My Journey of Grace Continues

My Saving Faith in Jesus
I remember the place... I remember the moment... I remember my brokenness.

In coming to Jesus Christ for Salvation, I found the key for me was to come to the end of myself. I had to hit bottom in my own strength and wisdom, before I saw my need for a Savior. Friends were praying for me and showing me the way through a Navigator's Bible Study. When I laid my pride at the foot of the cross and told my Heavenly Father that I needed His forgiveness for all my sins and the grief that I caused others... I looked up and there was Jesus ready to receive me and give me a new life in Him. I prayed to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior at Pinebrook Bible Camp in the Pocono Mountains, located in the state of Pennsylvania, at age twenty five. A few months later, I was baptized and joined the Berean Bible Fellowship Church, in Stroudsburg, PA. My foundation is God's Word and my faith is in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:10-13)

My Journey in Jesus
I have been in business most of my life and also pastored a small Baptist church in Remington, Indiana (Remington Baptist Church, SBC) and retired to Spring Hill, Florida in 2014 with my wife, Cindy of 47 plus years. Cindy and I both came to know the Lord at age 25 and have been privileged to serve on three 18 month mission terms here in the USA. Twice working with youth in rural upstate New York (High Braes Refuge, Redfield, NY) and another time working with Christian Business Men (CBMC) in Orlando, Florida. One of my greatest joys has been working in youth ministries with my wife over the years. On April 22, 2015 Cindy went to be with the Lord and I have since been remarried to Joy, a special gift from God to finish my race for Him... "My journey of grace continues".
 As the years go by, I find that I always need to be learning more and trusting God more.
☆ More of His voice in my ear
☆ More of His tears on my face
☆ More of His praise on my lips
☆ More of his death in my life
☆ More of His toil on my hands
☆ More of His hope in my grief
☆ More of His fruit in my service
☆ More of His love in everything
I'm looking forward to finishing strong for Jesus in our new home base in Spring Hill, Florida. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

It's not about how we began... it's how we finish.

My Neighbor

"Several years ago, a friend told me about a man named Roy who lived in our neighborhood. Roy had a very serious heart ailment, and there was nothing more that could be done for him. So he had been discharged from the hospital and was basically sent home to die.

My neighbor said to me, "Roy is not a Christian, but he has been to one of your crusades. Maybe you should try and talk to him."

One morning, my wife and I were out walking when my neighbor pointed out Roy to us. So we walked over to him and introduced ourselves. As we talked, it became clear that Roy was not a believer. He had a lot of questions.

Every day, we ran into him and would talk a little bit more. Then I gave Roy a copy of my book, Life. Any Questions?, which presents the gospel message. I encouraged him to take the book home and read it and then asked if we could talk again.

Roy came back the next day and said, "I read your whole book." He had more questions. We talked a little bit more, but Roy still did not seem ready to make a commitment to Christ.

One morning, as we were having family devotions, I looked out the window. There was Roy, standing in front of our house. He was out on a walk and had stopped to rest, right in front of our house.

Here we were, reading the Bible, and Roy was standing there. I sensed it was time. So I walked outside and said, "Roy, let's talk a little more." As we talked, I said, "Roy, I think you need to settle this right now. You need to get right with God. Why don't you pray right now and give your life to Christ?"

He said, "I'm ready to do that."

"Great," I said. So we prayed, and Roy asked the Lord to come into his life.

The next morning, we saw Roy. He had a big smile on his face. He said he had just been singing "Jesus Loves Me." Every time we saw Roy, it seemed like he had grown a little more.

His son-in-law told me later that Roy went to his whole family and announced, "You are looking at a brand-new Christian right now!"

Some time later, Roy's son-in-law knocked on our door. He said, "Roy died last night. I wanted to tell you."

Certainly there was sadness. But there also was the joy of knowing that Roy was in his new body in heaven. I thought to myself, "What if I had been too busy?" We can make up so many excuses. But God had provided me with a wonderful opportunity to talk with Roy.

So why take the time to share the gospel and hold events like the Harvest Crusades? The answer is obvious: It's the value of a soul.

God values the Roys of the world. He values you. And He values me. Yet in our culture today, we often place the greatest value on that which, for the most part, has no value. Meanwhile, we completely ignore that which has the greatest value.

Is anything worth more than a soul? The answer, obviously, is no. God values the human soul. And so should we." - Pastor Greg

July 5, 2011 - Massive Dust Cloud - Pheonix, Arizona

"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." - Revelation 1:7

His peace in the eye of the storm - John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."- Jesus

The Day We Face the Music

There Will Be a Day When We Face the Music

"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23

"Remember in 1990, the band Milli Vanilli was awarded a Grammy for Best New Artist. They were quite successful in their day, selling millions of albums. But then it was revealed that they did not do the vocals on their own recordings. Some other studio singers had done them. Their Grammy was returned. There came a moment when Milli Vanilli had to face the music.

There are some who are putting on a good show right now as Christians. They have just about everyone convinced. One day, they will face the music, that which is hidden will be revealed. There will be nowhere to hide, and they will realize the only people they were fooling were themselves. That is why Jesus said, "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:16).

What does it mean to be lukewarm? It is a person pretending to be a Christian who is not. To be lukewarm is to be a genuine imitation, a fake. One day we all will stand before God himself. And even if someone has done a brilliant job of fooling others, they, too, will have to face the music." - Pastor Greg

May we not play games with God. Come to Jesus today and tell Him you need His forgiveness and that you need Him to be your Saviour... and really start living with Jesus as Lord of your life.

Because We Are Drowning

"A number of years ago, I was at the beach with my son, Jonathan, who was quite young at the time. I was helping him catch waves and, as it turned out, a little riptide got hold of me. Suddenly I was no longer able to touch bottom. I realized I was getting pulled by this little riptide, and the frustrating thing was that I was so close to the shore.

It would have been extremely humiliating for me, a guy who has been around the beach all of his life, to cry out for help so close to land. So I didn't say anything. I was holding Jonathan above the water, getting pulled out a little bit more. I noticed the lifeguard was kind of looking at me, probably waiting for me to yell for help, but I did not want to do that.

I was getting pulled out a little bit further, a little bit deeper, and the lifeguard most likely thought, What an idiot! I am going to have to save this guy. He started swimming our way, and just as he got to us, I was able to get my feet on the bottom again. I told him, "I am okay. It's all right." Why wouldn't I cry out for help? I was too proud.

In the same way, we don't like to say, "I need God's help." We want to say, "I am a good person. I am a strong person." Though you may be a good man or a good woman, you have sinned, just like every one of us has sinned. And one sin is enough to keep us out of heaven. That is why we need a Savior. We need a Savior because we are drowning. He is God's gift to us." Pastor Greg

Every Pastor Needs A Pastor

Every pastor feels like he is not enough for his people,
and you are not... but Jesus is.
You are the messenger... Jesus is the Saviour.

THE PASTOR

God spoke to the Pastor’s heart
and said, "Go teach them about Me!"
So this man, who was called by God,
set out to teach so all would see.

He came to a group of people
that appeared to be all lost.
He opened up his Bible and said,
"Let me teach you about the Cross!”

Some just look dumbfounded
as he began to speak.
Some just shook their heads
and said, “This is for the weak!”

So onward he went
and more people he did find,
he opened up his Bible and said,
“Jesus healed the blind!”

But like the people before them
they just couldn’t see
what this man of God was talking about,
most said, “It’s just not for me!”

So the Pastor knelt down and prayed,
“Lord to You I want to please!”
What am I doing wrong
is it something about me?”

