the focus

There must be a sense of need created before your message is of any use. 

Thousands of people in this world profess to be happy without God. But if 

we could be truly happy and moral without Jesus, then why did He come? 

He came because that kind of happiness and peace is only superficial. 

Jesus Christ came to "bring . . . a sword" through every kind of peace 

that is not based on a personal relationship with Himself. 

I did not come to bring peace but a sword —Matthew 10:34

When you are joyful, be joyful; when you are sad, be sad. 

If God has given you a sweet cup, don't make it bitter; and 

if He has given you a bitter cup, don't try and make it sweet; 

take things as they come. - CHAMBERS

Hurry

"Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). The urgency of our task is bound up in that little three-letter word now.

We are growing; we are prospering; we are even becoming popular in some quarters. Such an experience can become satisfying. But spiritual satisfaction may well breed spiritual indifference. Satisfaction and indifference soon dull the sense of urgency . . . Our message is different. It is urgent! The acceptance or rejection of our life-or-death message carries with it eternal implications. More awesome yet is the fact that our time for preaching is fast running out. There must be divine urgency in our planning for the future of God's work! "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). QUOTE Pierson

LET's not confuse SPEED with URGENCY

"the king's business requires haste" (1 Sam. 21:8). 

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

When God's hand is on the "throttle" we need not worry about speed !

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, 

but one receiveth the prize? 

So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Corinthians 9:24

the "race" sets the pace

blank

'not knowing'...

Leading by following

DID MOSES KNOW

WHAT HE WAS

GOING TO DO

AT THE RED

SEA?

If I am not "in touch"

with God I will not

know how to lead

my family when

we get to our

'RED SEA'

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8 KJV)

saved.com

prefer to believe

Beyond Kipling to Christ

Kipling is a very nice guy

I like the jungle book it's great

kids stuff....When I was a child, I spake as a child, 

I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when 

I became a man, I put away childish things.

Every human is always making calculations in the mind. 

I learned from my early days in math class that

if the formula is wrong the outcome will be wrong.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 

through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting 

down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself 

against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every 

thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness 

to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Paul tells us that how we think or make our mental 

"calculations" is where we have our daily "warfare". 

I cannot afford to use this Rudyard Kipling "formula" it will bring 

me an outcome contrary to scripture.

"I always prefer to believe the best of 

everybody; it saves so much trouble". QUOTE

If I choose to believe only the best

does that mean I will ignore the rest?

My dad keeps a roof over our heads.

He gets the bills paid, he is a good provider. 

THE ERROR

I refuse to believe he is wrong to visit his "girlfriend" while 

his wife, my mom, is working the night shift.

The "soldier" of Christ will need to endure the 

hardship of 'confronting' unpleasant realities.

Whereas we are encouraged to think on the things that

are lovely and of good report we cannot ignore our duty to 

"bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ".

It is a DANGEROUS and DELICATE but necessary DUTY.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, 

restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; 

considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; 

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

THE PRAYER:

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto 

thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word....

unsure

ARE YOU SURE?

The certainty of God allows

me to face the uncertainties

of life with confidence and 

courage in spite of my anxiety.

How sure was Noah that it

would actually rain as he 

was building the ark ?

How sure was Abraham or

Moses or Daniel or David?

...me neither I'm not sure !

but I must remain strong in Faith

"Turning intellectual faith into 

our personal possession is always 

a fight, not just sometimes."- OC

..without faith it is impossible 

to please him: for he that cometh 

to God must believe that he is, 

and that he is a rewarder....

Hebrews 11:6

THE SELFIE

IMAGE, IDENTITY and IMPRESSIONS and why my attitude stinks.

THE SELFIE is growing in popularity. I did not know what it 

was called but I first noticed it when my daughter kept 

taking my wife's cellphone because it had both a front 

and rear facing camera. Tons of my daughter's

'selfies' were left in the cellphone's 'albums'.

So, why can't I see my own back. . . or my own face?

