The American Patriot's Almanac by William J Bennett and John T.E. Cribb

This book is not only very informative, but it is actually quite fun.  It takes you through the full calendar year and gives you a glimpse into history for each day.  I will be using this as a coffee table book because I think this is a great conversation starter.  It is fun to sit down and look up dates that are important to you (birthdays, anniversaries) and see what was going on in America on those days. 

 

I also liked the extra sections that the book included, like the History of the Stars and Stripes, Fifty American Quotes, the information about how the constitution was written.  I personally appreciated the sections on Faith and the Founders and Prayers for the American People.  Too many people do not realize how entrenched in religion our founding fathers were.  We have moved too far away from their ideals and getting information out may awaken people to the misinformation that they have held as truths.

This book may take a bit of time to read, but it is definitely worth the effort.  There is a lot to learn within these pages.  It is very well written and easy to understand.  It is not a dry history book but will keep your interest as you move throughout the year.

Muslims becoming Christians

Muslims turning to Christ
"We found that Muslim-background believers, many of them, in our informal surveys -- maybe even as many as half of them -- had a dream or a vision before they came to Christ. They became a 'seeker,' found a believer, heard a message on the radio, or found a Bible."

If that isn't Good news, I don't know what is.  Jesus is alive and well and harvesting.

Unborn Babies saved by Movie

Movie saving unborn babies
I haven't seen this movie, but I may have to find it given the impact it's having on people.  Every little bit helps and 200 children so far is wonderful.

Help Get This Bill Passed!!!!

Child Protection Compact Act
"Abolitionists around the country are advocating for the passage of the Child Protection Compact Act — critical legislation designed to help protect children in targeted countries from slavery and sex trafficking. The legislation was extremely close to passing but, in early October, Congress adjourned for elections without completing the process to pass the bill. There is only one opportunity left to pass this life-saving legislation into law: On November 15, Congress reconvenes for a “lame duck” session, giving us a final, unexpected chance to pass the CPCA.

We need your help to pass this urgent legislation! There will be many issues competing for Senators’ attention when they return — so they need to hear from constituents who care about ending child trafficking if they are going to make the CPCA a priority."

We are called on to protect the helpless.  Who are more helpless than children who cannot protect themselves and may not even realize they need protection.   We have to help!  

A little singed, but still in one piece!

Bible only thing that survives

I Love My Church

Do you know how when you're trying to be strong, especially for others, as soon as you see that certain person that is your comfort, your spouse, your parent - you break down?  I realized something today.  When you're being strong for the person that is usually your comforter, you can't break down in front of them.  That's when you find out who your back up comforter is. (I'm not talking about God, He's always the comforter.)  I didn't realize I had a back up comforter until I walked into Church today and felt myself breaking down. And after feeling the tears just run down my face during one of the first worship songs of the morning, I felt better and more peaceful than I have in a while.

I love my Church Family.  And I just wanted to let them know.

From tragedy comes encouragement

Faith-based Group started to help soldiers
I was very impressed with this idea.  It is a great way to service our troops and their families.  And no, I'm not biased at all being a former military family. :)

Good News for those with sisters

Sisters make you happier
I believe, although this was not part of the study, that the younger siblings are probably the happiest for having wonderful sisters to look up to.  But that's just my opinion.  I'm sure if I am wrong I'll get a comment. LOL

Remember, police get their hair done too

Salon hold up gone wrong

This isn't necessarily a good news story at first glance, but if you read it and read about the police officer who is at the center of it, I think some of you will be convinced that God was guiding her bullets - and the thief's as well.  I bet that salon owner is feeling a little safer, maybe this won't happen again now that everyone knows a cop gets her hair done there. :)

Arm Wrestling for God :)

Arm wrestling for God - More kids doing Kingdom work!

I heard about this on the radio.  One thing the article doesn't appear to mention is that at her next competition she's going to hand Bibles out to her competitors.  Love this! 

John 7:52

Reading John 7:52 led me to Isaiah and it gave me so much hope that I felt the need to share.  I know quite a few people that are studying the book of Isaiah right now and their general comments have been how much Isaiah resembles our current state in the world.  After reading this verse alone, I had to agree.

The people who walk in darkness

    will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness

    a light will shine.   Isaiah 9:2  NLT

If you turn on the news at any given point during the day, most of what you are going to see is darkness.  I've found it hard to find good news stories to post.  But there is hope because there is Light.  And as TobyMac says, "I want to be in the light, as You are in the light, I want to shine like the stars in the Heavens. Oh Lord be my Light and be my salvation, cause all I want is to be in the light."

