Faith0263
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Posts posted by Faith0263
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ah yes it is definately deep brother and I agree with your post, as well. I just skimmed some of the other posts and didn't see what you're referring to there. Just haven't posted in awhile and jumped right in the middle lol sorry
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I've always been taught the "true" gospel, *if churches really preach it* is, that Jesus was born of a virgin, died on the cross to redeem our sins, and was resurrected on the 3rd day and is alive!!! :hug:
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Thank you Lord for saving Calvin once again. PRAISE YOUR NAME that the meds worked and his heart wasn't in rejection and that the drs and nurses were able to drain the fluid successfully from around his heart. You are SO wonderful Lord. I love Calvin so much AND you sweet Jesus> AGAIN TYYYYYY AND PRAISE YOUR NAME for YOU alone are worthy!!
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aww ty {{{{{{River}}}}}} you're such a blessing yourself..ty for your kind words!
Ty LORD for today for another waking day to praise and worship YOU! PRAISE YOUR name Jesus for a beautiful sunshining day with a crisp north wind that makes you smile, no matter WHAT is going on! I want to thank you today Lord for Bro and Sister Mosely at church, that are missionaries..thank you for the opportunity of them being home this past month but mainly thank you..that we have this wonderful couple who love you SO much they are traveling yet once again. They leave next week but I TY LORD so much for their love of you, their dedication and committment to the mission of witnessing to a lost and dieing world. Watch over lead and guide them, keeping them safe every step they take. PRAISE YOUR NAME >.....I love you LORD!
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Patsy I'll email it to you. Thx for asking tho. Or if you want you can wait til the Christmas Card is finished IR is working on. I sent it to her for it..dunno why...but I did.
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Lord I'm so thankful to you today from the very souls of my feet to the top of my head. So thankful that you sent angels to bring me up out of the depths of despair yesterday. SO thankful for the ladies that helped me yesterday and one very SPECIAL angel from right here on these boards. GOD bless her soul Lord. AND PRAISE YOUR NAME Father God for not giving up on me when I was ready to give up on myself Lord.!!! TY Jesus for loving me sooooooo much because without you I am just nothing!!!! YOU ALONE are worthy Lord to be praised..the name above all names. TY JESUS for the blessed souls that reached out to me yesterday and helped me remember who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and who is the Lord of my life....and helped me to remember what is important in MY life and how much I am loved and cared for. THANK YOU JESUS for such kindred, caring, loving, giving, people..and you know who you are. I LOVE YOU LORD!
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The UpWords Weekly Email Devotional
MaxLucado.com/newsletter
12/3/03
___________________________
GOD IS AMONG YOU ---------------
by Max Lucado
When our oldest daughter, Jenna, was two, I lost her in a department
store. One minute she was at my side and the next she was gone. I
panicked. All of a sudden only one thing mattered
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uh does that mean you like you thread or not?
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Holidays Not Merry For Some
Loss of loved ones makes Christmas a difficult time.
By Steven Reynolds-
The Index Journal Staff Writer
If you're a "skip" reader, be SURE to read the last line!
GREENWOOD---Christmas is traditionally a time for family gatherings.
But when one member of the family is unexpectedly, mysteriously or violently
taken away from those gatherings, Christmas can take on a different feeling
altogether.
"It's hard, it's been very hard," said Kathy Chrisley, whose daughter, Renee, has
been missing since Nov. 2. "We keep hoping she'll be back for the holiday."
Renee's brother, Mike, said his sister was "big on Christmas," and the family
has been doing things this holiday season that Renee usually took care of,
such as picking out a Christmas tree.
"She usually puts up the tree, but we did it ourselves this year." Chrisley said.
"She's not here but you can't give up hope." Mike said. "It's kind of hard to be
happy during the holiday season, but we've got to carry on and go on for the
children and everybody else."
Cherry MacTaggert is the director of Uptown Counseling Professionals and
works with families coping with grief. MacTaggert also counsels victim's
families through the Healing Hearts program in Greenwood County. She said
families begin working months in advance of Christmas, getting ready to deal
with the hurt they will feel around the holidays.