The Lord spoke to his heart and said,
“You are doing just what I asked,
your love for Me is greater
than any of these tasks!

When you speak they are hearing,
keep showing your love and Mine.
For most the seed has been planted,
now it just takes Me and time!”
Poem by E. P. Shagott

Every Pastor needs a Pastor.

Removing ourselves from the Equation

"I had a daughter enslaved to heroin.
Nothing worked, no rehab and there were several,
jail didn't work either and church didn't work, because she didn't want it.

But then I literally nailed her to a cross.
I wrote heroin and her name on a tiny piece of paper,
and I knelt before a tree folding that piece of paper,
and I nailed it to that tree.
Declaring to God that I surrender and at any cost
I was going to commend her back into His hands
and not interfere.

Oh, this was the hardest thing I had ever done.
For a mother wants to protect her child.
We often think we can fix them, if we just love them more.
Don't fall for that lie for we will enable them unknowingly.

When she went to jail for that last time,
oh how I wanted to visit her,
but the Holy Spirit said to me: "she is now crying mommy, mommy,
but I want her face down on bended kneed crying Lord, Lord, forgive me!"

I knew I had to stand.
I never once visited her.
She had to know we had, also suffered enough.
I believe this sobered her to face the fact,
that she had cut herself off from her family.
She had robbed us twice and I did have her arrested.
I could not allow that behavior to go on,
someone else might have shot and killed her for breaking into their home.

She finally began to see,
that if she wanted a relationship with any of us,
it had to be after she got clean.
THIS WAS THE TURNING POINT I SAW IN HER.

When she got out of jail she came to church
and asked our Pastor to lay hands on her
and pray for deliverance from this drug.
She was delivered instantly,
but she had to be ready and willing to surrender.
She had to be completely broken.

She has now been clean for a little over a year
and has completed her rehab this month.
She also, has gotten a degree in medical assisting
and bought her own car.
Praise God, she is doing very well.

She attends regular church meetings along with small group
and she often speaks at these meetings.
She tells the other girls at rehab about Jesus
and then brings them to meet me and we pray with them.
We have led a few of them to the Lord in the past year. PTL

God will not force himself on anyone,
they must want to be delivered and healed.

But he is faithful and just to do so,
we just must remove ourselves from the equation.
Who knows better than God, after all?" - Rechandle Schofield

Many times, we parents can be 'part' of the enablers.
May we learn something from this mother's words.

Surrendered moms and dads on bended knees before their Lord,
will hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit for their children
and make the tough decisions. THIS I PRAY.

What Happens When A Believer Dies

- - - - -
What about my loved ones who have died?
Where are they now?
In the time between our death and Christ’s return, what happens?
- - - - -

When speaking about the period between the death of the body and the resurrection of the body, the Bible doesn’t shout; it just whispers. But in these whispers, a firm voice is heard. This authoritative voice assures us that, at death, the Christian immediately enters into the presence of God and enjoys conscious fellowship with the Father and with those who have gone before.

Isn’t this the promise that Jesus gave the thief on the cross? Earlier the thief had rebuked Jesus. Now he repents and asks for mercy. “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Likely, the thief is praying that he be remembered in some distant time in the future when the kingdom comes. He didn’t expect an immediate answer. But he received one: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43). The primary message of this passage is God’s unlimited and surprising grace. But a secondary message is the immediate translation of the saved into the presence of God. The soul of the believer journeys home, while the body of the believer awaits the resurrection.

Some don’t agree with this thought. They propose an intermediate period of purgation, a “holding tank” in which we are punished for our sins. This “purgatory” is the place where, for an undetermined length of time, we receive what our sins deserve so that we can rightly receive what God has prepared.

But two things trouble me about this teaching. For one, none of us can endure what our sins deserve. For another, Jesus already has. The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death, not purgatory (see Rom. 6:23). The Bible also teaches that Jesus became our purgatory and took our punishment: “When he had brought about the purgation of sins, he took his seat at the right hand of Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3 neb). There is no purgatory because purgatory occurred at Calvary.

Others feel that while the body is buried, the soul is asleep. They come by their conviction honestly enough. Seven different times in two different epistles, Paul uses the term sleep to refer to death (see 1 Cor. 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20; 1 Thess. 4:13–15). One could certainly deduce that the time spent between death and the return of Christ is spent sleeping. (And, if such is the case, who would complain? We could certainly use the rest!)

But there is one problem. The Bible refers to some who have already died, and they are anything but asleep. Their bodies are sleeping, but their souls are wide awake. Revelation 6:9–11 refers to the souls of martyrs who cry out for justice on the earth. Matthew 17:3 speaks of Moses and Elijah, who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. Even Samuel, who came back from the grave, was described wearing a robe and having the appearance of a god (1 Sam. 28:13–14). And what about the cloud of witnesses who surround us (Heb. 12:1)? Couldn’t these be the heroes of our faith and the loved ones of our lives who have gone before?

I think so. When it is cold on earth, we can take comfort in knowing that our loved ones are in the warm arms of God. We don’t like to say good-bye to those whom we love. It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don’t. They understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God.
by Max Lucado

I Know

I know He is the beginning - I will not worry about the end
I know He is the creator - I will not fear the destroyer
I know He has forgiven me - I will forgive myself and others
I know He will protect me - I will not fear
I know He will supply all my needs - I will not fret
I know He is the right way - I will not go my own way
I know He is the light - I will reflect His light to others
I know He gives me understanding - I will trust His truths
I know I am saved in Jesus - I will rest in His finished work
I Know He has a plan for me - I walk in it for His Glory

The Battle between Stress and Peace

STRESS - don't take it out on others.
When tired and weary, may we find rest, strength and peace in our Lord.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Jesus and Me
I woke up this morning,
happy as can be,
for I knew it would be,
another day with Jesus and me.

No matter what would happen,
or if troubles came my way,
with Jesus in my heart,
it would be another wonderful day.

Storm clouds may come,
sunshine may be lacked,
but how can I go wrong,
knowing Jesus has my back.

My worries are all His now
the way life should be,
day by day, two lives as one,
just Jesus and me.

Poem by E. P. Shagott

Do You Feel Like Your World Is Caving In?

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16

Whatever we face, Jesus Christ has already faced it.

Jesus knows what it is like:

To be hungry
To be tired
To be lonely
To be hurt
To be hated
To be beaten
To be persecuted
To be misunderstood
To be mistreated
To be mocked and laughed at
To be betrayed by a friend
To be tempted to sin
To feel forsaken
To have no spouse
To have lost a loved one
To have to pay taxes
To live under an oppressive government
To experience extreme pain

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comfort delights my soul." - Psalm 94:19

Don't be afraid to talk to Jesus about anything.
Not only does He understand,
but He knows how to help us,
so we can overcome and have His victory.

Remember, Jesus loves us enough to die for us
and He now lives to intercede for us.

Jesus not only understands what we face,
but He is able and willing to help us.

SAY THIS: Jesus understands what I am going through
and is leading me to His victory.

Declare the Whole Counsel of God

"Declare the whole counsel of God or compromise it - there are no gray areas."

"Truth can become a liability" - For the sake of not wanting to offend - "Blessed with the bully pulpits, some are getting caught up in merchandising; sinking to the level of money-changers, in the day of no offense." -- Pastor Don Murphy - age 94

Do Not Compromise - Proclaim The Truth - "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

Some Will Turn Their Ears Away from the Truth - "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV

Do Not Shrink Back - "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV

How Many Excuses Can We Name

God wants to use us to make a difference in this world.
He wants to work through us.
What matters, is not how long we live, but how we live for Jesus.