John 7:24

It's been a while since I wrote about what I was reading (in the Bible reading plan that are church is doing this year).  But today I found a couple things that really struck me.   Sometimes you can read a Bible several times, re-read a passage and on the third or fourth time you go through it, something pops out at you.  

The scripture that popped out at me this morning was "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."  John 6:24.  Even taken out of context, these are words to live by.  People, myself included, come to judgments about others all the time - sometime without even realizing they are doing it.  But we don't know what's in a person's heart, we don't know the circumstances of their life or even their day.  We need to "look beneath the surface".  Good advice - for anyone, believer or not.

More proof that we need to be like children

Another selfless child
This story is so bittersweet.  If we could just be more like some of the children I've been reading about lately, the world would be a much better place.

This is why God wants all the little children - they have the biggest hearts

8 Year Old running own food drive
Once again, a young child is making a difference.  Is it any wonder that Jesus says, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."  Mark 10:14

More on Kids Stepping up to the Plate

5 year old birthday all about charity
I love hearing about kids who are thinking of others more than themselves.  It's amazing what they can do with the right kind of encouragement.

Trouble finding Good News stories...

It's a little depressing to me how hard it is to find good news stories.  Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places or maybe I'm being a little too particular, but I definitely am having problems.  I just wanted to let you know that I haven't stopped trying.  You know, that silent you out there that I imagine in my brain. LOL 

If anyone, even the voices in my head, have a suggestion, I would be happy to hear it. :)

Review of Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

This book helps you begin to think about what you can do to impact the world and people around you.  It challenges you to consider how you can make the most of this life helping others, possibly doing things that will last longer than yourself.  I found this book to be very inspirational and encouraging.  Max Lucado has a great writing style, using humor and stories he keeps you interested and makes you think.  I related much of what he was saying directly to my life. 

There are many things that I want to re-read and start applying to my life.  The book actually inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and take action.  This book almost seemed to be written for me personally.  I am not sure if that was due to Lucado’s writing style, my particular walk in my faith or a combination of both.

This book is one that I know I’m going to end up reading several times.  I am sure that as it is read again new points will stand out and it will continue to help with my spiritual growth.  A great read that I would absolutely recommend.

Fashion Competition Brings People of the Bible to Todays Teenagers

 Fashion Competition Brings People of the Bible to Todays Teenagers

I have to admit, I thought this was a pretty innovative idea.

From another article I found "the Empty Hanger" concept a little more clearly defined. "The five outfits have been designed to show the personalities of five Bible characters who are all members of Jesus’ family tree, but with them there is one Empty Hanger.

This autumn, in a joint project by Bible Society and the college, youngsters in schools across the country will be invited to design a costume that they think symbolises who they are to put on the Empty Hanger."

I liked one of the quotes in the article I linked:

Walton said, "Empty Hanger will help bring the Bible alive for a generation that largely don’t read it. The stories in the Bible are like a soap opera for all eternity. They tell us about ourselves and we can learn about how to live life today through them."

I really like this idea.

Good News Today - I think today's story is a no-brainer

"I think I had extraordinary luck. I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God." - Mario Sepulveda; Rescued Chilean Miner   I don't think there's any question about the good news story for today.

And the update

 If you read my post yesterday Yesterday's Post  you will know that I had a mission today. :)   I thought it was going to be canceled or delayed due to a malfunctioning water heater, but it turns out it didn't slow me down as much as I thought it would.  I was riding the train into the city wondering if talking to this homeless paper vendor was something I was really supposed to be doing or if it was just something that popped into my mind yesterday.  I wasn't really feeling the tug I had felt yesterday, so I started second guessing myself.

And then there is that book I'm reading... "Most of us will someday realize that we didn't [notice the beauty in the midst of busyness] either.  From the perspective of heaven, we'll look back on these days - these busy, cluttered days-and realize, That was Jesus playing the violin [on a street corner]. That was Jesus wearing the ragged clothes...The person needing my help was Jesus. ...  when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus."  italics are the authors - Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life.  