Why Can't You Smell Your Own Breath or body odor?

The answer lies in the nature of the sense of smell. 

Your smell receptors in your olfactory bulb, 

which resides in your nasal canal, are 

very sensitive. But you wouldn't want 

to smell every smell all the time; 

you just want to smell new smells. 

So your smell receptors turn 

themselves off when an odor 

persists. That can be bad 

news when it comes to 

your breath. It's just 

too persistent in your life! 

- See more at: 

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/prevention/why-

can't-you-smell-your-own-breath

'Packaging and marketing' and...why am I "Painting myself in a good light"?

..and yet there are some days, when I try to convince myself that

I don't care what anyone thinks . . . such hypocrisy ! ...right?

. . . so, who am I really ?

Am I who I think I am 

or who I want to be 

or am I who 

you think 

I am?

Was Jesus having 'an identity crisis?'

He asked His disciples one day...

"Who do men say that I am?" After hearing some responses He then

asked their opinion. Peter got a very high commendation for his

answer. It seems that even Jesus saw value in the opinions of others.

Sometimes it is my own pride that makes me want to disregard your

opinion. The fact is, we need to be told when we "stink". There

are ALWAYS potential problems for both the 'teller' and the 'told'.

Although the bible commands us in no uncertain terms to "rebuke"

one another, we rarely find anyone willing to admit this as a duty

because of the 'perils of pride'. The fact of the matter is we will

always find it easier to see the faults of others than to see our

own faults.

ATTITUDES

1. I refuse to criticize (rebuke) ANYONE because I don't want

to be criticized or rebuked. I don't need your opinion !

(this is the 'you don't matter' attitude)

2. I will criticize everyone every day all day - I have that gift !

...but don't you even dare...(this is the 'i'm better' attitude)

3. The bible says I should not judge so who am I to tell anyone

if "their breath stinks" or there is a rip in the back of their pant.

4. This is may seem rare but is actually the norm

..."If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."

"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

so... I must pray today and every day:

Lord please help me:

to value the "impression" of my friends,

to be less concerned about "my image"

to identify myself only as you "show" yourself 

to others through me

AMEN

choice

. . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . . —1 Corinthians 1:2

Thank God for being able to see all that you have not yet been. You have had the vision, but you are not yet to the reality of it by any means. It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people.

There are times when we do know what God's purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. We have to learn to live in reliance upon what we saw in the vision, not simply live in ecstatic delight and conscious reflection upon God. This means living the realities of our lives in the light of the vision until the truth of the vision is actually realized in us. Every bit of our training is in that direction. Learn to thank God for making His demands known. - CHAMBERS

weak?

He said to them, 'This kind [of unclean spirit] can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting' —Mark 9:29

We can remain powerless forever, as the disciples were in this situation, by trying to do God's work without concentrating on His power, and by following instead the ideas that we draw from our own nature. CHAMBERS

Revived

Gathered on the hillside were dozens and dozens of long-time members and new believers—together, sharing in a moment of wonderful victory and blessing. The doors are repaired. The lights are bright. The staff team is growing. The work is being set in order. The gospel is being preached. Lost souls are coming to Christ. And God is being glorified

The gospel is not dead. Jesus is alive. The Word is powerful. Lost hearts are hungry. And people respond to genuine love.

"Emmanuel Baptist Church is coming to life and celebrating new life! I’m humble to be a part of it. . ."

THIS PAST SUNDAY . . .
God worked in the hearts of at least 15 people who trusted Christ as Saviour. The response to the gospel was strong. It was a miracle to see so many guests choose salvation by faith!

The church family invited friends and family. The testimonies were abundant! “My family came!” “My co-worker came!” “My neighbor came!” “Pastor, meet my friend!” “Pastor, my guest trusted Jesus as Saviour!” WOW! New England is sure responding to gracious, biblical Christianity.

Nine new believers followed in biblical baptism. Seven of them were saved recently through the ministry of EBC, and they were SO excited to identify and celebrate their salvation through baptism.

