XSoldier - 2 Tim 2:1-4

Repentance

2009-08-22T18:26:00.002-04:00

What Kind Of Relationship Do You Have With God

2009-07-20T10:19:00.002-04:00

Amusing the world to Heaven?

2009-07-20T10:07:00.001-04:00

2009-07-06T09:16:00.000-04:00

The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus - VideoBook

Validation

2009-03-03T12:30:00.000-05:00

Are you Dazzled or Duped?

2009-01-24T13:33:00.002-05:00

“Why spend time and energy on the character and beauty of God and Jesus? The answer is easy. It is so that you will walk around spiritually dazed, with your mouth wide open and your eyes bulging from your head. Why? Because spiritually stunned people are not easily seduced by sin. People in awe of God find sin less appealing. When you are dazzled by God it is hard to be duped by sin. When you are enthralled by His beauty it is hard to become enslaved by unrighteousness. People whose attention has been captured by the beauty of Christ find little appeal in the glamour of this world. People whose hearts are enthralled with the revelation of God's greatness turn a deaf ear to the sounds of Sirens. They've heard a sweeter song.”

What are your first thoughts in the morning?

2009-01-20T22:52:00.004-05:00

Laminin - What holds us together

2009-01-19T12:16:00.003-05:00

Col 1:15-17

Destiny - The Manger led to a Cross

2008-12-23T12:45:00.001-05:00

Will you miss Christ this Christmas?

2008-12-18T14:57:00.001-05:00

Thought provoking advice for young women

2008-12-18T10:48:00.003-05:00

"A girl should get so lost in God,

that a guy has to seek God to find her."

Something to contemplate during the Season

2008-12-16T21:38:00.001-05:00

Something to think about how we do church

2008-12-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

The Borrower

2008-12-09T10:23:00.000-05:00

Investing for today or eternity?

2008-11-19T16:58:00.003-05:00

"As long as I see anything to be done for God, life is worth having; but O how vain and unworthy it is to live for any lower end."

~ David Brainerd

Thank You Veterans!

2008-11-11T11:07:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Marines

2008-11-10T11:44:00.001-05:00

Mr. Obama

2008-11-01T14:38:00.000-04:00

You MUST watch this!!!

2008-10-23T16:58:00.000-04:00

Selfless Service and Uncommon Valor

2008-07-02T11:35:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, March 30, 2003, on a CNN Live interview from the front line with Martin Savidge:

Martin Savidge of CNN, embedded with the 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Division, was talking with 4 young Marines near his foxhole that morning live on CNN. He had been telling the story of how well the Marines looked out for and took care of him since the start of the war. He went on to tell about the many hardships the Marines endured and how they all looked after one another.

He turned to the four and said that their commanders cleared them to use his video phone to call home. None of these Marines had been able to talk with their families for many weeks. The 19-year-old Marine next to him asked Martin if he would allow his platoon sergeant to use his call to call his pregnant wife back home with whom he had not been able to talk to in over a month. A stunned Savidge, who was visibly moved by the request, nodded his head -- yes. The young Marine ran off to get the sergeant.

Savidge recovered after a few seconds and turned back to the three young Marines still sitting with him. He asked which one of them would like to call home first? The Marine closest to him responded without a moment's hesitation, "Sir, if it is all the same to you, we would like to call the parents of a buddy of ours -- Lance Cpl. Brian Buesing of Cedar Key, Florida, who was killed on the 23rd of March near Nasiriya. We would like to see how his folks are doing and let them know their son died bravely."

At that Martin Savidge totally broke down and was unable to speak. All he could get out before signing off was, "Where do they get young men like these?"

Priceless

2008-06-23T14:49:00.002-04:00

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father, who despite having a heart condition, says Yes.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'

To which, his father said 'Yes'.

For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .

Father and son went on to complete the race together.

These men paid the price for our freedom

2008-06-05T12:03:00.002-04:00

This INCREDIBLE picture was taken In 1918.

It's 18,000 men preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa.