There it was, just as I started to doubt, the encouragement I needed.  I said a prayer for guidance - I say that so often I feel like giving it a number so I can just say - "Father, number 32 please!"   Okay, that makes it sound like take out food way too much, but I digress.   As I turned the corner and checked to see if he was at his normal post I felt the doubt and butterflies kick in.  Not doubt that I was following what I was meant to do, but doubt in myself.   I have to get out of my comfort zone is the thought that went through my mind at that point.  Along with another realization.  Who would try to stop me from telling someone about God?  The next thought that entered my head was Satan stop it!  And the butterflies went away.  Just thinking back on that, it surprises me, although I know it shouldn't, that saying that worked.  But it did.  

So I walked up to the man, told him that God had been speaking to me a lot over the past two days about him and I wanted him to have the few dollars that I had in my hand.  Then I introduced myself, his name is Manuel, and told him it was nice to meet him.  And then I left because he looked terrified. LOLOL  Maybe this interaction wasn't as much for Manuel's benefit as it was for mine.  I've been wanting to challenge myself and I've been asking for God to use me, maybe this was His way of warming me up.  Who knows why?  But even though I may have made Manuel a little nervous - seriously, he kept looking behind me like he was hoping the men with the straight jackets were right behind me - I left the encounter with a big smile on my face and feeling wonderful.

And who knows?  Maybe Manuel's story isn't over yet.

Stay tuned....

Today I was walking down the street and the homeless paper vendor that I pass almost daily popped into my head.  I don't give money to people I see begging on a daily basis.  It's a weird thing with me, but in my mind if they see me every day they may expect me to give them money every day, and I just can't do that.  I also hesitate because in a city this big, you just don't know who really needs help and who is just faking it.  Cynical enough for you? 

But today, when this particular vendor popped into my head, I hadn't even seen him yet.  "You have to give him money" popped into my mind.  "Uh, no." was the response.  I could have still crossed the street at this point to avoid the whole situation.  I could have, technically, there was a street to cross.  But I couldn't do it, didn't even enter my mind.  And as I turned the corner and started reaching into my purse for $2 (price of the paper) I realized that I wasn't in control of this.  So I went with it - I didn't really have much of a choice and at this point I realized who the instructions were coming from and wouldn't have said no anyway.

I made eye contact - I think that's possibly the first time - stopped and gave him the money.  As I walked away I wondered if that was the end of the incident.  Something told me there was more to it.   I'm reading Max Lucado's Out Live Your Life.  Today I was reading the chapter Blast A Few Walls.  It talks about "breaking down barricades that separate God's children from each other."   The passage that caught me was "Do any walls bisect your world?  There you stand on one side.  And on the other?  The person you've learned to disregard, perhaps even disdain."

As I was reading all this what popped into my mind is I have to go tomorrow, I have to give him a couple more dollars, but this time I have to tell him that God is leading me to him and find out what his name is.  Why finding out what his name is seemed important I don't know, but it did.   I stopped reading and prayed for guidance.  If he's there tomorrow (there are days he's not) obviously I won't be able to carry this out.  If he is, well I guess stay tuned.   :)

I considered not posting this until I knew what I was going to do, but that seemed like cheating and not giving God the glory He is due.  And then there's that other double edged sword - accountability.  :)

Boy born without ears gets gift of sound

Deaf boy gets help to hear
Praise God for the doctors that helped him and for bringing him to their attention.

It's amazing what kids can do

Teenager with a Mission
I love reading stories of how kids are inspired for greatness and find their niche serving others.  This service started when Jacob was 10 years old.  Just goes to show that you can never be too young to make a difference.

Maybe not Good news but I want to see a zebra walking down the street

Zebra runaway
I love that this Zebra "was known as a vagabond".  I think I've heard stories of a dog that he may get along with...

Chilean Miners almost out

Chilean miners breakthrough in rescue
I can't imagine what the families of these miners have been going through during the long wait for rescue of their loved ones.  And, being somewhat claustrophobic, I don't even try to imagine what the miners themselves have been going through. 

My prayers are with them and I hope that the delivery of Bibles that they received a while ago have helped them to endure this ordeal.

Pastor Stops Gunmen

80 Yr Old Pastor Stops Gunmen

Present day good samaritan

Samaritan rescues girl and gives God glory
I saw this the other day on the news, but I hadn't had a chance to actually watch it.  This is a great current time Good Samaritan story.

Highschool cheerleaders standing up for modesty

High School Cheerleaders Complain About Skimpy Outfits

I have to applaud these girls standing up for themselves.  They should be an inspiration to their peers.