The church family celebrated the blessings! They clapped! In obedience to scripture… they clapped in agreement after we worshipped! They clapped in celebration of many who trusted Jesus! They clapped in celebration of each person who was baptized! They did exactly what God said to do: “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalms 47:1)

It was a joy to hear stories of how people were encouraged today by God’s Word.

The work has just begun! This week and in the coming months we will focus on following up on these new relationships, and hopefully see many more of our guests come to Jesus personally and begin growing in His grace..

http://bit.ly/1hhHuce

Thank God for a church where people are being saved and Baptized and discipled to reach others. Thanking God for a faithful pastor and family who teach and live the bible.
#healthychurches
#expectGodtowork

Cary Schmidt serves as the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, Connecticut. He and his wife, Dana, have been blessed with three children and have enjoyed twenty-three years of marriage and ministry together. Cary's passion is to love God, love his family, and point people to Jesus Christ through teaching, preaching, and writing. He has written eleven books, including Off Script, Discover Your Destiny, Done, and Life Quest.
http://amzn.to/15Etrbq

Emmanuel Baptist Church
296 New Britain Avenue
Newington, Connecticut 06111
Phone: (860) 666-1055
Fax: (860) 666-0146
Office Hours: 830 am to 400 pm
http://ebcnewington.com/

Cary Schmidt

www.amazon.com

 

It’s an amazing thing to see God do this—IN SPITE of us! He delights in doing a work that is beyond our ability, beyond our strength, beyond our means—and that is exactly what He’s doing at EBC. This truly is “the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!” Pray for us!

http://bit.ly/15GqtbP

 

The gospel is not dead. Jesus is alive. The Word is powerful. Lost hearts are hungry. And people respond to genuine love.

"Emmanuel Baptist Church is coming to life and celebrating new life! I’m humble to be a part of it. . ."

THIS PAST SUNDAY . . .
God worked in the hearts of at least 15 people who trusted Christ as Saviour. The response to the gospel was strong. It was a miracle to see so many guests choose salvation by faith!

The church family invited friends and family. The testimonies were abundant! “My family came!” “My co-worker came!” “My neighbor came!” “Pastor, meet my friend!” “Pastor, my guest trusted Jesus as Saviour!” WOW! New England is sure responding to gracious, biblical Christianity.

Nine new believers followed in biblical baptism. Seven of them were saved recently through the ministry of EBC, and they were SO excited to identify and celebrate their salvation through baptism.

The church family celebrated the blessings! They clapped! In obedience to scripture… they clapped in agreement after we worshipped! They clapped in celebration of many who trusted Jesus! They clapped in celebration of each person who was baptized! They did exactly what God said to do: “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalms 47:1)

It was a joy to hear stories of how people were encouraged today by God’s Word.

The work has just begun! This week and in the coming months we will focus on following up on these new relationships, and hopefully see many more of our guests come to Jesus personally and begin growing in His grace..

http://bit.ly/1hhHuce

 

Where r u

Religion Cheat Sheet

Surprised by your answer? There's a lot to be learned from many of the religions above. While getting clear about what religious tradition or belief system you most identify with is interesting, even fun, don't let your journey stop there! All of these traditions understand themselves as paths to truth about the divine and/or the universe. Anyone sincerely seeking the truth must go beyond merely clarifying what they or other people believe to ask: but is it true?

http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/religion/

Our Pastor

Thank God for a church where people are being saved and Baptized and discipled to reach others. Thanking God for a faithful pastor and family who teach and live the bible.

