Advertisement
Bringing people together in love and faith
My Blog
Blogs > racefan4 > My First Blog
My First Blog
  
A Work of Biographical Proportion-In Progress
Title View |
God's Message to Woman, Man Should Read Too Feb 28, 2008 1:07 pm
Mood: In Emotion & Humility, 560 Views
This is an email I received. It really touched my heart, and that a man would read it and see a woman from His perspective. And, that he would heed God's last paragraph.

To The Woman, From God

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.

Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.

Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.

Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtue in your heart. Your eyes -- don't change them. Your lips -- how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to touch.

I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you: my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.

You are special because you are the extension of me. Man represents my image -- woman, my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man -- "treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile". In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father and the heart of her Father. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.

Thank you Most Gracious and Loving Father for creating us to compliment each other, for making us precious to each other, and to You.
18 Comments
Father, I Have A Problem....... Feb 28, 2008 2:31 am
Mood: Prayerful, 609 Views
It's weighing heavy on me. It's all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer, I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me--those in this world who have barely enough food for this day, and those who don't have a roof over their heads at night.

I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in hospital with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition.

I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging, whose only "escape" is death.

I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer's disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of AIDS, for those who are in such despair they are about to commit suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism, and drug addiction.

I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel and drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love, or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are horribly deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their deathbeds in hospitals.

I pray for the soldiers, who are away from all they know and love, in a hostile land, to sacrifice themselves for us. And for the thousands of people living in third world countries, who die daily of disease and malnutrition. And for all who are persecuted and unable to worship you in freedom.

Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don't know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ, for those who in a moment of time will be swept into Hell by the cold hand of death, and find to their utter horror the unspeakable vengeance of eternal fire. They will be eternally damned to everlasting punishment. O God, I pray for them.

Strange, Father, I can't seem to remember what my problem was.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen."
22 Comments
Ever Been Angry With God? Feb 27, 2008 5:31 am
Mood: Imperfect, 457 Views
I have, many times. To be very honest, I've even cussed Him out. (Yes, I repented later, of course) Shocking? Sacriligious? Sinful?

When circumstances hurt so deeply, you just want to go to sleep and never wake up or conditions are so dire that you just don't know how to go forward, there's a human tendency to get angry. It's understandable to get angry at God, because, surely, He could do something to change the situation, surely He could have prevented the pain.

In spite of the faith that I cling to, there are times when I feel angry at God. I champion His cause to the very best of my ability, but I can get angry when it "seems" that He messes things up. There are times where He lets horrific things happen. In such moments I shake my fist at heaven and pray through clenched teeth with tears pouring down: "Where are You? How could You allow this to happen?"

The Bible is not silent about this feeling of anger, it's actually quite articulate on the subject. The Bible speaks in the voice of God's own Son. Listen to Luke 22:39–45:

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
Something is about to happen that could derail Jesus' relationship with God. That's what temptation is at its core: it is any experience or enticement that has the capacity to disconnect us from a life-nourishing relationship with God. Jesus knows that such an experience is coming. In a very short time, He is going to be taken, tried, tortured, and tacked up on wood. It's going to look like evil's team completely owns the game. It is going to appear as though God and all that is good is gone. It's not just going to look bad; it's going to feel awful. It's going to be like that time when your loved one was taken—when you were pierced by pain and the very fabric of your life was being stretched and torn. Jesus sees a similar situation coming, and he knows such situations can lead any of us to fall to the temptation to disbelieve in the love and power of God.

In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, we're told that "[Jesus] withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.'"

It's significant, though, that Jesus goes on to pray this final line: "Yet not My will, but Yours be done." These words are important for two reasons. First, these words are a statement of fact. God's will is going to be done, because God is God. I can certainly express my desire for a different road. I can shake my fist at how hard the road is. I can get very angry at God for how certain situations make me feel. But the fact of the matter is that God is God. This universe was designed for the fulfillment of His desires and not primarily for ours.