Moms In Touch International

I just want to tell you about Moms In Touch International.  It is a group of women who get together either in person or on the phone to pray for our children, our schools, our teachers... you get the drift right?  Here is their purpose from their website at www.momsintouch.org:

The Purpose of Moms In Touch International
To pray that our children will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, then stand boldly in their faith.

To pray for teachers and staff.

To pray that teachers, administrative staff, and students would come to faith in Jesus Christ.

To provide support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children.

To pray that our schools will be directed by biblical values and high moral standards

To be an encouragement and a positive support to our schools


I am the only mother signed up for Sutherland Elementary, and as much as I would like to find someone from that school, I would also like to encourage anyone in the Chicagoland area to join voices with these women.  You can go to their website and look for your school to see if there is already a prayer group there, if there isn't you can sign up as a single mom prayer by herself for that school and they will contact you to pray in the monthly conference calls.  I just sat in on my first conference call today and met two wonderful women.  I have trouble finding words when I'm praying out loud, but you don't have to talk, you can just listen.  But if you're like me, the pull to  join in the prayer may be too great to overcome.

Please consider joining this organization, our kids can use all the prayer they can get.

Family trip changes lives - home and across the world

Family trip to Africa leads to life change

I love when I hear stories of how people see a need and then act on it.  I want to be more like that - something to strive for.

Inspiring story

Being blink helps minister really see

I found a few stories today, but this one I thought inspiring.  

Chocolate can make you look younger?

Eating Chocolate Can Make You Look Younger

This isn't actually a new story, but I saw it for the first time yesterday.  I've been saying for years that chocolate is good for you.  That's why it's a food group!  What?  Really?  I could have sworn....  oh well.  It's still good for you. :)

Good News - the real stuff

Since I am once again not finding that much good news on the internet, I decided to go back to the true Good News today.

Ephesians 2:8-10

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Romans 8:1

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:8

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

That, at least, is some good news I can bank on.

Five Year Old Raises Money for Well in Africa

A different type of life giving water
Very inspiring story - and a reminder that kids can contribute in all sorts of ways.

Can't find a positive news article today :(

But I'm open to suggestions. :)

Obama speaks up on his religious beliefs

Obama's religious beliefs - in his words
Being intrinsically suspect of any politician, I would like to believe that he  believes what he is saying.   I  also pray that he would use Jesus' teachings within his job. 

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  1 Timothy 2:1-3

Wind Parts the Red Sea

Wind Parts the Red Sea

I'm slightly amused by this news story.  I'm amused because I read it and think about the people that are going to look to is and say - see! it wasn't God or Moses, it was wind.   What they are going to fail to consider is that God controls the wind.  Of course wind could have parted the Red Sea, but it was God sending the wind - if that is indeed how he did it - to do the job.

The news story doesn't actually say that it wasn't God, but I know that's how it's going to be taken by many individuals reading it.  So while this isn't technically a good news story, I thought I'd spread a little "Good News" using it.

Disabled Youth Create Comic Book Heroes

Unity Through Comic Books?
" 'They were empowered by their own disabilities, and they should not be seen as a source of weakness,' he said."

American and Syrian disabled youth working together.  Pretty cool.  

Good News - Family reunion in the nick of time

God's work
I think this one definitely falls under "It's a God thing."

A truly selfless act

Heartbreaking but still falls under Good News
Here's someone who lived the scripture John 15:13.  I pray that God watches over this mother and child, they were truly blessed to have the man they had in their lives, even though the child will not meet him in this lifetime.

Four Way Kidney Transplant

Four-way Kidney Transplant
I already had a "good news" article picked out but decided that this was pretty awesome itself and right in our backyard... well, right in our backyard if you are from Chicago and reading this.

I see God's hand all over this one. Transplant is one of the ultimate gifts of giving.

Fields of Growth International

Lacrosse Missionaries Take Sport, Philanthropy to Uganda

 This is a pretty cool thing that they're doing.  I hope that their work spotlights the poverty and that brings other groups to help the area in other ways.

Good News - Raising Teen Awareness

Celebrity Taking Some Responsibility

I hope that Christianity comes up, although I don't know her beliefs.  What she is doing is commendable and I hope that it can somehow bring kids closer to God as well.  Maybe her help will make them more open to His message, who knows?   It's a good start though.

