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Comment by russ allen on September 22, 2014 at 7:32am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? I have some thoughts and as I go to the Word I do get comfort that God has this all in hand. I don't always understand it but that's ok because my God is bigger than the view I have. My small place in this world is just as important to God but the big picture sees me as minuscule. That's not a put down to each of our importance but your and my input to reaching others to find Jesus adds up. You see, you are important to God and I would bet that person you lead to Jesus is pretty glad they met you. This goes the other way too when we knowingly sin and others don't see God but just like them. That is why we cannot be judgmental about anyone else's sin because it is different than ours. Oh we can spot it and take notice but not to chastise because we are no better or worse than them but as believers we must take control of our self so we don't steer the lost further away from the truth. Daniel spoke of us repenting from evil and a king of evil;

Dan 7:27 
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Eventually we will have great position so rather than lamenting we don't have it here we ought to be learning and trusting God for everything so we are prepared for that time. Study Daniel and Revelation. Explore Ezekiel. Look beyond your woes to an infinite God who already has you in his hand. Trust that salvation Jesus gave and the grace that is upon you and don't whine over the things we face here because even The Christ was crucified.

 Rev 11:15 

 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Heavenly Father,

   Help us see truth. Help us see that narrow path and not be pulled off course and impeded by earthly woes. Let us approach everything with the confidence that it already has be defeated and we have already won. Help us be calm and clear headed to see your ways. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on August 12, 2014 at 8:10am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? Sad news last night about a comedian who fought addictions and depression his whole life and finally it seems he took his own life. People, stress and  depression are things that can kill you. We as a species can succumb to the effects of these things. Pay attention to your kids. Watch and listen to your friends. I see this all to often and it is sad. We've all had rough times, sad times, bad times and thank God we did not succumb but don't be to haughty to think you are not vulnerable. Our peace and our rest has to be with our savior. Our strength is from our God. Being able to look beyond ourselves is important and a first step to not succumbing to things like this.  If you are in this place, reach out! Cry to God! Call a buddy to pray for and with you! There are physiological reasons depression can get a hold of us. There are legitimate reasons for stress but I implore you to seek help! Don't become a statistic. There is no shame in seeking help. When you are at your weakest, our common enemy will attack harder, don't doubt me on this. Remind yourself with these;

1Th 5:9-23
  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.  Despise not prophesyings.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your love for us even in our weakness. Forgive our sins . Cleans our hearts from all unrighteousness. Create in us a clean heart and mind. Speak truths to us and let us recognize the enemies lies. Grant us wisdom and courage to face everything in Jesus  name, amen

Comment by russ allen on June 30, 2014 at 7:28am

    Good morning! How are we faithing? I fear for the lost. I fear for the ones who followed Jesus at one time but fell away due to calamity, death, worldly catastrophes on anything that came against them that caused doubt to the degree they walk away from truth. I have had those things happen and I have backslid so I do understand. I had a talk with a friend recently who was going through some things and I had to be frank and tell him,"sucketh though it may you must remember previous victories because there is no reason to think this current situation isn't going to play out for our good if we continue to seek God's face." Here's what chills me to the bone;

Heb 6:4 
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  I
if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

If you are reading this and you even care enough to read this I assure you it ain't to late. I believe if it has gone as far as those verses, you wouldn't be reading this daily or even concerned about any of this but if you are under conviction and have strayed for whatever reason, come home. 

Psa 51:10  

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

lets pray;

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your gift of pardon. Forgive my sins. Lead me to the righteous holy path. Clear my mind of the enemies clutter. Help me forgive those who have squashed me. Lift our spirits up to your presence. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on March 31, 2014 at 7:51am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? The previous posts this week were written in hopes of thought provoking.  I know I screw up regularly and sharing what the Word has taught, well, it keeps me humble when I do well. As we mature in Christ we find ourselves becoming less and less in importance and Jesus comes to the forefront. Anyone who thinks highly of themselves is about to face some of that humbling. Pleased with success, happy at ones status is all fine and good but haughty attitude, judgmental views on others is a recipe for a slap down and those times are usually very very rough. I would prefer to save all that slapping and just recognize reality from the start.  We've learned  and studied for years here and I do pray you have grown and gotten better. I am so far from where I need to be but I'm better than I was yesterday. As you finish your work week, take stock in all the blessings in your life. When you notice others stumbling, think how you can lift them up and not slap em when they're down....