If you're not involved in any service or ministry for Him,
what excuses have you been using:

Abraham was old.
Jacob was insecure.
Leah was unattractive.
Joseph was abused.
Moses stuttered.
Gideon was poor.
Samson was codependent.
Rahab was immoral.
David had an affair and all kinds of family problems.
Elijah was suicidal.
Jeremiah was depressed.
Jonah was reluctant.
Naomi was a widow.
John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least.
Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered.
Martha worried a lot.
The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages.
Zacchaeus was unpopular.
Thomas had doubts.
Paul had poor health.
Timothy was timid.

That is quite a variety of misfits,
but God used each of them in His service.
He will use us, too, when we stop making excuses.

See you out there in the Father's vineyard.

Prayer - Praise and Standing on God's Word

Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Prayer is a powerful thing. In Psalms it says our tears are bottled up and kept forever. Our words are brought before the Father in a golden bowl, it says in Revelation, by the Spirit through Jesus who is our advocate. He is listening, and He is acting on your behalf. Don’t forget this and never doubt it.
When we pray, we often sense there are reactions in the spirit realm. In the same way, when we declare God’s truths over ourselves and praise Him with hearts of thanksgiving, they stick on us and cover us. They change the atmosphere. They change us. We are no longer the same. They get us out of our self-pity, anxiety, confusion and self-doubt. They change our mindset and reorient our thinking to Kingdom thinking.

Father, in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, as I live your word, may your power flow in greater measure through me to change me and other's you place on my path. Lord, may your purposes for me continue to flourish for your glory. Allow nothing that was meant for harm in my life to prosper. You have determined the pre-appointed time for my life and the exact place that I would dwell. These are exciting times for me to be living in all the works you have prepared for me, guide my every step in them. Continue to flow your rivers of living waters out of me for your kingdom. In the NAME of JESUS... Amen.

Closer to the Lord

I went up to the mountain top
so closer to the Lord I could be.
My eyes looked in all directions
but my Savior I did not see.

I thought maybe if I yelled
from the top of my lungs,
the Lord would hear my voice
and see how far I’d come.

So as I stood and waited
for my Savior to appear,
I let my heart be still
and waited without fear.

And then within the moment
in my heart He did speak.
Jesus said, “My child,
what is it that you seek?”

I felt His presence in my spirit,
and said, “My Lord with You I want to be!”
Jesus’ love touched me deeply and replied,
I am with you always, even in the valleys.

Jesus said, My Spirit is within you
no matter where you roam,
His love is the same as the Father’s and Mine,
and through Our love it will bring you home.
Poem by E. P. Shagott

We often climb mountain tops looking to be closer to our Lord and to be in His presence, yet He is always with us... even in the valleys of our lives.

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Touch Someone For Me

As I awoke this morning from sleep
and my eyes opened to see,
the Lord spoke to my heart and said,
“Touch someone for me!”

He said, “Tell someone that I love them”,
and if you follow my commandments you will too,
please touch someone for Me today
before the day is through!”

So as I started on my way,
I saw someone that was in need.
I said, “Is there something I can do for you,
what is it, please tell me, what can it be?

The person looked me in the eyes
and said, “Why do anything for me?”
I smiled and said, “Because I was in need one day,
and thank God someone took their time you see!

See God spoke to my heart today
and brought me here just for you.
Because of His love for all of us,
He knew just what you needed too.”

So listen ever so carefully my friends,
when God tells you what to do.
For when He says, “Touch someone for Me,”
It’s about Him, and not about you and me!
Poem by E. P. Shagott

May we be found... being the hands and lips for our Lord, always touching others and loving them for His Glory with His Good News.

I believe it is very hard for us to make a difference in this world for Jesus... if we are not living differently.

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." Romans 10:15

I Am Suppose To Be Here

On May the 7th 1965 , I was transporting a car for a used car dealer , driving the car from Long Island NY To Manheim PA for a car dealer auction. A friend of mine also was following behind me in another car being transported.

We left about 5:30 AM that Friday morning . At this time let me say that I was raised Catholic , believed in God , but certainly was not yet born again,had not accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior , so did not have a relationship with him.

AS we traveled the PENN. TURNPIKE , A TURN OF EVENTS THAT WOULD CHANGE AND EFFECT MY LIFE GREATLY...EVEN TO THIS DAY.

AS I was driving on the PENN turnpike, AN AUDIBLE VOICE ! ...SAID THESE WORDS "SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU NOW, THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WHOLE LIFE, BUT YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT! Well the voice was so audible that I quickly looked in the back seat to see who had snuck in the car that I knew I was alone in!

About 2 minutes later, the car (1961 Chrysler New York) started sliding all over the slightly wet pavement, I could not control it, and was all over the highway UNTIL it whip lashed into the steel girder that divided the lanes! IT was only about 2 feet high and I whipped into the end of it. IT CAME THROUGH THE BACK DOOR ( DRIVER SIDE ) THROUGH THE BACK OF MY SEAT, AND PUSHED ME STOMACH FIRST THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL

The result was my stomach was pushed up into my chest, a ruptured left lung, ruptured diaphragm, ruptured spleen, my heart was pushed over as were my kidneys... both heart and kidneys are still out of place.

WHILE waiting for the ambulance I never lost conscienceless and in the car I went totally blind for about 30 minutes, they told me weeks later it was because my body went into shock...I KNEW I WAS DYING!

THEN IN THE AMBULANCE ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL SOMETHING SO GREAT AND SO TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE HAPPENED! THERE IN THE AMBULANCE, AS I LAY THERE DIEING... WAS JESUS, THERE! WITH ME! I SAW HIM FROM HIS WAIST TO HIS FACE! HE SAID NOT A WORD, THEN A GREAT PEACE CAME ON ME, AND THOUGH MY HEAD DID NOT ACCEPT THIS OR UNDERSTAND IT... I KNEW THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO DIE, ALTHOUGH I WAS STILL STRUGGLING WITH ALMOST EVERY BREATH... JUST TO BREATHE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS C R U S H E D! BUT I KNEW I WOULD LIVE, I HAD THIS PEACE!

WELL THEY GOT ME TO THE HOSPITAL (GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN LEBANON PA), THEY DETERMINED THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IN THE CAR OR ON THE WAY IN THE AMBULANCE, BUT I WOULD BE DEAD WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES ANYWAY, I WATCHED THE CATHOLIC PRIEST GIVE ME "LAST RITES" AND I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING.