Sin is never alone

2008-06-04T13:21:00.005-04:00

"If a solitary man sins, he destroys himself.
If a family man sins, he destroys his family.
But if a Pastor sins, he unravels his whole church."
~ anon

"A bishop then must be blameless..." ~ 1 Tim 3:2

Thank You to the Heroes who have given their lives for our freedom

2008-05-26T17:32:00.006-04:00

"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
~ John 15:13

Letters From War - Thank you to our military men and women

2008-05-26T17:21:00.001-04:00

Think upon what Christ did instead of contemplating sin

2008-05-11T16:52:00.007-04:00

In the book "When God Weeps," Steven Estes and Joni Eareckson Tada give the following account of Christ’s death. As you read, refuse to let the scene be familiar. Let its reality shock you and break your heart.

The face that Moses had begged to see---was forbidden to see---was slapped bloody (Exodus 33:19-20). The thorns that God had sent to curse the Earth’s rebellion now twisted around his own brow… “On your back with you!” One raises a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier’s heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner’s wrist.

Someone must sustain the soldier’s life minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only by the Son do “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). The victim wills that the soldier live on---he grants the warrior’s continued existence. The man swings.

As the man swings, the Son recalls how he and the Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm---the sensations it would be capable of. The design proves flawless---the nerves perform exquisitely. “Up you go!”

They lift the cross. God is on display in his underwear and can scarcely breathe. But these pains are a mere warm-up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during this day an unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty.

Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being---the living excrement from our souls. The apple of his Father’s eye turns brown with rot

His Father! He must face his Father like this!

From Heaven the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son see the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breath. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The Son does not recognize these eyes.

“Son of Man! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped---murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent overeaten---fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk---you, who molest young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock your parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp---buying politicians, practicing exhortation, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded in slaves---relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?”

Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this but the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.

The Father watches as his heart’s treasure, the mirror-image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah’s stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction.

“Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?!”

But Heaven stops its ears. The Son stares up at the One who cannot, who will not, reach down or reply.

The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished.

You Must See This Movie - For Intelligent People Only!

2008-04-26T18:26:00.002-04:00

Gear Up

2008-04-23T10:56:00.005-04:00

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy . . ." Luke 10:19

Have you ever tried to picture what life would be like without the U. S. military? A few words come to mind: insecurity, vulnerability, fear. The fact is that we would not survive as a nation without our military men and women because no matter how sincere some leaders are in their efforts to deal peaceably with the enemy, there will always be another country ready to bring a fight to our front door. We cannot rid the world of enemies simply by avoiding them; we must have a defense in place.

The same is true of our Christian faith; we must be prepared for opposition from our enemy, Satan, because he is ready to wage war on us at any given moment, especially when God is really working in our lives. And just as our brave men and women in uniform are trained and ready to meet this country's opposition head on, we must spend time training in the Word, learning how to defend and protect ourselves against the wiles of the Devil.

It's like the Roman strategist, Flavius Vegetius, said, "Let him who desires peace prepare for war." So, put on the armor of God and gear up!

"Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive . . ." Harry S. Truman

From Turning Point

The Cost of Freedom - The Blood of Heroic Patriots!

2008-04-14T17:21:00.008-04:00

"On September 29, 2006, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor was part of a major clearing and isolating operation to root out enemy fighters holding parts of Ramadi, the Sunni insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad.

Monsoor was in a sniper position on a rooftop along with two other SEALs when a grenade flew into his location from out of nowhere. It bounced off his chest and landed in an area where it probably would have killed or seriously wounded all three of them.

Monsoor was in a position to escape before the explosion but instead leapt on the grenade.

"He recognized immediately the threat, yelled 'grenade' and due to the fact that two other SEAL snipers, our brothers, could not possibly escape the blast, he chose to smother it with his body, absorbed the impact and lost his life in the process," said Lt. Cmdr. Seth Stone, Mansoor's platoon commander.

The blast did not kill him right away; he hung on for 30 minutes. His two comrades were wounded but survived the shrapnel that ripped through their bodies.

Stone said: "He essentially saved [the] Navy SEALS on the rooftop and three Iraqi soldiers who were there."

President Bush presented Monsoor's parents with a posthumous Medal of Honor for their son at an emotional White House ceremony last Tuesday." CNN

To Whom do you serve?

