Welcome to Friends!

Is it time?

2009-08-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

Found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according as they loved. Hosea 9:10

One basket [had] very good figs, [even] like the figs [that are] first ripe: and the other basket [had] very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good. Jeremiah 24:2-5

Two examples of God using a fig tree to describe the Jewish people.

Matthew 24:32-34

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth; this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Jeremiah 30:3
3 The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,' says the LORD."
When did the Jews begin their return to Israel? 1949 they became a Country, recognized by the UN.

Zechariah 12:3
3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.

The USA has always been a supporter of Israel. However we now have an administration who is more interested in apologizing to the middle east, and bowing down before them. We have opened up our nation to hamas (terrorist) as "refugees" and we are paying them to come and live here.

How about the third Temple
2 Thessalonians 2-4
4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

“During these days of intense pressure upon Israel to freeze all building and stifle all Jewish life in Judea, Samaria and parts of Jerusalem," says organizer Moshe Kahn, an attendee of the original Woodstock event in 1969, "it’s only fitting to respond with an event that brings tens of thousands of proud Jews together to gather strength and encouragement from one another and prepare for the struggle ahead. Music alone has the strength to accomplish that.”

“We are not coming just for an extraordinary night of music and Torah lectures,” says Yekutiel Ben-Yaakov of Tapuach, another organizer, “but rather to show that the Temple Mount is where it all begins. We are a sovereign Jewish nation, free to live and build wherever we want in our land, and especially on Judaism’s holiest site in the world. We demand our basic civil rights on the Temple Mount, and we want our message to be heard in Washington and around the world: We have returned to the hills of Shomron for eternity, and the Land of Israel is not for sale.”

“Yes to the hilltops and the Temple Mount, no to Capitol Hill and Washington,” Ben-Yaakov concluded. “We want G-d to look down on us and see us fulfilling His trust in us.”
(reported in Isrealnationnews)

There are several other "signs" It's not really my desire to talk about the End of times and when it will take place.

Matthew 24:34 This generation will not pass. Is 1949 the date of the return of Isreal? if so what is a generation? 70 years 100 years? is it the generation who returned in 1949? 70 years from 1949 is 2019.

My real question is this. If the Church REALLY thought Christ could return tomorrow would we be acting the way we do, would we live the same way? If you Really thought you may not be here tomorrow would you be worried about setting your tivo to record your favorite show, or would you be out pleading with your friends and family to accept Christ. Would you be worried about what was for dinner, or what the orphaned children had to eat. Or the widows. Christ said for what you do to them you do to me. You serve the Hungry, you actually serve Christ a meal!

Who are we serving? TODAY might be it. Where are your treasures?

If you are reading this and you have never had a relationship with Christ, He wants you to. Below is a prayer that if you pray will bring you to Him.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe in you and that your Word is true. I believe and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God and that he died on the cross so that I may now have forgiveness for my sins and have eternal life in the Name of Jesus Christ. I know that without you in my heart my life is meaningless and I am without hope. I believe in my heart that you, Lord God, raised Him from the dead. Please, Jesus, forgive me, for every sin I have ever committed or done in my heart. Please, Lord Jesus, forgive me and come into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior today. I need you to be my Father and my friend. I give you my life and ask you to take full control from this moment on; I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ." I thank you for adding my name into your Book of Life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

For us Christians, We need to be in prayer. For the Lost, Israel, OUR NATION that it will turn from its ways. For our Leaders and their salvation. For ourselves that we will turn from our own desires and seek HIM.

Non-negotiable

2009-08-04T15:54:00.002-05:00

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now. ~ Zig Ziglar

Jennifer and Chris has become my role models for budget keeping and sticking to their guns to get what they truly want. Chris' favorite mantra when talking to Mark and I about a budget is "non-negotiable"! If it's not in the budget, it ain't gonna happen.

That takes a lot of reprogramming of the brain! I want what I want and I want it now!!! I have come to the conclusion that I need to really figure out what I want and then decide just how far I'm going to go to get it. (yes, legally...) I (Mark and I) need to write concrete goals that show me where I am going. Then I need to write a concrete plan on how I am going to get there.

I find that I get upset because I can't buy the big things because I have sluffed away all the money on little things that are gratifying only for the moment. I have no back-up plan if the car goes ka-put, I have no way to fix something major if it needs to be fixed, I can't drive to Oklahoma in an emergency...unhappiness and anxiousness comes from not being able to take care of these things when I need to.

But do you know who I need to include in this??? GOD!

Lord, help me have the self-control to pursue the path which you have set before me. Allow me to have the focus and commitment to you and all that you have for me. Surround me with your protection for when the enemy comes to tempt me away from your ultimate plan, for I know that temptation is not from you. Continue to give me the strength to face the trials of learning how to change my brain, change my lifestyle, change my ideas about what I am doing. You are in charge and with you I can accomplish anything!

In Him, Friends,
LEH

Intercessory Prayer

2009-07-26T14:04:00.003-05:00

Friday night at Focus, Tim brought a great topic about intercessory prayer. We all had a great discussion about what it is exactly, went to the Word to find the answer, and began to understand our need to pray for others.

What is intercessory prayer? (from http://www.gotquestions.org/intercessory-prayer.html)
Intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament, in the cases of Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this, all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
God calls all Christians to be intercessors. It is God’s desire that every believer be active in intercessory prayer. What a wonderful and exalted privilege we have in being able to come boldly before the throne of Almighty God with our prayers and requests!

We all are to pray for the blessings of others and for those who need. We are to pray for EVERYONE, (yes, including our leaders Tim!!!), and if we pray with full faith, then what we pray for will be given.

Keep praying!! It keeps us coneected. Not only with God, but with each other!
In Him,
LEH

2009-06-22T09:05:00.001-05:00

Worship...

2009-06-09T18:04:00.000-05:00

A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Commit to the LORD

2009-06-03T21:31:00.001-05:00

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. - Proverbs 16:3

National Day of Prayer

2009-05-07T14:50:00.002-05:00

What A cool time. I did not know what to expect, since I had never attended one of these. I expected a lot of watered down PC prayers, but was happily surprised that most of those who led the prayers spoke loudly and proudly of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message was even presented. It was very very cool to see Men, Women and children openly express their Faith in the ONE true God! Of course there was a small hand full of lost people there picketing. They were even prayed for! I wanted to go engage some of them and question them on their signs, but I didn't God just placed it on my heart to pray, Father forgive them they know not what they do, and to also pray for their salvation.

It is an amazing thing to step out of your comfort zone, and praise and worship our Father. Honestly I did not want to go down there, it was out side my comfort zone, I'm glad I did, I came away feeling blessed. I pray Friends will grow closer to God, and will truly lead a life of full devotion. I pray our country will have a great awakening, and revival, that we will as a nation come back to Him!

I hope you all pray along with me! Thank you all for being a part of Friends!

THE PEARL NECKLACE

2009-05-01T22:18:00.002-05:00

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost seven. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face...

"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Lindsey got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Lindsey loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath . Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Lindsey had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Lindsey, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail.. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."

"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Lindsey's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll . The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Lindsey was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Lindsey? What's the matter?"

Lindsey didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. When she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Lindsey's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Lindsey.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

The greatest gifts happen when you share love and touch others.

God Loves You! When in doubt Pray!

God Still Answers Prayer.

I love this story, God used this story several years ago to speak to me. Give me your junk He said, and I will give you real treasure! Sometimes I still don't want to give up my JUNK! Somehow I am fooled into thinking the JUNK this world offers is real, but it's not!

Prayer needed...

2009-04-25T16:12:00.003-05:00

Pray for Mark's family. His twelve year old niece was killed in horseback riding accident yesterday...

I seen the sun rise today!

2009-04-21T20:33:00.001-05:00

Who moved my Cheese?

2009-04-06T21:22:00.002-05:00

Friends has been through so much over the years! Births, Deaths, marriages, breakups. Spiritual growth, and even spiritual decline. We have had more up's and downs then the craziest of roller coasters! Well, here we go again! God has a way of getting our attention when he wants it! Sometimes he likes to hit you across the forehead with a 2X4! As much as I hate change, I personally have really come to the understanding that God places us in these "tough times" for our own good! I can now understand the joy Paul speaks of! I have felt for some time Friends was on the verge of something big, I never imagined it would happen like this. I'm not sure yet where we will land. I'm sure the group will change, I think we will see new faces, and lose some familiar faces. I pray that each and everyone of you will pray, seeking God guidance in this time of growth. I just spent some time reading Hebrews 11. Read it, think about it. Where does God want you? Right now that is all that matters, that we obey Him and have Faith in Him that he will lead each of us to the place HE wants us!

Recall Notice

2009-03-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units
manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in
the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all
subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed
"Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as
S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect,
is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to
correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the
entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus,
into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it
with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers'
Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of
these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be
permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that
facility. Thank you for your attention!
- GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this
important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by
'Knee mail'.

2009-03-20T23:59:00.001-05:00

From “The Power of a Praying Woman Bible” by Stormie Omartian
Going Deeper
Thank God For His Love

Read and consider Zephaniah 3:8-20

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:8)

The Lord is with you. What joy there is in knowing that God is with you! You always have a line of open communication with Him because He is omnipresent. Whether your prayers are long or short, the Lord hears them all. Thank Him that He is a God who is close to you.

The Lord is mighty to save. Rejoice that you have been snatched from the jaws of hell because of God’s great love. He has provided salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, and He accepts your repentance for sin no matter how many times you come to Him with a repentant heart. Thank Him for His salvation and continuing forgiveness.

The Lord takes great delight in you...He will rejoice over you with singing. Just as you rejoice in the victories of others, God will rejoice over you with gladness. Like the Father that He is, He is proud of His children. He is glad when you follow His will and live a life that will cause others to want to know Him. Thank Him for His joyful delight in you.

The Lord will quiet you with His love. In times of turmoil, if you turn to the Lord, He will quiet you with His love. There is peace in knowing that whatever circumstances come you way, God will be there to guide you through. In good times and bad, His love will comfort your pain and soothe your weariness. Thank Him for His peace in you.

Rejoice daily in this profound relationship you have with the Almighty God. Thank Him again and again for His presence and love in

your life, even when you know you don’t deserve it.

God bless,

cat

(with God, all things are possible - Matt. 19:26)

Tim...GO

2009-03-15T21:12:00.005-05:00

BUT I DON'T WANNA!!! I felt God telling me to get on my bike and ride out to Boerne Stage Airfield today! I really don't want to, but ok...if you want me to ride to Boerne I will. So off I go. I know usually I would be more then ready to go hang out at a airport. In case you didn't know...I like Airplanes! So there I am sitting at the airport watching planes come and go. It was a beautiful day, there were a lot of planes in the pattern. I had fun. But I'm still waiting for the reason...why am I here? Finally a man shows up with his two little grandchildren. I kinda listen in while he was trying to explain to them what all was going on. It was obvious he was a pilot. I finally engaged him in some conversation, learned he was indeed a pilot, who used to own his own plane, but gave it to a ministry. Hmmm, A Christian guy. A little more talk and I find out he is the General Counsel for The Justice Foundation. This is the group who represents Norma McCorvey, who was “Jane Roe” in Roe v. Wade, and Sandra Cano, who was “Mary Doe” in Doe v. Bolton, in their legal efforts to reverse their 1973 Supreme Court rulings that made abortion on demand legal in America. http://www.operationoutcry.org

So why did God want me to meet him? I still don't know...YET. It was interesting to watch as he left. We both had this look like there was something more, we just were not sure yet. I'm sure when God is ready to reveal it, He will!

Are you listening? I'm HIS HANDS

Patience...or recognizable peace...

2009-03-11T14:31:00.002-05:00

Dictionary.com defines patience as: an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence

An ability or willingness to suppress annoyance??? Seriously! That tries my patience! :O)

The topic for the last week was "In what areas is God working on in your life?" Well, I already know that He is working on my patience. However, I will NEVER ask him to help me learn patience.