THEY SAID ANY SURGERY WOULD BE SO MASSIVE, IT WOULD KILL ME. WELL, I LAID THERE FROM BEFORE 9 AM TO CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT, WITHOUT DYING! NO ONE HAD ANY EXPLANATION FOR THAT. EVEN THOUGH, THEY WERE SURE THE SURGERY WOULD KILL ME, WHAT DID THEY HAVE TO LOSE. WELL, THEY DID 14 HOURS OF SURGERY..TOOK MY SPLEEN OUT... CUT OUT SOME RIBS.. HAD TO PUSH MY STOMACH BACK OUT OF MY CHEST AND WORK ON THE REST! I SPENT THE NEXT 9 DAYS IN AN ICU WARD (WHERE INCIDENTALLY ALL 5 PEOPLE AROUND ME DIED IN THE FIRST 7 DAYS) I SPENT A TOTAL OF 5 AND A HALF WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL. WHEN I LEFT TO GO BACK TO NY, I ASKED THE SURGEON "SO HOW AM I? HE SAID YOUR ALIVE... WHEN I PUSHED HIM FOR MORE INFO, HE SAID THIS: "LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, I AM A VERY GOOD SURGEON... BUT YOUR INJURIES WERE BEYOND MY ABILITY... I AM AN ATHEIST (I wasn't even sure what that was back then) BUT I DID NOT DO YOUR SURGERY... SOMETHING GUIDED MY HANDS ALL THE WAY". AND THEN HE SAID SOMETHING THAT I WOULD HEAR FROM 8 MORE DIFFERENT DOCTORS WHO NEVER HAVE MET EACH OTHER, BUT EXAMINED ME AND THE REPORTS, THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT WERE SAID FROM 1965 -1992... "YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!!!! THEN THAT SURGEON SAID THIS "YOU WILL NEVER SEE 30 YEARS OF AGE" AND HE EXPLAINED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME. BUT WHEN I WAS 30, I RECEIVED JESUS AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR! AT THAT TIME A GROWTH WAS PROTRUDING OUT THE SIDE OF MY STOMACH FROM THE INSIDE ABOUT THE SIZE OF HALF A GRAPEFRUIT! THE DAY I RECEIVED JESUS (OCTOBER 24TH 1976) I NEVER KNEW GOD COULD, WOULD, OR SHOULD HEAL ANYONE... BUT WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER RECEIVING JESUS AS LORD, A HEAT CAME OVER THAT GROWTH, AS I TOUCHED IT IT JUST DISAPPEARED!!!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN AT MY CHURCH FOR NEARLY 34 YEARS NOW, WAS 7 YEARS YOUTH PASTOR, SINGLES MINISTER, COUNSELING, HOSPITAL MINISTRY, TEACHING, PREACHING, and SENOR ASSOCIATE PASTOR. DOCTORS TELL ME I SHOULD BE SICK A LOT, AMONG OTHER THINGS I HAVE NO SPLEEN, WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, THEY (DOCTORS) TELL ME I AM SUSCEPTIBLE TO VIRUSES, BACTERIA, ILLNESS AND DISEASE... BUT IN NEARLY 34 YEARS MINISTERING AT MY CHURCH, OTHER THAN 2 SURGERIES DUE TO INJURY, NOT ILLNESS OR DISEASE, OR SICKNESS... I HAVE N E V E R MISSED ONE DAY OF WORK DUE TO ILLNESS... P R A I S E THE L O R D!!!

EVERYTHING I SAID ABOVE IS TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD WHO SAVED ME AND HEALED ME AND DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY DESTRUCTION.
Al Scavone - Abundant Life Christian Centre - Senior Associate Pastor





Thank you Al for sharing your journey with Jesus.

Two Horses

"Just up the road from my house is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, both horses look like any other horses.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of the larger horse you will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow."
Author Unknown

Like the owners of these two horses,
God does not throw us away just because we are broken.
Or because we have problems or challenges.
He sent His Son to us, Who has prepared a way for us.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives
to help us when we need it.

Sometimes we are the blind horse,
being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

Good friends are like that...
you may not always 'see' them, but you know they are always there.

A friend loves you when you are unloveable - Hugs you when you are unhuggable - Bares with you when you are unbareable - Dances with you when you get good news - Weeps with you when your tears flow - A friend multiplys your joy - Divides your sorrow - Subtracts the past - And adds to your future.

May we never have a blind eye to those around us,
that need an arm of friendship,
through sharing the love of Jesus with them.
Thank you for being a friend... today, tomorrow and 'forever' in Jesus.

Love you all... because of Jesus.

Authentic

"When I first encountered Christians, I thought they were the lamest people around.

So, what was it about them that appealed to me? They were real about knowing and following Jesus. There was an authenticity about them that drew me to them, then to Jesus.

That's what I was looking for, something to believe in; something or someone worth changing for; something to die for; something that was genuine, real and authentic but most of all true." -- Tammie Nickles

People are still looking for authenticity today. I have seen generations with names like Boomers, Busters, X, Y, and Z come and go. Church music and style has changed throughout our history, but our message must not. It cannot, because the gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible clearly tells us, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jesus plainly said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the life. . . " (John 14:6).

There are counterfeits out there, but when we authentically proclaim and live Jesus the truth will be revealed to those who have ears to hear.

Many are still searching for the Truth... may we be authentic in Christ.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Soon - VERY SOON

The words to the song titled - "Soon" by Brooke Fraser

"Soon and very soon
My King is coming
Robed in righteousness
And crowned with love
When I see Him
I shall be made like Him
Soon... very soon

Soon and very soon
I'll be going To the place
He has prepared for me
There my sin erased
My shame forgotten
Soon... very soon

I will be with the One I love
With unveiled face I'll see Him
There my soul will be satisfied
Soon... very soon

Soon and very soon
See the procession
The angels and the elders
Round the throne At His feet
I'll lay my crowns and my worship there
Soon... very soon

Though I have not seen Him
My heart knows Him well
Jesus Christ the Lamb
The Lord of heaven."

Brooke Fraser
"Across the Earth - Tear Down The Walls" - Hillsong United

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

May Our Hearts Belong To Him

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9).

When the Father searchs for servants for His vineyard, He doesn't ask:
Are they the most talented?
Are they well-educated?
Do they have a great voice?
Are they eloquent in prayer?
Are they powerful speakers?

But rather, He asks:
Are their hearts completely Mine through faith in Jesus Christ?

See you out there in the Father's vineyard.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Better Than a Hallelujah

"The tears of shame for what's been done
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
The honest cries of breaking hearts
They are better than a Hallelujah to Him.

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out
When we pour out our miseries
God hears our melody." - Amy Grant

BETTER THAN A HALLELUJAH are the repented cries...
they are a melody to our Father's ears and eyes. - PC

Are We Nearsighted?

When folks get older, their eyes start giving them trouble.
Most need glasses to see better.

Last week I heard a preacher say that young people suffer from nearsightedness. What do you think he meant?

He was not talking about the physical eyes and things that you can see. He was talking about the future. Most young people live for now.

At the store, a little one wants that candy bar right now.
They will wine and cry to get their way.
As they get older, they plan a little farther in advance.
But most young people think that they will live forever.
They do not worry about something years away.
Time does not seem to bother them... unless they have to wait.
That is being nearsighted.

When a young lady and a young man start to get serious, they often let their emotions take control. They will sometimes fail to plan for the future. They may get married and think that they can keep up with all the bills. But when a little one comes along, the financial troubles begin.
They were nearsighted.

This also happens in the spiritual world. Many people think they will live forever. They do not want to think about God, and what will happen when they die.
They are spiritually nearsighted.

I received these thoughts from a friend in an email.
The Bible is like a pair of glasses for our problems. When we read the Bible, we begin to see the truth clearly. When we see the whole picture, everything focuses better. Many people look back on their lives, and wish they had walked in God's wisdom more.

What does our future hold for us? Are we too nearsighted to see?
Are we willing to allow God to help us with our nearsightedness?
May we be open to God's focus for our today and all our tomorrows.
The Bible contains the Good News of Jesus Christ...
the blueprint to LIFE.



Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Obeying the Holy Spirit

"Paul, I want you on your knees."

Last November I was at a gathering of adults at a home,
when an in-law came over to me and asked me to pray for her husband, who was to be operated on the next day for clogged arteries in his legs.
As I was walking over to the husband...
the Holy Spirit told me to get down on my knees and lay hands on his legs.
This was a bit awkward in that mixed crowd,
but I got down on my knees on that kitchen floor and laid my hands on his one leg and prayed for a healing for him.