2008-04-03T15:15:00.007-04:00

"Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters,
and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.
For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears,
I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their end is destruction, their god is the belly,
they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.
But our citizenship is in heaven
and we also await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body
by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself."
~ Phil 3.17-21 (NET)

"I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help.
He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud.
He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing.
He gave me reason to sing a new song, praising our God.
May many see what God has done,
so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord!
How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and does not seek help from the proud or from liars!
~ Ps 40:1-4 (NET)

Who I Am In Christ

2008-03-31T12:56:00.005-04:00

I am born of God - 1 John 5:1
I am redeemed - Gal 3:13
I am accepted in the beloved - Eph 1:6
I am loved by my Father - John 16:27
I am chosen by God - John 15:16
I am crucified with Christ - Gal 2:20
I am a new creature - 2 Cor 5:17
I am reconciled to God - Rom 5:10
I am complete in Him - Col 2:10
I am His workmanship - Eph 2:10
I am the righteousness of God - 2 Cor 5:21
I am the partaker of the divine nature - 2 Pet 1:4
I am a habitation of God - Eph 2:22
I am one with Him - 1 Cor 6:19; John 17:21
I am the salt of the earth - Matt 5:13
I am the light of the world - Matt 5:14
I am the savor of Christ - 2 Cor 2:15
I am precious to God - 1 Pet 2:4
I am blessed with all spiritual blessings - Eph 1:3
I am free - John 8:36; Gal 5:1
I am more than a conqueror - Rom 8:37
I am fearless - 2 Tim 1:7
I am forgiven - Eph 1:7
I am clean through the Word - John 15:3
I am rich - 2 Cor 8:9
I am justified by faith - Rom 5:1
I am delivered from this present evil world - Gal 1:4
I am an ambassador for Christ - 2 Cor 5:20
I am an heir of God - Rom 8:17
I am a joint heir with Christ - Rom 8:17
I am a child of God - Rom 8:16
I am a king unto God - Rev 1:6
I am a priest unto God - Rev 1:6
I am a citizen of Heaven - Phil 3:20
I am seated with Christ - Eph 2:6
I am an overcomer - 1 John 5:4
I am victorious - 1 Cor 15:57
I am triumphant - 2 Cor 2:14
I am one who reigns in life - Rom 5:17
I am married to Christ - Rom 7:4
I am free from condemnation - Rom 8:1
I am saved - Rom 10:9,13
I am sanctified - 1 Cor 1:2
I am bought with a price - 1 Cor 6:20
I am a member of Christ's body - 1 Cor 12:27
I am an epistle of Christ - 2 Cor 3:3
I am blessed with Abraham - Gal 3:9
I am adopted - Gal 4:5
I am a child of God - Gal 4:6,7
I am a light in the Lord - Eph 5:8
I am qualified to share in the inheritance - Col 1:12
I am delivered from the power of darkness - Col 1:13
I am richly supplied with all things to enjoy - 1 Tim 6:17
I am nothing without Him - John 15:5
I have the mind of Christ - 1 Cor 2:16
I have fellowship with Jesus - 1 Cor 1:9
I have eternal life - Rom 6:23; John 3:16
I have love, power, and a sound mind - 2 Tim 1:7
I have peace with God - Rom 5:1
I have the peace of God - John 14:27
I have the love of God - Rom 5:5
I have victory over sin - Rom 8:2, 6:14
I have faith - Rom 12:3
I have victory - 1 Cor 15:57
I have the light of the knowledge of the glory of God - 2 Cor 4:6
I always have sufficiency in everything - 2 Cor 9:8
I have mighty weapons - 2 Cor 10:4
I have been made alive together with Christ - Eph 2:5; Jn 3:4
I have love, peace, joy, long suffering, gentleness, faith, goodness, meekness, temperance - Gal 5:22,23
I have been crucified to the world - Gal 6:14
I have every spiritual blessing - Eph 1:3
I have redemption - Col 1:14; Eph 1:7
I have an inheritance - Eph 1:11
I have been sealed in Him - Eph 1:13
I have been saved - Eph 2:8
I have power that works in me - Eph 3:20
I have the armor of God - Eph 6:11,13
I have supernatural ability in Him - Phil 4:13
I have all my needs supplied - Phil 4:19
I have put on the new man - Col 3:10
I have a great high priest - Heb 4:14, 8:1
I have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness - 2 Pet 1:3
I have an advocate - 1 John 2:1
I have the greater one in me - 1 John 4:4
I have rest - Heb 4:3
I have received a special gift - 1 Cor 7:7; 1Pet 4:10
I have hope - Heb 6:19
I have a lively hope - 1 Pet 1:3

"See What A Morning" - He Is Risen!