Mark lives 400 miles away. We're trying to plan a wedding, and make our lives together with a very large distance between us. I am not a patient person to begin with, then to add to life the question of when he'll be able to move down here...my stress level is high, my ability to suppress annoyance is a non-factor. AND YET... I know this is the area God so wants me to let go of and let Him do His mighty work.

We're getting married May 9, 2009. We've been talking about verses that mean something to us, and last night I looked up Psalm 59:9...I will wait for you, O His strength, for God is my defense...

I will wait...I will wait...I will wait... Lord, I don't ask for patience, I know you want me to learn it. Lord, I ask for the recognizable peace You offer me as I gain the ability from You to suppress the restlessness in my life.

Enjoy your week. I hope you allow God to continue to work in your lives!

Running Partners

2009-02-24T20:59:00.003-06:00

Week 4 is coming up. The half way point. How are you doing? What has been your experience? I have been struggling! Life is getting in the way. All of a sudden I have so much going on and I find myself not focusing. Then again...am I really not focusing? I obviously have realized something is not "right". I guess that brings up a good question. Have you ever said or felt something is wrong? The next time you think something is wrong, ask yourself this...WHAT RIGHT about the situation you are in.

Even though I may not be focusing the way I should, I do see that My awareness of God has changed. I know he is there and He is waiting for me to focus on Him again.

Please share your thoughts this week! Leave a comment, let us know how you are doing!

Make contact with your running partner!!!! I hope to see everyone Sunday morning...

Ephesians 4:4-6 there is one Body and one Spirit-Just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of ALL, who is over all and through all and in all

60/60

2009-02-15T18:44:00.004-06:00

Today was week 2, a group lesson. It is interesting to hear from others how the 60/60 is impacting their lives. I know I can say my awareness of God's presence in my life is more noticeable, but I also recognise my shortcoming in keeping my focus on HIM!

I wanted to list the 60/60 experiment for this week.

1.pay attention to promptings. with every "beep" take a moment to reflect on the past hour. Ask God to show you where He might have been prompting you to respond differently. Ask Him to guide you and help you respond better to promptings in the next hour.

2 Take Risks to respond. When you think God might want you to respond, don't let fear of people or the future hold you back. Engage in some God induced risky behaviour and see what happens. Make notes about what you lean throughout the day.

3 Know Gods will. It's impossible to respond to Gods will if your not really sure what His will is in the moment. Browse www.soulrevolution.net to access an interactive resource to help you understand what God says in the scriptures about issues you may be facing.

4 Connect with Others. Talk to a friend or small group to discuss what you're learning about yourself and God. Be sure to record in a journal and on our blogspot what you discover about responding to Gods promptings. Its always helpful to learn from each others discoveries.

As you Begin your week keep these 4 instructions handy. Read them and read them again. Go all out, and let see what this produces. Come back and leave comments, lets us know what is going on in your life. I will be praying for you all this week!

Steve and Peggy

2009-02-14T13:07:00.002-06:00

Lets all be sure to keep Steve and Peggy in out prayers! They are in Saltillo Mexico on a mission trip, and Steve is leading the team! Pray that they will have a successful trip and reach as many as possible. Praay also for God guidance and protection of the team!

Did you get the Email?

2009-02-11T20:09:00.001-06:00

One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on. So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.

When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.'

So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time. When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help th em keep going.

Do you know what the e-mail said?

? ? ? ?

Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.

Where are you?

2009-02-08T20:38:00.003-06:00

60/60 That's all we hear lately, right? I have to admit I am not a "book" person. I would Rather study THE BOOK! after beginning the experiment I have to say i think it is very interesting! Of course you could get the same info right out of the Bible, but I guess what it amounts to is someone else did the foot work and made it easier for people to get. Regardless, the real question is Where are you? Are you in relationship with God? I admit I sometimes struggle with keeping a close relationship with HIM! Sometimes it feels like He is not there. I feel very alone, forgotten, confused. Sometimes I want to get mad at God. shake my fist at Him and yell why did you bring me here if you were just gonna let me fall down AGAIN.

I know others who are the same way. Complain about the same ole things over and over again. Keep having the same problems over and over again. Is God forgetting about them too?

NO!!!!

I have come to the realization that it is not God who turns His back, but it is us. He is always there, waiting for us to turn to Him and reach out for help!

Why do WE refuse to accept Him? Why do WE refuse to just be willing, and to let Him lead. How many times do I/WE have to fall down before we realize all we have to do is keep reaching up, and our Father will be there!

60/60 is just about keeping our eyes fixed on Him. Learning how to let Him lead us. He is waiting, He never leaves our side.

I love this video. It is so true! He is there waiting for you!

SUPER BOWL

2009-02-01T22:12:00.011-06:00

Super bowl party was fun. Thanks to all who came!
We always enjoy sharing our home with you all.

Its great to have new friends coming in and being a part of the community!

Yes Jennifer its true the Cards lost :-(
Hi Christy! I see you back there

Chef Hunter sampling the food to ensure it is high enough quality for his friends!
Thanks again all, what fun! But now Im tired! Lets see you pictures LeAnne! Oh yeah, dont forget everyone Mark will be here next weekend...Guys we need to have a 'chat' with this guy!

A Letter From Janette Hughes in Sudan

2009-01-26T14:36:00.003-06:00

January 25, 2008

Hello from your favorite “African”! It is Christmas day and I just re-read all of the notes y’all sent me before Thanksgiving (I got them a couple of weeks ago). You all are a huge blessing to me and are truly helping me on the battlefield from way across the ocean! Knowing you are praying for me and thinking of me means more than you could ever know! Please keep the notes coming – and prayers!

As you probably know, you can email me but I may not get your letter for months at a time. I’ll be in Machakos & Nairobi, Kenya for AIM’s Africa Based Orientation (ABO) which they require of all new missionaries – from Jan. 18 to Feb. 14 or so, so I’ll hope to get on line a bit then.

Congratulations to Jeff on his new position at Grace Point. I am so glad our church community can see when there’s a wise & godly one among us! I’ll be praying for you, Jeff.

The last week or so has been good overall as we’ve settled back into the Didinga life. Although his intentions were good, the county commissioner’s efforts here have not done much to bring justice & order (esp. with the known criminals). Even so, we have had a very warm reception from many of the families, especially those that live right near our tukul (hut). And we have had no more threats or thefts of significance (so far!).

My whole team senses that the Holy Spirit is guiding us and assuring us once more that this is what God wants us to be doing. The Didinga people, like most Africans, are very people/relationship oriented, and coming “home” my team realized we felt strongly about “visiting” our neighbors more often. Each family lives in a compound, which is usually separated from all other compounds by at least ¼ mile. A family compound usually includes a “patriarch”; one main Didinga man, along with his 2 or 3 wives.

Each wife has her own tukul and all these tukuls are surrounded by a stick fence. The ground is usually bare and hard, and the fence usually has trees outside of it to provide shade. Also in the compound there’s usually some sort of storage hut, a corn “hut” raised on stilts, and a corral of some sort of the livestock (cattle, goats, and/or sheep, often all mixed together). There are always chickens, dogs & an occasional cat, not to mention several children from babies to young adults.

All of the work is done by the women, except for some of the planting and the tending of animals. They hand water, harvest crops, maintain the crops (weeding), gather firewood, do all the labor-intensive food preparation, do the wash, and so on. Inside the tukul is dark – no windows & the thatch roof lets in a little sunlight. They cook inside the hut so it’s usually very smoky and hot inside, and people do not really visit inside the hut. Rather, each compound has a fire ring or two, called a “naparit”-one inside the fence and one outside the fence. So when we go around to visit, the proper protocol is to sit at the outside naparit and holler, “Aikutuno?” (Greeting) until someone shows up and invites you to the “inside” naparit to sit and visit.

So as we’ve made our visits around this week, mostly to our home stay families (families we lived with the 1st week here), we have had the best times chatting and catching up with our Didinga friends. During several visits, the “Baba” of the compound made a special “speech” to us to let us know how much they want us here in Makeria, that they feel like our adopted families – Tianne, my roomie’s stayed at a man named Dominic’s & he told us he thought of her as a daughter, and many others said similar things to express their willingness to stand by us and to help us & to work alongside us. A few of them even asked us to pray for them! And this all from a “lost” tribe of people.

The past couple of days has been a community holiday – the Catholics came through in the ‘50’s and some residual influence is evident, i.e. many Didinga have their “Christian” name & their Didinga name, like Nagidichi “Margarita”. Also, they know about Christmas, or “Natali” but it’s definitely solely a reason to get drunk & roudy. Since our “ministry” portion of our TIMO time has not started, we have not done any formal outreach as of yet. It is very time consuming to learn the language, not to mention the hours it takes just to “survive” here.

We are hoping to see a big Didinga dance tomorrow. I saw the end of one last month. It’s mainly for the older teen girls & boys and they all get dressed in their best clothes. The girls are usually topless but have beautiful beaded necklaces/chokers and head bands, copper & brass wrist bangles, beaded goatskin skirts, and beaded bells around their ankles that jingle as they dance, which is mainly jumping. The boys usually have pants or shorts & t-shirts with colorful cloth draped across their chest or around their shoulders, and they also have beaded necklaces, bracelets & even earrings. I’ll write more when I actually see a dance!

One aspect of my daily life is the constant visitations by the area women & children, mostly children (who often have no occupation or school to keep them busy). These visits are a source of joy and of exhaustion and are often “inconvenient” in my western perspective. But these times have allowed me & my hut mates to bond with many of the kids here, particularly several teenage boys, as well as a number of women. One boy, age 14, named Joseph is a very smart boy & he likes to get jobs from us. He speaks fairly good English and is going to the area UNICEF school. He asked us for a Bible so I gave him my pocket sized Bible & Elly (roomie) has spent time reading with him.

Anyway, I’ve got other letter to write but wanted to give you a good slice of my life here. This work is very taxing in every way, but God is faithful to provide me with all I need each day & continues to draw me near to Him. I am very happy here despite the hardship & trials!

Please share my prayer requests with my Grace Point Family, and know that I’m praying for you. God bless you all in your own EPIC journeys!

Love in Christ, Janette

Praises & Prayer Requests:

- Pray that the beer (“merte”) these people drink (even the children) would be very unsatisfying and they would se how much destruction it causes (fights, sickness, etc).
That they will thirst for the Living Water of Jesus instead.

- Pray for continued relationships to strengthen with our home-stay families & neighbors.

- Pray for balance in our lives; study, visiting, rest, etc.

- Praise God for our new supplies & full pantries!

- Praise God for placing each of us with specific Didinga families & our special love for them.

2009-01-21T20:00:00.000-06:00

Define: Friends

2009-01-13T19:44:00.006-06:00

I was amazed on Sunday...35 people in class! We were busting at the seams and it was awesome!

I am surprised how many people are connecting with the study of Biblical Marriage, and all the applications it has in our lives, even if we aren't married, engaged or even in a relationship! At first I was concerned because Why would I want to learn about how to have a Biblical Marriage when I'm not even married. Then I realized...well, at some point in time I will be married. At some point in time, I might need to use the lessons I am learning.

Also, I like learning God's view on the male and female roles in relationships, and life. It's amazing to get into the Word and seeing what He says about how we should act, treat others, and work with the opposite sex.

Class is changing - we're moving from a mainly singles class to a mixed class of couples and singles. I love it! I love that we (Friends) have made such an impact on people that they are free to move on with thier lives relationally, but find the rest of us "singles" as thier "Life Group".
The good thing is - we can all learn from each other. It's awesome that way! And this study on marriage brings to light a better understanding that even marrieds have quesitons about marriage ~ that they don't understand it all! There's hope for us all! (And it comes from God!)

Check out the definition of Friends I found...God's love is amazing, and our love for each other is apparent everytime we're together.
Word History: A friend is a lover, literally. The relationship between Latin amīcus "friend" and amō "I love" is clear, as is the relationship between Greek philos "friend" and phileō "I love." In English, though, we have to go back a millennium before we see the verb related to friend. At that time, frēond, the Old English word for "friend," was simply the present participle of the verb frēon, "to love."

Be there, be apart, live, laugh, learn...LOVE...cuz...That's what Friends are for.