This line in Jesus' prayer is also a statement of faith. It begins with the Aramaic word Abba, which is translated "Father" or "Dad." Jesus is saying: Because You are my Father, I'm telling You how I feel. I'm admitting how hard this is, Dad. I'm simply saying that if You can do what needs to be done in some other way, I would really like that. But You're my Father, and in my clearest moments I know that You love me. So I am choosing to put my faith in You.

It's interesting to note that verses 43–45 go on to say: "An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow."

At the Cross, the darkness is so profound that Jesus feels as though God is gone. In Mark 15:33 we read: "At the sixth hour, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'—which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" The feelings of pain and the onslaught of the world's sin are so profound that they lead Jesus into the temptation to doubt his Father's love. But the doubt does not last for long. Luke 22:46 records Christ's final words, and they are ones of faith: "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.' When He had said this, He breathed his last."

It is only natural in the face of suffering to have some hard feelings about God. Even Jesus wailed, "Take this cup from me" and "Why have You forsaken me?" Being honest about the pain of life and how God seems to have abandoned you is not the opposite of faith; it's part of the journey of faith. Read the Psalms if you need more evidence. Suffering is an invitation to remember that God is God, and we are not. He is intent upon accomplishing His will on earth as it is in heaven, and there will be times when the exercise of that perfect will, will be painful to us. In those moments, we have a choice to make: will our pain become a barrier or a bridge to a relationship with God? If I turn away from God, I will become bitter. If I turn toward God, I will become better.

I don't believe our momentary anger at God is sinful, He knows our human frailty and weakness, our lack of understanding in certain situations. Sometimes, we simply need to vent our feelings, as from one friend to another, He is after all, our best friend, and His Son is all too familiar with pain and sorrow. I believe that when we express our anger and sorrow, He will send an angel from heaven, as He did for Jesus, to strengthen us and increase our faith, so that ultimately, our trust is in Him. There is great comfort in that trust, regardless of the trials we endure. Trust in Him, for He cares for you. Don't let your anger remain, it can turn into bitterness, and that's what's sinful and counter-productive. But, never feel badly about telling God how you feel, even if you're angry at Him.
13 Comments
A Fork In My Hand Feb 26, 2008 3:07 pm
Mood: Anticpating Heaven, 511 Views
I received this email today and thought it quite interesting. I hope it blesses you.

Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her "things in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply. 'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.
'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet to come'.
The Pastor's eyes we filled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would
see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.
During his message,the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it
either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

No matter what you're facing today, no matter the hardships we endure in this short time in these earthly bodies, we have an eternal promise that supercedes our circumstances. The best is yet to come!
10 Comments
BC Party! --Everyone Welcome!-- Please RSVP! Feb 25, 2008 3:55 am
Mood: Excited!!!, 3828 Views
It's a Party!!! Come One, Come ALL!!!
For Real!!! No Kidding!!!
We've worked out ALL the details!!
Everyone is welcome to attend!!!


This is no joke! It's for real! We want to meet each and every one of you. Will you come?

BigChurch Party!!!


When: July 4, 5, and 6. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Where: My house, Cape Coral, Florida. Directions will be provided.

What: The opportunity for us to meet and greet each other, sing and rejoice together, pray, laugh, and just have a wonderful time in the Lord! Hallelujah!

Cost: Zero!!! Just for your travel expenses and we will all chip in together for the cost of food. I'll furnish the house and the fireworks.

What to bring:Just bring yourselves, a sleeping bag, and pillow(s), there will be a pillow fight, lol. And please bring your fav CD's, DVD's, and Bible. But NO SPEEDOS!!! (wife beaters and smiley boxers optional)

OK, for all of you that have said, "I sure would like to meet everyone here", this is your chance! It may not come again, so start planning. There's plenty of time to make arrangements, even for you Aussies, lol. I'll provide directions for those driving, and I'll pick anyone up from the airport, for those who wish to fly. Just give me your itinerary.

