments of desperation. He is the King who bears the full, blunt force of our "Lord, ifs . . . " and then sits next to us with a loving arm around our shoulder and weeps.

It is in these moments with Jesus that we come to know that the darkness only hides His face. One day, when the darkness is gone, His face will be the light of heaven.

My heart breaks for Greg and Cathe. I have come to know Jesus through Greg's faithful teaching of the Word of God. I watch and wince at every blow of grief, but I am confident there are blessings in the buffeting and grateful that Jesus is with them.

Source: Harvest Online Daily Devotions

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Related: Nobody's Exempt

Nobody's Exempt

2008-07-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

I call him the everyman's preacher. Evangelical leader Greg Laurie, founder of what's come to be known as Harvest Ministries, talks simple, talks direct, and knows today's world pulse as good as anyone.

Listening to a message or sermon from Laurie often helps answer a lot of questions about life and death. He has put forth major effort in comforting those who ask, "Why does God allow tragedy?" and "Why does God allow evil?"

Yesterday, Laurie faced tragedy of the most horrific kind.

This from Harvest Online:

Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, died this morning in a car accident in Riverside. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted to the Harvest website as details become available.

A man who has comforted millions with the words of hope in Jesus, now faces asking the same questions again for himself. As I read from Matthew last night, knowing the tragedy that happened earlier in the day I realized again that nobody's exempt, nobody's immune from these things called life and death.

However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. - Matthew 24:36-39

Once again, I was reading from my Life Recovery Bible. The note from these verses was this:

Jesus did not tell us when the final redemption of this evil world will come. In the same way, we may not know when our personal recovery is to be complete. All of us are still recovering, one day at a time. None of us have arrived. Not until Christ's second coming will we be relieved of daily working, watching, and recovering.

None of us have arrived. We will never have "arrived" so much as to be immune to tragedy. Not even the greatest of men, like Greg Laurie.

Let's pray for all those in Christopher Laurie's family. As for Christopher, his work here is done...and he must be relieved!

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Harvest.org

What Did Jesus Say About Religion?

2008-07-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

A discussion thread titled Religion vs. Spirituality over at social networking site BlogCatalog prompted me to search the Bible...and that's always a good thing!

The author of the thread added this under his subject head: Some folks cleave to Religion. Some to Spirituality. Some say it's either/or. Some embrace both. How 'bout you?

Here's how I responded:

I'd like to answer this question with some scripture. But, first let me say "religion" has caused a lot of damage. However, "faith" or one's spirituality based on seeking truth can do more good than we can even understand sometimes. It's also important to recognize that the pursuit of truth, doesn't mean pursuing relative truth, or the truth as you know it now, but real truth.

What does the Bible say about "religion"?

Here is Jesus talking to his disciples and a crowd that gathered around Him:

"Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)

And a moment later He says:

"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either. You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You go halfway around the world to make a convert, but once you get him you make him into a replica of yourselves, double-damned." (Matthew 23:13-15)

These verses are from "The Message" Bible version. I think it pretty much sums up the "importance" of religion. I'm sure that if I did some more searching, or if any of you who already know some of Jesus' own words would point out to me, there are other references to how Jesus felt about religion.

So, what do I embrace? More accurately who do I embrace? In my case, and I know many others, I "cleave" as best as I can to Jesus, not religion.

How 'bout you?

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report and TheBigRuski Goes Healthy.
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Hurting Lives Restored

2008-07-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up with a burning desire to share about the Life Recovery Bible. I was early in my walk with the Lord and a couple years fresh into sobriety when I picked up a copy of this New Living Translation bible with a recovery focus.

Life recovery? What does that mean? I asked myself a few of those kind of questions before cracking open the book. What I found was astounding.

God didn't leave them to figure out a plan for recovery all alone; nor did he leave a long list of principles or rules to follow that would repair their damaged relationships. Instead, God always worked with people on a very personal level in the recovery process. - Recovery Themes, Genesis

I was awakened to some remarkable things. Mainly, that I was on the right path. My decision to turn my life and my will over to Christ was confirmed, blessed, and exciting! I had just discovered the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous powered-up times 1,000 I reasoned.

That discovery was about eight years ago. These days, I read from a couple different bibles, but a few weeks ago I began reading from my well-worn Life Recovery Bible again...and again, I am eternally blessed.

Here's parts of the preface:

The bible is the greatest book on recovery ever written. In its pages we see God set out a plan for the recovery of his broken people and creation. We meet numerous individuals whose hurting lives are restored through the wisdom and power of God. We meet the God who is waiting with arms outstretched for all of us to turn back to him, seek after his will, and recover the wonderful life he has for each of us.