2008-03-23T12:01:00.000-04:00

Watch the Lamb!!!

2008-03-21T18:20:00.003-04:00

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." ~ 1 Pet 3:18

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." ~ 1 Pet 2:24

The Last Meal - The disciples did not understand - Do You?

2008-03-20T14:28:00.006-04:00

^"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; ²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹ But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. ³⁰ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." Matt 26:26-30

What is Saving Faith?

2008-02-26T21:24:00.006-05:00

"Saving faith is, first of all, faith in the work of Christ on the Cross! It is impossible for us to understand the delivering nature of the Gospel and the assurance that He is ours in Christ because of His grace, without also considering the significance of His glorious Resurrection.

When the Apostle Paul explains the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 he reminds us that: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Forgiveness comes to us because of the death of Christ on the cross. But we must remember, however, that this forgiveness could not be assuredly ours apart from the testimony of the Resurrection.

The Resurrection of Christ is linked inseparably with His death on Calvary. Our destiny for eternity depends upon our knowing who He is, and having put our faith in what He accomplished on the Cross. …The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the great proof that Jesus is truly God and the Son of God. How majestically God speaks in Romans 1:4, telling us that Christ was . . . declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Believing this truth is absolutely necessary for our salvation." ~ Lance Latham

Questions that will bless the missionaries you support

2008-02-23T21:57:00.006-05:00

How have you been encouraged this past year?
What have been your greatest blessings this past year?
What have been your disappointments this past year?
How have you been discouraged this past year?
How are your children?
Is there a way we can be a blessing to your children?
Will you give us two to five specific prayer requests that we can seriously pray for each month?
How may we as a church become more involved in your ministry?
When would be a good time for us to come and visit?
We would like to send a team to help you – what can they do?
How may we assist you in your work?
How can we as a church better support you?
What are your greatest needs?
Is there some project that we might be able to assist you with financially?
What are your greatest financial needs?
Are there items you can’t get that we may send or bring to you?
May we send you music or sermon cds from our church?
May I send you a book which has been a blessing to me?
Are you struggling with anything in which we may help?
May our church sponsor your next vacation or send you to an equipping conference?

For other great ideas on how to support missionaries please read Serving As Senders.

Have you considered your riches lately?

2008-02-21T17:57:00.004-05:00

“Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, worldaltering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than a diamond. Its depths man will never exhaust.” ~ C. J. Mahaney

Attitude Check - How you doing?

2008-02-20T11:16:00.004-05:00

"I discovered I always have choices,
and sometimes it's only a choice of attitude."
~ Abraham Lincoln

What defines you?

2008-02-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

"My faith is my life -- it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them. ... Real faith makes us humble and mindful, not of the faults of others, but of our own."

A Tribute to Moms - Thanks Mom

2008-01-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

Thank You to our "American Soldiers"

2008-01-26T23:15:00.000-05:00

Dr. Wendell Kempton now with the Lord

2008-01-19T19:58:00.000-05:00

Dr. Kempton, 75, president of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism from 1971 to 2001, died of complications related to melanoma on Sunday, January 6, in Lititz, Pa.

Read more HERE

Who reigns in your life?

2008-01-19T12:11:00.002-05:00

Where does the Bible fit into your life this new year?

2008-01-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

"The Bible is the Book to live by and the Book to die by.
Therefore read it to be wise,
believe it to be safe,
practice it to be holy."