Come on, it's a holiday weekend, most of you will be off work anyhow. We'll have a blast!! We can have a bigchurch BBQ on Friday, and throw Rod, Blair, and Michael in the pool! (see picture) Then, Friday night, we'll have a spectacular fireworks display! Saturday, we can go to a beautiful island, with white sandy beaches, and the most breathtaking sunset you've ever seen. On Sunday, you will really enjoy my church, with contemporary worship and music.

For those of you with instruments and karaoke, bring them along, I'm the only house on the street, no neighbors, and no noise limitations! Let's sing and dance and have joy overflowing!!!

I have 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, so there will be a few beds available, first come, first served, but lots of floor space for sleeping bags. Yes, Michael, the Pepsi 400, at Daytona, will be on my 57" HD TV for our viewing pleasure, on Saturday night! lol

Please RSVP, to either Jean, Angel, or myself, so I can have a head count. Will you come?
196 Comments
Why Is Trusting God So Difficult? Feb 24, 2008 4:30 am
Mood: Still learning, 626 Views
Trust DOES NOT come easy for me. Even though God has healed me from the many wounds suffered in my life, the residual affect is self-protection. Learning how to trust God has been one of the hardest things for me to learn, (and surrender) and I can't say I'm completely there yet, but continually striving to accomplish it. Perhaps it is because every person I have trusted has hurt me and forced me to trust only in my own efforts and abilities. But the Bible says we are not to trust in ourselves, or our own understanding, but in Him. Well, that's easy to say, but extremely difficult to achieve, for me, at least, as I tend to be skeptical towards most people. I have a very thick wall of self-protection surrounding my heart. It's almost impossible for a mere human to penetrate that wall, as it's made of solid concrete, lol. But, I'm slowly allowing God to come break through.

Why is trusting God so difficult?

The Bible says this about trusting God, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5
Furthermore, it tells us that "He who trusts in himself is a fool. . ."
Proverbs 28:26
Still, most of us have difficulty trusting God at least at one point or another in our walk with Him.

There are many reasons why trusting is difficult. God's ways don't always make sense to us. God told Noah to build an ark. It may have never rained up to this point and the nearest body of water was probably many miles away. It could not have made much sense to Noah at all (story found in Genesis 6-8 ). We want life to make sense. We always want to set our own terms and timetables.

God works on a different timetable than our minds comprehend. God promised Abraham a son from his own body through his wife Sarah. It was at least 24 years before this promise was fulfilled in the manner in which God had promised. In the meantime, Abraham and Sarah had difficulty trusting God and tried their own methods to fulfill the promise (Genesis 15-17). We want what we want and we want it. . .now! It is difficult to trust in a plan that requires us to surrender (ooooo, there's that surrender word again) all control of the time for completion.

In order to trust in God, you must totally surrender (ouch, I don't like that word, lol.)your will, your ideas, your desires, and your future in to God's hands. Many of us are "control freaks." (Yes, I have a tendency that way) We don't want to give the control of any part of our lives over to another. If you don't believe that God loves you fully and really does have your best interests at heart and desires the very best for you, trusting Him is going to be extremely difficult. It takes a very special relationship to allow that measure of surrender. Most of us have a tendency to claim trust in God. That's how I am, I trust Him, intellectually. However, at the first sign of any difficulty or trial, we think that God must not love us because He is allowing this difficulty to happen. The trial is exactly what God is using to test the level of trust that we have in Him.

In spite of the trials, we always have God's promise that the trials and tests that we go through are for our good (Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:17, James 1:2). We learn that it is through trust that our relationship with God strengthens and our love for Him grows.

We can trust in many things. None, however, offer the protection plan, the long term security, or the fringe benefits that trusting in God offers. All of the other things in which we place our trust can fail. God never fails! In the words of King David, ". . .Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. . ."
1 Chronicles 28:20

For me, trusting God is an ongoing process. It's a day to day operation, a work-in-progress. I have to focus on all of the times He has come through in my circumstances. I have to remember that He loves me, cares for me, and has a perfect plan for my life, even if I don't understand it at times. I have to keep myself in His Word, so that His promises are before my eyes and in my heart, every day. I have to let go of self-protection where God is concerned and believe in His sovereignty, that He is in control, and well-able to complete the work He has begun in me. Finally, I have to pray daily that He continue to change and adjust me in this area, because I can do nothing without Him and cannot achieve trust without His grace to help me.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Hopefully and prayerfully, when Jesus returns,
He'll find me trusting in Him.