Earlier this month, the group held a candlelight vigil to pray and sing hymns
in memory of their lost loved ones, MacTaggert said. "It's a very reverent
and very special remembrance," she said.
Karen McCombs said it's important to get together with others who have
also felt the loss of a family member through a violent crime.
McCombs said she attended the vigil at Greenwood's First Presbyterian
Church and a vigil at Atlanta's Centinnial Park honoring National
Children's Memorial Day. Her 25 year old son, Jamie, was shot to death
at his home last year.
Karen said Jamie's absence at Christmas has been hard on the McCombs
family. "It's been very difficult," she said. She said her family has lost
interest in doing things such as going to holiday parties.
I describe it by saying there's a glass wall between you and the rest of
the world." McCombs said. "One day you're living a regular life,
the next it's full of court dates and trials and everything is so totally
different. She said her family's experience makes her feel different,
that others who haven't lost a loved one through violence can't quite
grasp the magnitude of the loss.
"People that you've known for years don't know what to say or how
to say it," McCombs said. "It's not just us who feel differently, it's
the world that sees us differently."
Besides shying away from holiday gatherings, other traditions have
changed too, McCombs said. Her family exchanges gifts on
Christmas Eve, instead of on Christmas Day---the way it did before
that tragic day in May 1998. The family has also begun a tradition
of visiting Jamie's grave on Chrismas morning, she said. A decorated
Christmas tree, placed by the family, adorns her son's final resting place,
McCombs said.
MacTaggert said changing traditions is another important way for
families to get through the holidays. She said simple things like
having Christmas dinner at another location or replacing
favorite Christmas symbols, like Santas, with others, such as
angels, can help ease the pain. "Sometimes just changing small
things like that can make all the difference," she said.
Sheila Hanna, whose husband, Johnny, was killed Aug. 6, said
Dec. 25 means more than Christmas at her home. It was also her
husband's birthday. "Christmas is going to be a hurdle, I know
it is," she said. "It's real hard on us because it's Johnny's
birthday too, and he's not going to be here to sing "Happy
Birthday" to." Hanna said she is trying to celebrate Christmas
this year the same way her family has always celebrated it for
the sake of her two children. "I think if I don't do anything out
of the ordinary it's not going to affect them as bad," Hanna said.
Hanna said she had a hard time decorating for Christmas this
year. Her heart just wasn't in it, she said. "The tree stood
undecorated for a week," Hanna said. "We didn't put up as
many Christmas decorations as I usually do because I
couldn't get in the mood to put them up."
MacTaggert said people experience five stages of grief---
denial, isolation, depression, anger and acceptance. Different
people can experience the stages at different times, she said.
But families of violent crime victims also have to deal with feelings
of shock and anger that people who have lost loved ones because of
illness or old age don't experience. "Rage and anger are two of the
most intense feelings they have," she said.
McCombs said she feels alot of anger toward the two people
charged with his son's death and she tries to divert that energy through
her work with groups like Healing Hearts or My Mom Is A Survivor--
and Internet support group she helped organize.
You have to learn to deal with the anger, to use it constructively. You
don't let it take over," McCombs said.
MacTaggert said one of the things she stresses to families is that
Christmas is only one day of the year and they should not be
overwhelmed by it. "The toughest thing about the holidays is not
to make a big deal about it," MacTaggert said. "We know that
it will be unpleasant, that we will miss them, but it's not unbearable.
We do what other Christians do at Christmas and celebrate the
living."
Chrisley said her family has been comforted by prayers and
gifts from the community. "We just would like to thank
everybody," Chrisley said.
Hanna said the white ribbons displayed around Lowndesville
and Calhoun Falls in memory of her husband mean alot to her,
but Christmas is a little less happy. "The meaning is still alive
in my heart, I'm just not as enthused," she said. "I always loved
Christmas and I guess I still love it because of my kids."
McCombs said the true meaning of Christmas is greater than
her personal loss and it keeps her going through the holiday
season. "It brings me comfort because without that knowledge
of eternal life, where would we be?" she said.
"The meaning of Christmas is our comfort."
Click here for more inspiring stories, poems, etc.