~ A. W. Pink

Try the Logos Global Bible Reader! (FREE)

Mike Huckabee on Larry King (part 2)

2007-12-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

A Special Message from Dr. Michael Loftis

2007-12-30T15:17:00.000-05:00

I write these words to you with a call to our great global family to lift our hearts toward heaven in concerted prayer for our beloved President Emeritus, Dr. Wendell Kempton, as we close out the year 2007. The following information has been released by the Kempton family within the past few hours:

"Dr. Wendell Kempton has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, likely melanoma, in multiple locations throughout his body. His doctors have made it clear that from a medical perspective he does not have much time left. This information was not expected or known about before and the picture has only become clear within the past couple of days.

Wendell & Ruth have requested that we allow them these remaining days and hours to spend as much time as possible with one another and their family. They are being ministered to by their local pastor. Dr. Kempton will not be available for any meetings or visits, but he and Ruth wish to express their deep appreciation for your love and prayers and for the gift of privacy at this time.”

Dr. Kempton has always loved and ministered to us from the Psalms. I would direct your attention to Psalm 112, especially verses 6 and 7: "For the righteous will never be moved . . . . He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord."

I am calling for a special season of fasting & prayer for Dr. Kempton and his family on December 31, 2007, the final day of this year. Unless the Lord intervenes in Dr. Kempton's life in a miraculous way, the final chapter of his life is being written. Join us in praying for the touch of God upon Dr. Kempton's body. Pray too for wisdom for the Kempton family and for God's grace and blessing upon them all.

May our Lord's will be done,

Dr. Michael G. Loftis

President

ABWE International, Inc.

Mike Huckabee on Larry King (part 1)

2007-12-29T15:42:00.001-05:00

Mike Huckabee with Chuck Norris (part 2)

2007-12-28T13:24:00.000-05:00

Why Chuck Norris endorses Mike Huckabee (part 1)

2007-12-27T18:49:00.000-05:00

Pray for our military & Pray for those left behind!

2007-12-25T21:32:00.000-05:00

What We Find In Jesus

2007-12-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

We find peace, and the
Prince of Peace;
We find righteousness, and the
Righteous One;
We find counsel, and the
Counselor;
We find wonders, and the
Wonderful One;
We find salvation; and the
Saviour;
We find the kingdom, and the
King.

~ Roy Lessin

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." ~ Isa 9:6

The White House's Super Christian Christmas Card

2007-12-18T22:10:00.001-05:00

"You alone are the LORD.
You made the heavens, even the highest heavens,
and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything,
and the multitudes of heaven worship you."
NEHEMIAH 9:6

"May the joy of all creation fill your heart this blessed season 2007"

How are you planning to celebrate Christmas?

2007-12-18T21:43:00.000-05:00

No bright lights, no Christmas dinner and not even a Christmas Eve service for the followers of Jesus Christ in North Korea.

This Christmas - just like any other day in the year - there are no festive lights in the streets of Pyongyang. The city is largely shrouded in darkness. North Korea is the only country in the world where the Cold War is not yet over, and one of the few countries in which it is not permitted to celebrate Christmas at all.

Yet even here, Christians find ways to celebrate Christmas. There is an active underground Church which celebrates the birth of Christ in their hearts.

(USA Religious News) Read more Here

Merry Christmas from Mike Huckabee

2007-12-18T10:01:00.000-05:00

Are you discontent and impatient?

2007-12-17T23:48:00.000-05:00

"To be content, look backward on those who possess less than yourself,
not forward on those who possess more."
~ Benjamin Franklin

"There are no sins God’s people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience; they are ready, either to faint through unbelief, or to fret through impatience. When men fly out against God by discontent and impatience, it is a sign they do not believe “that all things work together for good, to them that love God.” Discontent is an ungrateful sin, because we have more mercies than afflictions; and it is an irrational sin, because afflictions work for good…. The devil blows the coals of passion and discontent, and then warms himself at the fire." ~ Thomas Watson

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
~ 1 Tim 6:6-8

What do you want for Christmas?

2007-12-13T15:35:00.000-05:00

"The secret to contentment, as with all things, lies in our relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances but depends on the Lord, who orders those circumstances. As our relationship with Christ deepens, we will grow in grace and contentment in all things. As we strive to shift the focus from self to others, our contentment will grow. Dwelling more on the love of God, the mercy of God, and the grace of God will increase our contentment." ~ William Thrasher, Jr.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." ~ Phil 4:11

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." ~ Heb 13:5

A Good Testimony - How is yours?