At our family's Thanksgiving dinner a couple of weeks after the operation,
I asked the husband how the operation went.
He shared that a strange thing happened when they did a final scan of his two legs before the surgery.
The surgeon reported to him that his one leg's arteries were cleared...
that it appeared the blockages had like melted away.
Everyone around the table was excited to hear that the operation on his other leg went well.
I asked him which leg didn't need surgery.
We determined it was the one that I held while I prayed for him.
There was like a rush of the Holy Spirit around the table as people connected the dots of what God had done.

Because of Jesus...

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Distant Shores

"On this journey
I come to the edge of the sea.
Before me a tiny boat anchored
I step aboard
and pull the anchor free.

A small sail sits bunched
at the base of the mast.
Loosening it’s tethering
I bid farewell
to all that has passed.

The sail fills with wind
and begins carrying me
far away from shore.
Awareness that not by
my own power do I travel.
On the other side
hopes of finding something more.

Hours turn into days
with the wind determining
my course and direction.
Suddenly my sail grows slack.
My heart fills with worry
and prayers for Your protection.

Here I sit
with nowhere I can go.
Oars in the hull of my boat
but my destination is far;
too far for me to row.

I know I should wait on You
Yet I am uncertain as to how.
If there was a time that I
needed You, my Lord
that time is now!

You are the wind in my sails
You are the voice that calms
the stormy sea.
It was Your voice
that opened the door of my prison.
It was Your voice that beckoned
setting this captive free.

Worry and panic return
and slowly grow into a deep fear.
“Send the northeasterly wind,”
I pray aloud
hoping You will hear.

The ruthless sun beats down
on this flat calm ocean.
Skin burns and throat parches.
No tears remain
to reveal my emotion.

When I think I can take no more
I spot storm clouds
gathering in the east.
I thank God in anticipation
of the rains
that soon will be released.

Waiting…
just a whisper of wind
comes and brings life to this sail.
It continues to build
gradually growing
to a full force gale.

Praising Your name
as I come to rest on the shores
of a far distant land.
Spreading good news to all
until those who accept it
are as numerous
as the grains of sand."
by Mitch Salmon

Sometimes it’s the flat calm amidst uncertainty that takes it’s toll and the storm is what finally propels us forward. So if we are waiting for the wind to fill our sails, I suggest that we pray to the One who brings the subtle breezes and the full force gales. Pray to the Father in Jesus name... He always is waiting to talk and feels our pain.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

After the Rain

Whatever our cross, whatever our pain,
there will be His sunshine after the rain.

We may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God is always ready to answer our call.

He knows every heartache, He sees our every tear,
a word from His lips will calm our every fear.

Our sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But will vanish in His dawn's early light.

The Father is waiting, somewhere above,
giving us His grace in Jesus and sending His love.

Poem by Jane Day

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

The Stranger

A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town in eastern Pennsylvania. Way back then people were used to helping each other out by necessity. From the beginning, my Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later. As I grew up I never questioned his place in our family. Mom taught me to love the Word of God. Dad taught me to obey it. But the stranger was our storyteller. He could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries and comedies were his daily conversations. He could hold our whole family spellbound for hours each evening. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took Dad, my brother and I to our first major league baseball game. He was always encouraging us to see the movies and he even made arrangements to introduce us to several movie stars. The stranger was an incessant talker. Dad didn't seem to mind, but sometimes Mom would quietly get up - while the rest of us were enthralled with one of his stories of faraway places - and go to her room read her Bible and pray. I wonder now, if she ever prayed that the stranger would leave. You see, my dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions. But this stranger never felt an obligation to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our house - not from us, from our friends, or adults. Our longtime visitor, however, used occasional four-letter words that burned my ears and made Dad squirm. To my knowledge the stranger was never confronted. My dad was a teetotaler who didn't permit alcohol in our home - not even for cooking. But the stranger felt he needed to exposure us and enlightened us to other ways of life. He offered us beer and other alcoholic beverages often. He made cigarettes look tasty, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely about sex. His comments were sometimes suggestive and generally embarrassing to me. I know now that my early concepts of the man/woman relationship were influenced by the stranger. As I look back, I believe it was by the grace of God that the stranger did not influence us more. Time after time he opposed the values of my parents. Yet he was seldom rebuked and never asked to leave. Many years have passed since that stranger had moved in. But if I were to walk into my parent's den today, you would still see him sitting over in a corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name? We always called him TV.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Is Our Testimony Worth More Than A Quarter

Several years ago, a preacher accepted a call to a church in Houston,Texas .
Some weeks after he arrived, he rode the bus to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver
had given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself,
You'd better give the quarter back.
It would be wrong to keep it.
Then he thought, Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter.
Who would worry about this little amount?
Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.
Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.
It all balances out anyway,
because many times I'm shorted on change given back to me.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door,
and then he handed the quarter to the driver
and said, 'Here,you gave me too much change.''

The driver, with a smile, replied,
'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied.

Well, I have been thinking about going somewhere to worship.
I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change.
I'll see you at church on Sunday.

When the preacher stepped off of the bus,
he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on,
and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.
This is a real example of how much people watch us as Christians
and will put us to the test!
May we always be on guard,
and remember that we represent Jesus to the world we live in.

May we watch our thoughts - they become words.
May we watch our words - they become actions.
May we watch our actions - they become habits..
May we watch our habits - they become character.
May we watch our character - it effects others.

A friend forwarded this to me.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

So... Your Not Going To Pray or Read My Word

"I had a personal shipwreck in 1984 up in Alaska...
That morning before I left for work... I was frustrated with being a Christian...
my life was horrible it was nothing like the name it and claim it faith...
it was the exact opposite... my family was in ruins and I was working, but broke...
after reading and praying every single chance since 1977...
I couldn't bear it any more...
couldn't be strong or faithful... bla bla bla...
so I cursed God and threw my bible in the garbage can...
saying as I walked out the door for work...
I was "never" gonna read His word again
and was never gonna pray again "ever"...

Long story... short, I was knocked overboard off a barge that day...
fully dressed in boots, arctic coveralls pants, long johns coat and gloves...
I sunk like a stone went down so deep my ears almost burst...
I started praying God save me...
I heard a voice say...
"so your not gonna pray no more...
your not gonna read My word no more?"
I couldn't repent fast enough, all I could do is say I'm sorry I didn't mean it...
please help me...
When I finally reached the surface, I knew I was screwed...
The water was freezing and I couldn't get my boots off.
I was so tired of treading water... but it was sink or swim...
God help me I prayed with every stroke...
When I finally made it to the side of the barge there was nothing to hang onto...
so I floated down it's side and then I saw the tug boat churning powerfully against the current...
I realized I was gonna get ground up inside it's propellers ...
I was ready to die a horrible death worse than drowning...
all of a sudden my glove was caught on a little bur of metal
that was sticking out on the wall of the barge...
it was the cotton of my glove that got snagged and held...
I was totally at the end of my strength exhausted and frozen...
but ooooh so grateful... it took six men to pull me up to the deck of the barge.
I just collapsed there.

When I got home, I dug my bible out of the trash can
and asked God to show me something...
I opened up to Psalms 34... in the old living bible...
and read... "the Lord is near to all who's hearts are breaking...
He rescues those who are sorry for their sins... the good man has his troubles...
but the Lord saves him... He even protects him from calamity and accidents"...