Janette Hughes in Sudan - December 2008

2009-01-05T17:24:00.013-06:00

LORD, MAY THEY BE ONE AS WE ARE ONE - JOHN 17

Janette’s recent letter to me came with some requests that she asked me to get to her church family:

Praises:

- Except for a few minor injuries, all of Didinga TIMO is healthy & well.

- We are learning Didinga language & the people are friendly & helpful “teachers”

- New chief desires for us to focus on bringing God’s word to Didinga people

- Team is getting along very well / unitedPrayer

Requests:

- Continued safety; pray no more thefts will occur

- Progress in learning the language & making friends with individuals

- That the people will not see us as a source of material goods, but see Christ in us & that we would want Him more than anything elseStay in Touch!

It would encourage Janette greatly if you would send letters. Postage is only .94 cents and it doesn’t take any special send off by the Post office. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or multi-paged. Just write what you would say to her if you were to see her at church and maybe even share the bread God has been baking in your heart. Photos would be great too, if available.

If you want to send her something other than a letter, send it in a bubble mailers or bubble envelopes.

The following address is the correct & current one regardless of any other info you might have or see on the church website or anywhere else:

Janette Hughes
c/o Didinga TIMO via Loki
AIM International Services
P.O. Box 21171
Nairobi 00505 Kenya

Thank you and God bless you!!

Cathy Knowlton

What I ought to do...

2009-01-04T18:13:00.004-06:00

I am only one, But I am ONE;
I cannot do everything
But I can do Something.
What I can do, I ought to do
and what I ought to do
By the Grace of God, I will DO. Canon Farrar

The rumble of Jesus...

2009-01-01T16:02:00.007-06:00

Yes...the rumble of Jesus. This morning I rode over to the Walmart at 1604 and 281 and witnessed the Annual Jan 1 Blessing of the bikes.
I bet there was 400 bikes there. Yes there was a rumble! It was exciting, but not as exciting as what Happened after the blessing. The majority of the bikes left, but 61 bikes stayed and then rode to the Sam Shelter downtown. I can tell you 61 bikes rumbling down the Highway is an attention getter!

It was also the annual SOX and BOX run. People bring Socks and underwear and ride to the shelter and give them out to the homeless. It was a amazing to so many different people all there for the same thing to serve Christ. A large number of them didn't look the "Christian" type, if you know what I mean. I also took several copies of the evangelism new testament bibles i have to hand out. Most of the homeless know the "routine" show up get the handout talk nice and go back to their spot where they live. One can only pray that even just one might be reached with the truth!
I want to challenge you all from Day one of this new year to keep Christ first, becomes servants of the King and have a blessed year. My "Friends" have been prayed for and will continue to be prayed for that you will have a blessed year, and that this will be the year that you go ALL IN and serve Him Completely.
Remember we are all in this together!

Who are you cheering for?

2008-12-29T20:50:00.003-06:00

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.

It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team's fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"

It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.

"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"

And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.

But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.

This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.

So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"

And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!

"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"

It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"

Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.

After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.

As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.

The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."

And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.

Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.

Hope.

Cheering for the other team, what an idea. Our culture today is take care of yourself, cuz if you don't no one else will. Or "looking out for number one"

If our focus is where it needs to be, then we would always be cheering for the other team!

Are you ready to serve Him? Jeff talked about being all in, are you ready to go ALL IN?

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T19:39:00.002-06:00

On this night before Christmas, the day we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus...

2008-12-17T21:24:00.002-06:00

Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

I love and hate Christmas. I love the Spirit of Christmas, I hate the madness we have created and associate with it. As Christians we have to remember what it is all about. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour!

I'm not one of these people who think we should not give present. I see nothing wrong with coming together as a family and exchanging gift. But, what do you do in remembrance of Him? It is his birthday after all...did you buy him a gift? How can you buy him a gift, you might be saying...well, go back and read that passage from Matthew. Do you know a child in need? What about a widow who has no family visiting them for Christmas? 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me don't forgeta gift for Jesus

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jesus...

2008-12-14T21:34:00.003-06:00

Well, yet another Friends Christmas party is over. I'm not sure I have ever seen Steve laugh so hard!!! If you didn't make it you were missed. Pictures to Come!

The month before Christmas

2008-12-12T22:47:00.001-06:00

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas ... No one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday."
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X-BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Durbin, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Reed, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say ...
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Teach the Children

2008-12-06T22:12:00.010-06:00

This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement.
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,
"Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
"Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.".

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.
"Teach the children that I, St. Nick, ( Santa Claus ) symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.
"Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,

"Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."

Marvelous Love

2008-12-05T08:10:00.001-06:00

On a cold Christmas Eve in 1952, when Korea was in the throes of civil war, one young woman struggled along a village street, obviously soon to deliver a child. She pleaded with passersby,

"Help me! Please. My baby."

No one paid any attention to her.

A middle-aged couple walked by. The wife pushed away the young mother and sneered,

"Where's the father? Where's your American man now?"

The couple laughed and went on.

The young woman almost doubled up from a contraction as she watched them go.

"Please . . ." she begged.

She had heard of a missionary living nearby who might help her. Hurriedly, she began walking to that village. If only he would help her baby. Shivering and in pain, she struggled over the frozen countryside. But the night was so cold. Snow began to fall. Realizing that the time was near to deliver her baby, she took shelter under a bridge. There, alone, her baby was born on Christmas Eve.

Worried about her newborn son, she took off her own clothes, wrapped them around the baby and held him close in the warm circle of her arms.

The next day, the missionary braved the new snow to deliver Christmas packages. As he walked along, he heard the cry of a baby. He followed the sound to a bridge. Under it, he found a young mother frozen to death, still clutching her crying new born son. The missionary tenderly lifted the baby out of her arms.

When the baby was 10 years old, his now adoptive father told him the story of his mother's death on Christmas Eve.

The young boy cried, realizing the sacrifice his mother had made for him.

The next morning, the missionary rose early to find the boy's bed empty. Seeing a fresh set of small footprints in the snow outside, he bundled up warmly in a winter coat and followed the trail. It led back to the bridge where the young mother had died.

As the missionary approached the bridge, he stopped, stunned. Kneeling in the snow was his son, naked and shivering uncontrollably. His clothes lay beside him in a small pile. Moving closer, he heard the boy say through chattering teeth:

"Mother, were you this cold for me?"

That story reminds me of another mother and Son who sacrificed so much. One winter night, Jesus left his home, His glory and the warmth of heaven to be born in a stable to an unwelcome world. Just before He was born, Mary, His mother, was not welcome in any of the cozy inns in Bethlehem. Instead, she delivered her baby in the darkness of a cold stable. Th e Creator of the Universe, the Perfect Judge who could destroy the world with a single word, was willing to endure this inauspicious beginning for you and me. That is unconditional love!

We who have experienced God's unconditional love are commanded to share that love with others. John writes in 1 John 4:11,

"Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other" (New Living Translation).

God wants us to express His supernatural love to others. We become examples of God's love to the world as we love our neighbors through the enabling of His Holy Spirit.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul's prayer for the believers in Ephesians 3:17,18:

"May your roots go down deep in to the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is" (NLT ) .

You may confess, "I don't have that kind of love to share with anyone." To experience God's supernatural love, claim it by faith. We have the potential to love anyone God puts in our path. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my Christian life is "how to love by faith."

When we by faith invite God's unconditional love to flow through us, we will discover a rekindled love that is alive and well. That is true for an "unlovable" spouse, boss, employee, or anyone.

Nothing breaks the hardened ground of unforgiveness and bitterness like sincere acts and words of love. Sometimes you and I, by faith, must take the first step of restoration. A positive response may not be immediate, but keep on loving and reaching out. There is no power on earth stronger than God's supernatural love.

The Christmas Story

2008-12-04T08:31:00.002-06:00

The story of the Birth of Christ Jesus

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Christmas Story
"About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown, for the census. As a descendant of David he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the hostel.

There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him."

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!" (Luke 2:1-20).

It was a simple scene that first Christmas – a rough room, a young couple and nothing but a feeding trough to put the child in. It was probably quite cold and with family far away there was little help. Not exactly the Hallmark moment we like to show in Christmas pageants. And yet this rustic scene marked the greatest event in the history of mankind.

God's Son became human and came to earth to save us. God had promised to send a Messiah, one who would save His people. He could have easily burst on the scene as a full grown man, a seven foot warrior with fiery eyes and arms of steel. This was what many people were looking for, but it wasn't how God did it. He arrived in the arms of a young girl. He was, as another of our authors put it, "a very small package, wrapped in rags, given from the heart of God. The perfect gift."

God gave His only Son to die in our place so that we, in all our brokenness, could know forgiveness. He came so that we could know what love feels like, real love – love that never leaves, love that never disappoints, love that is never betrayed. He sent His Son into a corrupted world to bring us hope.

How are you doing this Christmas?
Are you having a hard time finding hope in the world? Are you having a hard time finding peace? It doesn't have to be that way. You can have peace and find hope and know forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Bring peace to my world this Christmas. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life as He promised. If you invited Jesus Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life.

Black Friday...Tis the season...Season of what?

2008-11-28T11:13:00.005-06:00

Black Friday took a grim turn when a Wal~Mart employee in New York died after bargain hunters broke down the doors to the store.

The 34-year-old male employee was pronounced dead one hour after shoppers broke down the doors to the shopping center in Valley Stream, N.Y., and knocked him down at around 5 a.m. Friday, police said.

"He was bum-rushed by 200 people," Jimmy Overby, the man's 43-year-old co-worker told the New York Daily News. "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. They took me down too ... I literally had to fight people off my back."

That was a report in today's news...I loved Christmas as a child, I also loved Christmas as a parent of young Children, But I am starting to not like the season as much these days. It is not the CHRISTmas season anymore, its the winter holidays (as the world like to call it now). It's the time of spending more money then you have, it's a time of greed and selfishness. Sometimes to me that's what it feels like it has become.

As CHRIST followers lets all be very aware of what the season is, it is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Lets remember to Praise him throughout this next month...Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T22:52:00.003-06:00

I'm Thank full for so much, Family, FRIENDS, the many many blessings God has given me.

I am thankful for each of you! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

In the news today...

2008-11-12T08:57:00.005-06:00

Just in Time for CHRISTmas...an anti-God compaign will begin here in the U.S. Simuliar to the one underway in the U.K.

Also Breaking News >> Judge Enters Final Ruling, Making Connecticut 2nd State Now Allowing Gay Marriage

1 John 1:15-17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16
For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Jude 1:17-22 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

THE SUPREME CLIMB

2008-11-11T17:35:00.000-06:00

"Take now thy son ." Genesis 22:2
God's command is - Take now, not presently. It is extraordinary how we debate! We know a thing is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it at once. To climb to the height God shows can never be done presently, it must be done now. The sacrifice is gone through in will before it is performed actually.
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning and went unto the place of which God had told him" (v. 3). The wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not confer with flesh and blood. Beware when you want to confer with flesh and blood, i.e., your own sympathies, your own insight, anything that is not based on your personal relationship to God. These are the things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.
Abraham did not choose the sacrifice. Always guard against self-chosen service for God; self-sacrifice may be a disease. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential order of God for you is a hard time of difficulty, go through with it, but never choose the scene of your martyrdom. God chose the crucible for Abraham, and Abraham made no demur; he went steadily through. If you are not living in touch with Him, it is easy to pass a crude verdict on God. You must go through the crucible before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because in the crucible you learn to know God better. God is working for His highest ends until His purpose and man's purpose become one.

The Books of the Bible...

2008-10-28T21:48:00.001-05:00

SO! We've been challenged to learn the books of the bible by November 16... Can we do it? YES, WE CAN!

From one pumpkin to Another

2008-10-25T23:32:00.001-05:00

From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!

A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?'
The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.' God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the
dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of
you to shine for all the world to see.'