#healthychurches

#expectGodtowork

Cary Schmidt serves as the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, Connecticut. He and his wife, Dana, have been blessed with three children and have enjoyed twenty-three years of marriage and ministry together. Cary's passion is to love God, love his family, and point people to Jesus Christ through teaching, preaching, and writing. He has written eleven books, including Off Script, Discover Your Destiny, Done, and Life Quest.

http://amzn.to/15Etrbq

Emmanuel Baptist Church

296 New Britain Avenue

Newington, Connecticut 06111

Phone: (860) 666-1055

Fax: (860) 666-0146

Office Hours: 830 am to 400 pm

http://ebcnewington.com/

watch tv

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Pencilz2

listen to ‘Pencilz2’ on Audioboo

Pencils

listen to ‘Pencils’ on Audioboo

Lance 7 21 13

listen to ‘Lance 7 21 13’ on Audioboo

Do u have it

As Much as we may deny it, some scarcely know what's in their own mind let alone the mind of others...it is so hard sometimes to admit that we simply

DON'T KNOW the truth about a given situation !! Take the #zimmerman matter for example......

and yet we have this:

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV)

IS THERE ANY 

CONNECTION?

THE MIND OF CHRIST !! ?

Trying to wrap my mind around the Martin / Zimmerm tragedy

I came upon this incident where some people were inquiring from The Teacher about some similarly tragic events. The word 'insensitive' may come readily to mind when you first hear the response....

CHECK THIS OUT:

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-5 KJV)

THE MIND OF CHRIST !!!

...do we still insist 

that we have it?

saved.com

Daleane

listen to ‘Daleane’ on Audioboo

SMITE2013 trio

listen to ‘SMITE2013 trio’ on Audioboo

You are loved

listen to ‘You are loved’ on Audioboo

Choir 5 12 13

listen to ‘Choir 5 12 13’ on Audioboo

despised

....when we are on a mission for Jesus Christ, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, "Don't worry about whether or not you are being treated justly." Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, "Why should I be treated like this?" If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust. In essence, Jesus says, "Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance." Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard— we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God's name to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

QUOTE: OSWALD CHAMBERS

harsh

It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. - OSWALD CHAMBERS

Judge not, that you be not judged —Matthew 7:1

hidden

Luk 16:8 — And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

LINKED study

KINDNESS - the person you think maybe

concealing something may be just trying

to protect themselves from threat perceived

or otherwise. The much despised cockroach that 

appears to be running from the light may well be 

displaying a highly desirable skill - self-preservation,

these cockroaches it turns out are wise.

RAMBLING - unfinished thought 

'normal' intel vs strategic intel

street smarts vs book smarts

POWERPOINTS

1.calling the shots

2.getting the credit

3.being in the know vs being in the dark

on the 'need to conceal'

or why people hide...

or being kept 'in the dark'

what is there to be afraid

it is not fear but the

surprise of the offense

is the 'perceived'

advantage.

but

The Cost of Following Jesus

<< Luke 9 >>

57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.

58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.

60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of God.

61And another also said, Lord, I will follow you; but let me first go bid them farewell, who are at home at my house.

62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, 

and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father 

and my mother, and then I will follow thee.

And he said unto him, Go back again: 

for what have  I done to thee? 1 Kings 19:20

Fringe

Disclosure or Discovery?

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3 KJV)

HAVING ACCOUNTABILITY

ISSUES  or not telling everything to everyone...finding balance.

When is the line crossed? When does one move from 'normal' privacy concerns to the 'irrational fear or distrust of others', sometimes called paranoia?  

Could this be the problem with

fringe people....??

"people who go to church but do not participate because they wish to remain anonymous".

Is there a 'right to secrecy'

like the 'right to privacy'?

Maybe this is the same

'right to remain silent'

that the law-men

talk about.

http://bit.ly/11zEyPo

They ask me probing questions ...They don't hesitate to point out imbalances they see developing in any area of my life.

Maybe it is the people who 

have not learned the virtues of accountability who are most

concerned about their

"secrecy rights"...

maybe it is these

who become

THE FRINGE PEOPLE.

saved.com

guided

"Him shall He teach in the way He chooses" (Psalm 25:12). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, "I wonder why I shouldn't do this?" God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, "Now, Lord, what is Your will?" - OSWALD CHAMBERS

suicide

SUICIDE 

PREVENTION / INTERVENTION

AND THE "RIGHT TO DIE".