Many of us are just waking up to the fact that recovery is an essential part of life for everyone. It is the simple but challenging process of daily seeking God's will for our life instead of demanding to go our own way. Recovery is letting God do for us what we cannot do for ourself while also taking the steps necessary to draw closer to our Creator and Redeemer. It is allowing God to heal our wounded soul so we can help others in the process of healing. All of us need to take part in this process; it is an inherent part of being human...

...Without God there is no recovery, only disappointing substitutions and repeated failure.

I pray that all of us get to better understand who God is and how he wants to heal our brokenness and set us on the path toward wholeness.

Amen?

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Read notes on bible verses as they pertain to recovery from our hurts, hangups, and addictions in the Life Recovery Bible, New Living Translation. Also, read 12-Step and Serenity Prayer devotionals with scripture references. Get a copy now!

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

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True Happiness

2008-07-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. - Matthew 5:6

Parts of this last week made me unhappy. My health was not the best and my work suffered as well. However, once again, God has shown his wisdom and strength. In the midst of my pity party, my conviction to give up my hurts and hangups to God is stronger than ever. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

They say pain is the touchstone to spiritual growth. I can vouch for that!

This from Billy Graham's Hope for Each Day:

A Thirst for Righteousness

God is the only source of true happiness, because He offers those intangibles that we mistakenly believe can be found on earth: contentment, security, peace, and hope for the future. None of these can be found in a job, a human relationship, money, power, or position. They are God's alone to give.

How hard it is for us to believe this, however! This is understandable if we haven't given our lives to Christ; then, the Bible says, our spiritual "eyes" are still blinded, unable to see God's truth until the Holy Spirit opens them. But it can happen to us as believers also - falling into the pattern of the world, vainly pursuing happiness in the same ways the world does.

That is why the Lord Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told where ultimate happiness lies: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." This is God's promise--and it is true.

Riches...or righteousness? Which will be your goal?

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In 'Hope for Each Day,' Billy Graham offers spiritual comfort to guide us through our daily lives. Graham is considered a national treasure and has counseled numerous political leaders and provided comfort in times of public crisis.

The Greatest Freedom

2008-07-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." - Matthew 19:25,26

I love America. I love the freedom we are offered here. However, where does my greatest freedom come from?

It comes from my relationship with the Lord.

Because of His grace, I'm not in bondage to so many problems...big and small. And if I find myself caught in sin, I can give it up to Him. I surrender not to the sin, but to the One who died for our sins.

Is it always easy? No. We live in a fallen world with plenty of temptations. Our fleshly desires can be, at times, a seemingly constant battle. But there is one who can save you now!

The Life Recovery Bible's note on the above verses is this:

These verses are true not only for salvation but also recovery. Left on our own, we would fall deeper into the pit of our addiction, never gaining control over it. But with God's help, the inconceivable is possible. He can turn our life around, bringing hope and health where once despair and pain had reigned. Giving God control of our life is the only way to regain independence from our addiction and other compulsive behaviors.

Have a happy Independence Day!
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Parts of this devotion were taken from the Life Recovery Bible, New Living Translation. When I was first reading this version of the Bible with notes it was a total awakening. I view this Bible as the power of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous mulitplied by 1,000! Get a copy now!

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

Do You Have a Safety Net?

2008-06-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. - 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

This from Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life:

We Need Each Other: To Wait and Weep With

As a pastor, I see situations daily that nobody should ever have to go through alone. Nobody should ever have to wait in the hospital while a loved one is in life-or-death surgery. No woman should ever have to wait alone for the lab report on a problem pregnancy. Nobody should ever have to wait for news from a battlefield alone. Nobody should ever have to stand at the edge of an open grave alone. Nobody should ever have to spend the first night alone when their spouse has just walked out.

Life’s tough times and tragedies are inevitable – each of us will face them. But we don’t need to go through them alone. We need God’s safety net to help hold us up through these difficult times.

What is God’s safety net? It is a group of other believers – a handful of people who are really committed to you. We call this kind of group a community. Here’s God’s plan for community: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV). Community is God’s answer to despair.

Romans 12:15 expresses a similar idea: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (NIV).

The first part of that verse is easy. When something good happens to someone, it’s often easy to join in on the party.