2 Timothy sounds alot like current society

2 Timothy 3:  ¹You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

  2 Timothy4:  ³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

If you watch the news at all or just pay attention to people when you're in public you can easily see that these passages fit in extremely well with current times.  I don't have solutions, other than the obvious bring the Bible to more people, but I just thought it was interesting to see that the Bible has us pegged.  And I'm sure we're not the first generation that this has applied to, but I'd sure like to be the last...or raise our children to be the last.  Wishful thinking I know, but we have to keep growing and striving to be more like Christ.  The attitudes and actions listed above would melt away if we all turned to God and followed his most important commandments -
 
Matthew 22:³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  ³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Good news for the day :)

It's a couple days old, but a good story none the less.


http://www.gnn.com/article/zach-bonner-now-a-director-ends-2478/1278831

Good News

I'm tired of the bad news I hear all the time, so I'm going to try to find good news articles and post them.  I'd love to do it everyday, but I'm not sure if I'll have the time, but we'll see.  If I can keep doing it long enough maybe it will become a habit.   If you read something that  you think might fit in with this, let me know.   

Here's the first one.

Good News Story

Prayer for 9/11

Father, continue to be with the loved ones of those lost on 9/11 as they remember that day and how it has affected their lives.  Protect all our soldiers and first responders as they put their lives on the line for us and be with their families as well to comfort them and give them peace from worry as they send them off either on deployment or to their jobs as policemen, firemen and paramedics.  Please bring them home safely.

Father, put the greatest commandment on the hearts of all people.  "Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important:'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:37-38.  Father we need that commandment to become part of our lives, from the children on the streets to the Pastors and heads of government.  Be with us and our country and help us to do better and walk in your ways.

In Jesus' name. Amen

Fall Kick Off 9/12/10

I want to invite everyone I know, and even those I don't,  to the First Church of God's fall kick off on September 12, 2010.  And if you're not sure about it, you can consider it an early birthday present since my birthday is 2 days later.  :) 

The fall kick off consists not only of the start of a 4 week series on "The Strange & Unique Call To Life in God's Kingdom", but it is also the kick off for the children's ministry Promiseland!  There will be superheroes and puppets involved!  Who could ask for more?

In addition to that, there will be a special purity series starting at 11:00.  The lesson will cover topics like gossip, clothing and abstinence.  The girls invited are 6th grade and up.  There is a permission slip involved in the abstinence lesson on the 19th.

And as if that wasn't enough, September 12th will be the first weekend of registration for the MOUNTAIN MOVERS.  The moms and daughters Tuesday night discipleship class that meets from 6:30 until 8:00.  There are crafts, a snack and then a lesson.  Topics being covered this term are How to Make Good Friends, How to Make Good Choices and How to Grow Fruit of the Spirit.  It's a fun group! The age range is 1st through 8th grade.  And if you aren't a mom but you have a niece, neighbor, much younger sister, cousin, random child off the street that likes crafts, your welcome to come.  However, if you've picked a random child off the street I'm going to need a permission slip from the parents.... :)

Seriously, First Church of God at 4600 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn, IL  is a great church and I hope you consider coming.  You can hear Pastor Dan's messages online at www.visitusonline.org - click on Media.

My testimony

It dawned on me the other day that I've never really told my story.  It's not an earth shattering story, nothing that would make you sit back and ponder what appears to have been a miracle... although I think seeing God's hand in any situation is a miracle in itself.  But I was reading recently and came across a passage that said "..you don't need a dramatic account in order for your testimony to influence someone for Christ."  The quote is from The Unexpected Adventure by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg. 

Don't get me wrong, I've told a few people, but not many.  I guess because I grew up believing in God, so why would I think I had a testimony?  And I did grow up believing in God.  I just didn't grow up understanding Him.  I didn't understand how much of an impact He could have on my life if I let Him.  I didn't fully understand Grace - not that I can wrap my head around someone dying for my sins now, but at least I understand well enough to appreciate how big of a deal that is.

I grew up going to church but had stopped as an adult.  And didn't really think much about it although I did have the notion in the back of my mind that once my daughter was old enough to start grasping ideas we needed to think about what we were going to do.  It was around this time that I began to notice something missing.  I felt like I was supposed to be doing something, something that required studying.  I ignored it for a while, but it was very persistent.  I wanted to study...something...I just didn't know what.  So I began applications to get my MBA.  I had everything done for the application, references written but something was stopping me from sending it in.   Then I decided to read the Koran.  Then the Torah.  Then the Bible.  This obviously wasn't a month long process, that's not exactly light reading.  I also read books about Christianity, Islam and Judaism. 