2007-12-10T17:03:00.000-05:00

Read more about this missionary kid HERE

The test is simple

2007-12-07T15:23:00.000-05:00

"Only the obedient believe and only those who believe are obedient."
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
~ James 2:14

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
~ John 14:21

"If anyone does not love the Lord that person is cursed." ~ 1 Cor 16:22

Holiday Special - Get your relief from purgatory before it is too late!

2007-12-06T18:39:00.001-05:00

"Pope Benedict XVI is offering relief from purgatory to Roman Catholics who travel to Lourdes over the next year, the Vatican said yesterday.

Pilgrims to the shrine in south-west France will receive "plenary indulgences" from the Pontiff, which the Church says reduce the time spent being "washed" of sin after death. The indulgences will be available from this weekend until Dec 8, 2008."Read More

Be warned! This is NOT True! What does the Bible say? "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" ~ Heb 9:27

Here is a better offer!!!

Chuck Norris Approved!

2007-11-29T18:14:00.000-05:00

In name only?

2007-11-29T15:45:00.000-05:00

"The plain truth is, the vast proportion of Christians in the world have nothing whatever of Christianity, except the name." ~ J. C. Ryle

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." ~ 2 Peter 1:10

What is Faith?

2007-11-29T10:31:00.000-05:00

The Power of the Cross

2007-11-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T11:17:00.000-05:00

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor--and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be--That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions--to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Did God create laughter?

2007-11-19T12:01:00.000-05:00

If you are a child of the King, you have been entrusted with a commission.

2007-11-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?" ~ David Livingstone

"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." ~ John 17:18

Read about mission opportunities from ABWE

God help me! He can and will - Trust Him.

2007-11-14T12:11:00.000-05:00

He is able, more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able, more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able, more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able, more than able
To make me what He wants me to be

© 1989 Maranatha Praise Inc.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." ~ Jude 24-25

Is the Throne of God a delight or dread to you?

2007-11-13T16:01:00.000-05:00

Think - Then Do Something!

2007-11-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

"What good fortune for those in power, that people don't think!" ~ Adolf Hitler

"Evil prevails when good men do nothing." ~ Edmund Burke

Manhood or wimp! Men - where do you stand?

2007-11-07T17:16:00.000-05:00

"If I were the last man on the planet to think so, I would want the honor of saying that no woman should go before me into combat to defend my country. A man who endorses women in combat is not pro-woman; he's a wimp. He should be ashamed. For most of history, in most cultures, he would have been utterly scorned as a coward to promote such an idea. Part of the meaning of manhood as God created us is the sense of responsibility for the safety and welfare of our women." ~ John Piper

To read more of Piper's thoughts see the complete article in World Magazine.

How Great Is Our God!!!

2007-10-30T16:49:00.000-04:00

What is your motivation to proclaim the Gospel?

2007-10-25T17:07:00.000-04:00

"... the more I understand why I preach. While there are many good and important motivations for preaching Christ which I keenly feel -- the salvation of the lost, the edification of God's people, the building-up of the Church -- none of them are really why I preach. I preach because there was a man who lived about 2000 years ago, who lived and taught, gathered a small band of disciples, died on a cross and rose again from the dead. He is uniquely exalted among all men who have ever lived in that He is God's true and unique Son. All that He did was as the One true Redeemer for a lost world. He is exalted in the heavens and reigns as Lord over all. I preach because He is my own Savior and Lord, because I want His name to be known among men and women, and because His glory is the greatest and highest of all causes in this world." ~ Rick Phillips

Thank You - for doing your job!

2007-10-24T14:51:00.000-04:00

The first Medal of Honor awarded for combat in Afghanistan was presented Monday to the weeping parents of a Navy SEAL from Long Island, who gave his life to make a radio call for help for his team.

President Bush presented the nation's highest military honor for valor to the family of Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue, N.Y., who died when his elite combat team was surrounded high in the mountains of Afghanistan.