Caveat emptor

2008-10-22T22:29:00.002-05:00

Buyer beware, I have been trying to encourage myself and my friends to really get into the one only book that we can really trust, and to hold other works up to the truth detector (God's word). I have read many great Christian books (non-fiction) that I have felt where great books, with a great message. I do not read fiction, but I was interested in this book and decided to check it out. Even one of our pastors recommended it. However, what I found out in researching this book was that it was rather misleading and confusing in many ways. Below is one review I found on the book. There are several out there and I would suggest checking them out before reading the book. As Christians I think we need to be very aware that satan will try to deceive you any way he can. Im not saying that this book is from satan, I'm just saying hold it up to the truth detector and make your own judgment based on the Truth of Gods word. Don't let "little" untruths slip into your mind and cause confusion. The book I refer to is The Shack, and here is the review based on Biblical teaching.

SHACK ATTACK - OR A CALL TO DISCERNMENT?

“Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.” -Charles Spurgeon

At the encouragement of friends, I recently read The Shack by William P. Young. A national bestseller widely embraced by some churches and many professing Christians, The Shack is a work of fiction that embodies lengthy conversations between the main character, a man named Mack, and three persons who represent a version of the Trinity.

Frankly, I was dismayed at many messages conveyed by The Shack and have been surprised that many of my Christian friends have read the book uncritically, finding it a charming and heart-warming story. Some say that it is unfair to have theological expectations since the book is fiction. However, The Shack is marketed as a spiritually transforming book, and it being received that way by many.

It seems to me that a more critical reading is required of The Shack than a secular work of fiction because the author creates characters that purport to speak as God and to guide Mack on his spiritual journey. The fictional story becomes a device to have characters representing the Godhead explain a particular theology. As believers, our spiritual antennas should be fully deployed when we approach such a book.

In The Shack, God the Father appears to Mack as a large, jovial black woman whom Mack calls “Papa.” The Holy Spirit appears as a small Asian woman, and Jesus appears as a Jewish man. Putting aside gender confusion and the attempt to give human form and voice to the Father and Holy Spirit (“no man hath seen God at any time,” John 1:8), it is critical for the Christian reader to carefully consider the message author Young has those voices bring and to weigh their message in the light of the clear teaching of the Bible. That is to exercise discernment, a requirement – not an option – for Christians.

When we read The Shack with discernment, I submit that we find many distortions and untruths. Consider just a few of the words Young puts in the mouths of his created Trinity (my comments are within the parentheses):

Papa to Mack: “We [the Trinity] have limited ourselves out of respect for you.” (Isn’t this Open Theism – God choosing to limit Himself?)

Jesus: “God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things . . .” (Isn’t this Pantheism – God in all things?)

Sarayu (Young’s Sanscrit name for the Holy Spirit): “We [the Trinity] carefully respect your choices, so we work within your systems even while we seek to free you from them.” (“Neither are your ways my ways . . . my ways are higher than your ways.” Isaiah 55:8-9. Does God respect man’s choices, or does His Word demand that we repent of our ways and that we enter His narrow way?)

Sarayu: “Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence . . . Light and Good actually exist.” (Really? Does the Bible teach that evil has no actual existence? Was the biblical Jesus aware of that when He conversed with Satan in the desert temptation?)

Papa: “I don’t need to punish people for sin Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It is not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.” (Certainly there are consequences of our sin which we realize in this life and which impact other people. And certainly God has provided the cure for sin. That “cure” is the penal substitutionary atonement of Christ on the cross. Most certainly there is punishment for sin. Christ suffered the punishment for us. However, the implication of Papa’s statement is that the only punishment for sin is sin’s own punishment in a person’s life. The Bible is clear that punishment for the unredeemed, those who refuse Christ’s atonement, is the sting of spiritual death and eternal separation from God. The Shack makes light work of the cross.)

Young’s Jesus character states that he, Papa, and Sarayu are “indeed submitted to one another and have always been so and always will be . . . . In fact, we [the Trinity] are submitted to you [Mack] in the same way.” (Why, then, did the biblical Jesus submit Himself to the will of His father? Does the Bible teach submission to authority in spiritual and family and secular environments? What do you make of the claim that the Trinity is submitted to us? I believe that Young’s anti-authoritarianism is risky in human terms and that it is blasphemous to attribute such egalitarian sentiments to God.)

When requested by Papa to forgive the murderer of his young daughter, Mack balks. Papa says, “Mack, for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him.” (So God can only redeem those whom humans have forgiven and have released to God for redemption? The effectiveness of redemption for the unrepentant murderer is to be accomplished with Mack’s participation? Find biblical support for that, my friends!)

Christian, what about this assertion by the Jesus of The Shack? “I am the best way any human can relate to Papa or Sarayu.” (This is a false Jesus. The Jesus Christ of the Bible does not say that He is the best way, He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” John 14:16. He is not the best way – He is the only way.)

The Shack evidences a low regard for Scripture. When Mack mentions biblical events or concepts, Papa brushes them off and glibly explains how it really is, thus suggesting that the Bible is the work of man, not the divinely inspired work of God. Yet, some argue that The Shack has value in that it demonstrates a loving God of grace who invites man to a relationship. But it does so with grievous distortions about the nature of God, the nature of the Trinity, the authority of God’s Word, God’s hatred of sin, the requirement of repentance, and the nature of conversion and salvation.

My brothers and sisters, even in reading and discussing a work of fiction, we must be prepared to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and to do so without apology to the world. The Shack may, from its human author’s viewpoint, be in all sincerity intended as an inviting look at a highly relational God, but would you place even a drop of poison in pure water and invite others to drink? As Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, The Shack “contains undiluted heresy.” Don’t you and I have a responsibility to be equipped to recognize heresy and to shine the light of truth so that we and others are not deceived?

Trees...

2008-10-21T19:16:00.004-05:00

In my letter from Mark today he says the following...

I never understood why when Jesus healed the blind man, the man saw men as trees walking. There are many references to trees in scripture. It is a good metaphor because trees are strong and hard to kill depending on where they are rooted.

If we are rooted deep in Jesus' love and His ways, we cannot go wrong. As trees are first planted it is good for them to experience wind and storms. It causes the roots to grow deeper, to have a more secure hold.

So we are also in our walk. We suffer the storms and grow closer to Jesus. Can we choose to walk away from God? I believe so. It's our choice. We have free will. In Revelation it says in the end times there will be a great falling away. What are they falling away from? How can you fall away? You choose to. Some people may question that they never were saved in the first place. How did they fall away if they never had it?

So, what kind of tree are you? Firmly rooted in Jesus, holding firm through the storms of life?

How to Live as a Christ Follower

2008-10-19T20:24:00.003-05:00

Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus

J-E-S-U-S there is no "I" in Jesus!

We keep asking what should I do to... Why do I keep doing...why does this happen to me...But I dont feel...

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

ONLY a FEW find it??? Do you want to find it????
Narrow is the Gate...JESUS

Peter walked on water! peter stepped out in FAITH and walked on water. Until he took his focus off JESUS!

Grace Point teaches a Life of FULL devotion to Jesus Christ...Narrow is the Gate
I want you to think about something, also in the book of Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
NOT if you feel called, not send your extra money to a missionary so THEY can GO...JESUS told you to GO!

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

I pray that you accept the calling! I'm tired of living half the life, are you ready to live for Jesus? Will you join me?

A call to Prayer

2008-10-17T07:58:00.002-05:00

I want to ask my Brothers and Sisters to begin praying for our country. We are entering a period where things could start going very bad very fast. If the wrong candidates get into office it could have serious consequences to us! Pray for our country, pray that we would see revival, pray that our people will select the right candidate's in November, and most importantly pray that our fellow brothers and sister in Christ who have been led astray will be led back home to a relationship with Christ. As you have seen in the previous post respectable leaders of the Christian Faith have even fallen for the lies of satan and are now teaching false teachings. PRAY for awakening.

Before you continue I want to warn you that the link at the bottom is very graphic and sickening...However I think we should ALL (adults) see it!
Do you want to know the truth?
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
WARNING... THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! THE IMAGES ARE REAL AND VERY GRAPHIC.
There are many issues in this coming election – the war in Iraq and we’ve seen many pictures of the wounded men and women, heard the death toll, and seen the family members who are grieving – should we or shouldn’t we be in Iraq . Terrorist and Terrorism. There is the economy (who hasn’t heard of that lately) the stock market is plummeting and 401K’s are decreasing in value. We are in an energy crisis (thankfully gas prices have come down, but who knows how long that will last); there is health care and whether or not we want our government to control it– call it socialistic medicine or universal health care for all, it’s all in how you look at it; education and taxes and then there’s the issue of abortion. Pro-Life, Pro-Abortion, Pro-Choice, and Un-Choice – words, words, words. But there’s more at stake here than the words we use. I am sending this to shed some light on one specific issue. I implore you to watch this video before you make your decision on the upcoming election WARNING... THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! THE IMAGES ARE REAL AND VERY GRAPHIC.
Click on the below link to watch the video
www.durarealidad.com

WORDS...Updated...Update 2.0...3.0

2008-10-12T19:55:00.018-05:00

It was interesting to me at least that we had a message on words today. For those of you who made it to focus you might recall we talked about James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. As a class (friends) and a community (focus) many of you have began to "eat meat" and to become teachers. Words are very powerful, and can be very harmful. If you are teaching others I would simply say make sure you speak the truth, Speak Gods truths! Be in the word and know the word. Remember its easy to be led astray, satan himself knows God's words and he knows how to make things sound right, but they are far from it! So many Christians these days are being led down the wrong paths by false teachers. Know Gods word not just so you can teach it, but also that you will know when you are hearing a lie!

James 3:1 should not scare you, it should however encourage you to study the Word and know it!

Who's will be done?
UPDATED...
Who's will be done? How do you make decisions? Based on how YOU feel? Based on what someone did, or did not do? What is the basis of your decision making? Who's beliefs do you follow? Re-read the post below (do you want to be like Christ) and then rethink how you walk.
Update 2.0
Words...Do you test your words? Do you test the words of others that you listen to?
Here in san antonio we all know John Hagee, listen to this...
Israel did not refuse Jesus as the Messiah? Jesus did not come to earth to be the Messiah?
Matthew 16:13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[f] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Matthew 24:4 4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many

Or what about joel osteen

YOU need to KNOW Christ? Judas knew Christ! Judas had a relationship with Christ!!!
Muslims, jews and hindus may not be wrong according to joel...Hey joel read John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. JOEL, you just had an opportunity to share the Gospel with countless people around the world! Instead you chose to offer untruth and confusion...

This one probably shocked me the most!!!

Again, muslims and budist who do NOT believe Christ is the son of GOD, The Messiah are a part of the Body of Christ???? Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Telling someone Jesus is the way the truth is NOT JUDGING!!! It's God's word...telling people there is another way (other then Christ) is False teaching!

I am not sure why this post went the way it did. I don't usually sit down with an agenda or a pre-written message, I just write what I feel led to write, and when I get done I have to go back and read what I wrote, so I will know.

What about other influential people who thousands or hundreds of thousands or more Christians allow into their home...

First let me say this. There is a book endorsed at the end of the last clip...I have no idea what it is who wrote and do not endorse it. As Christians the only book that we can be 100% sure of is the Bible!
oprah "what about jesus" "there could not possibly be only ONE WAY"

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

We live in a time when there are so many false teachers...Read and know HIS word! It's the only one you need to make sure you get right!
There is a link below to a sermon I hope you take some time to read. Does this sound like what is going on today in our world?
http://sermonindex.net/modules/articles/article_pdf.php?aid=683 (sorry I cannot getthe link to work, so just please copy and paste to a new browser)

Do YOU want to be like Christ???

2008-10-08T09:23:00.002-05:00

If we desire to be like Jesus Christ, then there are four of His characteristics we are to emulate:

1. Give up all our rights:

"Let Christ Jesus be your example as to what your attitude should be. For He, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to His prerogatives as God's equal."

Prayer: "Lord, I relinquish all my rights: To family. To finances. To recognition. To pleasure. To quietness. To health. To privacy. To be loved. To be treated with respect. To justice."

2. Become nothing:

"[He] stripped Himself of all privilege."

Prayer: "Lord, I surrender my position. My status. My heritage. My career. My capabilities. My resources. My experience. My reputation. My education."