How about you?
21 Comments
Tax Rebate Checks-Will You Get It?-Please Read! Feb 23, 2008 6:07 am
Mood: Blessed by free money!, 828 Views
OK, most Americans have heard about this rebate, it's a free gift given to most Americans, in hopes of stimulating the economy. However, most of my clients have told me that they're using it on a bill, credit card, or mortgage payment. The good news is, it's coming in May, the bad news is, many will not receive it, simply because they're unaware of the conditions that need to be met, in order to get it.
Hence, the reason for this post.


The #1 requirement to receiving this rebate is that you have to file a 2007 tax return, even if not otherwise required. If you don't file a tax return, you won't get the rebate. If you file by April 15, you'll get it in May, if you file an extension, depending on when you actually file it, you'll get it later, no later than November.

The rebate is going to be $600 per adult and an additional $300 per child, under 17. It's also got income limitations. If you make between $3000 and $75,000, ($150,000 married filing jointly) you automatically qualify. Income below $3000 and over $75,000, the rebate will be reduced, on a sliding scale.

This is free money!! There are no tax implications and will not be reported as income for 2008. However, if you have unpaid taxes, child support, or student loans, you will not get the rebate, it will be applied to your unpaid obligations to the IRS or other federal agencies.

You do not need to apply for it, or request it in any way, other than filing a 2007 tax return. It is also given to those with non-taxable income, such as Social Security, Veteran's Benefits, SSI, or other tax-exempt income, as long as you file the tax return. So, retirees, veterans, make sure you file that return!!!

How will you get it? I'm so glad you asked, lol. If, when you file your tax return, and qualify for a refund, you designate that refund to be directly deposited into your bank account, you will receive the rebate the same way. It will just automatically show up in your account. IRS will send letters so you know it's coming. If, when you file, you owe taxes or choose to receive your refund in the form of a check, then that's how you will receive the rebate, by check.

If you file an extension for your tax return, you will still get the rebate, it just won't come until after you've filed it.

This will be so beneficial to those on fixed incomes, retirees, veterans, and the disabled. It will also be a blessing for single parents with children, as it could amount to as much as $1500 or more, depending on how many children you have, 17 or under.

So, ALL AMERICANS, take heed. File those tax returns, even if you're not required to, by law. It could mean an extra $600 in your pocket. If any of you have any other questions, please feel free to leave me a comment, and I will be happy to answer.

God's abundant blessings!!
19 Comments
Will You Give Him The Glory, No Matter What? Feb 23, 2008 4:15 am
Mood: Praising Him Forever!!!, 542 Views
GIVING GOD THE GLORY NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FACING

Witnessing a magnificent fireworks display, hearing a stunning symphony, or seeing a glorious sunset can evoke a response of praise. Receiving a blessing, for ourselves or a loved one, can also evoke praise. Often, the difficulties of life cloud our vision, bring us down, and keep us from praising God. What can we do to restore a heart-attitude of praise?

THE NATURE OF PRAISE

Praise, according to the Scriptures, is an act of our will that flows out of an awe and reverence for our Creator. Praise gives glory to God and opens us up to a deeper union with Him. It turns our attention off of our problems and on the nature and character of God Himself.

As we focus our minds on God and proclaim His goodness, we reflect His glory back to Him. The results can fill you with peace and contentment ( Isaiah 26:3) and transform your outlook on life.

REASONS TO PRAISE

Very simply, we praise God because He is worthy of our praise ( 1 Chron. 16:25; Rev. 5:11-14). He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our Creator, Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Judge, Defender and much more.

Another foundational reason to praise God is simple obedience. The Bible says God is a "jealous" God who demands and desires our praise. "You shall have no other gods before Me," says the first commandment ( Deut. 6:v7). As the psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" ( Psalm 150:6).