But when someone is having a tough time, it can seem more difficult. But, really, it’s simple. When you’re going through a crisis, you don’t want advice; you just want somebody to be there – to sit with you, hold your hand, put an arm around your shoulder, or cry with you.

As Paul tells us, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV). Encouraging someone else doesn’t always mean giving a pep talk or words of wisdom. Sometimes the best kind of encouragement is just sitting in silence – waiting and weeping with a friend.

Do you have a safety net – a group of fellow Christians you know you can count on in life’s toughest times? If not, go out today and begin building those friendships. The hard times in life are inevitable, and only a fool would go into them unprepared.
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Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.

A Personal God of Wonders

2008-06-26T10:09:00.001-07:00

The more I lean into God the better off I am. How can we not lean into Him when we think about His wonders? He has transformed so many lives, including my own. I am forever grateful and it is my prayer that I worship Him abundantly. May that be your prayer as well!

Third Day's music has ministered to me in a big way. If you like gospel with a powerful classic rock (not hard rock) sound, Third Day may be for you. God of Wonders can be found on the Offerings II: All I Have to Give available at Amazon.

Delayed Gratification

2008-06-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Some of us may be addicted to pleasure. We want the easy way out...the less painful...the less work...the most fun. Let's face it, some of us are pleasure junkies. We may have even kicked our serious addictions, such as alcohol or drugs, but we still seek pleasure at an unhealthy rate. It could be food, sex, TV, gambling...even laying on the couch too much...but we are still seeking escape.

So, what do we do to lead a life of fulfillment, even when we seem to never be satisfied? How do we accept a life that can't always be about pleasure?

The apostle Paul said, "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" - Galatians 6:9. Weeds (of pleasure) spring up quickly. Good crops (from hard work) grow more slowly and must be tended steadily, even before we can see anything sprout. It's only in time that we will enjoy the fruit.

Jesus suggested that we expand our perspective even further, with a view toward eternity. "Jesus said to the disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?'" - Matthew 16:24-26.

It is God's will for us to have a rewarding and fulfilled life. It may be easier to live a productive life if we remember that denying ourself immediate pleasures will bring a harvest of rich rewards in this life and in the life to come!

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Parts of this devotion were taken from the Life Recovery Bible, New Living Translation. When I was first reading this version of the Bible with notes it was a total awakening. I view this Bible as the power of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous mulitplied by 1,000! Get a copy now!

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

Rev T Asks: Dead or Alive?

2008-06-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. - Revelation 3:1-6

GUEST BLOGGER
This from Rev. T at The New Covenant:

It is interesting to note that the problem that Sardis had to overcome was one of being a dead church. Notice that Christ says that they have the reputation of being alive, but they are dead. Sardis was a very well known, and prosperous city. The Church had a good reputation; they were doing works that Christ points out as not complete. Great at the start, but no follow through.

The problem that had to be overcome is that they were Christians in name only. They were going through the motions, but not working with the Holy Spirit, they were not letting Christ lead the church. As we look around today, do we not see the same things happening? We see dead churches, led by dead pastors, full of dead church members. A church quits living when it starts paying more attention to the world around them, than to their salvation. A pastor, or leader of a church becomes dead when he forgets that the Holy Spirit is the one that directs him and leads the service; he starts to believe that people are showing up because of him, not the Lord. Or when he becomes more concerned with how much money is in the plate, and not the condition of his congregation’s souls.

The worst death in my opinion is the death of the members. When the church becomes a place for the latest fashion show, or the gathering place for the gossip workshop, that is when the members start to experience spiritual death. It is up to each and every member to look after the health of the church. We have to remember that each one of us makes up the church, so the best place to start for a healthy church is within each of us. As this scripture shows a church can be healed, but the members and leaders must wake up! People live life on “auto pilot” every day. However our spiritual journey has no auto pilot switch. We are in control of how high we will fly, or the level we will descend. There is nothing in life that we cannot overcome with Christ; we all can wear robes of white. We just have to make sure we stay awake, and spiritually alive.

Peace,
Rev. T

The plan is to take a daily scripture passage, and put it in to a current perspective. I will keep it as plain and simple as possible. Man has done a wonderful job of making religion far more complicated than it should be. We get so lost in what we want it to mean, we overrun the message. - Rev. T, The New Covenant

Until Love is Stirred

2008-06-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Interestingly enough, about a half hour ago, my girlfriend and I decided to start a relationship fast. It's not a decision that just sprouted up, but we were not sure of the timing up until now. We are doing it to make sure we are in God's will. We've been dating for awhile now and it seems like its close to decision time...that time to decide whether marriage is the next step.

