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Let's ALL Quit This Place And Go Somewhere Else!!! Oct 9, 2008 1:01 pm
Mood: Frustrated!!!!!, 266 Views
Hey everybody!
Since BigChurch is so lackadaisical about making their customers happy, let's ALL find a new place to go! The only reason I pay to be here is to blog and read and comment on all of my friend's posts. If I can't do that, I'm outta here!

I don't care about senior friendfinders or gay friendfinders or amigo friendfinders, I just want to find the friends I've already made.

Anyone got any suggestions?
24 Comments
I Miss ALL Of You And Covet Your Prayers! Oct 8, 2008 6:50 am
Mood: Missing you!, 257 Views
Hi BigChurch!!!

I have so missed interacting with all of you the last couple of weeks and reading your posts and commenting. This place and each of you have become cherished members of my family in the last 1 1/2 years.

As of today, I have 7 days until meeting the deadline for all the tax extensions filed on April 15. Those who procrastinate on April 15, also procrastinate October 15, and of the 20 or so tax returns left to get done, half have not even brought me their paperwork yet. To make matters more stressful, my ministry's annual Appreciation Banquet is being held this Saturday night for approximately 250 people. As a Director, I am responsible for preparing food, helping in the kitchen, typing up almost 100 appreciation certificates, printing out 300 programs, and presenting the opening speech and prayer.

I keep telling myself that I can do ALL things, through Christ Who strengthens me, but am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. For those who feel inclined, I covet your prayers and look forward to being done with all my deadlines, including quarterly reports due by October 31st, so that I can get back to blogging and getting to know all of you newbies. (Wow, there's so many!)

Until then, know that I am praying for each of you and believing for God's perfect Will in every situation. May He bless you richly and abundantly! Hallelujah! Praising His Holy Name!

See you soon!
9 Comments
Should Christians Invest In The Stock Market? Oct 5, 2008 4:01 am
Mood: Cautious, 368 Views
Having dealt with other people's money for 22 years in my profession, I've seen more money lost than won, through investing in the stock market. I've seen lives destroyed and life savings lost from making unwise choices. Since the market is controlled by so many variables, seemingly out of one's individual control, can it ever really be a wise choice for investing your money?

There are those who oppose investment in the stock market, saying that buying stocks is the equivalent of gambling. The argument goes that since stocks are bought in the hope (not guarantee) that they will increase in value, that it is a form of gambling. There are differences, however, between gambling at a casino or buying lottery tickets, and buying stock. Gamblers risk money, which they know they will probably lose, in the hopes of making money quickly. Wise investors buy partial ownership in a company in the hopes of making money over time, which can be a sound way to plan for the future.

The difference really comes down to intent. Some types of investing, such as day-trading, are very much like gambling. Anything that requires "luck" above wise decision-making and long-term planning should be avoided. Most long-term investments return a profit over time, making them much more like buying bonds or certificates of deposit than rolling dice in a casino. There are many who use investments to secure retirement, education for their children, and inheritance for their families.

The Bible offers quite a few examples of growing wealth through legitimate means. Some are similar to investing—spending money now to make money later. God’s intentions for how we should manage our wealth are found in many scriptures. The following are a few examples.

Proverbs 28:20 says "a faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." This speaks against the "get-rich-quick" mentality. Looking at investment as a long-term plan for the future is good planning, but trying to make a fortune overnight is not.

Second Corinthians 9:6 says "Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously." The context is actually speaking about investing in our relationship with God, but it demonstrates how one must often sacrifice now to gain in the future. Similarly, Proverbs 3:9-10 says "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."

Whether or not you decide to invest is a personal decision, which I hope is done with a well-thought out plan and a great deal of research. Many of my clients retirement plans have devalued because it has been invested in the stock market. Proceed with caution, pray about where you invest and rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance before risking your money. In this volatile market, buyer beware!
5 Comments
Who Do YOU Think YOU Are? Oct 2, 2008 3:37 am
Mood: I'm approved!, 476 Views
Each one of us is a rare, one-of-a-kind person. After creating each of us, God threw away the mold. We each have a God-given destiny to fulfill-a unique call, that ONLY we can carry out. But, in order to reach our full potential and truly succeed in life, we must learn to accept ourselves for WHO we are.

Now, I'm not talking about self-esteem here, I'm talking about identity. Too often, we see ourselves through our past performances and what we DO. But, through knowledge in the Word, I learned that my identity is not at all what I DO, rather it's found in what Jesus DID.