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Thank you Lord for always looking out for me. For making SURE I made it to both appts ..taking Chelsea to school this morning and the movies back and ALMOST home b4 I ran out of gas. didn't have to walk even a BLOCK! TY JESUS you're an awesome God and I love you so much Lord. Thank you again today for Davids job as SO many are without a job right now and I'm praying for these you know this Lord. Thank you for his friend Jeff, his boss Mark and Mark's boss Danny again Father God. They are just awesome fellows and may David be able to find out if they are saved or not and I pray that doors be opened for him to witness to them if they need you Lord! PRAISE YOUR NAME and may your praises be on my tongue all the day LONGggggggggggg I LOVE YOU LORRRRRRRDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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A Light Hearted Holiday
By Ginger Boda
Our little girl, Alisha, was intent on bringing the Christmas spirit to her little gray house on OLE Susanna Street. It seemed there was a bit of "baa humbug" in the air, since major financial burdens had pressed in on us. I tried my best to create the warmth of the holiday in our home, that year, but something was definitely missing. Alisha knew exactly what was needed.
She found our old box of Christmas lights up in the rafters of the garage. Very gingerly, she began to remove them strand by strand, recalling how her dad would check each one; ensuring that they still glowed. She plugged them into the wall, and smiled with each success. In the past, her father had displayed the Christmas lights on the outside of the house, but this year Alisha realized that he wasn't "getting around to it." There was just one week left before Christmas, she pondered; and it looked as though the holiday was going to come and go without even a slight glimmer twinkling from their homestead.
Alisha and her Dad hadn't said much to each other lately. Oh, she knew that he loved her but the words never came easy for him. Ever since she turned thirteen, last year, she and her father had drifted apart, somewhat. He seemed to enjoy talking with her brothers because they always had sports and "guy stuff" to discuss. That was just on the surface, though, and she knew her Dad felt depressed. Something in Alisha now told her that her father needed her more than he cared to admit.
I called to Alisha to come help with the cut out cookies, but she didn't answer. Glancing down the hallway toward her bedroom door, I discerned no movement. Oh, she's probably listening to her music, I presumed. All of sudden, strange noises were heard, coming from outside the house. Distracted by the commotion interrupting his day, Mark went to the front door and listened for a moment. Shrugging his shoulders, he shuffled back to his spot in front of the television and let out a big sigh as he sat down.
I tiptoed, sock footed, out to the yard in the chilly afternoon. Looking up and straining to see if there might be a cat on the roof, I noticed the Christmas lights hemming the eves over our garage door; apparently still in their placement process. However, to my confusion, there was no one on the roof. Once again, I called towards the front door for Alisha. Slowly, a sweet little face emerged over the peak of the house. There she was, lights in one hand and stapler in the other, trying to do what has always been known in her home as a "man's job." She was grinning from ear to ear.
I gulped hard, then smiled and praised my little girl for her efforts. However, I did suggest that she come down immediately before she gets hurt. Goodness, she's gutsy, I thought. Hearing the rooftop conversation from the comfort of his cozy couch, Mark reluctantly came outside to assess the situation. He eyed our little rooftop elf, but said nary a word; He simply turned slowly back toward his abode. As I followed behind my grumpy husband, I shook my head in disappointment. The spirit of Christmas was difficult to feel with the tension in the air and the reason for the season seemed to have been forgotten. That simple joy of being together as a family should have been enough, I pondered. My heart ached, as well, for my daughter's efforts to bond with, and please her father.
Knowing that Alisha was determined, I retrieved my jacket from the closet and headed passed the living room to the front door to assist her. I halted mid-step, and a grin quickly replaced my frown, as I surveyed my "scrooge of a husband" putting on his shoes and jacket. Across the room, I noticed that the television had finally lost its voice. Seizing the moment, I sauntered over to the stereo, switched on some Christmas music, and turned to face my hubby. The room began to fill with warmth as our eyes met and a knowing smile was exchanged.
In no time at all, there appeared to be all kinds of activity heard from the rooftop of the little gray house on OLE Susanna Street as the little girl and her daddy laughed and worked together. Although he clearly stated that "he was pushed into the job," he DID wink as he said it. Nothing had changed monetarily for us. Christmas presents would still be scant but the hearts that lived in the little house were already richly gifted. It didn't take much to remind us that the light in our spirit can brighten our world, and the people we love, if we just take the effort to display it.