3. Become a servant:
["He consented] to be a slave by nature and [be] born as a mortal man."

Prayer: "Lord, I abdicate my desire to climb the social and economic scale. I renounce all my rights. I ask you to give me a heart to serve you and others on your terms, not mine. Lord, I love to be regarded by others as a servant; help me to be joyfully willing to be treated as a servant."

4. Surrender to His Lordship in total obedience:

"And, having become man, He humbled Himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying… the death of a common criminal." (Philippians 2:5-8 – Phillips Translation)

Prayer: "Lord, I choose to obey you on your terms, not mine. Whatever the cost: Loss of health. Status. Finances. Family. As did Jesus, I pick up the cross you have assigned me, and by your grace I will carry it to the death. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Bibles for Bubba...

2008-10-02T00:17:00.006-05:00

Bubba...
I still have his number on my cell phone...I can't stand the thought of taking it off. He and I went round and round on a number of things, and yet even in my anger I still loved him. Never in my life would I have imagined this long-haired, tattooed, Harley riding, ex-convict coming into my life and making such an impact on my family. And yet God did.

His "Hey, Kid", the way he would raise his hand with two fingers up in class to make one of his points, his laughter and "just keeping it real", the way he would challenge us as a class to step out and GO where we did not think we ever wanted to go.

He was Lauren's Santa Claus when she wanted to call Santa to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. He was her first date to the Father/Daughter dance, and was so funny as he couldn't decide what shirt to wear, and the look on his face when he realized he would have to take her to the restroom if she needed to go!

The look of pure joy on the day he proposed to Jeanne, and then on their wedding day. His humbleness when he was asked to preach at church. I can remember his phone call to make sure that we'd be there for him, even though it was four months away!

It's been a year, and I still see him sitting in the front row off to the side of the worship center. I can still see him sitting in his usual chair in class. I can still hear his voice.

I praise God for Derrick at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville for showing Bubba the love of Christ. I praise God that Bubba opened his heart to the love of God. I praise God for Scotty for telling Bubba to come to San Antonio, knowing that he would be taken care of here. I praise God through the pain of not having Bubba here, but knowing that we will be reunited again.

To honor Bubba, we will be taking up donations this Sunday to be given to Gideons International to purchase bibles in Bubba's honor that will be distributed into the prisons. Bubba's heart was for those in prison to know Christ and the freedom and forgiveness found in Him. Will you help us continue Bubba's work? He is gone, but he is not forgotten.

Gideons International:
Because You Can Make a Difference
Wouldn't it be great if we could absolutely, positively know that every $100 or $500 we donate would bring results? We can. Not because we think so or hope so, but because God says so.
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." —Isaiah 55:11
That's what makes supporting The Gideons International so exciting! God guarantees that His Word will be effective. When you provide Bibles or New Testaments through The Gideons, you can have confidence that your financial support will change lives, and the need for God's Word is greater than ever:

53% of the world's population lives on less than $2 (U.S. dollars) per day. For them, purchasing a copy of the Scriptures is utterly impossible.
There are 1.2 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 19 around the world, and most of them will never own a New Testament unless one is given to them.
There are more than nine million people in prisons around the world. A gift of Scripture may be the only way many of these prisoners will learn that God loves them and that they can be forgiven.

In the United States:

In 2005, 7 million people were behind bars, on probation or on parole.
There are 5,756 registered hospitals with 946,997 staffed beds.
There are more than 4,400,000 hotel rooms.

People need the hope that only God's Word can provide. Will you help us give it to them?

State of the Community

2008-09-30T13:16:00.005-05:00

FRIENDS. It's an interesting community. So many different people from all walks of life. Only one of two adult classes that still meet at church on Sunday morning at 9:30. It was originally a singles class (and technically still is). Then It seems many of those members started getting into relationships. Juanita and John, Bubba and Jeanie, Cathy and Ray, Tim and Sarah, Melissa and Eugene Then there are some more recent ones I will not mention by name. Then we have had new couples come to class (already coupled...haha) like Jennifer and Chris. Once again This has changed the face of Friends. Somehow we always manage to keep it together, we go through struggles, and trials but we always manage to keep it together. But...what is the state of the community right now? Are we Christ followers sold out to Him. Are we seeking others, showing others how to live a life of Full Devotion to Jesus Christ? My personal observation is that we are not as strong as we once where. I believe part of that reason is because as a church we have lost part of our direction. When was the last time you heard someone talk about C.O.R.E.? do you know what it means? Commitment, Ownership, relationship, and encouragement. What about the G5 when is the last time we have discussed the 5 G's and what it means to us? This past Sunday George put out a challenge to the class to go on a mission. I think that is an awesome Idea. As a community we should want to GO into the world to share the Gospel. That does not mean we all will be called, and even if called it may not be for the same mission opportunity, but wouldn't it be great if we came together as a community and prayed about an opportuniy to serve together on a LOCAL and GLOBAL mission. We will discuss this idea in more detail soon!
Commitment, I am going to be a part of this community and help it flourish, Ownership, Don't just suggest a good idea, own it make it happen.
Relationship, do you know those in your community, no do you really know each other?
Encouragement...Quick, name one person who has not been to class lately____________
have you called them, emailed, sent a letter to them, or prayed for them?
George Thank you for taking ownership of Focus, it has been a blessing!
Christy thank you for opening your house to your Friends. Jeannie, thank you for representing friends at the pregnancy care center Amy thank you for opening your house to friends. Just recently I found a post card in my garage. It was probably 3-4 years old. It was a note of encouragement from someone who means a lot to me, she is a wonderful friend. The card had the same impact on me as it did 3 years ago. encouragement is a great thing.

Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It's up to us to create true community! It's up to us to show those people who come into friends because we are one of a limited choice of communities meeting at the church on Sunday what true community is.

There are several people working hard, serving God and being obedient in Friends, My prayer is that everyone in friends will come together, be obedient and become a part of the community.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

What does it look like when a community is living for Christ, when you live Gal 2:20 and Acts 2?

When you are letting Christ live through you, you just simply DO what Christ wants you to do. Its not about you, or what you do, there is not a spiritual checklist that you have to check everyday. Several years ago I was in great need! I was out of money and was litteraly days away from being homeless and I had no money to buy food for me and my daughters. I really didn't know what to do. That very evening I had a knock on my door, It was LeAnne. There she was standing in my doorway with a bag of food! Being A typical guy I had not told anyone I was broke or in need, so how did she know to do that? Gal 2:20 Christ knew, and LeAnne just did what she was told!

That is what community and letting Him live through you is all about!!!

Pray with me for FRIENDS. Lets lift each other up in prayer.

Facing the Giants

2008-09-20T21:22:00.002-05:00

So, there we are watching Facing the Giants Friday at Christy's house. Most of us had seen it before, but it is still a powerful enough video that even those that had seen it were still caught up in the story.

The main gist... With God all things are Possible.

Do you believe it? Do you truly trust God with all that you do? With every decision you make? Do you praise Him when you win and do you especially praise Him when you lose?

Have you given your life over to God so that in every day things people can see you glorify God in all that you do?

Trust me, I am not judging. I am asking. There are many things in my life that I struggle to trust God in. I open one hand but continue to grasp VERY strongly with the other. It is something that I work on daily.

I am praying for you. Will you pray for me?

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

Paul R. Giamona

2008-09-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

Paul R. Giamona of San Antonio, TX, age 66 passed away Saturday, September 13, 2008. He taught high school science and was the President of the Teachers Union. While in college he was on the Who's Who List. His greatest joys were his grandchildren. Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Anne Cartwright Giamona; children, Raymond Giamona and wife Margaret and George Giamona, Monterey, CA; sister, Francesca Giamona; brother, Bart Giamona and wife Diane, Lincoln, CA; grandchildren, Francesca, Angelica, Chiara and Tomas. ROSARY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 7:00 P. M. PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL MASS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 10:00 A. M. ST. JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC CHURCH 6680 Crestway Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer, American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma, OK. 73123-1718. You are invited to sign The guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with: Porter Loring Mortuary North

The Journey...and the Shack

2008-09-09T22:57:00.003-05:00

Friends,

I am on a journey. A journey of finding God in myself, and of breaking down the walls that have protected what I thought needed to be protected inside of me. On this journey, I came across a book that is recommeded by Pastor John Walters.

Never did I expect it to have the impact that it has had in my life. It is completely overpowering, confusing, and written in such a way that I have to read it again, and probably again.

I recommend it to all of you.

Think about it

2008-09-08T15:43:00.001-05:00

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

So remember this...

You'll never have dropped calls and unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

But most important of all...you'll never have to ask Him 'Can you hear me now?' GOOD

Makes you stop and think, 'Where are my priorities?'

Choices

2008-08-29T11:03:00.001-05:00

By the time you notice this page, you may be already screaming through your day.

Pressure. The incessant telephone. Deadlines. Unsolvable issues. Perhaps a temptation or two. Today, as His follower, you and I are faced with choices on how we will respond to the pounding pace and pressure. The demand for decisions. And so I will choose:

I CHOOSE LOVE…

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose to love. Today I will love God and what God loves. (1 Corinthians 16:14)

I CHOOSE JOY…

I will invite God to be the God of my circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. (1 Peter 1:8)

I CHOOSE PEACE…

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live. (Colossians 3:12-14)

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9)

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God treated me. (Ephesians 4:32)

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…

Today, I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. My children will never fear that their father will not come home. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…

Nothing is won by force; I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself. (Titus 3:1, 2)

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL…

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control. (Titus 1:8)

My Utmost for His Highest... August 28

2008-08-28T20:25:00.000-05:00

WHAT'S THE GOOD OF PRAYER?
"Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:1
It is not part of the life of a natural man to pray. We hear it said that a man will suffer in his life if he does not pray; I question it. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a man is born from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve that life or nourish it. Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.
"Ask and ye shall receive." We grouse before God, we are apologetic or apathetic, but we ask very few things. Yet what a splendid audacity a childlike child has! Our Lord says - "Except ye become as little children." Ask, and God will do. Give Jesus Christ a chance, give Him elbow room, and no man will ever do this unless he is at his wits' end. When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get into touch with Reality. Be yourself before God and present your problems, the things you know you have come to your wits' end over. As long as you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything.
It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things. God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition.

Thanks to Oswald Chambers....

Prayer...the power and the need

2008-08-06T20:52:00.002-05:00

Power Of Prayer - How powerful is it?The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.

Jesus taught, "…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." The Bible urges us, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). http://www.allaboutprayer.org/power-of-prayer.htm

We have many people in class that are clinging to the power of prayer because that is all to sustain them. Please keep them in your prayers as you think of your family in "Friends"...

1. Jennifer R. would like us to pray for Camp Tejas, its counselors, and of course Brooke as this is her first time away from home for this amount of time.
2. Sara has asked that we pray for an efficient and successful move, also about her job.
3. Veronica M. requested we pray for healing and hope for her and her family, but I would like us to pray for strength and happiness as well

4. Please remember Betty as her knee operation is today

5. Christine and Tim for continued healing

6. Christy for strength against her giant and for Scout's safe return

7. Colleen as she is spending time with family in New Jersey

Pray Friends will all your might. God does listen!

Update on Christine

2008-08-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

Thursday evening I spoke with Christine right as she sat down after arriving home from the hospital. She is doing well. Tires very easily, but that's to be expected. Both her body's recovery and the medications she is on make her very drousy. If you would like to call or stop by feel free. She may be sleeping when you call but would love to hear from you. Also, she will be having a home healthcare nurse stop by to dress wounds and keep an eye on her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she waits to hear the pathology. She should hear from her doctors in about a week.

Thanks again for surrounding her with all your prayers. I'm not sure what her needs are right now, other then LOTS of rest. I will try and get some more information in a couple of days.

Thanks everyone,

Carolyn

Prayer UPDATE

2008-07-29T10:05:00.004-05:00

UPDATE, Praise God, and Thank you to those of you who were in prayer for Christine today! She had a successful surgery today and has been awake and visiting with family today! The doctors say they "got everything". Lets continue to be in prayer for her continued recovery and good health!