When I first started walking with the Lord, I was very negative. So many bad things had happened to me that it had become easier to expect and anticipate the next bad thing to happen, because, at least when it did, (and it usually did) I was prepared for it.
From childhood, I had been conditioned to believe that the better I behaved, the more love and acceptance I would receive. My identity was performance-oriented. So, when I tried to relate to God, I applied the same principle. The problem with that was that I was never able to act right all of the time, I couldn't be GOOD enough to get into God's good graces. I was weary, worn out, and hopeless, and that's exactly where Satan wanted me to be.
Then, through God's wonderful love, I read a scripture in the Bible that caused me to reconsider the platform I had built my identity on.

"For our sake, He made Christ (virtually) to be sin, Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him, we might become...the righteousness of God, what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness."
2 Corinthians 5:21 Amplified

Wow!! That shook the foundation upon which my identity was based. When God sees me, He sees the righteousness of Christ, not everything I've done wrong. How could that be? I was damaged and flawed, even though my heart wanted to do the right things, I had a flesh, and was unable to do the things I wanted to do. It must be a misprint, lol. How could God love and approve of this sinner? This was very difficult for me to accept, in my intellectual mind. (I told you I was negative.)

The next day, again, in His wonderful love, God brought me to another scripture.

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and approved of you."
Jeremiah 1:5 Amplified

Wow again! Wow! Wow! He approved of me, even in spite of all the wrong things I would ever do. And, if He is the measuring stick I use to base my opinions, then I had no right to disapprove of myself. I realized that if I continued to accept the condemning thoughts of the enemy, I could never walk in the confidence of Christ. You cannot walk in confidence and condemnation at the same time. Which would I choose? Which will you choose?
When Satan brings thoughts of condemnation to you, this is what you should say, out loud:

There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. I am the apple of God's eye and He loves me. He has forgiven my sins and remembers them no more. Take that devil!

God doesn't want us to have our identity in our physical
appearance, talents, education, job, children, friends, religion, or anything else. He doesn't want our identity to be tied up in the trials that we go through, or the circumstances we live in. He wants us to find our personal identity in Christ alone. He paid a high price for us to belong to Him, and when God sees us, He sees the righteousness that Jesus died for us to have. Apart from Him, we can do nothing and we are nothing! Today, make the decision to get your mind and your mouth in line with the Word. Start proclaiming the positive scriptures over your life, and you'll discover that His grace to succeed is all you need, once you've determined who you are.

So, who do you think you are?
8 Comments
Got Unanswered Prayers??? Oct 1, 2008 2:50 am
Mood: Believing for the answers, 500 Views
Most people know that prayer should be part of a Christian's life, but sometimes we wonder why our prayers do not seem to be answered. What does the Bible say?

In 1 John 5:14, God promises: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." It is possible to be confident that God hears our prayer. But there is a condition - an "if." He hears us "if we ask according to His will."

When I was first saved, in my ignorance of the things of God, I became resentful that every promise in the Bible comes with certain conditions, certain strings attached, there always seems to be an "if".

What I have come to learn is that God gave us an "Owners Manual". When we buy a new car, it comes with an "Owners Manual". If you want that car to operate the way it was intended, when it was made, you have to follow the guidelines laid out in the manual. Our lives are the same way, if we are to operate the way God intended, when He created us, we have to follow the instructions. His Word is our "Instruction Book" for living. In it, can be found the answers to every question, circumstance, and situation. How can we have confidence in receiving answers to our prayers, if we don't know what His will is? How can we know what His will is, if we don't get out the "Instruction Book" and find out?

There are some things God wills for us to have, but we will not receive them unless we ask. "You have not, because you ask not". There are other things we may think we need, but God knows best what we REALLY need. Our problem is we often think God has not answered our prayers, when He really has given what we needed, but we do not recognize or appreciate it. Too often we attempt to force our will on God and insist that He answer according to our will, not according to His will!

Again, James 5:16 says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." And 1 John 3:22 says: "Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." Yes, God does answer prayer. Prayer "avails much." We will receive what we prayer for. But this promise is only for the righteous, who keep God's commands and do what pleases Him.

Here again are conditions God has placed on our prayers. IF we have never been willing to submit to God and become His children, we can be sure that He will not answer when we call. Proverbs 28:9 says: "One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." This also includes children of God who go back to living to please themselves instead of pleasing God.

Are there sins in your life that you are unwilling to repent of? Don't expect God to serve you, when you refuse to serve God!

Are your prayers "according to your will", and NOT "according to HIS will"? Before you pray, find scriptures that promise the thing you are praying for, and pray those scriptures back to God, because "His Word will not return to Him void."

Is there unforgiveness in your heart towards another? This is another condition for answered prayer. If you have ought against any, repent, and forgive that person, then come back to pray, with confidence, believing that your prayers be answered.