Then came the day when it was time to find a church.  I didn't want to go back to the religion I had grown up in, mostly because I felt like I had just learned more about the Bible in the self-study I had taken upon myself than while I was being instructed in my earlier years.  I didn't, and don't, have any hard feelings about that, but I wanted to find something else.  Being one of those people that looks just about everything up online, I set about trying to find a few churches to visit until we found one that my husband and I both felt comfortable in.  I was never a big fan of small churches because I wasn't comfortable with people at church knowing me. (I'm going to pause now in case someone from my church is reading this and needs to take a moment to laugh.)

I knew I wanted to look at this "non-denominational" thing.  That was perfect for someone who couldn't make up their mind. I just wouldn't pick a denomination.  I came up with a list and happened to be driving by a church one day and realized it was one of the churches on the list.  And I noticed that there was a humorous message on the church's sign.  We went there the next Sunday.  I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not to find myself crying from the moment the worship team opened with "Here I am to Worship" until the Pastor finished his closing prayer.  There was such a tangible feeling that the Holy Spirit was in that church it was amazing.  And I knew, although it took coming one or two more times to get the family on the same page, that I was home.

And I continued to study, although now I was able to direct my studies towards my spiritual growth.  And I haven't stopped, I have no desire to, it's an unquenchable thirst.  One I am thoroughly enjoying.  And I have learned alot about myself.  That dislike of people knowing me?  That was totally me not wanted to be held accountable.  That's changed.  It can be hard at times, but it's worth it.   I was baptized this past October because I felt like I had never made a conscience decision to commit to God, it was something I felt I wanted to do for a God that loves me so much that he sent His Son to die for me.  I wanted to make a statement to Him that I was committed to do my best to live the life he wants for me, to serve Him by serving others and to be a light showing Him to the world.  I know I'm going to have my ups and downs, I know I'm not going to be perfect, but I know He will be there to help me and to pick me back up when I've fallen.

I give a lot of credit to my pastor for helping me, knowingly and unknowingly, in my walk with Christ.  I know that God works through him.  And in case anyone wants to come check out this church and Pastor Dan, the church is linked -  First Church of God.  I encourage you, if you're anywhere near the Oak Lawn, IL area, to check it out.  Or listen to Dan on the website by clicking on the Media tab.

1 Corinthians 1:18

"The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed to destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God." [Paul]  1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

 For quite a while now this has been heavy on my mind.  Not because I don't believe that Christ actually died for me.  I do.  And while I may have momentary flare-ups on occasion when I think "Really? Can it be?", I always turn back to the fact that I absolutely believe that Jesus died for us.

I know some people who think that Christ didn't really die on the cross and that the resurrection was more of a symbolic act than a real event.  That scares me for them.  And it scares me as I wonder how many people also may think that...and if any of my family members may think that.  

I have a hard time talking about my beliefs.  It's something that I am trying to work on, though truth be told, I could be working harder on it.  I can write, but actually speaking about them, while it feels wonderful once I have, is hard for me. (I have a hard time talking about my feelings too, so this isn't a new thing for me. lol )

But I feel this point, Christ's death and resurrection, is SO important.  It's the key, isn't it?  The Bible even says it is.  In 1 Corinthians 15:17 Paul says "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins."

It is real.  It happened.  Would you let yourself be tortured and killed for something that did not really happen?  The disciples were tortured and, with the exception of Peter, killed for their belief in Christ's resurrection and his place as Son of God.  

I'm sitting here on my first day of vacation (okay, it took me a few days to get to the cafe with internet access - so it's not actually the first day of my vacation anymore, unfortunately).  My first day outside the craziness that is my beloved town, Chicago.  The first day in the Northwoods that have always recharged me and that I have to come back to annually.  And when I read the words "the message of the cross...is the very power of God", I was led to write.  I have never felt led to write before.  I hope I was led because someone needed to hear.

God bless you!  And if you are a family member reading this, and even if you aren't, believe! believe! believe! (if you don't already).  I love you!

The Greatest Commandment - Love God and Love Others

There is a page in Facebook that I'd like to share.  I know not everyone is on Facebook, but you can find quite a bit of inspiration out there and it may be worth it for only that reason.  We need to start using the technology we have been blessed with for the sake of good.   The link is below.  I just wanted to share.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-God-And-Love-OthersThe-Greatest-Commandment/236001620687?v=wall&story_fbid=139066406117440&ref=mf


By the way, I know I haven't posted as much as I had intended, but I am praying for help in time management so that I can post more often. 