Pro 27:1-2
  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Jas 4:13-16
  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

remember the Clawson family...remember the Rumers...remember CK...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your wisdom and love for us. Help us recognize your plans for us. Help us see lessons and be quick to hear and slow to speak. Forgive our boasting. Lord we ask for your touch on these people listed today. Heal hearts, minds and spirits. Open eyes to your wonderfulness. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 23, 2014 at 7:12am

    Good morning! How are we faithing? Wowee there are some families struggling. I read or hear about deaths and such and know what they are fixin to go through. I have no advice on dealing with grief except to trust in God, lean on him and not try to logicalize the feelings. It's tough man and everyone heals at their own pace. You will go through things, have thoughts and experience emotions you may never have before and that's ok. Jesus is still on the throne. Many times these things don't have anything to do with you, you are just affected by these events. My bride and I, before the grief set in, looked each other in the eyes and reminded each other that we are cool and must stick like glue with God and ourselves as we walk this path we have no choice to walk. You hold your head up, not in pride, but so you can look to God knowing he has this. You remind yourself of scripture that says these things will happen and if you think about it, we ain't the first or last to be where you are. That thought kinda kept me focused but that's just me. I hurt for you because I totally get where you are. I will pray for you for the same reason. I had a friend whose Mom passed around 30 years ago and we sat on the curb as he cried and tried to make sense of it. I answered questions the best I could but just being there, giving a hug was more beneficial than anything I could have said. Grieve, be depressed, cry, mourn but check it before it consumes you. Having someone to keep you aware of your condition is a blessing because we humans can end up in the basement digging holes if we are not careful. Take in the scriptures however you can. I had to listen because I couldn't concentrate reading for a couple weeks. There is no right or wrong way to grieve but have a support system in place to watch so it doesn't turn unhealthy...

Joh 11:33-35
  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
 Jesus wept.

Rom 12:15-16

  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 

1Th 5:17-23

  Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

remember the Spies family...remember the Smith family...remember the Peterson family...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your blessings. Encourage us in these times of grief. Help us mourn in a healthy manner. Help us remember the things that make us glad. Help us learn to suffer with dignity and grace. In the name of Jesus we rebuke the enemy and his minion from harassing us at this time. We send depression and bad thoughts to the abyss where they cannot harm us. We stand on your Word and your promises as we pass through these times. We lift those suffering emotionally today. Let them know you are still right here with us and will prop us up. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 7, 2014 at 7:11am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? Be not deceived. The Lord loves us and anyone who accepts the gift of pardon offered by Jesus is saved. We are to strive for holiness not for earning that pardon we already got from our savior but as a result of that pardon, an appreciation and love for a savior that would pay what we owe. There are some people around that still teach way outside of what the Word says and deceive a sinful lot like us into thinking anything goes cause we are redeemed from all sin. Paul did say all things are lawful but not all things are profitable so just because we are under grace doesn't mean we are free to do whatever we want. Acting in that manner is dangerous. Acting in that way is not what Jesus taught. I've heard the "legalism" comments when talking about behavior and striving for holiness but they miss the point. I am concerned about how I behave before my wife, what pleases her, but if I am concerned how I behave before my Lord, what pleases him, I am legalistic? Not hardly.



Jud 1:3-10
  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.


remember Pam...

Heavenly Father,
   Help us be worthy of your grace. Help us not develop a hardened heart by acting foolishly and thinking it's ok. Grant us wisdom and courage to carry our cross, love unconditionally and be holy as you are holy. Protect the emergency workers out in this cold all across this country. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on December 9, 2013 at 8:06am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? It is very important that a foundation is solid or the building will crack, have maintenance issues or even collapse. A foundation in Jesus the Christ is crucial for us being able to stand even when all hell breaks loose or even men and or demons producing miracles.  That foundation in what Jesus taught, what and who he is must be steadfast or doctrines can move our focus off the savior and onto things that can fool even the wisest. We can even be distracted by doctrine that, although interesting, have not an iota of importance as to salvation. Ask some questions when a "new" doctrine or a non traditional explanation for an old established doctrine is tested. Does this affect my salvation? Does this new thing contradict the words of Jesus? Does this adherence to this doctrine water down salvation?  I have studied doctrines from denominational views and have determined that  some simply don't matter. For example, pre, mid, post tribulation rapture are views that stir much controversy but how does this effect our salvation? For those already saved it does not. Which ever view ends up being true we that are saved by grace are still saved by grace. Would we put so much stock in one of those views as to losing faith if events didn't happen the way we thought they ought to? Do you see the point? I am not arguing for any of those views just using the most visible subject for a point. Be firm on your belief in messiah and don't be fooled by anything. We know the enemies agenda if we read the Word.  We know the worlds agenda so test all spirits. Be able and ready to preach the gospel, using words if necessary. To live the gospel for our savior is Lord. To not fall for fake messiahs. Don't let your eyes fool you.    