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

GOD IS ENOUGH

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you...My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods. - Psalm 63:3, 5 NIV

When it comes to love: Be careful.

Before you walk down the aisle, take a good long look around. Make sure this is God’s intended place for you. And, if you suspect it isn’t, get out. Don’t force what is wrong to be right...Be careful.

And, until love is stirred, let God’s love be enough for you. There are seasons when God allows us to feel the frailty of human love so we’ll appreciate the strength of his love. Didn’t he do this with David? Saul turned on him. Michal, his wife, betrayed him. Jonathan and Samuel were David’s friends, but they couldn’t follow him into the wilderness. Betrayal and circumstances left David alone. Alone with God. And, as David discovered, God was enough. David wrote these words in the desert: "Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you...My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods."

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God loves you. Personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And His love--if you will let it--can fill you and leave you with a love worth giving. Best-selling author Max Lucado has successfully pricked the hearts and minds of readers for decades. Now, he boldly says that before we can pass love on, we must receive it ourselves--from God. Pointing out that we must "love one another," Lucado issues an impassioned plea to accept God's love in order to truly, unselfishly, wholeheartedly love another. God wants us to drink deeply of His love, soak it up, and marvel at its depth. A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love is available at Amazon.

Do Not Crave His Traffic

2008-06-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

PROVERBS 23:1-12, BLOGGERS EDITION

When you login to network with a moderator, note well what is before you, and delete your post if you are given to trolling. Do not crave his traffic, for that social networking is deceptive.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich or drive more traffic to your site; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at blog ratings, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky or blogosphere like an eagle.

Do not comment in the post of a stingy blogger, do not crave his traffic; for he is the kind of bloggger who is always thinking about his ranking. "Post and comment," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have Dugg and will have wasted your shouts.

Do not reply to a blogging fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your comments.

Do not try and change moderators rules or trespass on the forums of the clueless, for their webmaster is strong; he will take up their case to ban you.

Apply your heart to your profile and your ears to His "About Me" pages.

- Proverbs 23:1-12 (Bloggers Edition, Alexander)

See also:
Bloggers Demand Miraculous Signs

Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

Lucado: The Intersection of Love

2008-06-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. - 2 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice, don’t you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?...

Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn’t be simpler. One beam horizontal—the other vertical. One reaches out—like God’s love. The other reaches up—as does God’s holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.

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Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

Pride: the Subtle Sin

2008-06-11T09:00:00.001-07:00

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:8

This from Greg Laurie's Daily Devotions:

I had to laugh when I heard the story of two men who approached the great British preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, one day and told him, "Spurgeon, we have reached sinless perfection."

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes," they said, "We are absolutely perfect."

Spurgeon was holding a pitcher of water at the time, and he poured it on their heads. When they began to react like any other sinners would, he found out just how perfect they were.

You see, the people who walk around claiming to have reached sinless perfection are victims of one of the most powerful yet subtle sins: pride. None of us will reach sinless perfection—not in this life.

Granted, before we were Christians, we were under the control and power of sin. We went along with whatever our sinful natures dictated.

But something dramatic happened when we received Christ. We were changed. The Bible says that we became new creations in Christ. Old things passed away and all things became new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

That is not to say we still don't struggle with sin and temptation. The Scripture clearly teaches that we will sin and that we will have lapses.

Although the Bible tells me I will sin, there is a difference between sinning and being sorry for it, and sinning habitually, persistently, and continually. If someone claims to be a Christian and yet continues in sin, my question is whether that person has ever been truly converted.

Some people wonder whether such a Christian ever could lose his or her salvation. I would suggest that another question should be asked instead: Did he or she ever experience salvation to begin with?

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Books by Greg Laurie can be found at Amazon.com.

Who Will You Serve?

2008-06-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15

This from Henry Blackaby's Day by Day:

Serving God was not Joshua’s only option. He could have adopted the religious beliefs and practices of his family heritage in the pagan land of Egypt. He could have accepted the idolatrous religion of his neighbors in the region where he now lived. These options probably looked like easier choices than worshiping God. But Joshua had witnessed God’s faithfulness (Josh. 23:14). He was convinced that his Lord was the only true God and that serving Him would bring victory and blessing. Joshua decided to serve God alone. He was determined to teach his entire household to honor his Lord as well. He had trusted God for victory on the battlefield, and he knew that God could also give him spiritual victory in his home.