Romans

In our daily reading we are in Romans.  I love Romans because there are so many great messages in Romans.  A few of my favorite can be found there.   It helps that I love Paul's story.  I love that he went from persecuting Christians (or followers of the Way) to becoming one of them through the direct intervention of Jesus after his death.  There is no reason that Paul should have done a complete 180 in this thought process, suffered and eventually died to spread the Good News unless he truly, truly believed it with all his heart.  Would you die for something you weren't sure about?

Romans 5:3-5 is where I go when I'm troubled.  "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For  we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." 

I think one of the things that draws me to Paul is that he is one of us.  He has trouble doing what is right, he doesn't claim to be above all the temptation in the world, he's right there in it.  Romans 7:21 "I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong."  I'm sure no one I know can relate to that right?  (That was sarcasm)  I can totally relate to that.  But then, just as you're wondering how that struggle is going to affect your eternal life, you get to Romans 8:1 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."  Whew.  Praise God!   Romans 8:39 helps as well. "No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I was reading Romans 10 today and came across a verse that pretty much says it all.  Verse 9 says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heard that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  And that means really raised.  I don't understand people who think that Christ's actual bodily resurrection did not take place.  I don't understand why anyone would think that the twelve disciples would die for a cause that was only "representative" of someone being raised from the dead.  And I know I'm getting out of Romans here, but in 1 Corinthians 15:17 Paul says "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins."  Your faith is useless, that's how strongly Paul felt.  And since "all scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV), it stands to reason that God feels that way too.

 

I'm getting the message...

I feel like I'm being sent a message today.  And, in part, I think God is using Facebook to do it.  No, I'm not kidding.   I get a daily scripture reading on Facebook.  This is what it said today.


Here is your Verse of the Day:

Proverbs 10:11 (NIV). The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked....... Thoughts on This Verse... Want to know the difference between a righteous person and a wicked one? Simple. Check the fruit of their lives. One ...of the most obvious forms of fruit in a person's life is his or her speech. The righteous person finds a way to impart life with his or her speech. The wicked will nearly always reveal themselves by what their mouths say.
 
Our daily Bible reading with my Church has within it "And I t ell you this, you  must give an account on judgement day for every idle world you speak.  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."  Matthew 12:36-37
 
So I'm thinking that I need to pay particular attention to my words.  Apparently Someone is sending me a message.

Happy Easter!!!

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

You know what's really amazing about the crucifixion and resurrection?  Christ went through everything he went through for EVERYONE.  Whether you believe in Him or not - he believes in you, loves you and wants you to come to Him.  Never think you're alone.  You're not.  You just have to turn to Him and He will be there.

Happy Easter everyone! 

Good Friday

This day is one of my favorites.  A time to focus on what Christ did for us and what he went through to cleanse us of our sins.  It's amazing that someone could love us that much to die on a cross for us.  It fills me with awe just thinking about it.  And love.  How can you not love someone that is not only willing to but actually does give up their life for you?

Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!" Mark 15:37-39

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Praise God!  Have a blessed day!

Joy

Joy - the second fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22.  John 15:11 Jesus says "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow."

If you are thankful for something, it will bring you joy even when things aren't going well.  We need to rejoice, even in our trials, which I'm sure is easier said than done at times, but if we try hard enough - even in times of troubles - we can find something to be grateful for which will bring us joy.

One of my favorite readings is Romans 5:3-5.  I go there whenever I'm stressed or there is something going on that I need to give to God.

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

Galatians 5:22-23 The Love Lesson

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  Against such things there is no law.

Having gone through the fruits of the Spirit in my Tuesday night class last term, I thought I'd share some of our lessons.  Our first lesson was on Love.  The verse we learned for that week was John 15:12-13  "My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

We discussed loving others, of course, and how other people who don't know God can learn about Him through us when we show fruits of the Spirit.  

One of the verses in our lesson was Matthew 5:44 "But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!" One of the hardest lessons, I think, but the girls in the class talked about how to apply this to their lives, especially at school - it was pretty much decided that the little brothers had to be excluded from this :)  - and one in particular did a great job of dealing with a boy in school that had been bothering her.  I was proud of all of them.