Should you be allowed to

die just because you

want to?

would you stop someone 

from comitting suicide?

if yes, why?

what if suicide is not 

an event but a process?

what if I am slowly killing

myself by the things I am eating?

what if I am slowly killing

myself by risky sexual behaviour?

what if I am slowly unknowingly

killing myself by a seemingly

innocent habit?....

...what if I do not know

that I am slowly

killing myself?

what if most death by

'natural causes' are

really suicides? 

safe

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-With-You/dp/B0014DHUI2

Lyrics by: Sara Renner 

When the thunder wakes me in the middle of the night 

When darkness presses in and I long for morning's light 

I only need to speak Your name, Jesus 

You come and take my fear away 

I am safe with You 

Safe with You 

Your sweet embrace 

My hiding place 

I am safe 

When hate and violence surface, and seem to be so powerful 

When evil closes in and I think there is no hope 

I only need to speak Your name, Jesus 

You come and take my fear away 

You're my shelter from the rain 

My comfort thru the pain 

A blanket when it's cold 

A friend when I'm alone 

You answer every call 

You see the sparrow fall 

Lord let Your spirit follow me 

I speak Your Name and I can be 

dont know

IF ...

Sincerity means that the 

appearance and the reality 

are exactly the same - Os Chambers

ya BUT WHAT IS THE REALITY?

can we ever know it?

can we ever be

sincere?

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

Luke 16:15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.

John 8:15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.

Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

Genesis 4:5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

1 Samuel 2:3 "Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.

2 Samuel 7:20 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign LORD.

1 Kings 8:39 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),

1 Chronicles 28:9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

2 Chronicles 6:30 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart),

Job 10:4 Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees?

Psalm 147:10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

Proverbs 15:11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more do human hearts!

fault

are we trespassing..?

all day everyday !!!

the prayer..

AND FORGIVE US

OUR TRESPASSES

AS WE FORGIVE

THOSE WHO

TRESPASS

AGAINST

US..

WOW

dare I claim.....

1. GOODNESS 

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles - Psalm 34:17

2. ACCESS

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

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? - Matthew 7:11

careful

WARNING

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

be not deceived

why so many..?

because it's

so easy !!

fleshly corrupt vain

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

He knows my name

listen to ‘He knows my name’ on Audioboo

The Fountain

listen to ‘The Fountain’ on Audioboo

death_abolished

 what about peace?

it is scarce these days.

everyone's nerves seems

to be on edge....

how can we have peace

in the midst of 

raging turmoil?

Jesus said:

"let not your heart

be troubled...my peace

I give" not like 'the

world...tranquilizers !!

So how do I get it...

Jesus said:

"you beleive in God?

beleive also in me".

The anxiety we all

feel is the 'fear

of death'...fear of

the unknown.

The bible says...

2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you that 

you stir up the gift of God, which is in 

you by the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony 

of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be 

partaker of the afflictions of the gospel 

according to the power of God;

9 Who has saved us, and called us with a holy 

calling, not according to our works, but 

according to his own purpose and grace, 

which was given us in Christ Jesus 

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing 

of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished 

death, and has brought life and immortality 

to light through the gospel.

making sense

FINDING ANSWERS
(thinking out loud)

_________________

 

INCIDENT

Last friday I was sitting
in the hospital room listening
to the doctor. It was 2 am.
He noted what the patient
(my brother) said
he was feeling.

He was now explaining
what could POSSIBLY
be wrong. He was careful
to make sure we understood
that he would not KNOW
until the test results
were available.

eventually
The results confirmed...
nothing was wrong !!!

So...what is a
"reasonable explanation"
for the episode?

______________

 

OPINION

A coworker thinks

I should ask

more questions...

angiogram?
nuclear stress test?

______________

 

QUESTION

Is Reality when
reason (what is thought)
and knowledge (what is known)
and faith (what is beleived)
are in agreement. ?