As we praise God, we will discover incredible benefits for our lives. That's because human beings were created by God to praise Him ( Isa. 43:v7, Matt. 21:16). Due to man's original sin, however, this relationship was disrupted. Praising God helps restore us to that right relationship, for God actually dwells in the praises of His people ( Psalm 22:3). As we draw near to the Father in praise, He draws near to us ( James 4:v8 ).

Praise is also our ultimate destiny. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns again to earth, ALL creation -- including prideful mankind -- will recognize His glory and praise Him ( Phil. 2:9-11).

PRAISE FOR PROTECTION

God also gives us assurances of additional blessings as we praise Him. When we praise God, He honors us as His children, and provides His loving protection ( 2 Sam. 22:47-51). Failure to praise God, however, leaves us out of fellowship with God and out of His divine protection ( 1 Samuel 2:27-32).

Our praise can also serve as a powerful witness to those who do not know the Lord ( 1 Peter 2:v9 ). Also, God can work miraculously through our praises. The ancient walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people, as a result of shouts of praise ( Joshua 6:1-21). The prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas praised God ( Acts 16:25-26).

OBSTACLES TO PRAISE

Praise is both important and powerful. So why is it so difficult at times to praise God? The Bible explains that, even with the power of the indwelling Jesus, our hearts are still "more deceitful that all else" ( Jer. 17:9). We sometimes forget that we are always dependent on God to live victoriously in this life.

Satan therefore tries to persuade us that we will eventually reach a point where we can "do it ourselves." The Scriptures are clear that Satan "prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" ( 1 Peter 5:v8 ).

Disguised as an "angel of light," the devil and his host seek subtly to subvert the praises the children of God owe to their heavenly Father.

God, however, has given us grace in times of need, provided we humble ourselves ( Matt. 23:12; James 4:5-10). Praising God allows us to defeat the strategies of the enemy. As God's adopted children, we no longer have to remain slaves to sin ( Gal. 4:6-7). We have a powerful spiritual weapon in praise, and it is guaranteed to be effective ( II Cor. 10:4-5).

LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

It is vitally important to live in an attitude of praise toward God. But what can you do if you are having difficulty maintaining a life filled with praise?

1. Commit your life to Christ. First, be absolutely sure that you have placed your complete faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. The Bible says that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" ( Rom. 10:9). The life of praise begins here, with the confession of your mouth that "Jesus is Lord."

2. Confess sin and repent. Sin, including prideful self-reliance, separates us from God and from His love and protection. But we have the assurance of forgiveness if we come to Him in repentance ( 1 John 1:9). Confess any known sin and ask God to search your heart. Then, receive His forgiveness.

3. Praise God anyway! Despite your present feelings, it is important to offer praise to God, what Hebrews 13:15 calls a sacrifice" of praise. Despite our feelings or circumstances, God often asks us to take the first step, especially when He is trying to help us grow in our faith ( James 1:2-4).

4. Join together with other believers. Sharing your struggles with another brother or sister in Christ is not only good idea ( Ecc. 4:9-10), it is commanded ( James 5:16). Uniting with other believers in regular worship is also a key to being able to praise God ( Heb. 10:24-25).

AS YOU PRAY

Are you living a life filled with praise for God? If not, take a few moments to examine your life and your relationship with Jesus. If you have not made Him Lord of your life, start there. Then, confess any known sin and receive His forgiveness. Ask Him to renew you and refresh your spirit.

"Lord, You have made me and You love me. Forgive me for failing to give You the praise which You deserve. I confess my need of You in all things. I desire to walk in joy and praise. Release me now into a deeper understanding of who You are, so that I may truly praise You. I ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen."

GOD'S WORD ON PRAISE

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods" ( 1 Chron. 16:23-25).

Praise Him in ALL things, the good, the bad, and the indifferent. Praise will take you out of depression, lonliness, and sorrow. There are so many benefits to praising Him. And, it's good practice, because, hopefully, you'll be praising Him for all eternity.