Galatians

Our 5 minute reading started in Galatians.  A letter written by the apostle Paul.  This letter has been dated back to anywhere between 48 and 53 AD.   If Christ died in 30 or 33 AD, that would be within the lifetime of eyewitnesses to Jesus' death.  Think about that.  Paul was not only an eyewitness after the fact, he saw had contact with Jesus after His death - but he also knew others that were eyewitnesses to Jesus' life and teachings.  He knew Peter, he knew James.. he knew people that had traveled with Jesus.  I think that is extremely cool.

In the first three chapters of Galatians, Paul is trying to convince this fledgling church that the original teachings they had heard were the true teachings and not to be deceived by what they were hearing currently.  The old laws were not the way to the Truth, only Jesus is.  "For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 3:26

Hebrews..one more time

I thought my last posting on Hebrews would be the only posting I did, but after having a children's ministry mini-conference and re-reading Hebrews 13 this afternoon, I felt the need to add something.

I was reading Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."   Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.  Who is considering the outcome of your way of life?  Who is imitating you?  That is a big responsibility and for those leading anyone, be it a single person, a small group or a church, that is an incredibly important responsibility.

This weekend I saw the movie Facing the Giants.  A phrase in that movie stuck with me.  "Your actions will follow your beliefs."  I had to consider that comment and still am.  Do my actions follow my beliefs?  Am I comfortable with someone looking at my way of life and imitating my faith?

I think the answer to both those questions is not all the time.  But I pray that God will lead me and guide me to be a better example of His work so that I can one day answer both those questions with a resounding Yes!

Hebrews

I've learned something new reading Hebrews.  It's like when you have read things a few times and it then all of a sudden something clicks?  From the Old Testament we know that the high priests were from Aaron's line, the line of Levi.  Jesus, the highest of High Priests, came from the line of Judah.  "Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed."  Hebrews 7:16

One of my favorite verses in Hebrews is 10:14 "For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy."  We are the "those who are being made holy".  That is awesome.  I know He has his work cut out for him, but to know that we are being made holy is, quite frankly, hard to get your mind around.  At least it is for me.   I know myself and it would defintely take an act of God to make me holy, and that's what we are getting - an act of God.  No one can do that by themselves.

Another verse that I found inspiring was "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."  Hebrews 10:25   I, like many, used to think that I could pray to God anywhere and didn't really need to be in Church to do it.  While this is true, God calls us to join together on a regular basis.  I only became aware a few years ago how special that could be if you found the right "church home".  I was never sure I wanted to be in a church where people would actually notice your comings and goings.  But what really bothered me, I've since figured out, was that accountability.   Who wants that?   It's not a matter of want, though, it's a matter of need.  I need that.  And I have to say that I love having a "church family".  I NEVER understood that concept before.  I do now and I am very appreciative of my church family.  I love them all. 

Yes, I am here.

I can't believe that my last post was February 9th.  I have continued with the daily reading that was my plan to write about, but the lesson plans for the new book we're using in our Tuesday night class, the Mountain Movers, is taking up more time than I realized it would.  It's very interesting and I'm learning alot...wait....wasn't I the one teaching it?....  but I think I'm learning more than the girls.  

We're studying the Bible and how it is translated for all different languages.  But we are also learning that it is God-breathed, if it has mistakes, what it's about, why God gave it to us.  It's actually not a bad lesson plan for adults.  :)   I may do a blog post or two about these lessons (since I'm learning more than I can share with my age group).  

But I think I may try to catch up on Acts first...but now I need to finish my lesson plan. :)

Acts 14

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas are traveling and spreading the news of Jesus.

Two things about this chapter one to point out, the other was something I learned while reading my archaeological study Bible.  

You'll notice during Paul's missionary trips that he usually goes to the local synagogue first when he comes to a new city.  When he's met with opposition, he turns to the Gentiles.  He always gives his people, the Jews, a chance to listen to him and believe.

In Acts 14:11 Paul had just cured a man who had been lame from birth.  "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!'  Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.  The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them."  Acts 14:11-13    

Now obviously, Paul and Barnabas stopped this, but there was a reason the people had this reaction.  There is a legend that "Zeus and Hermes once visited the Phrygian hill country disguised as ordinary men. They were turned away from a thousand homes but finally were welcomed into the humble abode of an elderly couple.  The gods turned that house into a temple and destroyed the houses of all who had rejected them."  

I love when pieces of information come together, whether it be from different parts of the Bible or other sources, that make things start to click so I can see the times and activities of the Bible in the big picture.  It's amazing.  But maybe it's just me.