______________

 

RANDOM

One of my favorite comic
strips was THE PHANTOM
by Lee Falk

______________

 

BELIEF

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

 

All things to grow

listen to ‘All things to grow’ on Audioboo

THE PRIZE

"From where comes
wars and fighting
among you?"
- James

WE ARE INSTINCTIVELY
COMPETITIVE...survival
of the fittest...maybe.

the competition is always on
that's why they call it the
HUMAN RACE !!

it is not as much or always
ethnic, gender and class
warfare, its just 'straight up'
HUMAN COMPETATIVENESS !

on the highways:
why is he getting
"in MY lane?"

at the drive thru:
why are they
wasting...
"MY time?"

in the classrooms:
"the boys didn't get
to stay late !"

we are always watching
and comparing.

THAT'S NOT FAIR !!!

we talk over each other.
we shout at each other.
we devise various
'attention-getting'
schemes.

most of the time
we are not even
conscious of our
competativeness...
but it comes out
when we are at
"the game".

SO....
what is the prize
that requires all
this intense
competing?

Lance

listen to ‘Lance’ on Audioboo

Whistling in the dark

listen to ‘Whistling in the dark’ on Audioboo

Let Freedom Ring

listen to ‘Let Freedom Ring’ on Audioboo

Blizzard 2013

listen to ‘Blizzard 2013’ on Audioboo

End of the dayboo

listen to ‘End of the dayboo’ on Audioboo

Corinthians 10:5

Last week the preacher issued some high octane teaching as he continued on the subject of "HIGH VALUE LIVING". He focused on the idea of "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ".

Although government is not God is it not an incontrovertible "truth" that government is 'of God'?

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1 KJV)

The "strong delusion" of freedom which is at large in society today may be based on one of these "imaginations that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God" 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

It brings to mind a time past when

"there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. " (Judges 21:25 KJV)

If  " we wrestle not against flesh and blood; (Ephesians 6:12) AND "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, (2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV) "

Is it possible that the 2nd Amendment 'RIGHT' maybe unbiblical both on the count of "self protection" as well as preservation against "tyrannical rulers"?

In a nation that prides itself on "the rule of law" where the 'weapon' of choice has been 'the will of the people and the 'AMMUNITION' has been the BALLOT....how did we get caught up in so much discussion about MAGAZINE CLIPS and ASSAULT WEAPONS?

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3 KJV)

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34 KJV)

HIGH VALUE LIVING?

Or "the high price of low living".

saved.com

Christin Ditchfield

00:00

00:00

Hi I'm Christin Ditchfield with Take It To Heart!

In the classic allegory Pilgrim's Progress, author John Bunyan describes the journey of a man named Christian from sin and bondage in the City of Destruction to eternal peace and joy in the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian faces many trials that test his faith.

At one point, he passes through a dark valley inhabited by hideous demonic beings that hover about, just out of sight. They begin to whisper the most awful, blasphemous things in Christian's ear. Stumbling along in the dark, Christian mistakes their voices for his own thoughts. He's overcome with horror and shame and self-reproach. How could he think such things? What a terrible wretch he is! Christian staggers under the guilt and despair.

Down through the ages, many believers have experienced that very same thing. Satan whispers his blasphemies, introduces evil thoughts – and we're shocked and dismayed. We think WE came up with these vile expressions. We ask ourselves, "Can I really be a Christian and think such a thing?"

In Bunyan's story, Christian is rescued when a friend comes alongside him and begins quoting the Word of God to him. Just as the Scripture promises, the demonic beings are forced to flee. It's a strategy that will work for us today.

So often we mistake the voice of the enemy for that of our own hearts. We feel guilty and ashamed and question our salvation – when what we need to do is rebuke the devil and watch him flee. We need to stop taking credit for his filth, refuse to listen to his lies, and counter every blasphemous thought with the Scripture, words of truth and praise.

 

 

Scripture References: John 8:44, James 4:7; see also Genesis 3, Matthew 4:1-11