Hallelujah!
10 Comments
What's YOUR Love Language? Feb 22, 2008 3:59 am
Mood: Contemplating Love, 625 Views
How do you want to be loved?


I was listening to one of my shows yesterday, where the guest was a man named Dr. Gary Chapman. He is a Christian marriage counselor, a renowned author, and Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He conducts weekend marriage seminars and hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, which airs on over 100 stations, called, "A Growing Marriage".
The leading author in biblical marriage counseling speaks love in your language. With over thirty years of experience in marriage counseling, Dr. Gary Chapman has worked closely with thousands of couples struggling with countless issues. But at the heart of every marriage he has encountered–including his own–rests the same core longing: all people need to feel loved.

In his book, "The Five Languages of Love", he teaches how each of us speak a different love language. If we will discover the language our loved ones speak, we are more apt to have a better relationship with them. Here are the Five Love Languages:

The Five Love Languages

Words of Affirmation
Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Verbal appreciation speaks powerfully to persons whose primary Love Language is “Words of Affirmation.” Simple statements, such as, “You look great in that suit,” or “You must be the best baker in the world! I love your oatmeal cookies,” are sometimes all a person needs to hear to feel loved.

Quality Time
Quality time is more than mere proximity. It’s about focusing all your energy on your mate. A husband watching sports while talking to his wife is NOT quality time. Unless all of your attention is focused on your mate, even an intimate dinner for two can come and go without a minute of quality time being shared.

Quality conversation is very important in a healthy relationship. It involves sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context. A good mate will not only listen, but offer advice and respond to assure their mate they are truly listening. Many mates don’t expect you to solve their problems. They just need a sympathetic listener.

Receiving Gifts
Some mates respond well to visual symbols of love. If you speak this love language, you are more likely to treasure any gift as an expression of love and devotion. People who speak this love language often feel that a lack of gifts represents a lack of love from their mate. Luckily, this love language is one of the easiest to learn.

These gifts need not to come every day, or even every week. They don’t even need to cost a lot of money. Free, frequent, expensive, or rare, if your mate relates to the language of receiving gifts, any visible sign of your love will leave them feeling happy and secure in your relationship.

Acts of Service
Sometimes simple chores around the house can be an undeniable expression of love. Even simple things like laundry and taking out the trash require some form of planning, time, effort, and energy. Just as Jesus demonstrated when he washed the feet of his disciples, doing humble chores can be a very powerful expression of love and devotion to your mate.

It is important to do these acts of service out of love and not obligation. A mate who does chores and helps out around the house out of guilt or fear will inevitably not be speaking a language of love, but a language of resentment. It’s important to perform these acts out of the kindness of your heart.

Physical Touch
Many mates feel the most loved when they receive physical contact from their partner. For a mate who speaks this love language loudly, physical touch can make or break the relationship.

Sexual intercourse makes many mates feel secure and loved in a marriage. However, it is only one dialect of physical touch. Many parts of the body are extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is important to discover how your partner not only physically responds but also psychologically responds to these touches.

It is important to remember that this love language is different for everyone. What type of touch makes you feel secure is not necessarily what will make your partner happy. It is important to learn each other’s dialects. That way you can make the most of your hugging, kissing, and other physical contacts.

So, now that you know what the 5 love languages are, tell me which one you speak. For me, I would say it's a tie between physical touch and words of affirmation.

What's yours?
23 Comments
Stress! Stress! And More Stress! Feb 21, 2008 12:45 pm
Mood: Renewed in Him, 664 Views
There is SO much stress in my life, that's what tax season is, STRESS!!!
You'd think, after 22 years, I'd be used to it, but this year is like no other. People are hurting so bad financially, that they all need their refunds yesterday. 99% of my clients have asked me to do them right away, I have over 40 on my desks and tables right now. In addition, I have a Board meeting for the ministry Saturday, my mom is sick, and I'm only sleeping 3 or 4 hours a night. When I get like this, I'm not productive, I'm short tempered, I'm tired, and you don't want to mess with me, lol. It's times like now, I know, no matter how busy I am, and no matter how much work is stacked up, I need to go to my prayer closet. I need time with my Lord, I need refuge from the world, and the stress and the anxiety. Today, I took the time I needed.

