So how are you celebrating my birthday today?

31 December 2012

Hi All!

So how are you celebrating my birthday today? Yes, it really is my birthday. I’d like to honor God, Mom, and Dad for giving me life so many years ago by saying thank you to them! I’m glad I was born! : )

Two questions to ponder as we close out 2012 and open 2013: 

1. For what one important blessing are you thankful that God gave you in 2012?
2. In what new way will you covenant with God for Him to use you to bless Him and others in 2013?

May God continue to bless and grow us all so we may be made more into the image of Christ Jesus and live our lives more as the Body of Christ truly caring for and embracing one another so that non-Christians would see the love we have one for another and so be drawn through our lives to Christ Jesus for their salvation.

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2.42-47 (NIV)

May we all have a Blessed New Year in Christ Jesus each and every day.

• may we read and study God’s Word more faithfully,
• may we believe God’s Word more intensely,
• may we trust God more open-heartedly and without limits,
• may we pray in faith more confidently,
• may we hope more fearlessly
• may we live our Christian faith with more conviction,
• may we express God’s love more consistently,
• may we witness to others more courageously,
• may we rely more on the presence of the Holy Spirit and less on our plans,
• may we judges not and love more,
• may we boldly journey with God wherever and however He leads,
• may we live so that at the end of our journey on earth we will have no regrets,
• may we live on earth so we will be greeted in heaven by God telling us, “Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share your master’s happiness!” -- Matthew 25.23

Blessed be the name of the Lord God and all who live as Jesus taught us!

Blessings in Christ!

¹ I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

² I will glory in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

³ Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who

          fear him, and he delivers them. -- Psalm 34.1-7 (NIV)

Hi All!

Click below for "America Again" (1993), a profound, powerful, and insightful message by Christian singer, songwriter, performer, and evangelist, Carman, that is even more relevant for today than when he first published it in 1993 on his album "The Standard."

"America Again" (1993) by Carman

Check out Carman's other music for powerful messages that have impacted scores of people for Christ Jesus over the years that are still relevant for today!

As we celebrate Memorial Day may we pause and . . .

As we celebrate Memorial Day may we pause and pray for the families of those who paid with their lives for our freedoms; it is for their ultimate sacrifice that Memorial Day was created, not for our pleasure but to honor their sacrifice and those of their loved ones.

“but that the members should have the same care
for one another. And if one member suffers, all
the members suffer with it; or if one member is
honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
                       -- 1 Corinthians 12.25b-26

Please, let us always remember . . .

This photo is from the "Veterans" Google+ page.
https://plus.google.com/113510772764418120996

New life in Christ Jesus brings forgiveness & transformation!

This is a powerfully moving story of:

• the death life without Christ Jesus brings,
• the redemption, restoration, forgiveness, & love life in Christ Jesus brings.

This is a must read by all...a great way to celebrate how life in Christ Jesus changes everything, even Mother's Day!

Blessed Mother's Day to all! : >

"Mommy Had an Abortion:" How I Apologized to My Children | LifeNews.com

A very powerful story demonstrating the commitment of Christian love and honoring God's direction.

Now here's a very powerful story of the commitment of Christian love. Feel free to share as it may encourage marriage commitments. Reminds me of my elder brother-in-law, Larry's, loving commitment to my elder sister, Debi, after her very severe stroke more than two years ago. God bless you all! : >

"The Story of Ian & Larissa" (English subtitles)
(c) 2011 Desiring God

http://www.universalsubtitles.org/en/videos/UR3O97Blfadd/info/the-story-of-ian-larissa/

Free live webinar with Richard Hammar on 2 May 2012 on "Child Abuse Reporting Laws" for ministers and church leaders!

Since April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Church Management Update is sponsoring a free webinar on 2 May 2012 with renown legal counsel, Richard Hammar, covering child abuse prevention and abuse reporting laws titled, "Child Abuse Reporting Laws--What Churches Can Learn From Penn State."

This is a rare opportunity for ministers and church leaders to hear directly from Richard Hammar on a subject that is, sadly due to the times in which we live, necessary. It will be helpful so please inform any minister or church leader you know with plenty of time so they can sign up. Since it's free and it's Richard Hammar is presenting, it should be excellent and filled with very useful information.

Click here to go directly to the registration page:

https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/953763919

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -- Ephesians 3.20-21

Blessed Resurrection Weekend thoughts to meditate upon...

Howdy All!

Blessed Resurrection Weekend to Everyone!

As we anticipate the power of Jesus' Resurrection, may we not forget to reflect on the horrific suffering our blessed Saviour & Lord willingly endured for us all; may we be willing to walk in the "fellowship of His sufferings."

 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. -- Philippians 3.10-11 

A passage to meditate upon this weekend...

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.

      22 “He committed no sin,
            and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. -- 1 Peter 2.19-25

God bless & and grow us all more into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord!

Blessings in Christ!

Now here's a great question worth investing some time to ask & answer, especially in our modern, easy-to-access, all-consuming entertainment-driven world...

http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-can-i-break-free-from-an-addiction-to-entertainment--70777/

How Can I Break Free From an Addiction to Entertainment?

www.christianpost.com

I believe I do love Jesus, but most of the time I'd rather spend time being entertained than spend time in God's word. How do I break this hold that entertainment has on my heart?