"While their missions were often carried out in secrecy, their love of country and devotion to each other was always clear," President Bush said. "On June 28, 2005, Michael would give his life for these ideals. ~ Associated Press

Read the full story Here & More

Watch the Ceremony ~ Medal of Honor presented to parents of Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan

What is servant leadership?

2007-10-22T16:15:00.000-04:00

"Servant Leadership is making those above you successful, those below you an investment, and those around you a team." ~ Captain Steve Brown

Mike Huckabee speaks about values

2007-10-22T12:37:00.000-04:00

How are you making disciples?

2007-10-18T10:51:00.000-04:00

"My study of discipleship in America has been eye-opening. Almost every church in our country has some type of discipleship program or set of activities, but stunningly few churches have a church of disciples." ~ George Barna

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

Watch this new counseling technique - it really works!

2007-10-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

I found this at The World From Our Window blog

Are you hopeless? Are you desperate for help? Are your troubles overwhelming? There is HOPE! God's Grace is Unmeasured!

2007-10-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

How to get a handle on Scripture

2007-10-13T00:16:00.001-04:00

Are you complaining or trusting God?

2007-10-09T22:35:00.000-04:00

Are you sure Jesus loves you?

2007-10-09T18:08:00.000-04:00

"When we think of Christ's dying on the cross we are shown the lengths to which God's love goes in order to win us to Himself. We would almost think that God loved us more than He loves His Son. We cannot measure His love by any other standard. He is saying to us, "I love you this much."

The cross is the heart of the gospel; it makes the gospel good news. Christ died for us; He has stood in our place before God's judgement seat; He has borne our sins. God has done something on the cross which we could never do for ourselves. But God does something to us as well as for us through the cross. He persuades us that He loves us." ~ Sinclair Ferguson

"But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8

What is more valuable - integrity or fame?

2007-10-05T23:46:00.000-04:00

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" ~ Matt 16:26

The Bible vs the book of mormon

2007-10-05T00:24:00.000-04:00

Decisions or Disciples?

2007-10-04T14:35:00.000-04:00

"It is a serious injury to a person to receive him into the number of the faithful unless there is good reason to believe that he is really regenerate. I am sure it is so, for I speak after careful observation. Some of the most glaring sinners known to me were once members of a church; and were, as I believe, led to make a profession by undue pressure, well-meant but ill-judged. Do not, therefore, consider that soul-winning is or can be secured by the multiplication of baptisms, and the swelling of the size of your church. What mean these despatches from the battle-field? "Last night, fourteen souls were under conviction, fifteen were justified, and eight received full sanctification." I am weary of this public bragging, this counting of unhatched chickens, this exhibition of doubtful spoils. Lay aside such numberings of the people, such idle pretence of certifying in half a minute that which will need the testing of a lifetime. Hope for the best, but in your highest excitements be reasonable. Enquiry-rooms are all very well; but if they lead to idle boastings, they will grieve the Holy Spirit, and work abounding evil" ~ Charles Spurgeon

God loves the world - do you love people enough to tell them?

2007-10-03T15:58:00.000-04:00

"We will not be disposed to invite wayward transgressors to Christ, or reason with them, or bring to them the overtures of the gospel, unless we are convinced that God is favorably disposed to them. Only if we are genuinely persuaded that He will have them to be saved are we likely to make the effort. If God does not love them it is hardly likely that we will make it our business to love them. Especially is this the case when there is so much that is repulsive in the ungodliness and sinfulness of Christ-rejecters." ~ Erroll Hulse

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." ~ 2 Peter 3:9

Can you know the Real God?

2007-10-03T15:36:00.000-04:00

Have you been impatient lately?

2007-10-03T00:02:00.000-04:00

"There are no sins God’s people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience; they are ready, either to faint through unbelief, or to fret through impatience. When men fly out against God by discontent and impatience, it is a sign they do not believe “that all things work together for good, to them that love God.” Discontent is an ungrateful sin, because we have more mercies than afflictions; and it is an irrational sin, because afflictions work for good…. The devil blows the coals of passion and discontent, and then warms himself at the fire." ~ Thomas Watson

Have you had a meaningful converse with your Creator today?