Finally, the spirit of love and joy had arrived just a week before Christmas. The outline of the homestead became illuminated, as did the heart of our little girl as she bonded with her father and tucked away a precious, and brightly lit memory in the treasure chest of her childhood.
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It's a long read but you'll be sorry if you don't read it, ALL!
Subject: Never Too Late
By Debra Schmidt
The morning dawned sunny and warm; it was a perfect day for a wedding. All of the preparations had gone smoothly. My shining moment was near. My maid of honor had just begun her walk down the aisle, stepping in perfect time to the music. There I stood in a beautiful satin wedding gown my mother had so lovingly made for me. It was my turn. My heart filled with joy and anticipation as I stood ready to walk down the aisle toward my new life. Then I saw my father, Ralph, stagger drunkenly toward me. I was sickened by the smell of alcohol on his breath. He nearly fell as he hooked his arm through mine. Within seconds, the "Wedding March" started playing - it was time to go. So I did the same thing I had done so many times before - I faked it - just to keep up appearances. I glued on my best smile, mustered all my strength to hold my dad upright and then walked him down the aisle. Only when my dad was safely seated, and I stood at the altar holding my fiance's hand, could I concentrate on the ceremony. For me, the most important part of my wedding had been ruined. I was angry, embarrassed and extremely hurt. I decided that day to never forgive my father. My dad had been an alcoholic since I was a little girl. His drinking just snuck up on our family - starting quietly, but getting slowly worse each year. The escalating problem became very real for me one beautiful October day in 1963 when I was eight years old. I sat on the back step of our home breathing in the fragrance of the autumn leaves and admiring the perfect blue sky. Then I saw my dad begin to load all of his belongings in the car. I looked up at him in disbelief and asked, "Daddy, where are you going?" With tears in his eyes, he answered, "I'm taking a job downtown and need to live there for a while. But I'll be back soon." I held out a child's hope that he would return home one day. But his out-of-control drinking led to a divorce. He never moved back. After that, I spent virtually every Saturday with my dad - all the way through my teen years. I wish I could say that those were happy days, but frequently they were spent waiting in the car while my dad went into the tavern to "make a few phone calls." My resentment toward him grew and continued to increase until that fateful wedding day. My resolve never to forgive my father lasted for more than three years after my wedding. Then, something happened. On his seventy-first birthday, my dad visited a doctor to have a complete physical. Shocked at my dad's condition, the doctor told him, "Ralph, unless you quit drinking right now, you won't be alive to give your daughter away at her wedding." My sister's wedding was just six months from then. Those words scared my father, so he checked himself into a thirty-day, inpatient alcoholic treatment center. Relieved he was finally getting the help he needed, my sister and brothers and I rallied around my dad to give him support. We attended family counseling sessions to learn more about the disease. Although I was supporting his attempt to get sober, I still felt a lot of anger toward him and was unable to forgive him for past hurts. One day the physicians and counselors met with us and said, "Do not expect a miracle. Your dad is retired, lives alone and has been drinking for over forty years. He will relapse." So we didn't get our hopes up, but we did continue to pray for a miracle. Then, one day, the miraculous happened. Dad called me and asked if he could meet with me. When we got together, the first thing he said was, "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you and the rest of the family. I know I don't have a lot of years left on this earth, but I want to live them sober." Dad took my hand, looked me in the eyes and asked, "Will you say the Lord's Prayer with me?" Crying together, we held hands and prayed. As I recited the words of the prayer, I could feel the anger and hurt begin to melt away. The healing had begun. From that day on, Dad never took another drink. He read the Bible daily, joined Alcoholics Anonymous and became involved in a church. He frequently quoted scriptures to me and claimed only one thing was standing between him and alcohol: "Jesus." My own faith grew with each day of my dad's recovery. As my faith strengthened, my ability to forgive strengthened and I was finally able to let go of the past. Dad remained sober for the next fourteen years and the miracle continued. At age seventy-two he founded an alumni association for recovering alcoholics and typed an inspirational newsletter on an old typewriter, then mailed it out monthly to nearly 100 people. At age seventy-three, my dad helped organize an annual hospital event where hundreds of recovering alcoholics and their families gathered to celebrate