Do you believe you have received, when you pray? This is another instruction for answered prayer. What does your confession have to say about what you're believing for? Are you speaking the facts or circumstances, or are you speaking the Truth? There is a difference.

If you will apply these basic principles to your prayer life, you will begin to see more fruit. If you have met all of the conditions and still have no answer, consider that the answer is there, perhaps you just don't recognize it, or maybe it isn't the answer you are looking for.

Finally, if all conditions are met, and no answer has come, WAIT. We all dislike that part, we want it NOW. But God's timing is perfect. Don't step out in front of God and force things to happen on your own, or you might end up with an Ishmael.

Trust God, He IS faithful, His promises ARE true, but you have to follow all the instructions.
16 Comments
Body Parts.......WOW! I Didn't Know! Sep 30, 2008 3:40 am
522 Views
A friend sent me this email about body parts, wow, I didn't know.

You really ought to know this. The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were designed the way we were, only God knows for sure.

-Scientists say the higher your I. Q., the more you dream.

-The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm.

-You use 200 muscles to take one step.

-The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.

-Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.

-A pair of human feet contains 250,000 sweat glands. (Why?)

-A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball. (Now I know why I can pee a quart)

-The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. (So, be careful in swallowing them)

-The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica. (So Ms P, you're OK)

-It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

-The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds.

-Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.

-At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.

-There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet, which may result in an affliction nicknamed 'foot & toe-scum'.

-Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.

-The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.

-Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.

-When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, and they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate. (How do you tell if you're loving or hating?)

-Your thumb is the same length of your nose.

At this very moment I know full well you are putting this last fact to the test... now remove your thumb from your nose and tell the friends you think might be interested in comparing their thumbs to their noses as well.

Just some interesting facts I thought you should know, why? I don't know.
12 Comments
Does God Promise NOT To Give Us More Than We Can Bear? Sep 29, 2008 3:22 am
Mood: Overcoming ALL things!, 475 Views
Yes, He does!!! Hallelujah! Although, there have been many times in my life when I've felt that He pushed it right to the limits, lol.
But, I'm still here, and that's evidence that His promise is true. Check it out:

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
I Corinthians 10:13

This Scripture teaches us a powerful principle. If we belong to Him, God will not allow any difficulty to come into our lives that we are not capable of bearing. This has given me comfort on many occasions, when I've felt I just couldn't endure a certain thing, when the pain was so intense that I thought it would kill me. Meditating on this promise gave me hope.

So, anything that comes our way, anything that tempts us, any tragedy that befalls us—we ARE capable of overcoming it and achieving spiritual victory. That does not mean it will always be easy. Quite the contrary—the fact that we may need a "way of escape" indicates that God sometimes allows difficult trials to come into our lives. We may not believe that we can overcome it, we may doubt our own strength to prevail, and we may even fail in the temptation. That does not mean, though, that we are not capable of overcoming that particular temptation. Whether it is a temptation to sin or a temptation to doubt God, God promises that we will be able to overcome it. That's very reassuring to me.

But what does it mean to "overcome" trials? It means the trials do not overcome our faith or our position as children of God, and we come through the trials intact. Our eternal destiny is not in danger because we are kept by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as a down payment on our salvation (2 Corinthians 2:21-22). No trial can overcome that, because it is of God. Therefore, the child of God will stand firm through the trials and come out on the other side still in God’s hand. This is proof that our salvation is real and our reward in heaven awaits us. James 1:12 assures us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

I'm so grateful for the promises of God and the confidence of knowing I can stand upon EACH one. He has NEVER failed me and there has been exponential spiritual growth through every trial. In addition, later on, I've also been able to discover His perfect will and purpose in allowing me to suffer, and my suffering has always been a benefit to me and others in some way. So, take heart today! Whatever you are going through, God has allowed it and will use it for your good, and if you will allow it, He will use it for the good of someone else too.
4 Comments
So, Christian Cowboy,Will The Cowboys Win Today? lol Sep 28, 2008 8:00 am
Mood: Cheering for my teams!, 530 Views
I love football! I was raised watching football and it's one of my fav sports, second only to racing, lol. Of course, my son was raised enjoying football with me and we make $1 bets on the games every Sunday, and have for many years.
Until November every year, I'm faced with the dilema that some football games are televised while the race is on, which makes things very difficult. It is then, I'm only able to keep up with the games during commercials, and my trusty remote has a "previous channel" button on it, making it much easier to go from one to the other.

Here's my picks for today: I've got

Jacksonville Jaguars against the Houston Texans (No-brainer!)

Tampa Bay Bucs against the Green Bay Packers ( I am from Fla, ya know!)