Please remember Our Sister Christine will be going into surgery tomorrow. This will be very scary for her, and her family too! Please lets all lift her and her family up to Our Lord in prayer throughout today and tomorrow!

I don't have a lot of specifics (sorry I have not been able to be around) so If someone has more specific information about Christine, please post it or let me know and I will.

Scotty's coming home!

2008-07-28T19:12:00.001-05:00

In case you haven't heard...we called today and the state has approved Scotty's parole! Jennifer is speechless and completely in awe of God's faithfulness!

Praise God for the prayers and support! He'll be home soon!

Speed Friends

2008-07-21T17:44:00.002-05:00

Speed Friends...what a crazy idea. However, did you see how everyone was talking? People who generally only say, "Hi", to each other had conversations about things like "What's the think you like best about your family?", and "What is the biggest life transformation you've seen in yourself since you've exchanged your life for Christ?" Three minutes each question didn't seem like a long time, but seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and watching everyone begin converstations was awesome!

Amy and Jeannie also shared their testimonies. It's amazing that as each of us tell our story, we are finding that we're not that much different than others. We really are in the right place as we grow with people who can empathize with us in our situations. Jesus is like that also. He walked to walk, knows all of our pain (and those yet to come), and is there for us.

Lean on your friends...Lean on Jesus.

Picnic in Paradise

2008-07-13T21:56:00.003-05:00

Picnic in Paradise, that's how it was billed and promoted. Picnic on a 96 degree day? In the heat of the day? No WAY!

But...and that's a really big BUT!

It was AWESOME! Not kind of awesome, but REALLY AWESOME! Yes, I can hear George now! Loud and Proud!

30 baptizisms in the river...
Great food and fellowship...
Wonderful shade and COLD water...

Hopefully this will be an annual event, if not then Friends needs to make another trip just to fellowship!

American Idol and the feeling of emptiness

2008-07-09T22:18:00.009-05:00

Do all remember 2 seasons ago on American Idol when they had 5 worship leaders in their top 20? I do! One of them to be "voted" off was Chris Sligh. In my opinion, he was ok...not my favorite but there was something about him I liked... As I was driving home from Walmart today I was listening to KLOVE and his new song came on the radio. AWESOME!

Empty Me...

I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride

And found a little is not quite enough.

I know how I can stray

And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies

To know how prodigals can be drawn away.

I know how I can stray

And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing

Compared to you, compared to you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing

compared to you. So, I surrender all!

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me so I can be

Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Oh, filled with you.

Empty me.

The world tried to fill him with him with all it had to offer and it was not enough. Do you feel like that sometimes? I know I do. I am going to print these lyrics and post them on every surface I can find to remind myself that I need to become empty to be filled with Him.

Family or some semblance of....

2008-07-06T22:15:00.002-05:00

I have spent the past week at my mother's house in Oklahoma. Yes, I know for most of you who know me know that it is not an uncommon occurance so why am I writing about it? Well, this time, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to have my older sister come to Oklahoma for a mini family reunion. Yes, Yes LeAnne...we've all done it... How about I tell you that my sister has not been home in over 8 years, and tries her hardest to be the black sheep of the family??? Yes, Yes (again!) Not surprising...
OK so my point is this, I was terrified of her coming home because of the dysfunction we've had in the past... I was worried about the pain it would stir up and the explosions of anger and grief that would be spewed everywhere never to be repaired. I had a knot in my stomach, knowing that I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to have her come home to be with her neice and nephews, but not knowing which reaction we would would get.
AND yet, I have been pleasantly surprised (isn't that a horrible thing since I really gave it over to God???). To prepare I asked my "family" in San Antonio to continuously pray for my trip. And I know that those that were asked have faithfully done so. Yes, we had our blow ups (1 major). Yes, we've had our differences in opinions (3-4 minor) but overall we've laughed, learned, and loved.
While I was typing this, I decided to look up the definition of "family"... gotta love dictionary.com.
FAMILY - those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor (huh?)
PROGENITOR - a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor I'm to understand this as GOD.
So THANK YOU family for being there, and faithfully praying that my family would be able to come together this week and enjoy ourselves. I have two families, ya know...one always in Oklahoma, but one that is harder to leave every time I go in San Antonio.

Victory

2008-06-28T20:32:00.007-05:00

Isreal had been defeated for so long that they were afraid of Victory! So frightened of success they wouldn't take it when it was handed to them!!!

Are you afraid of success? So many of us are. Some of us are so afraid of failure, that we dont or wont see Victory even when God is trying to hand it to us! I had an amazing "God moment" on friday, I cannot wait to share it with my friends!

A Prayer of faith. Our FOCUS group just had a discussion on prayer. I want to share with you a little prayer for those difficult times.

Lord, Help me to this situation with eyes of Faith.

I Corinthians 15:57

Obedience (Part Deux)

2008-06-25T17:10:00.004-05:00

We have a new member in our community. Today she expressed a need. Today A need was met. Praise God that this Family, this BODY OF CHRIST is listening, and practicing what we have been taught. This Life is NOT about ourselves! We need to be aware of others, and others needs! Remember what Jesus said about the rich giving large tithe and the poor old lady who gave the only coin she had? Who do you say had True faith?
Mark 12:41-44

When Jesus speaks of giving it is not just money he talks about. Giving your time to a need is just as important as giving money. Do you give your time freely as a first offering to God or do you give what 'extra' you might have?

It's not always easy being giving, if it was easy then it wouldn't be a big deal.

I know we have members of our community Giving to VBS this week too...

"well done good and faithful servant".

KISSING

2008-06-23T18:55:00.006-05:00

1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.

2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that’s a rigorous workout!

3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.

4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.

5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.

6. Ever wonder how an “X” came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.

7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.

8. Men who kiss their wife before leaving for work average lower rate of heart attack/stress then men who don’t.

9. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You’re in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you’ve beaten that record, it’s time to celebrate!

OK, By now you all are wondering WHY IN THE WORLD I POSTED THIS!?! Just for the fun of it. After thinking today (about the post below), I realized how evil in this world drags us down, however this world still belongs to GOD, its HIS and maybe the evil, immoral people in this world are doing their best to destroy it, but in the end they will not be able to! God has still given us SO MANY BLESSINGS, he has given us so much beauty to behold in this world, and so much love. Lets not forget what we have been given! Thank you Lord for all you have given us

How to Leave your Husband!

2008-06-23T08:25:00.002-05:00

I was amazed when I opened up my web home page which happens to be MSN. Right there on top of the page one of the HEADLINE stories was an article on How to leave your Husband...PLUS 10 steps to a money-smart divorce. This is sickening to me. Have we sunk so far in this world that how to be greedy, and how to leave your spouse is everyday no big deal news? On rueters for at least the last 5 days gay marriage has been a headline for the us news section. I personally have stopped watching local and world news on TV. It is useless and a waste of my time, however I do try to at least get a "big picture" of whats going on in the world usually via the Internet.

It is so amazing to me at how fast it seems our nation is spiraling in a moral decline.

I touched on this in past entrees but I think it is critical for believers to understand "In the world, not OF the world"

we all need to be in the Word, and growing together as the Body (which I think we are making great progress on) Now is the time when we need to be strong in our faith!

Roller Coasters

2008-06-20T19:36:00.004-05:00

Why does life seem like one BIG roller coaster? One day your up, the next day your down, You get a new job and its just "perfect" then all of a sudden its just your newest "cell". You meet someone special a few years later they are the most awful person in the world, Another day you are on fire for GOD, the next day you are back in the mud pit with your old self!

Why are YOU not more successful with your life? Why do we go through so many ups and downs?

Remember the Two Farmers story I posted? They both prayed, they both were seeking God, so why would God only meet the needs of the one, and not the other?

Searching for a job? Praying for God to help you find one? Are you sitting at home waiting for someone to come knocking on your door to offer you one?

Are you seeking God, wanting to live a "better" Christian life? What are you doing to obtain that "better" life? Are you praying for it? OK, that's good. Are you learning/searching Gods word and keeping it in your heart? Do you choose to step out and look for ways during the day to reach out to others as Christ would if he was standing there in your shoes?

If you pray for patience, do you think God will just download some patients into your head, or will he give you an opportunity to be patient. (which means you will have to deal with some problem...again)

I believe our God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, it's just up to us to get off our behind and go get it!

You can do it! You can get off the roller coaster! It's not easy, it will take some work, go get your field ready for the rain...Just reach up and he will take care of the rest!!!

Revelations 3:7-8

2008-06-17T23:23:00.004-05:00

When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it. Listen to what I say. 8 I know everything you have done. And I have placed before you an open door that no one can close. You were not very strong, but you obeyed my message and did not deny that you are my followers.

Praise be to GOD for Opened, and Closed doors! I am so very proud of ALL of my friends and the growth we have experienced in our community. So many have stepped forward to not just be there, but to be a part of it! Anyone can "warm a seat" To step up and become a leader is a step in FAITH! I have said it before and will say it again. Friends is on the verge of something Great! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us!

HOLD ON!

2008-06-12T22:39:00.002-05:00

I am the receipient of multiple snail mail letters a week. Sometimes they need to be passed on, sometimes they are for me, and yes, most (ok, 99.9%) of them come from those in prison that I have been called to minister to, and sometimes, ministered from. Today a letter came into my possession with some powerful words. They were not intended for me, but for another, and yet I found they were directed EXACTLY to me! And so, I will pass them onto you, and remember this is from a person who has been incarcerated for more than 20 years...

HOLD ON!

When the sun doesn't shine, when it seems there's no day and it's all night, HOLD ON!

When the sun doesn't shine and it rains all the time, don't forget there's a silver lining behind every cloud, so HOLD ON!

Always remember, all sunshine and no rain makes deserts! HOLD ON!

When you see others being blessed and it seems they are less deserving, and the devil says, "Look there!" HOLD ON!

Hold on to the robe of the one who's hands were pierced by the price He paid for you!

Hold on to the Love that has caused you to come out of darkness into the light of an all gracious God!

Hold on when it seems you have not one ounce of strength, for in our weaknesses He shows Himself strong!

Hold on! A blessing is on the way! Hold on!

Lessons can be learned from the most unexpected places...

Proverbs 14:12

2008-06-11T07:28:00.000-05:00

There is a way that seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.

2008-06-09T20:24:00.001-05:00

The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28;34
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Which one are you?

2008-06-06T22:05:00.003-05:00

Two Farmers desperately needed rain. Both prayed to God asking for rain. One of the farmers got up and went out and prepared his field while the other just sat and waited. Which one do you think got the rain?

2008-06-04T07:10:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 8:32-33
Now my sons listen to me; Blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

He Knows

2008-06-03T18:39:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 5:21

For a mans ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths!

2008-05-18T16:24:00.006-05:00

OBEDIENCE

New Member of Friends

2008-05-16T07:08:00.001-05:00

Friends,

Baby Alexis May Holmes was born thursday morning at 8:45 am. She was 7.5 lbs, and 21 inches long. She is beautiful like her mama! Melissa is doing well, but praying for a little rest while she's in the hospital.

FASTING

2008-05-09T14:57:00.006-05:00

During our prayer time in class last Sunday, we talked about "fasting" being closely linked to prayer in Scripture. We pray about things fervently and frequently but do we fast as well? We talked about fasting not necessarily being from food but from anything that has a hold of us...smoking, video games, TV, etc. Well, isn't it just like God to use that brief discussion to motivate me to fast from something that has a hold of me...the Spurs!

That's right. On Tuesday, the Lord showed me that I am strongly attracted to the Spurs and that I orient my life around their games, especially playoff games. I can't even get most of them on TV because we don't have full cable so I listen to them on WOAI radio. Anyway, I knew the Lord was leading me to fast from Thursday's game. No problem, I thought. I'll just keep myself occupied, go to bed early and hear the result on Friday morning. Nope, the more I tried not to think about the game and what was happening, the more tempted I was just to turn on the radio for a few minutes just to check the score. Just like a food fast when the hunger pangs strike, I prayed for the Lord to help me overcome the temptation to turn on the radio so I could honor Him and not be disobedient to what I KNEW I was to do...fast from the Spurs!