2007-10-02T22:28:00.000-04:00

"Prayer is the converse of the soul with God."

~ Charles Hodge

Are your problems too BIG and your god too small?

2007-10-01T23:28:00.000-04:00

Dr. John MacArthur on God's Sovereignty

2007-09-29T02:23:00.000-04:00

"No doctrine is more despised by the natural mind than the truth that God is absolutely sovereign. Human pride loathes the suggestion that God orders everything, controls everything, rules over everything. The carnal mind, burning with enmity against God, abhors the biblical teaching that nothing comes to pass except according to His eternal decrees. Most of all, the flesh hates the notion that salvation is entirely God’s work. If God chose who would be saved, and if His choice was settled before the foundation of the world, then believers deserve no credit for their salvation." Read more at Pulpit Magazine

What are you investing in for eternity?

2007-09-28T22:03:00.000-04:00

"Anything that does not count for eternity is eternally out of date"

~ Anon

Amazing Grace - Are You Free?

2007-09-25T17:58:00.000-04:00

Thoughts on Freedom and gratitude for our military

2007-09-21T17:39:00.001-04:00

"Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it."

Have you imagined being with the Lord forever today?

2007-09-21T14:44:00.000-04:00

Praise Him in the storm

2007-09-14T22:27:00.000-04:00

God's Grace is Sufficient - Humble yourself and receive it

2007-09-14T14:13:00.000-04:00

"It does not matter where He places me or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me. For the easiest positions, He must give grace; and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient. So, if God places me in great perplexity, must He not give me much guidance? In positions of great difficulty, much grace? In circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone. His resources are mine, for He is mine!" ~ Hudson Taylor

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." ~ 2 Cor 12:9-10

What would you rather have?

2007-09-13T17:56:00.001-04:00

Thoughts on Integrity - Do you have it?

2007-09-13T09:57:00.000-04:00

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching." ~ Anon

"There can be no friendship without confidence; and no confidence, without integrity” ~ Anon

"In times like these men should utter nothing for which they would not be willingly responsible through time and in eternity.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

"Integrity has no need of rules.” ~ Albert Camus

"No man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with the price it has cost us. Our integrity is never worth so much as when we have parted with our all to keep it.” ~ Ovid

“A little integrity is better than any career” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"We are all faced with conflicting desires. No one, no matter how spiritual, can avoid the battle. Integrity is the factor that determines which one will prevail. We struggle daily with situations that demand decisions between what we want to do and what we ought to do. Integrity establishes the ground rules for resolving these tensions. it determines who we are and how we will respond before the conflict even appears. Integrity welds what we say, think, and do, into a whole person so that permission is never granted for one of these to be out of sync." ~ John Maxwell

"The first key to greatness is to be in reality what we appear to be." ~ Socrates

"Integrity is not so much what we do as much as who we are. ~ John Maxwell

"Image is what people think we are: integrity is what we rally are." ~ John Maxwell

"The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he would never be found out." ~ Thomas Macauley

"Integrity is not a given factor in everyone’s life. It is a result of self-discipline, inner trust, and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives." ~ John Maxwell

"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." ~ Billy Graham

Don't look at the trial - look to the Triumphant One

2007-09-07T16:56:00.000-04:00

"If you cannot rejoice in your circumstances, you can always rejoice in the Lord who controls your circumstances. Fix your attention on Him. He may not change your situation, but He will change you; and that is even better." ~ Warren Wiersbe

Pray for our President - 1 Tim 2:1-4

2007-09-05T17:42:00.000-04:00

President Bush told the author of a new book on his presidency that "I try not to wear my worries on my sleeve" or show anything less than steadfastness in public, especially in a time of war.

"I fully understand that the enemy watches me, the Iraqis are watching me, the troops watch me, and the people watch me," he said. Yet, he said, "I do tears."

"I've got God's shoulder to cry on. And I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job. I'll bet I've shed more tears than you can count, as president. I'll shed some tomorrow."

Associated Press

(The above picture was during the Medal of Honor ceremony for Marine CPL Jason Dunham who was recognized for his heroism when he covered a grenade with his helmet to shield his comrades.)