their sobriety. At seventy-six he became a proud Red-Coat volunteer at a local hospital, delivering newspapers, flowers and encouragement to patients, and pushing the wheelchairs of new mothers holding new babies who were going home. Dad volunteered there until he was seventy-nine, when he became ill with prostate cancer and moved into a nursing home. Instead of moping about his situation, however, he appointed himself "the ambassador" for the home. My father took newcomers under his wing, giving them tours of the place and showing them humor in every corner. On holidays, he occasionally called to say, "I'm going to be a little late today because some people here have no visitors - and I'm not leaving anyone alone on Christmas." When my father died at eighty-five, my brothers, sister and I expected only a few people at his funeral, but over 100 people came. Most were strangers to us, yet one by one, they shared their memories of my dad. "Your dad is the reason my dad is sober today." "Your dad is the reason my mom survived living in that nursing home." "Your father is the glue that held our family together during our dad's drinking crisis." Then seven men - all wearing red coats - quietly walked in to pay tribute to Dad for inspiring them to volunteer at the hospital. Many of them were over eighty years old. Had I not removed the blinders of anger and resentment - had I not forgiven my dad - I'd never have witnessed the positive ways he had touched the world. I know now that it's never too late to forgive.
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thank you Lord for validation today of the fibromyalgia. I kinda knew it but at least it's official. Thank you for him doing extra blood work to be certain it's nothing more involved and I'm thanking you in advance that's it's not. I know that you are in total control and I praise you Jesus for that! TY LORD for being the Great Physician and Comforter that I can turn to you at any given moment, especially when I'm at my lowest or when I'm feeling well..or ANY time. Your omnipotence overwhelms me and I'm SO thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit Lord. TY JESUS and praise your name!!
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I'm so thankful that today God was right there with me ...engulfing me with his comforting arms and peaceful spirit as I went into the MRI. I never even had one OUNCE of fear during the entire procedure and Lord that's just flat amazing. You know that the 8 or so I've had was full of fear, anticipation, even some to the point of panic...but today you were there....and I give you true thanks and praise for it Lord. THANK YOU JESUS and I love you so much Lord!!!! May my lips sing your praises every second of the day...you're such an awesome God. I LOVE YOU LORDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!
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very nice Faith. Thank you for sharing..I think it was said but it's true..beautiful inside and out. All of you guys are...Neb...Calamity. Patsy...come now....I wanna see pppwwwweeeezzzzzz!!!
AND Faith, I've missed you here on the boards. I don't post much anymore but I noticed you weren't here. Glad you're back and I hope you are well and blessed! -
Watch Where You're Going!
Finding God's Direction in Your Life
by: David Jeremiah
"Look... and watch
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Today I'm so very thankful I'm better. Yesterday I couldn't hold my head up I was so sick....I'm so very tired of being ill and hurting but today is better and I thank you SO much Lord for that. Thank you David has a job to go to this morning. Thank you his work allowed him a draw so we could eat yesterday..they are wonderful. PTL and ty JESUS for the guys there..they are so caring and wonderful!!
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With tears streaming I read this entire passage and I pray you will too. It's a long read and you may or may not read it. It only takes a few minutes but if you don't have that..then ok. But with that said I copy and pasted it here because I was in the depths of despair this morning. My heart was so heavy and I felt like not even putting one foot in front of the other. With no food in the house, the kids gone I even felt like God ...WHY have you forsaken me? Where ARE YOU GOD? WHYyyyyy ....? You know, those words you've said before too when you're at your lowest. Well God answered me....and here is what He showed me ....I'm sorry it's so long but I know I'm not the only one in the position we're in and for those that find themselves feeling like I did...please take a few minutes to read this. God loves you and will never leave you nor forsake you.
Giving Thanks in All Things
A Message by Billy Graham
Are you thankful no matter what? Perhaps you have lost your job recently, as the economy has continued to struggle. Or you may have lost your health, or a loved one. Only a few weeks ago my own brother, Melvin, went to be with the Lord. Such circumstances can be tremendously difficult. But even so, we all have much to be thankful for. Look with me at the story of a man who had every right to be bitter -- but wasn't!