The Lord was faithful and gave me the strength to overcome the temptation and I did not turn on the radio, check the score on the Internet or in any way break the fast. I did not know the score until Friday morning driving to meet someone for breakfast. And you know what, I survived!! I know it may seem silly to fast from a sports team but that's not the point. The point is to fast from something that is difficult to fast from because of your attitude toward or dependence upon it.

Just a thought...

2008-05-09T09:55:00.000-05:00

proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.

Prayer and Update for Christine

2008-05-08T07:01:00.003-05:00

I'm sure you all (from Friends) have received the email update about Christine from Carolyn, I'm sure we have people from outside our community reading also, and I welcome everyone who reads to be in prayer for our Friend! So below is a copy of the email...

"Just wanted to give everyone an update on Christene. I spoke with her this afternoon and she seems to be doing well. Please pray for strength for both Christene and her family. Since she is currently battling Multiple Sclerosis as well as dealing with her new diagnosis. Currently she and her youngest two children are living with her Mom and Dad.

I asked about our group providing dinners and she they would not be necessary, but " thank you." One of the things her father takes great pride in is being able to cook dinner and make sure the meal is provided for the family.

As far as treatment. She will get all of her testing done tomorrow (Thursday) and then see the Oncologist on Friday.

Please be in prayer for not only Christene, who is trying to stay strong but also pray for her parents. Her mother especially is very shaken by this as she was with Christine when she was diagnosed.

I feel led to say a prayer so please pray with me.

Father God I come to you with a heart of hope and a prayer for strength. Please grant Christene and those surrounding her with an enormous sense of strength that can only be attributed to you. Lord, I pray that as we minister to Christene and her family that you will help us to be the friends she needs us to be in whatever form that may manifest itself.

Thank you Lord for being the God of everlasting hope. "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength they will mount up on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."Isaiah 40: (28-)31

Lord thank you so much for being the God of answered promises. May you bless this time of uncertainty as we rally around our sister Christene. May her testimony be great as she finds rest in you. Amen."

Go Ahead, Make My Day!

2008-05-07T22:13:00.001-05:00

Who are YOU?

2008-05-07T09:20:00.003-05:00

As we study Philippians and learn about Paul, we all ask ourselves can someone really be like him?

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Really? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

Hebrews 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

By this time we should all be teachers! That is a true statement for many of us in friends! Maybe its time we question our faith! Maybe its time we step up and start acting like Mature Christians. Rather then complaining about this person or that, or what someone at work did, or what ever it is that is keeping you from being CHRIST-LIKE.

Maybe it's time we start "eating meat"

To Pray, or not to Pray?

2008-05-06T15:48:00.002-05:00

What should a person do when he or she is in trouble?
James 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
Why should they pray?
James 5:15, And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

What should a person do when he or she is sick?
James 5:14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Why?
James 5:15, And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

Do you Pray? Do you KEEP praying? Do you Pray in Faith?

Whats on your mind?

2008-05-01T14:41:00.001-05:00

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

In the world, NOT of the world

2008-04-29T10:57:00.004-05:00

This weeks study ask us how our thoughts guide our actions. Do we keep our mind on Christ, or do you let worldly thoughts in Monday thru Saturday? Sarah and I are attending the Love and Respect class right now. The foundation for this is the verse Ephesians 5:33 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. This is interesting. God does not say LOVE your Husband, he says respect him. He does not not say RESPECT your wife, He says LOVE her. Yet our society is teaching us the opposite! It is telling us to respect the woman, and it is telling the to female to respect the male...IF he deserves it!

GOD didn't NOT say if he deserves it! He also did NOT say RESPECT her, he said LOVE her.

Do you think it is only coincidental that the "world" is teaching us the exact opposite of what God's word is telling us?

I made this "revelation" while in the class. Then I began to think about how society (the world) is slowly tearing apart the Christian world we live in. Yet we let it in to our homes EVERYDAY! We let our kids watch it, we watch it, and we wonder why we don't have the Faith of Paul!
It may seem like its all innocent enough, I mean oprah is such a nice lady, and gives so much of her time and money to good causes and she is so wonderful...read this little write up on her and see if you then think she is GOOD for US. http://www.geocities.com/cobblestoneministries/2005_CRM/ShouldChristiansWatchOprah

I just read an article by a youth pastor who said " I just seen a powerful film that God used to melt my heart and open my eyes to the reality of abuse and its horrid lifelong effects on kids" this movie had 273 uses of the 'f' word?" GOD used this this movie he say's.
Where are we going? Why are the church's conforming to the world? Why are we so worried about "fitting" into the modern culture? Why are we selling ourselves and our kids for the sake of fitting into the "culture"?
We attended a church not long ago that was apparently very "open minded" about the Homosexual attendees. Don't get me wrong, Homosexuals need to hear God!!! But do you allow them to openly display their homosexuality in the church? Really? And I suppose that when the guy with the porn magazine opens it up and starts "reading" it in the middle of the service we all just say, its ok...just as long as he comes to church and to hear the word....PLEASE...You know someone would ask him to put it away or throw it away. Leviticus 18:22 22You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination (Not my words...those are HIS words)
So why would we allow another Blatant open sin against God to be performed in our Churches? Because we are being lied to every day and we are believing the lies because we are not in the right relationship with GOD.

Fitting into the world should not be priority to the Church, so why is it?
I believe we must know whats going on in the world. I would agree we should not separate ourselves and live in a cocoon, but IN the world, NOT of the world.

We wonder why we cannot get past being milk fed at church and start eating meat...maybe its because we only get 1 day of God's word and 6 days of satans teaching!
Maybe we need to stop trying to impress the world by showing them we're (the church) cool too and just start preaching, and living the truth!
Paul said follow my example! do what I do! Because he simply did what Christ told him too! Its right here in front of us...Gods words, his instructions. He gave us an example to follow.

Philippians 3 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Romans 12
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Does your light shine?

2008-04-18T20:30:00.002-05:00

I found this on Kyle and Stefani Burkholder's blog, and have to pass it on:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson

Tim can FLY!

2008-04-17T21:41:00.003-05:00

Well, if you haven't heard yet...TIM IS NOW A COMMERCIAL PILOT! Of course, I've seen him walk (ok, stumble) when it's dark outside so I'm not real sure about him in a plane, but with God as his co-pilot, I'm sure he's fine! :O)

Check out his exploits on http://desiretofly.blogspot.com he's like a kid in a candy shop! And, Sarah, we're praying for you! :oD

Did you see Jesus Today?

2008-04-03T13:44:00.010-05:00

Matthew 25:40 (New Century Version)
40 "Then the King will answer, 'I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.'

Did You make fun of the nerd in High School or did you sit down and talk to him?
Did you look away when the poor girl who is not smart walked by?
Did you cross the street when you seen the crippled person in the wheel chair up ahead so you wouldn't feel uncomfortable?
Did you look down your nose at the ________?(you fill in the blank, Go ahead I'm sure you have one, I do)

These are some Pictures I took while in Honduras. Beautiful creations of God. My wife is starting to get me stuck on plants and flowers. She just loves flowers. So I tried to take some pictures for her while I was on the mission trip.

The reason I posted these photos is to show you something that I noticed while looking at and for the flowers. GO...Look at them again! (Click on them and open them up to larger pictures)

What do you notice about them? OK, aside that they are different varieties. Some grow on bushes, one is a tree. yet another is just a flower plant.
They are all very pretty flowers right? They are all equally beautiful creations of God...agree?

Look again at the last one. the pink one. Very delicate, and very pretty right?

Out of the 18 people in my group not a single person saw it, yet every one of us walked right over it...literally stepped over it. Even I missed it.
Why?
Because it is very tiny, very small about a 1/4 of an inch across. I had to use a macro lens to get the photo. I had to find it by looking for it. I was looking for something, and i found it!

Now think again about the person you filled into the blank above. Are they that small and insignificant of a person that they deserve to be treated like they are a nobody?
Matthew 25:40 (New Century Version)
40 "Then the King will answer, 'I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.'

That person in the wheelchair is Jesus, that poor girl who is not to smart, is Jesus That nerd you made fun of is Jesus.
Jesus spent his time with the least of us. The people at the bottom the people who don't even get noticed, they get stepped over. Jesus wasn't here to hang out with the Richie's...or the super stars, He loves Tim Duncan, but not because he bounces a silly orange ball! The tree with the big flowers and the bushes with the big flowers get all the attention...Why? Someday Jesus will say Thank you for helping me clean, thank you for helping feeding me when I was hungry, thank you for giving me a place to sleep when I was tired. You will be puzzled and say but lord i didn't feed you or give you a place to sleep, or help you when you needed help...He will say "anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me."

UPDATE! UPDATE!

2008-03-30T15:35:00.004-05:00

OK, Since the BOSS jumped my behind in class about keeping the blog updated....haha Love you LeAnne ;-) I wanted to say THANK YOU!!! to OUR FRIENDS!!!

Here are your Friends who accepted the call to GO! With out the rest of the "friends" I'm not sure this trip would have been possible! Over $1000 was given to send us into the world with the message of God. Each of you are an important part of this trip. Thank you for your faithfulness. Someday (hopefully not to far in the future) 300 children will have a home and will be educated and loved and will learn about our loving God because a few had a vision, a kingdom vision! As you might be able to tell, I'm excited to be a part of this! I can only imagine what kind of impact this can have on the world! Yes I said world...not just Honduras. Did you know if it wasn't for a man, just one little man from Honduras I might not have been reached. Before I had finished high school I had been given the opportunity to reach about 30 people and show them the way to Christ! Think about the chain reaction that could take place there. Because of 1 man from Honduras. 1 reached 1, who reached 30 lets say each of those reached 10 (just one third) that's 300 that 300 reach 10 each, 3000, 30,000 300,000... all of a sudden the picture comes into focus! If we all had the Faith and vision. What started with the birth of our Saviour, who then called 12 disciples, look at what has happened with just 12! Imagine what 300 with a faith in God and a vision could do!
I wonder if we really know just how much of an effect we will have on this world, sometimes we seem so small and insignificant. I hope someday once we have gone home to be with Jesus, I hope we will meet those people who are there because of something we did while we were here! That would be so cool, because I know you and I have touched someone or will at some point, and we may never know! Think about that person who reached out to Billy Graham, or James Dobson, or Chuck Swindoll or any other big time Evangelist you can think of. You might have, or may in the future reach that one person who will become the next Billy Graham and you might never know. Always have a kingdom vision! I look forward to someday hearing my Lord say to me "well done good and faithful servant"
Until then, I want to say to my FRIENDS...Well done good and faithful servants!

We're Back!!!

2008-03-24T13:28:00.008-05:00

Hi friends, we are back. It was such a wonderful trip and experience! I know Steve, Veronica and me look forward to telling you all about it. But, for now it's time to rest a little! I do want to share one thing with you. Honduras is such a beautiful country!!! God created a most beautiful place, but it's so full of junk. Junk/garbage everywhere! There is no effort whatsoever to pick the garbage up. It leads you to ask, How can these people live in such Beauty, such a wonderful creation and just throw garbage around and trash it up like it means nothing? It doesn't make sense! Then one day I was looking in awe at the mountains and their beauty and i said to someone what an amazing creation. look what God created for us! He said look at the people we are made in the image of God, we are an even greater creation then this land. Wow, that is so true! Then I thought again about how the people trashed up this beautiful country, this beautiful gift from God, and I realized that it is no different then what we do. You and I are a Beautiful creation, yet we throw our garbage around in our lives like it was nothing! We take this perfect creation and we junk it out with so many things! YOU are a perfect creation of God, like trash sin happens, do you just keep collecting it and littering up your life with it? Or do you let God come in and cleanse you, and make you a perfect creation? You choose to live in trash, or you choose to live in paradise. whatever you choose, it is up to you!

OR

It's up to YOU!

Dont forget me when I'm gone!!!