I have been sailing with Him ever since."
(Dan Tindal - State of Washington)

Thank you Dan for sharing your testimony with us.
You can learn more, on what the Lord has been doing with Dan since that day by becoming a fan of FaceBook "City Church" page.

He is now giving his life to pulling others onto the deck of the Lord's ship.

You are a blessing, brother... finish strong for Him.

Think Again

We think: "It's impossible" - God says: All things are possible.
(Luke 18:27)

We think: "I'm too tired" - God says: I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

We think: "Nobody really loves me" - God says: I love you.
(John 2: 16 & John 13:34)

We think: "I can't go on" - God says: My Grace is sufficient.
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

We think: "I can't figure things out" - God says: I will direct your steps.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

We think: "I can't do it" - God says: You can do all things.
(Phillipians 4:13)

We think: "I'm not able" - God says: I am able.
(II Corinthians 9:8)

We think: "It's not worth it" - God says: It will be worth it.
(Romans 8:28)

We think: "I can't forgive myself" - God says: I forgive you.
(I John 1:9)

We think: "I can't manage" - God says: I will supply all your needs.
(Phil 4:19)

We think: "I'm afraid" - God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.
(II Tim 1:7)

We think: "I'm always worried" - God says: Cast all your cares on me.
(I Peter 5:7)

We think: "I don't have enough faith" - God says: I've given faith.
(Romans 12:3)

We think: "I'm not smart enough" - God says: I give you wisdom.
(I Corinthians 1:30)

We think: "I feel all alone" - God says: I will never forsake you.
(Hebrews 13:5)

Thank you Erlend Hovdhaugen

When Tears Turn Into Joy

Psalm 126:5-6 "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

When we pray for a lost friend, we break up the harden ground with the spiritual plow of prayer, watering it with our tears, and making it ripe to receive the seed of the Word.

May we pray for our lost friends until our tears water their harden hearts. When our hearts are so stirred that we weep over others... a powerful witness will seep out of us.

"I have tears for my own sins....but God dries them for me with His hand of forgiveness... but for the lost souls of others... it is a pain unspeakable." (Linda Fawkes)

"The power of the heart when stirred by the Spirit within... will move us with compassion, travail and tears." (Scott Harper)

Sow in tears - "There are tears which are themselves the seed that we must sow; tears of sorrow for sin, our own and others; tears of sympathy with the afflicted church; and tears of tenderness in prayer and under the word." (Matthew Henry)

Will reap - "God's word shall not fail. Nothing shall prevent the harvest of a laborer in the Father's vineyard."
(Humphrey Hardwick.)

Songs of joy - "The Spirit of God by His convictions comes into the soul with some terrors, but it closes with peace and joy. As we say of the month of March, it enters like a lion, but goes out like a lamb." (William Gumall)

PSALM 40:3 "And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD!"

"May His bright light shine out through us - May it shine far and wide - Showing others how their lives could be - With Jesus by their side." (Pauline Macpherson)

"In much the same way stained glass is made up of pieces of shattered and broken glass and when His marvelous light shines through it creates a spectacular spectrum of color that cannot be achieved from ordinary glass... the signs that it was once broken are still visible but it is seen through an entirely different perspective." (Mike Clark)

"With our brokenness, God will bring beauty and full restoration."
(Roma C-Pirri)

"Tears are the raindrops of the soul." (Tom Zart)

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

A Love That Overcomes

"Love covers a multitude of sins"
As we grow to love with our Father's love...
our "behaviors" will change.

Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

WHEN WE LOVE... we will not steal - we will not curse - we will not covet - we will not judge - we will not keep score of offenses - we will forgive - we will seek the best interest of others - we will give - we will surrender all to the Father's ways. This in many ways is a picture of the ongoing process of sanctification in a believer's life.

"GOD IS LOVE" May we in Christ... allow our "behaviors" to be directed and motivated by "His love". Our "behaviors" should not be driven by the expectations of man. Trying to obey the laws of man's religious do's and donot's... will gain nothing before our Father.

Attempts to self discipline our flesh will always end in failure. Battling our flesh in our own strength is like trying to calm a hurricane with our bare hands. It is time, we stop beating ourselves up on this and start loving with "God's love". God's love never fails.

When God's love reigns in us we will be able to forgive others
and humbly be able to ask those we have offended for their forgiveness.

May we continue to be hid in Christ having His LOVE reigning in us.
Colossians 3:3 "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God"

The Knots Prayer - "Dear God - Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life. - Remove the have nots, the cannots and the do nots that I have in my mind. - Erase the will nots, may nots and might nots that may find a home in my heart. - Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life. - Thank you Jesus." (Annelize Hayes)

"His love brings the Hope that unties all the knots in our minds and hearts." (Teresa Brady)

"Many tears I have cried in thinking I was letting people down and letting God down... wishing I could be healed and hating myself for being so weak... Until God in His mercy showed me not to worry about what others were thinking... not to listen to their criticism... but to just accept that God loved me as I was... HE LOVED ME... SO I COULD SHAKE THE HAND OF PEACE WITH MYSELF." (Linda Fawkes)

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Being Refined for His Glory

God is in hot pursuit of us! God wants us to burn with the fire of His presence in every area of our lives. May we choose to forgive. May we choose to lay down all our disappointments. Choose to lay down all our discouragements. Choose to expect God's goodness and fiery presence to awaken us afresh.

He wants us to be totally free from everything that has hindered. May we choose today to align our will with His. Choose to live God's presence in JESUS CHRIST and receive fresh hope, fresh encouragement, fresh vision, fresh energy, and fresh oil for this season!

In refining silver, a silversmith holds a piece of silver over a hot fire and lets it heat up. The silver must be kept in the middle of the fire where the flames are the hottest inorder to burn away all the impurities.

The silversmith must sit in front of the fire the whole time of the refining, keeping a close watch on the silver as it is heated up. If the silver were to be left a moment too long in the heat, it would be destroyed.

One silversmith was asked how do you know the moment when the silver is fully refined.? He answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

When we feel the heat of the fire... may we remember that God has his eye on us and is watching over us.

Psalm 12:6 "The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." May we trust in them, always.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

The Battle Between Duty and Desire

Christ is the end of "duty" and the beginning of "desire".
Another way of saying this would be... Christ is the end of the "Law" and the beginning of "Grace".

God is love and His love is foreign to our flesh (old nature).
One of the things our flesh seeks is recognition and acceptance by man, which can lead to works.

Doing stuff out of duty and conformity... is a "religion".
We are called to serve our Lord out of love... not man's expectations.

When we do something because we "want" to do it... it is not a burden, but a joyful desire. How different it is when we feel we "ought" to do this or that out of a sense of duty or compliance.

"A perfect man would never act from sense of duty; he’d always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for the love of God and of other people... like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg." (C.S. Lewis)

Our life in Christ should not be "duty", but an intimate personal relationship of devotion. This sometimes gets lost in the church framework of "stuff to do". The mere suspicion that acts of kindness done in the "church body" are being done out of "duty" instead of the love of Christ... poisons the waters... with wormwood.

"We do not wish either to be, or to live among, people who are clean or honest or kind as a matter of duty: we want to be, and associate with, people who like being clean and honest and kind. The mere suspicion that what seemed an act of spontaneous friendliness or generosity was really done as a duty subsequently poisons it." (William Tyndale)

In serving our Lord... we need to guard our hearts from becoming performance driven to please man or church institutions... instead of having a love driven relationship with Him.

There is a big different between having a relationship driven faith and a works driven one.

WE CANNOT FAKE or MANUFACTURE THE LOVE OF GOD... WE NEED TO LIVE IT. Death to "self" and alive in the love of Christ.