The next footsteps in the corridor, he knew, might be those of the guards taking him away to his execution. His only bed was the hard, cold stone floor of the dank, cramped prison cell. Not an hour passed when he was free from the constant irritation of the chains and the pain of the iron manacles cutting into his wrists and legs.
Separated from friends, unjustly accused, brutally treated -- if ever a person had a right to complain, it was this man, languishing almost forgotten in a harsh Roman prison. But instead of complaints, his lips rang with words of praise and thanksgiving!
The man was the Apostle Paul -- a man who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of great adversity. Earlier, when he had been imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote, "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV).
"Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
Think of it: Always giving thanks for everything -- no matter the circumstances! Thanksgiving for the Apostle Paul was not a once-a-year celebration, but a daily reality that changed his life and made him a joyful person in every situation.
Thanksgiving -- the giving of thanks -- to God for all His blessings should be one of the most distinctive marks of the believer in Jesus Christ. We must not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our heart and chill our relationship with God and with others.
Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness.
In the ancient world, leprosy was a terrible disease. It hopelessly disfigured those who had it, and it permanently cut them off from normal society. Without exception, every leper yearned for one thing: To be healed.
One day 10 lepers approached Jesus outside a village, loudly pleading with Him to heal them. In an instant He restored them all to perfect health -- but only one came back and thanked Him. All the rest left without a word of thanks, their minds preoccupied only with themselves, gripped with a spirit of ingratitude.
Today, too, ingratitude and thanklessness are far too common. Children forget to thank their parents for all that they do. Common courtesy is scorned. We take for granted the ways that others help us. Above all, we fail to thank God for His blessings.
Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible. One of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity is that "although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him" (Romans 1:21, NIV). An ungrateful heart is a heart that is cold toward God and indifferent to His mercy and love. It is a heart that has forgotten how dependent we are on God for everything.
From one end of the Bible to the other, we are commanded to be thankful. In fact, thankfulness is the natural outflowing of a heart that is attuned to God. The psalmist declared, "Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving" (Psalm 147:7, NIV). Paul wrote, "Be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NIV). A spirit of thanksgiving is always the mark of a joyous Christian.
Why should we be thankful? Because God has blessed us, and we should be thankful for each blessing.
Thank God for
the Material Blessings That He Gives You
We seem never to be satisfied with what we have -- rich or poor, healthy or sick. But what a difference it makes when we realize that everything we have has been given to us by God! King David prayed, "Wealth and honor come from you ... We give you thanks, and praise your glorious name ... Everything comes from you" (1 Chronicles 29:12-14, NIV).
Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful. He was the envy of all his friends and business associates. But as we talked, he broke down in tears, confessing that he was miserable inside. Wealth had not been able to fill the empty place in his heart.
A few hours later I visited another man only a short distance away. His cottage was humble, and he had almost nothing in the way of this world's possessions. And yet his face was radiant as he told me about the work he was doing for Christ and how Christ had filled his life with meaning and purpose. I am convinced that the second man was really the rich man. Although he didn't have much, he had learned to be thankful for everything that God had given him. Paul declared, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Philippians 4:12, NIV). A spirit of thankfulness makes all the difference.
Are you constantly preoccupied with what you do not have? Or have you learned to thank God for what you do have?
Thank God for
the People in Your Life
It is so easy to take people for granted, or even to complain and become angry because they do not meet our every wish. But we need to give thanks for those around us -- our spouses, our children, our relatives, our friends and others who help us in some way.
I once received a letter from a woman who began by telling me how fortunate she was to have a kind, considerate husband. She then used four pages to list all his faults! How many marriages and other relationships grow cold and eventually are shattered because of the sin of ingratitude?
Do you let others know that you appreciate them and are thankful for them? The Christians in Corinth were far from perfect, but Paul began his first letter to them by saying, "I always thank God for you" (1 Corinthians 1:4, NIV). When a group of believers (whom Paul had never met) came out to greet him as he approached Rome, we read that "at the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged" (Acts 28:15, NIV). Thank God for those who touch your life.