Eph 2:8-9
  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rom 11:6  

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Rev_13:14

  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Rev_16:14  

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 

remember Mike and Mary...remember Calvin...remember the Clawsons...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for making a way for us sinners to have salvation. Bless our endeavors and help us see needs and be wise as to how to help. Teach us to be wise and not foolish. Bless those hurting in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on November 20, 2013 at 6:53am

  Good morning!  How are we faithing this cool morning? It's been a weird fall for the Allen family. We've faced things we never wanted to face. I've watched things transpire I didn't particularly care for and I've seen out pouring of love from people that never crossed my mind as even concerned with the Allen family. We've had to reach for support from our God because without that support we might succumb to this world. Our faith didn't waver even though we did experience turmoil and grief. In fact, we still deal. I don't even for a minute doubt my messiah Jesus reigns. Our faith in messiah is the glue, the only thing that keeps matter from flying apart, of this there is no doubt. Realizing none of this is uncommon or new helps with focus even though sucketh it still does. I struggle even writing because my mind is so awash with emotional grappling that sometimes renders me inoperative and only drives me to prayer and lately I don't even do that well.  Ever been or are you in that place now? You ain't alone and we know due to our steadfast faith in the face of opposition that our Savior God doesn't budge an atom. He is constant thus remembering we are in a fallen world and our battle is with an unseen world, we can have confidence while we still walk in this flesh.  Confidence that it all works out for good for those who love him allows us to lay our head on the pillow at night knowing he has all this.  Granted, while in this place it is difficult to see much further beyond the immediate. I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God so I have no choice but to apply the principles to my life therefore, this current state will pass and we will be okey dokey...eventually...so please lift us up to our God.  Remember the people you meet who may be acting mean or stupid or nuts that they may not enjoy this faith we have or perhaps they simply feel defeated and our common enemy is kicking them while they are down.  Prayer without ceasing is for those people and ourselves so we can live holy and hear from God what and where we must walk.  Man, I need a walk in the woods...

Eph 6:11-12
  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13-20
  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your Word. Thank you for cementing this faith in us even when we face severe obstacles. Help us recognize the enemies ploys and grant us courage, rest and compassion for those we meet.  Help us show mercy.  Lord we want to thank you for loving us so much.  Grant us wisdom to be who you designed us to be. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on November 13, 2013 at 6:30am

      Good morning! How are we faithing? So many thoughts lately. Some upsetting in nature and some simple ponderings. Reflective thoughts and thoughts about what I see around me. Why, why do they not use their blinker? Where, where is the remote? What in the world are these dreams? How are the Filipino people surviving? How come there is such a distance between the left and the right? What can I do to help the hungry and homeless in this town? Please Lord, heal this hurt, open my eyes to where you would have me preach. It is such a basket full of things and I understand where the majority come from and I am confident my Lord Jesus has this although simply dealing day by day, hour by hour and sometimes minute by minute is a struggle to not scream and go find a rock to get under.  Ever been there? I'm sure you have because nothing is new under the sun, just new to me or you perhaps.  Jesus dealt with all of these emotions and all the same types of things with the people around him. Heck man, in his own hometown they rejected him because they saw him as just Joseph's boy.  He may have even "made the credenza in their living room, he couldn't possibly be the messiah" or statements like that went on. It's the things such as these that can trip us up but I want to encourage you today. I want to let you know that you are not alone. Your feelings are an effect from stimuli and who controls them? You or do they control you?  Seek out Gods face. Be open and honest. Pray for wisdom because I can say with certainty that if not for my savior, I would be so lost and probably would stay in the pit till I died. I am reminded of this;


Luk 5:29-32
  And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

2Pe 3:9 

 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

2Ti 2:24-26

  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 

remember your Pastors...remember Breck Pegram and family...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your love and wisdom. Lord, we ask for vision and courage to press on with this life. Let us not be discouraged. Teach us of your love and let us be surrounded by your presence. Help us recognize needs and meet them where we can. Guide our paths, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 31, 2013 at 8:44am

www.grinchsplace.blogspot.com

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