You, too, must decide whom you will serve. An assortment of popular religions clamors for your allegiance. If you come from a Christian heritage, you may choose to embrace the faith of your parents and grandparents. If you did not grow up in a Christian home, you can decide, as Joshua did, to reject your heritage of unbelief and begin a generation that serves the Lord.

If you set your mind wholeheartedly on serving God, your example will bring a tremendous blessing to your family. If you place your confidence in God, those around you will witness your faith, and they may decide to trust Him too. Choose, as Joshua did, to serve God unashamedly with all your heart, and then watch to see how God blesses your family.

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"Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling "Experiencing God" book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life and around us.

Looking to Travel Light

2008-06-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

When I first truly accepted Jesus Christ as my saviour, I remember that I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It was instantaneous...right after I had said a sinner's prayer. It was not only an emotional feeling, I physically felt lighter.

The feeling lasted for quite some time, not as dramatically as that day, but I was "on a cloud" like they say. Ten years later, I still feel "lighter," but the burdens of life are starting to weigh me down. Fortunately, I have Jesus to look to and give those burdens to Him. However, I can sense a need to really take a time out for God, not for wordly pursuits.

As I look for a vision for my life, I realize I need to get closer to Him...my first love. The one who makes my burdens light.

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

God has a great race for you to run. Under his care you will go where you’ve never been and serve in ways you’ve never dreamed. But you have to drop some stuff. How can you share grace if you are full of guilt? How can you offer comfort if you are disheartened? How can you lift someone else’s load if your arms of full with your own?

For the sake of those you love, travel light.

For the sake of the God you serve, travel light.

For the sake of your own joy, travel light.

There are certain weights in life you simply cannot carry. Your Lord is asking you to set them down and trust him.

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From award-winning author Max Lucado comes Traveling Light, refreshing words wrapped around the biblical passages of the 23rd Psalm to reenergize weary spiritual travelers. In his inimitable, pastoral voice that both soothes and exhorts, Lucado gently unpacks the verses of the psalm while helping readers lay down the burdens of doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and fear. - Amazon.com

Heart Condition

2008-06-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. - Luke 8:15

This from Henry Blackaby's Day by Day:

At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response to God’s word (Luke 8:5–18). If your heart is like the trampled ground, hardened by the sin of bitterness and unforgiveness, you will be unable to accept a message from God. Though you hear the words of the message, you will remain unchanged. If your heart is like the shallow soil on top of a rock, you will accept God’s word in your mind, but the truth will not penetrate your heart to make a difference in your actions. A heart like thorny soil is a life that is distracted by the cares of the world; the pursuit of earthly pleasures prevents God’s word from taking hold and producing righteousness. The heart that is like good soil receives a word from God, applies it, and brings forth fruit in due time. This is the heart that Jesus desires in us, for the fruit will be a Christlike life.

Any time you hear a word from God, whether through Bible reading, prayer, or worship, the way you respond will depend on how you have cultivated your heart (Hos. 10:12). How do you develop a heart that is like good soil? Repent of any bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness that is hardening your heart. Meditate on God’s word until it enters deep into your heart and not just your mind. When you read or hear a word from God, apply it to your life and let God bring His word into reality in your life (Gal. 6:9). Protect your lifestyle. See that you don’t devote all of your energy to worldly concerns, rather than to pursuing your relationship with God. The condition of your heart will vary, depending on how you cultivate it. If it was receptive to a word from God yesterday, this does not guarantee it is receptive today. Daily prepare your heart for the word God has for you!

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"Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling "Experiencing God" book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life and around us.

Gas Prices, Car Repairs...and Peace

2008-06-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Why is it that owning a car can be such a financial drain? First, there's the high purchase price of the car itself, then the high gas ($4.11 per gal at the time of this writing), then the repairs, and so on.

This morning, I had to take my car into the repair shop for a brake job and to fix the air conditioning. I'm not a happy camper. But wait! There is something to be grateful for! My mechanic took me to work and I sit here ready to put in a full day's work...car or no car.

It's often hard for us to be grateful. Sometimes we need to be nudged back into reality...the reality of God over us.

So, this morning in my mostly ungratefulness, even with me being safely at work, I read an email from a friend. It is mostly a cut and paste job from the first few paragraphs of a book.

It's not about you.

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.

It's not the first time I read these words from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. But they came again at a perfect time.

It's not about my brakes, my car, my finances, my job...it's not about me!

I rest in Him...regardless of what is going on with me or around me. You too, can have peace in Him...simply begin with knowing it's not about you.