"Die to self before you die... there is no chance after wards."
(C.S. Lewis)

When we surrender "self" completely to Jesus... our tree will produce good fruit for His Kingdom and people will see the love of Him in us.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Obeying God Takes Courage

When the apostles were told to stop preaching in Jesus’ name,
they responded,
“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

"Nothing good can come from rebelling against the Lord
and nothing bad can come from obeying Him...
even physical death for the sake of following the Lord
is better than denying Him." (Charles Stanley)

God may ask us to do something that doesn't make sense
from a human perspective.

When we need to make an important decision,
may we not rely primarily on our own reasoning,
the opinions of others, or even what worked in the past.
May we get on our knees before the Lord
and pour out our heart.

Spend time prayerfully reading His Word.
Listen for His voice, and then follow His specific guidance
for your life.

Obeying God takes courage...
because following His will often leads to conflict.
We must be willing to do what is right anyway...
fully surrendering to Him.

Noah was asked to build a massive boat...
which made him the laughing stock of his community.
But he was ready when the flood came. ARE WE READY ?

Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
If we will take to heart this one principle,
we will have the awesome privilege of watching the Lord
accomplish great things in and through us.

( Thank you Charles Stanley for this word.)

"A religion that gives nothing - costs nothing - suffers nothing - is worth nothing." (Martin Luther)

"We need to do the WHAT and leave the HOW to God." (Joy Rollins)

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

May We Not Be Part Of The Mess

"To act like the rest
Makes you part of the mess.
To be salt
Where there is no taste,
And be light
In a gloomy place,
We must be so unlike
The seething throng
Who as slaves are held
In the senseless grip
Of the need to fight
Wrong with wrong.
To act like others
Is to let them smother
Your light
And kill your fire
Until you are cold and dark,
Just like others.

How could you ever get even,
When in Acts you read of Stephen,
Who forgave while being stoned
And the Lord rose from his throne
To honor a forgiver
Whose love flowed as a river
That would never be stopped;
Who lived as a giver
Till the moment he dropped;
Only to be raised,
And for endless days,
Crowned with heavenly praise?

There’s no better way
To make the devil’s day
Than to fight for right
The wrong way.
There’s no greater way
To multiply evil
Than to try to stop evil
By acting like the devil.
When you come against sin
In the lives of others,
You either act like the Son
Or the devil has won.

We need a way
That’s better still;
That makes the supernatural real.
So lift your eyes even higher,
Through the clouds
Of heroes that inspire;
Go beyond human feats
Till your eyes meet
Your glorious Savior.

This does not mean
An end to pain;
Christ will lead you
Through the flame;
He’ll take you to the cross,
Where, like him,
You’ll suffer shame
And temporary loss,
To win eternal fame."

By Colette Guindon

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Was It The Lightning or God

My Wife directed our children's Christmas program today and she couldn't find any wings for her angel Kelsey Groll, so she prayed asking God for help in finding some wings. At the second practice, the lightning was used and she heard someone say " Look she has wings" and there they were. God answered the prayer. Thank you God for the Awesome wings. You never know how God will answer your prayers, but He aways does.

I'm convinced it was the light of God
that made those wings...
I can see the outline of feathers.

Be a Caleb

Do Not Listen To Others Who Choose To Fear the Giants.

Be a Caleb... do not fear the giants before you...
focus on the power of God and walk in His promises.

Tune out the negative voices of doubt
and possess what God wants you to inherit.

You are close to a special victory that the Lord has for you...
walk out from the crowd and grab hold of Jesus...
then tell the giants in your life to leave.

Choose to believe His Word,
and He will do what others say is impossible
and lead you into your promise land. (Numbers 14)

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

LORD ENLARGE MY HEART

These words and thoughts are from David Wilkerson... a brother I disagree with at times, but that is the purpose of this post... LORD ENLARGE MY HEART FOR THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN ME.

The evangelists George Whitefield and John Wesley were two of the greatest preachers in history. These men preached to thousands in open meetings, on the streets, in parks and prisons, and through their ministries many were brought to Christ.

But a doctrinal dispute arose between the two men over how a person is sanctified. Both doctrinal camps defended their positions strongly, and some vicious words were exchanged, with the followers of both men arguing in unseemly fashion.

A follower of Whitefield came to him one day and asked, “Will we see John Wesley in heaven?” He was asking, in effect, “How can Wesley be saved if he’s preaching such error?”

Whitefield answered, “No, we will not see John Wesley in heaven. He will be so high up near Christ’s throne, so close to the Lord, that we won’t be able to see him.”

Paul called this kind of spirit “enlargement of heart.” And he had it himself as he wrote to the Corinthians, a church in which some had accused him of hardness and who had sneered at his preaching. Paul assured them, “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged” (2 Corinthians 6:11).

When God enlarges your heart, suddenly so many limits and barriers are removed! You don’t see through a narrow lens anymore. Instead, you find yourself being directed by the Holy Spirit to those who are hurting. And the hurting are drawn to your compassionate spirit by the Holy Ghost’s magnetic pull.

So, do you have a gentleness of heart when you see hurting people? When you see a brother or sister who has stumbled in sin or may be having problems, are you tempted to tell them what’s wrong in their lives? Paul says that hurting ones need to be restored in a spirit of meekness and gentleness. They need to encounter the spirit that Jesus demonstrated.

Here is the cry of my heart for my remaining days: “God, take away all narrowness from my heart. I want your spirit of compassion for those who are hurting…your spirit of forgiveness when I see someone who’s fallen…your spirit of restoration, to take away their reproach.

“Take away all exclusiveness from my heart, and enlarge my capacity to love my enemies. When I approach someone who’s in sin, let me not go in judgment. Instead, let the well of water springing up in me be a river of divine love for them. And let the love that’s shown to them kindle in them a love for others.”

BEING A SERVANT TO ALL - May we each obey our call and serve God... as He has purposed in our hearts and shown us in His Word. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:15-17)

God Knows About Broken Hearts

Great Video...
Got a problem... run to God.

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Mustard Seed Faith

Unless a seed dies it cannot live...
So I'm learning to daily die to self...
New growth is happening...
Praise God.

Faith The Size Of A Mustard Seed
Faith the size of a mustard seed
Will move a mighty mountain
That's what His word tells me
To believe is to trust in Him

To know that His word is truth
To know that He will do as He says
To stand on those words
And accept them through his Grace

So why do I doubt
Why do I limit Him
Why do I fear
Is fear really a sin

Faith the size of a mustard seed
Is what I have and more
Yet I whine and cry
When adversity knocks on my door

I know my God is there
To wipe away my tears
I know my God is there
To calm all my fears

I know my God is there
To fix all that's broken
I know my God can do all things
With only one word spoken

He's the creator of all the universe
He's the creator of my soul
He's the reason I'm alive
He can make me whole

He takes me by the hand
He walks me through the dark
I've trusted Him through all the years
To chase away the enemy's sharks

Yet when a new problem arises
When I'm faced with sadness again
I cry and whine and wail
I guess I never learn

Faith the size of a mustard seed
Will move a mighty mountain
Nothing is impossible with God
When you simply trust in Him
Amen!!
Anonymous

Worship

Clear the stage and make some space
for the One who deserves to be front and center.