But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these thing will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV

Real genuine worship to the Lord God is where my innermost being is fully exposed before His eyes, where I meet Him intimately. The refuge of His sanctuary is where my soul is renewed in His presence, where my energy is strengthened and revitalized, where my sins are forgiven, by the Holy sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. His love sets aflame a blazing fire in my innermost being, I feel my zeal and excitement for life return, and my mind and my emotions restored. This is where I need to be, in His presence, where I can run and not be weary and walk and not faint.

There are times when I find myself caught up in life with its illness, pain, trials, stress, and anxieties, leaving little room for The Lord God. These are the times my need for Him are greatest, but little time is available to seek His face.

I felt the Lord emphasize these gentle words to me this morning:

"Many times I have wanted you to see what matters most, is the condition of your heart. Do not fret or be overly concerned about things and circumstances in your life. I want you to see what is most important to your well being. My Child, you have been robed in my beloved Son’s righteousness and crowned in His glory. I want you to see the your inner spirit as a vessel ready to be filled with the gifts of my Holy Spirit. I want you to reach others around you with My love. I want you to see things through My Eyes, hear things with My ears, and feel things with My heart. Do not be concerned about the outward issues in your life, but seek Me first with your heart’s cry. I await our time together."

Oh, I cannot tell you how blessed I felt, what a difference His Words made to my overall condition. Taking the time with Him was like taking a week's vacation. When you just can't take the pressure anymore, when stress and anxiety have consumed you, and there's no joy in your soul, go to the refuge of His presence. Don't put it off, don't run from Him, run to Him, cry out your deepest feelings, He IS an ever-present help, and in His presence is everything you could ever need.

So, drop what hinders you into the hands of the Lord God. Rest, and receive all the love and comfort and peace the Lord has to give you. That time with God will make the mirages of life disappear. It will be well worth every minute.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:v7 NIV

Thank you Father for the refuge of Your love and care.
29 Comments
1 2 3 4 5 ... 10 ... 20 ... 27 28 29 30 31 ... 43 44 45

To link to this blog (racefan4) use [blog racefan4] in your messages.
Guidelines
January 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
        1
  		2
1
3
 
4
  		5
  		6
  		7
  		8
  		9
  		10
 
11
  		12
  		13
  		14
  		15
  		16
  		17
 
18
  		19
  		20
  		21
  		22
  		23
  		24
 
25
  		26
  		27
  		28
  		29
  		30
  		31
 

Recent Visitors
VisitorAgeSexDate
supabubba47M1/8
Verybusybee54F1/8
YOUNG53M54M1/7
AlanB252M1/7
longing4more49F1/7
quan0936M1/5
Pray2be 56F1/4
simplysmiles51F1/4
Cassiusclay 48M1/4
kiadan 33F1/3
Most Recent Comments by Others
PostPosterPost Date
Going Camping For The Weekend, Our Last Hurrah!80sgirl19Jan 8 6:15 pm
Feeling Led To Leave BigChurchphilopatirJan 5 4:48 pm
How Are YOU Blessed At Christmas???goldensJan 4 8:35 am
A New Year, A New BeginningchocnrosesJan 1 9:32 pm
My Angel Christmas TreeheartforedjehuDec 26 5:49 pm
Can You Just Imagine For A Moment???NeedGodlyleaderDec 24 11:34 am
This Post Rated XXX-If Sensitive, Please DON'T Readwpx1Dec 24 3:46 am
What Does The Bible Say About Interracial Marriage?thanksjesusDec 23 1:19 pm
We Need Some "Blogger's Etiquette" Around Here!!!racefan4Dec 23 5:33 am
Make A Decision To Be Happy!!! It's REALLY Up To You!!!racefan4Dec 23 5:26 am
Would You Marry Someone With Faults?I_Am_1_Rib_ShortDec 22 11:51 pm