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. - Psalm 119:165 (NIV)

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Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" is one of the top-selling books of all time. The book has been used as study material for Bible and book studies around the world.

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

A Prophetic Book

2008-05-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Evidence

Origin of the Bible, Part III - The Power of Prophecy

Our final post in this series on the origin of the Bible is a look at the book's amazing fortelling of the future. Like some of us, I have a tendency to every so often just leave my Bible on the night stand for awhile without opening it up.

In doing this series I am reminded of how powerful this book really is and that I should not leave it unopened for very long. We will beginning a new "Today's Evidence" series later this week. Again, this from AllAboutTruth.org.

Part III

The origin of the Bible is God. It is a historical book that is backed by archeology, and a prophetic book that has lived up to all of its claims thus far. The Bible is God's letter to humanity collected into 66 books written by 40 divinely inspired writers over a period of over 1,600 years. The claim of divine inspiration may seem dramatic (or unrealistic to some), but a careful and honest study of the biblical scriptures will show them to be true. Powerfully, the Bible validates its divine authorship through fulfilled prophecies. An astonishing 668 prophecies have been fulfilled and none have ever been proven false (three are unconfirmed). God decided to use prophecy as His primary test of divine authorship, and an honest study of biblical prophecy will compellingly show the supernatural origin of the Bible. Skeptics must ask themselves, "Would the gambling industry even exist if people could really tell the future?" Again, no other holy book comes even close to the Bible in the amount of evidence supporting its credibility, authenticity and divine authorship.

Source: www.allabouttruth.org/origin-of-the-bible.htm

Is the Bible True?

2008-05-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today's Evidence

Origin of the Bible - The Reliability of Ancient Manuscripts, Part II

We are continuing to take a look at the evidence of God by taking a closer look at the Bible. Some dismiss its relevance altogether, others in parts. But why? Is there another dimension to the Bible? Is there a dimension that some enter and then believe?

We will be taking a look at these questions later in the "Today's Evidence" series. Today, we look at the New Testament with help from AllAboutTruth.org. Happy day fellow bloggers! - Alexander

Part II

The manuscript evidence for the New Testament is also dramatic, with over 5,300 known copies and fragments in the original Greek, nearly 800 of which were copied before 1000 AD. Some manuscript texts date to the early second and third centuries, with the time between the original autographs and our earliest existing copies being a remarkably short 60 years. Interestingly, this manuscript evidence far surpasses the manuscript reliability of other ancient writings that we trust as authentic every day. Look at these comparisons: Julius Caesar's "The Gallic Wars" (10 manuscripts remain, with the earliest one dating to 1,000 years after the original autograph); Pliny the Younger's "History" (7 manuscripts; 750 years elapsed); Thucydides' "History" (8 manuscripts; 1,300 years elapsed); Herodotus' "History" (8 manuscripts; 1,300 years elapsed); Sophocles (193 manuscripts; 1,400 years); Euripides (9 manuscripts; 1,500 years); and Aristotle (49 manuscripts; 1,400 years).

Homer's "Iliad", the most renowned book of ancient Greece, has 643 copies of manuscript support. In those copies, there are 764 disputed lines of text, as compared to 40 lines in all the New Testament manuscripts (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible, Moody, Chicago, Revised and Expanded 1986, p. 367). In fact, many people are unaware that each of William Shakespeare's 37 plays (written in the 1600's) have gaps in the surviving manuscripts, forcing scholars to "fill in the blanks." This pales in textual comparison with the over 5,300 copies and fragments of the New Testament that, together, assure us that nothing's been lost. In fact, all of the New Testament except eleven verses can be reconstructed from the writings of the early church fathers in the second and third centuries. (A General Introduction to the Bible, Ch. 24.)

Source: www.allabouttruth.org/origin-of-the-bible.htm

Today's Evidence

2008-05-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Origin of the Bible - The Reliability of Ancient Manuscripts

Today, we will be looking at the origin of the Bible. In proving or disproving God's existence, it is important to discuss "God's Manuscript," as some would call it. I've taken the following from AllAboutTruth.org. Stay tuned for more of Today's Evidence. Have a blessed day everyone! - Alexander

Another challenge against the origin of the Bible is the reliability of the manuscripts from which today's Bibles are translated. Remarkably, there is widespread evidence for absolute reliability. There are more than 14,000 existing Old Testament manuscripts and fragments copied throughout the Middle East, Mediterranean and European regions that agree dramatically with each other. In addition, these texts agree with the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, which was translated from Hebrew to Greek some time during the 3rd century BC.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in Israel in the 1940's and 50's, also provide phenomenal evidence for the reliability of the ancient transmission of the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) before the arrival of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew scribes who copied the Jewish Scriptures dedicated their lives to preserving the accuracy of the holy books. These scribes went to phenomenal lengths to insure manuscript reliability. They were highly trained and meticulously observed, counting every letter, word and paragraph against master scrolls. A single error would require the immediate destruction of the entire text.