Please click below
to listen to an inspiring song about worship

CLICK HERE - "Clear the Stage" by Ross King

We Do Not Have To Speak For Jesus To Hear Us

"We Do Not Have To Speak
For Jesus To Hear Us...
When the pain leaves you speechless...
The hurt runs so deep you can't begin to pray...
Just be still In His presence...
Know He is there...
He knows your every thought...
He feels what you feel...
Let Him comfort your soul...
He will heal your heart and make you whole...
Just be still in His presence...
Be still."
(Still by Scott Zacaroli)

A SONG THAT WILL MINISTER TO YOUR HEART
Click On the Link below
and listen to this NEW song -"STILL" by Scott Zacaroli

CLICK HERE

"He leads me beside quiet waters and restores my soul." (Psalm 23:2)

I'm praying for a special friend to be restored... lift her up Lord.

Do Not Be Counted Among The Foolish

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Rise Up and Live Jesus

May we keep ourselves immersed in the things of the LORD.
Let us allow HIM to set the agendas in our lives.

God wants us to be living under the umbrella of HIS Kingdom,
shielded from the fiery darts of the evil one.

The enemy is trying to give us defeated spirits.
May we put on the whole armor of God and live in HIS Word.

Encourage and build one another up in JESUS CHRIST.
The clock is ticking and winding down.

May we purge ourselves of the things of this world,
that try to pull our hearts away from our LORD.

May our hearts weep in repentance before our God.
Rise up and LIVE JESUS... in this new day.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Walking In Faith

Following in our Lord's footsteps
takes a lot of faith.

We must keep taking those steps for Him.
Walking in faith is an adventure
that takes absolute trust.
Jesus will call us to do things that seem impossible,
but to God nothing is impossible.
What He asks us to do... will sometimes
seem too big for us to accomplish in of ourselves.
That's when He will cause us to lean on Him,
to draw upon His strength.
May we all keep stepping out for our Lord.
We must walk and exercise our Faith.
Our eyes and ears will try to give us doubts,
but when our hearts are trusting in Him...
we will soar high with the eagles.

God can move those mountains in our lives...
But we must Believe and Trust.

Jesus looked at them and said,
With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.
(Matthew 19:26)

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Flowing Down

Amazing grace... how sweet the sound...
amazing love now flowing down.
His hands and feet were nailed to the cross...
His grace flowed down and has covered me.
Thank You Jesus... may others see...
Your amazing grace living in me.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Lord Revive Our Hearts

I dare you to watch this whole video!
Please click on the link below:

CLICK HERE

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)

May every area of our lives...
confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Lord... if we be sleeping... wake us up.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

In the Event You Can Not Find Me

If I am declared missing by the police,
please click below to learn what happened to me,
through this brief two minute video:

CLICK HERE

Do not search for me... I'm safe.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

What Season Are You In

“To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

We would all rather...
laugh than weep
dance than mourn
gain than lose
heal than tear down
peace then war.

We must remember... whatever the season we are in...
it is the season to trust in Him.

"God is our refuge and strength..." - Psalm 46:1

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Stimulate One Another

"Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love
and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24

Can't think of any additional words to add to that.
Thank you Heavenly Father for pouring out Yourself
through your word... for us to better know Your ways.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Fourth of July

As a nation we can grow complacent in our land of plenty.
It is often... not until we have a tragedy or emergency
that we turn our thoughts back to God.

Our nation is about to celebrate another Independence Day.
We use this holiday to commemorate
the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
which declared our independence from Great Britain.
I am thankful for all the freedoms that we enjoy,
which have been paid for by all those who have served
and are presently serving in the armed forces.
May our nation also, humbly recognize how God has blessed us.
May our nation never operate independently of Him.

"If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

How do we typically make judgments
about matters facing our country?
Do we rely on logic and personal preference,
or do you examine the issues according to the Scriptures?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Keep Pressing On

Do not be focused on past failures or successes,
instead be focused on finishing strong for the Lord.
Philippians 3:10-21

Apostle Paul completely surrendered his old identity
and embraced his new identity in Christ.
He did not live in the past... he plowed ahead.
Paul kept pressing on to finish strong for the Lord....
He focused on being found in Jesus Christ in every area
of his life.

Have you ever been sidetrack in your walk with the Lord
by dwelling on past failures or successes?
We need to intimately and passionately keep pressing on.
The finish line is just ahead... I can almost see it.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Trusting God

Thus says the LORD,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches.
But let him who glories, glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

What if we wake up tomorrow and we've lost everything?
Everything that the world says we need to have is gone.
Would we still trust, love and worship God?
What if we lose our job, our home, our finances or our friends?
If we had nothing left in our lives besides Jesus,
would we still trust Him and still love Him no matter what happened?
Are we trusting the stuff of this world,
or maybe our own might for our secruity, instead of trusting God?

Are we able to find peace and contentment through Christ
despite what's happening around us in this world?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

We Need You Lord

Like lost wanderers in a burning, empty desert
thirst for cool, clean water,
we long for you to quench us.
In a world gone progressively mad,
with chaos all around us,
we seek refuge in the order and purpose of your law.
With evil sneaking, leaking everywhere,
spreading heavy darkness,
creating feelings of emptiness,
we hunger for your goodness and light.
Turn us around, Lord, we pray;
retrieve your sheep who have gone astray.
Draw us to the satisfaction
of your purity and righteousness.
Cleanse us, and make us more like you,
for others who are searching for meaning for their lives.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We need you, Lord.

By Joanna Fuchs

Above All ...

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

How does love cover a multitude of our sins?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Capture That Moment For Jesus

Pastor Cliff's Bible study was very inspiring tonight.
He challenged us to be "found in Jesus Christ".
To capture those passing moments in our lives
and share Jesus with all those around us.

Then I came home and logged on to a Pastor's blog in another State
and found the following story written there:

"Last Monday Morning, I was at Wal-Mart
and as I entered the building, I was practically run over
by three security officers chasing down a shop-lifter.
This young man had stolen several play station games
and as they wrestled him to the ground,
many people gathered around to watch.
It was quite a spectacle.
I thought to myself as I was buying some Doritos,
Surely, if a shoplifter can stir up that much interest,
Godly, men and women who are serious
about being set a part for God’s service
can magnetically draw people to our Jesus.
Let’s create our own spectacle in the days ahead."
Pastor Don Schultheis

In Philippians 3:9, Apostle Paul talks about being "found in Jesus".
No matter how ordinary our daily lives are
we need to look for those moments
where we can point people to Jesus.
Pastor Cliff told us to capture those moments
and build on them.

May I be found in Jesus
by a lost world who needs to know Him.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

I Am

Jesus said... "I Am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Revelation 22:13

I Am the Alpha and the Omega...
I Am the first and the last...
I Am the beginning and the end...
I Am the maker of the heavens and the earth...
I Am the breath of all creation...
I Am the Kings of Kings...
I Am the holy lamb of God...
I Am your fountain of living water...
I Am the risen Son of God...
I Am the healer of the broken hearted...
I Am the one who bore the sins of man...
I Am the word upon your heart...
I Am the one who knew you before you were born...
I Am the one who walked on water...
I Am the one who calmed the seas...

I Am your Savior and Redeemer.

There are only four possibilities.
Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, a legend,
or the Truth.

Jesus is our Truth... He wants to be our Lord of everything.
Will we call upon Him... to calm our seas
and allow Him to continue to transform us
in every area of our lives ?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Sick and Tired ?

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?

I don't know where you been,
or where you are today.
But Jesus is ready to wrap His arms around you.

Tell Jesus that you need His help and forgiveness.
He will transform you and give you a new life.
No more... sick and tired.

I am with you always,
until the end of the world. - Matthew 28:20

Our Savior never fails us.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God