Dallas Cowboys (Yea!!!!) against the Washington Redskins (at Dallas)

Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens (Monday night)

Going into this week, I am $2 ahead of my son, we have an agreement to pay up whenever one of us gets to or exceeds $5, and believe it or not, I've collected many more $5 bills than he has! (Sometimes, I actually feel sorry for him)

For the first two games, be assured I'll be checking in during the commercials for the NASCAR race at Kansas City Speedway today. What's really a bummer is switching over to check on one of the games, and have that network in commercial too! lol
What is a girl to do?

So, tell me Christian Cowboy, will the Cowboys win again today?
9 Comments
Church Condemns "Crucified Frog" Sep 28, 2008 5:26 am
Mood: Shocked!, 517 Views
I was amazed to hear of this! Click on the pic to enlarge.

A sculpture of a crucified frog holding a mug of beer on display at a Bolzano museum has sparked outrage in Italy.

Reports state that local clerics and politicians want the work removed.

The one meter high work by late German artist Martin Kippenberger belongs to his Fred the Frog series and depicts a warty, pop-eyed amphibian nailed to a cross with a frothing mug of beer in one hand.

Curators at Bolzano museum of modern art Museion, said that Kippenberger's work was a self portrait of the artist "in a state of profound crisis", but their explanation has been given short shrift by local bishop Wilhelm Egger.

"The crucified frog has shocked many visitors to the Museion and has hurt their religious feelings," Egger said.

"Even if this was not the intention of the artist or the Museion, there is a law in place that says religious feelings should be respected.

Today the symbols of Christian faith are often held in contempt, and an exhibition of works like this one does not help to create peace between cultures and religions," he added.

I see this as NOT as a work of art, rather a work of blasphemy. What do you think?
8 Comments
Feeling Lucky??? Sep 28, 2008 4:21 am
Mood: NOT lucky, just blessed!, 540 Views
I despise the word "lucky"!

People that know me, are often irritated with my correction when they use the word "lucky". I always say, "It's not lucky, it's blessed." I DO NOT believe in luck! My motto in life is, "NOTHING that happens, happens for NOTHING". Whether situations happen naturally, or demonically, as a result of our own choices, or God-created, NOTHING can happen to us, good or bad, without His express approval. A person is NEVER "lucky" or "unlucky"

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "luck" as follows:

1. The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events. 2. Good fortune or prosperity; success....to gain success or something desirable by chance:

The main question is, do things happen by chance? If they do, then one can speak of someone being lucky or unlucky. But if they don't happen by chance, then it's inappropriate to use those terms.

God is Sovereign!


Sovereignty is His Supreme guiding and directing of our lives, He DOES have a perfect plan, after all, lol.

"The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord."
Proverbs 16:33

God’s sovereignty involves two aspects. God’s active Will or sovereignty would involve something He causes to happen such as is revealed in many places in the Bible.

God’s passive Will involves Him allowing, rather than causing, something to happen. The Book of Job clearly illustrates this in what God allowed Satan to do in the life of Job. He permitted the negative circumstances to come.

We can't always determine whether God’s active or passive Will is involved in the events of our lives, but we do know that ALL things that take place are under the umbrella of His Will, whether active or passive, and therefore nothing is a matter of mere chance. Hence, my distaste for the word "lucky".

So it is for any event of life; no matter how small or how large, God is sovereign over all and thus, NOTHING is merely the matter of chance.

From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God is in control of all of His creation and is somehow able to take the random acts of natural law, the free will of both good and evil men, and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect Will. And Christians, specifically, are given the promise that He works ALL things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So, how about you? Are YOU feeling lucky? As for me, I'm simply blessed and walking in His Will.
14 Comments
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This Post Rated XXX-If Sensitive, Please DON'T Readwpx1Oct 13 6:31 pm
Let's ALL Quit This Place And Go Somewhere Else!!!ReadingandRosesOct 13 4:34 pm
I Miss ALL Of You And Covet Your Prayers!NeedGodlyleaderOct 11 3:50 pm
New Members at BigChurch, WATCH OUT!!!nivekyajOct 10 6:00 pm
Who Do YOU Think YOU Are?manofgodchild32Oct 7 5:31 pm
Should Christians Invest In The Stock Market?meow33744Oct 5 8:57 am
In Love At BigChurchracefan4Oct 4 11:31 am
Got Unanswered Prayers???racefan4Oct 2 4:41 am
Think About What You're Thinking About!racefan4Oct 1 12:07 pm
Body Parts.......WOW! I Didn't Know!sk76Sep 30 8:37 pm
Does God Promise NOT To Give Us More Than We Can Bear?ladylightwalkerSep 30 1:29 pm