Source: www.allabouttruth.org/origin-of-the-bible.htm

Mary Did It

2008-05-22T07:55:00.001-07:00

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. — Luke 1:26–27

This from Greg Laurie's Harvest Daily Devotion:

A LESSON FROM MARY

It is difficult for us to understand, 2,000 years later, the significance of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Mary in Nazareth.

After all, he could have found the future mother of the Messiah in Rome, the capital of the greatest power on earth at the time. He could have found her in Athens, the cultural center of the world, or in Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the world.

But God chose Nazareth, an obscure but extremely wicked city that was notorious for its sin. Upon hearing that Jesus was from there, Nathanael said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

What is amazing about Mary is that she lived a godly life in a godless place, and she did so as a very young teenager. Commentators believe she may have been as young as 12, but not much older than 14.

Here she was, a nobody living in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere—precisely the kind of person that God goes out of His way to call. He chose an unknown girl in a relatively unknown city to bring about the most-known event in human history, an event so significant that we actually divide human time by it.

Maybe you are trying to live out your faith in a godless place today, at work or school or among unbelieving family members. You're wondering if it can be done. It can.

Mary stands as an example for us, proving that it is possible to live a godly life in an ungodly world.

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Books by Greg Laurie can be found at Amazon.com.

Versical: Restoration

2008-05-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

Peace has fallen on this person
In a static place, no less
It’s a lull before the storm breaks
Restoration time, I guess
To the state that He created
Undefiled by human touch
Like an onion, we’ve gained layers
Some a few, but many much.

Take a painting, sad and lifeless
Vibrant colours dulled by time
You can damage hidden beauty
As you scrub away the grime
So He takes His time about it
Lovingly He cleans away
Years of dead and poisoned foliage
In our cesspit of decay.

So I offer up my secrets
Some remembered, others not
Like a time lord reaching backwards
He is in a land forgot
But I know that when He’s finished
I will be His child renewed
Thankful that He loves me dearly
Restored, refined, no longer crude.

- Versical

Find Versical at Mike's Blogs

About Mike
I’m Mike and I am a Christian. I’ve been this way for over twenty years and praise The Lord for the way He has stuck by me and changed me. These blogs are my personal wanderings through life as the world formed me. Nobody is to blame as we are all subject to influences which distort the perfect creation that we were designed to be. May these poems and blogs bless you and you are welcome to use them.

Beyond the Shaking

2008-05-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a tough week for some of us. But as we close out the week, I am reminded of China. A powerful earthquake killed more than 22,000 and injured tens of thousands more in Wenchuan County, located in China's southwestern Sichuan province. The quake struck at 2:28 p.m. local time on May 12. The Red Cross estimates that at least 4 million homes were damaged or destroyed. The earthquake death toll could reach over 50,000 lives lost.

I am also reminded of something else this week. That Jesus is the Rock, He is our salvation, and our hope. Understanding tragedy of this magnitude is impossible, however our comfort comes from Him, the one that gives us all these things.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

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World Vision Sheltering China's Children

World Vision has an area development project in Qingchuan County of Sichuan province, located about 125 miles from the epicenter in Wenchuan County. All six project staff members are reported safe and working from a temporary office. There are no sponsored children yet in this project.

As the death toll from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake continues to rise, World Vision offices close to the epicenter have dispatched relief and assessment teams to provide immediate supplies, such as blankets and tents, to 10,000 people, with more supplies on the way. We are asking for $2 million in additional funding to support our relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Focus on needs of affected children

May 14: Three Child-Friendly Spaces will also be set up to offer children a way of returning to their normal routines through structured activities, games, and informal education.

If World Vision's funding goal is reached, relief and rehabilitation activities totaling $2 million will reach more than 107,000 survivors. Long-term rehabilitation activities will focus on shelter and school reconstruction.

Lorries loaded with quilts and tents are expected to begin arriving in Qingchuan by Thursday or Friday. World Vision staff report that slippery road conditions and cracked roadways are slowing down the supplies.

Help China through World Vision now!

Serenity Now!