2008-03-14T22:20:00.005-05:00

Yes the song from Glass tiger 1986...yeah I would like to forget the 80's too! OK seriously it's here, Tomorrow at 4:30am We the team of 18 will meet at KSAT (San Antonio international airport for all you non-pilot types) for departure to Honduras to take God's Word into the "world". Please keep all of us in your prayers, we will miss you guys!
For those who didn't get to make it to the movie night...you wouldn't believe what LeAnne did, but I cannot tell you we are sworn to secrecy! You will just have to come to the next FRIENDS night out event!

Oh yeah, your welcome...I know you now have that song stuck in your head!!! ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaXVOD7PYj0

A visit from the past...

2008-03-11T08:29:00.006-05:00

Within the last 3 weeks, I have made contact with three of my best friends from high school. It has been years since I have seen or spoken with them. I wonder why I have such an interest in finding and talking to these people? Is it the age thing, some kind of subconscious thought about hitting that big 4 0 that's making me reflect on where in the world my life has gone! 40 YEARS!!! Or maybe...is it some other deeper thought, like why am I here? What have I done with these last 40 years? It does not feel like 40 years has passed. I know what Jeff was talking about when he wanted to play Basketball against Shawna (SP?). Your mind tells you one thing, and your body tells you another.
I think the most important question has become what have I done with my life? Not just spouse, kids, jobs, houses...but really what have I done? Me and my friends had all gone to a Christian High school. Yet when I spoke with my best friend we talked about which one had gotten divorced, which one had been in trouble, which one had her husband KILLED...yes really! (and whats scary, is in h.s. I had a big crush on her :-o) We all had a pretty good foundation when we were younger yet many of us went down that wrong path. I would guess many of us are still walking around wondering whats next, where am I going? My best friend I know deep down could be a GREAT man of GOD! I know that. He is smart and very very capable of being pillar of the Church. To be honest I did not ask him where he was with his walk with God.
It really makes you think about your current life when you walk down memory lane. I wonder if I will learn from my past and not repeat it. I eluded to the fact that I believe friends is on the verge of something really big! I believe God is preparing us for something. The real question is are you ready to receive it? Do we want to continue being milk fed or are you ready to eat meat?

Colossians 3:1-17 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Revelations 3:20 Here I AM I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me

He is knocking on your door...

Who is your HERO?

2008-03-03T10:53:00.002-06:00

As we study Paul, and the Philippians I know for me the big question is how is Paul so Faithful, Joyful, in everything that is going on? EVERYTHING!
So back to the title, who is your hero? Was it just me or did anyone else notice that in the clip in service Sunday morning that tim duncan, got almost as much applause as did Jesus. At first it was not real loud for Christ, but almost as an after thought did it really get loud. Why...WHY would tim duncan get as much as he did? For those of you who do not know, I also am writing two other blogs. One is my career changing blog, the other is about the Mission trip to Honduras. My flying blog has been around awhile, but I took it off the original blog hosting service and re posted it on blogger the same day I created the Honduras Mission trip blog. Since that day my flying blog has had more then 3x the number of hits, from more the 12 country's around the word. The mission blog has not had a visitor for well over a week! There are 18 people going on the mission trip, I sent each of them the link. That right there should have been 18 hits. The blog has 28 total. I asked them all to share it with friends and family...not because I want MY blog to be read, because I do not see it as my blog. It is a chance for others to find out about the trip and let them become a part of it! We need as many people in prayerful support of this trip as we can get.
Another member of Friends has a blog too. She told me how at one time she had hundreds of people following it. Back when it was a little more "worldly", but when she started down her spiritual road and started writing about her walk with her SAVIOR suddenly there are not to many people there anymore!

So We ask, How can Paul be so Faithful? Do you think Paul cared what the latest rumor was, or what new chariot so and so had, or was he FOCUSED on the things Of Christ. What is YOUR FOCUS on? Think about it, and then ask yourself if you are capable of being as faithful as Paul was when you are living your life your way!

I think "friends" is on the verge of a huge break through! I think OUR God is preparing all of us for something great! Do you want to be there when it happens...I DO!

2008-02-20T11:11:00.000-06:00

INTEGRITY

I’m not much into politics (beyond voting that is) but it is difficult in this hotly contested presidential election year not to be aware of the various candidates and their agendas. From the eloquent speeches to the contentious debates, to various endorsements from various organizations and individuals it is quite a process. Regardless of your political views or affiliations or how passionate or dispassionate you are about a particular candidate, you have to admit that the process of electing our next president is a lot about public relations and image. It is often more about style than substance. Often the process stoops more to mud slinging than to authentic dialogue about the issues that confront us.

But one question keeps coming to my mind as I watch the campaigns unfolding. Who has integrity? The word “integrity” has several definitions: 1.) Adherence to moral and ethical principles, soundness of moral character, honesty. 2.) The state of being whole, entire, or perfect condition; 3.) A sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition such as the integrity of a ship’s hull. As I consider these definitions, I have to ask if we can really know about the moral character, the honesty and the ethical principles of the various candidates when there is so much image manipulation. After all, it is about getting a candidate elected and to do so means that you say or do what is acceptable or expedient to the audience you are wooing. It seems to be like shifting sand rather than a firm foundation. I think integrity is really about what someone does when they are alone and no one is looking. Do they exhibit integrity then?

I find the definition of being “whole” as particularly interesting. I think that’s where the rubber meets the road. Do the actions match the words? Is there wholeness in the message so that it doesn’t change to suit a particular audience? Integrity, in my view, is about standing for something and not being willing to compromise it.

I was in a hotel room over 20 years ago agonizing about a client meeting the next morning. The client had asked for some extra discounts that were in violation of our company policy. To say “no” could mean a loss of business and many of the sales people reporting to me were meeting their quotas because of this client. On the other hand, as a Regional Vice President, I was responsible for upholding our company’s policies. I was between a rock and a hard place and wrestling with my decision. In the nightstand of my room was a Gideon’s Bible in which I found this verse, Proverbs 10:9 which says: “ He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who walks a crooked path is soon discovered”. I went to sleep knowing what decision I had to make. The next day, I looked the client right in the eye, told him how much we appreciated his business but that I was unable to offer him the discounts he was requesting. His response? “Well, it didn’t hurt to ask, thank you for considering it”. Even if his answer would have been different, my decision was clear because it was the right thing to do.

May you walk with integrity and may we elect a leader who walks with integrity.

Great Opportunities....Part 2

2008-02-18T20:42:00.003-06:00

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as an impossible situation.John 6.5-12
5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Once again the desciples are a little short of faith. Sounds a little like us sometimes, doesn't it? But Notice what Jesus does. Not only does he feed the 5000 but he has left overs, He once again performed a miracle, to perfection. How much extra did they have? 12 baskets, one for each desciple. Was that a little jab from Jesus to the Disciples, his way of making a point...and you guys didnt believe, I'll show you!
I think this study Of philipians is an Great opportunity. An opportunity for us to witness the power of Christ, an opportunity to show our faith (or build our faith) and become the True Follower of Christ that we all know we should, and can be!
This is our time of growth, our time of opportunity!

Off topic - Want a cat?

2008-02-16T14:09:00.002-06:00

My apologies for being so far off topic here. I need to spread word far and wide...

The test results are back. Christian (Tina's two-year-old) is allergic... very allergic... to cats. Our first indication was him coming in from the back yard in tears, with his face all swollen. (This was just after I left there.) Another incident a few days later, but in the face. We got his test results on Friday. He's allergic to cats (a LOT), and to Mountain Cedar (a little).

My cat has to go. :-( (I like my cat, but in a contest between him and Christian, guess who wins?)

Quicksilver is a large black cat. Male. About five years old, and in good health. He tolerates dogs and small children pretty well. By that, I mean he doesn't either "go postal" or cower in fear. His attitude is pretty much "live, and let live." That said, the kids have been scratched by him, when they ignored his warnings and kept after him when he retreated. Not vicious attacks, mine you, just enough to communication his message - "leave me alone".

He's an indoor/outdoor cat. Before he was neutered, I'm pretty sure he ruled the neighborhood. He's more mellow now. He likes laying in the sunshine, and the occasional petting or head scratch. He's less "snobbish" than a lot of cats.

He's always been MY cat. When one of Tina's cat has his litter, he distinguished himself by his speed. I would expel the three kittens to the garage (a gentle toss) and shut the door. He'd be inside (having beat the door)! The "Quick" in "Quicksilver" is no accident.

Please contact me if you think you would like to care for my kitty (on a permanent basis).

Phil
210-867-6775
ptessier@satx.rr.com

New Blog...check it out!

2008-02-15T22:53:00.005-06:00

I wanted to post this link to a new blog. As you know we are preparing to GO on a mission trip to Honduras. I have started a new blog to share with everyone what is going on. Please check it out and share it with all your friends.
http://hondurasmissiontrip.blogspot.com

Does it seems hopeless?

2008-02-14T09:06:00.002-06:00

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as an impossible situation.
I heard this quote today by Chuck Swindoll. Wow, what a thought! How often do you get put in a place that seems you cannot get out of? Or, are YOU really suppossed to get out of it? I know speaking for myself I always think I will get myself out of it. I have told myself on many occassions "I have been down before, and I have always gotten myself out" Maybe thats why I'm down again? Is it really about what YOU can do, or is it about letting God do what HE can do?

Luke 1.37 For nothing is impossible with God Luke 18.27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" Jeremiah 32.17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32.27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Those are GOD's words!!! How could he not be able to handle our little problems? Jobs, kids, relationships, you name it I know he can handle it!

John 7.10 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
Not only did Jesus perform a maricle, he performed it to excellence. Notice the Master of the banquet ask why the bridegroom had kept the best to last.
Look at vs 11; This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

This was the first Miracle the disciples had seen and look at their reaction..."they put their faith in Him"
Are you waiting to see a miracle to have faith? For me, I will have faith that He will perform one!

Guest Speaker next Sunday...

2008-02-10T21:51:00.000-06:00

Next Sunday osama bin-ladin will be our guest speaker...what??? Really??? You mean you have not heard the news? Osama has "seen the light" and has exchanged his life for a life in Christ and he wants to share the good news!!! Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? But is it really that hard to believe? after all, He was only doing what he believed to be true in is heart. He was born and raised being taught that being a good muslim meant doing what ever it took to spread the word of his god. He believed it, fully. Any one who tried to tell him other wise would probably have been...well you know.
Think about this. Saul was born and raised and taught to be a good Jew. His father and his fathers father and so on had been faithful Jews, so when these carzy people came along trying to spead this '' good news'' he knew something had to be done! Is this really any differnet than what osama has and is still doing. So what was your first thought when hearing osama was coming to speak? To be honest, my first thought was that I would be there, but my favorite firearm which hold 17 rounds(and a spare clip) would also be with me! So what do you think early Christians thought when they heard Saul/Paul would be coming to preach the Gospel? This man had the Jews wanting to kill him, and the Christians probably a little concerned too!
This story of Paul is so powerful. That God could take such a man and so radically change him. That this man could so love God that he would suffer more then we can imagine, and keep a joyful heart all the while! It doesn't matter who you are, how low you are, what you look like, if you are rich or poor, or if you are smart ot not. He wants you...JUST AS YOU ARE!

Was Paul Happy?

2008-02-04T08:25:00.000-06:00

We see this man Named Paul, and we wonder...HOW can he remain so positive, and joyful? As we have seen this man has suffered more than we could imagine. What do you do when something bad happens? I cannot answer for you, But i know I can get knocked down pretty easy. satan knows my weak points and he uses them. So how does he remain strong? Or does he? is he really all that different? Look at Phillipians 1:20-26
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

I just want to die, and go be with Christ...This world stinks, The people are rude, mean, sinful. life is full of pain, and hurt, I just dont want to be here any more! Do you know anyone who has ever said that? (so have I!).
What about verse 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
So, Paul is real. ok, so how does he stay so strong?
I'm not going to answer that just yet, because we all need to really get into this study and listen to Chirst. However, Look at chapter 2 1-4 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
As Paul sits in jail, he is not alone. Timothy and Epaphroditus are there with him. Versus 1-4 are not just talking about your relationship with The Holy Spirit, He is addressing to the church the need to be one spirit with your fellow believers...your FRIENDS! Just as Paul has his friends there with him, so do we need our friends with us! We are here for each other!