Thank God in the Midst
of Trials and Even Persecution
We draw back from difficulties, yet not one of us is exempt from some kind of trouble. In many parts of the world it is dangerous even to be a Christian because of persecution.
And yet in the midst of those trials we can thank God, because we know that He has promised to be with us and that He will help us. We know that He can use times of suffering to draw us closer to Himself: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3, NIV).
When the prophet Daniel learned that evil men were plotting against him to destroy him, "he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before" (Daniel 6:10, NIV). The Bible commands, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). Paul declared, "You will even be able to thank God in the midst of pain and distress because you are privileged to share the lot of those who are living in the light" (Colossians 1:12, Phillips).
I don't know what trials you may be facing right now, but God does, and He loves you and is with you by His Holy Spirit. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness even in the midst of trials and heartaches.
"God has given us the greatest Gift of all -- His Son, who died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven."
Thank God Especially for
His Salvation in Jesus Christ
God has given us the greatest Gift of all -- His Son, who died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV).
The Bible tells us that we are separated from God because we have sinned. But God loves us -- He loves you, He loves me -- and He wants us to be part of His family forever. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. All we need to do is reach out in faith and accept Christ as our Savior and Lord: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).
Have you opened your heart to Jesus Christ? If not, turn to Him with a simple prayer of repentance and faith, and thank Him for what He has done for you. And if you do know Christ, how long has it been since you thanked God for your salvation? We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and His grace to us in Jesus Christ.
Thank God for
His Continued Presence and Power in Your Life
When we come to Christ, it is not the end but the beginning of a whole new life! He is with us, and He wants to help us follow Him and His Word.
In ourselves we do not have the strength that we need to live the way God wants us to live. But when we turn to Him, we discover that "it is God who works in [us] to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13, NIV). Jesus promised His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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today my heart is full of thankfulness and praises to the King...our Lord, Savior and Redeemer for loving such a sinner as I! THANK YOU LORD for sending your one and only son for me...to die on the cross for my sins and filthiness. PRAISE YOUR NAME for you alone are worthy to be praised Lord!!! AND thank you for another day to do just that. Thank you for the sun rising today, for the air I breathe, the roof over our heads, clothing, and for my family. THANK you thank you thank you thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!
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I love broccoli/rice casserole, at the holidays or anytime..here's how:
Depending on how many you're feeding you can add to or take away from:
2 pkgs of frozen broccoli
1 pkg rice or instant <whichever you prefer> just make the 2 cups or 4 is what I use
1 reg jar of cheese whiz <jalepeno or regular> + or - if you want less or more cheesy
1 10 oz cream of mushroom soup
1 10 oz cream of celery soup
Prepare/cook rice; broccoli, remembering you're going to bake so doesn't have to be all the way done.
Mix together in large baking/casserole dish. Add remaining ingredients.
Mix well.
Bake at 350 45 min to 1 hr.
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Green Stuff!
1 lg pkg pistacchio Jello Instant pudding mix
1 lg can of pineapple chunks <drained>
2 lg tubs cool whip
1 1/2 cups of pecans <optional>
Mix all ingredients in large glass bowl <shows the green color for Christmas! > but is good ANYTIME! :thumbup:
OK so Im a dufus and didn't read right. I've posted my desserts on the side dishes and my pie on the desserts LOL ggrrrrr
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my family calls it my "signature" pie. Why I really dunno cuz I got it from a recipe ya know? Maybe because Im the one making them every year ..usually anyway.
Oh well here ya go! PECAN PIE
1 deep dish 9" pie shell
2 cups of shelled pecans <crush all but about 30 whole pecans to be used around edge of pie>
3 eggs
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of light or dark karo syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
Slightly beat eggs in large mixing bowl. Add sugar, vanilla and karo. Mix well. Add pecans. Mix.
Pour batter into pie shell. Arrange remaining whole pecans in line 1 row around outside edge of pie. Eat any that are left!
Bake at 350 50-60 minutes.
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Understanding the Holy Spirit
in Theology
Posted · Edited by Faith0263
Hi Pastor Jeff!
Could you be a bit more specific please and elaborate or tell us exactly what these "powers" mean or are defined as? Personally, I'm intrigued and look forward to your answer.
God bless.
YSIC,
Donna