2008-05-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

The answer to personality problems is found in a quiet return to Godlike thinking. - Science of Mind magazine

It's not easy being peaceful in a turbulent world. Chances are that spending 10 minutes watching the news these days will not do wonders for your inner peace.

I often look back with a chuckle at a Seinfeld episode in which George's dad, trying to pre-empt a tizzy fit, would look to the sky and shout, "Serenity now! Serenity now!"

If only it were that simple!

I was reminded yesterday that it could be one of a number of things that could prompt me to be in a better mood... and even be at peace. It was a quick visit to a pastor friend of mine. In 20 minutes I was truly listened to, encouraged, uplifted, and ready to rock the world!

I know I was experiencing God at work, doing what He does best...comfort and strengthen. Whether it be in your own quiet time, through a song, or through a friend...God works to make your life better...and peaceful!

This from Hazelden's Today's Gift email:

When we're edgy and critical or perhaps feeling inadequate or depressed, we've lost our attunement with God. And when acting the way God would have us act is no longer our priority, our character defects once again emerge and, in time, grow ever more numerous.

We can make the simple decision to always check out our proposal behavior against the behavior we know is from God. When we remember to think of God first before proceeding, we avoid unnecessary conflicts; we refrain from consciously hurting anyone; we manage to take our experiences restfully, moment by moment.

There's really no mystery to having a rewarding and peaceful life. Those we notice who do have likely made a more frequent companion of God than we. The decision to work more on our own friendship with God is an easy one to make.

I will act according to God's wishes today and, in the process, strengthen our friendship.

This devotion from Hazelden comes from the book In God's Care: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery by Karen Casey.

In God's Care guides readers in understanding and strengthening their connection with a Higher Power, however they choose to define that presence. With the inspiration and support unique to Hazelden meditation books, In God's Care offers encouragement and guidance for "practicing the presence of God" in daily life. - Amazon.com

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.

What Follows Failure?

2008-05-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

Too much to do. It seems like a disease these days...having too much to do in too little time. Arranging meetings, making deadlines, getting that gift for mom...it's Friday and I need another day before the weekend to make things come together.

At least that's what I think I need. But, what I really need is to just hang out with Jesus. He comforts. He strengthens and He shows me the way.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that I just need to reach out to you...the one who provides!

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

FORGIVENESS FOLLOWS FAILURE

In the past God spoke... many times and in many different ways. But now... God has spoken to us through his Son. - Hebrews 1:1-2

God, motivated by love and directed by divinity, surprised everyone. He became a man. In an untouchable mystery, he disguised himself as a carpenter and lived in a dusty Judaean village. Determined to prove his love for his creation, he walked incognito through his own world. His callused hands touched wounds and his compassionate words touched hearts....

But as beautiful as this act of incarnation was, it was not the zenith. Like a master painter, God reserved his masterpiece until the end. All the earlier acts of love had been leading to this one. The angels hushed and the heavens paused to witness the finale. God unveils the canvas and the ultimate act of creative compassion is revealed.

God on a cross. The Creator being sacrificed for the creation. God convincing man once and for all that forgiveness still follows failure.

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Find Max Lucado books at Amazon.com!

Eyes Wide Open

2008-05-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. - John 5:19-20

This from Henry Blackaby's Day by Day:

Jesus, realizing that His role was that of a servant, never sought to initiate activity for the Father (Matt. 20:28). The servant never sets the agenda—the master does. The servant must be so alert to what the master is doing that whenever the master begins to move in a direction the servant quickly joins him. Even the Son of God did not assume He knew the best thing to do in a situation. Instead, He looked to see the Father’s activity and then joined Him. Jesus knew His Father so well that He was keenly sensitive to divine activity around Him, immediately recognizing His Father at work.

It is possible for us to be so busy trying to bring God into our activity that we don’t even notice Him at work around us. He seeks to redirect our attention so that we might join Him, but we tend to be self-centered, evaluating everything by how it affects us. We must learn to view events around us from God’s perspective. Then we will see our world very differently. When God brings someone across our path, we will look to see if God is convicting that person of his need for salvation. Perhaps God is comforting someone in her sorrow. God might be encouraging your friend as she faces a challenge. We will then adjust our lives to join God as He works in that person’s life. We ought to live each day with tremendous anticipation as we look to see where God is working around us. As our eyes are opened to His activity, we will marvel at His great works.

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Gold Medallion Award winner "Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling Experiencing God book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life. This book will help you see what God has instore for you while sustaining the essential habit of turning to God on a daily basis.