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Comment by Doug on August 24, 2009 at 7:35am

Good Morning, another prayer request for a sister in the ems service, took ill a week ago and had to be intubated and put on a vent, unsure of the problem at this time.

Comment by Doug on August 24, 2009 at 7:33am

Good Morning, Just wanted to say thank you to all the follow christian brothers and sister for all the support and prayers for a fellow firefighter that succumbed to go home and be with our Lord on august 19th. do to cancer of the esoghus and then metatis to the rest of his organs.

Comment by russ allen on August 24, 2009 at 7:05am

Good Monday morning! How are we faithing? Do you ever think you must put on a happy face and never admit to being depressed? Ticked off? Disillusioned? Unhappy? Afraid? These are things we all experience, Christian or not so why do some of us think we must never show vulnerability? Being a believer that Messiah is who he is does not mean all is well and we must never be these things. When these things show up, we put on a facade because we must appear holy and, well, perfect. What a bunch of hooey! Guess what sports fans, we all deal with the same things. How we deal and who's strength we rely on is the difference. Recognising our vulnerabilities is such a huge deal. Knowing where to go in those vulnerabilities is the key. God gave us a mind to use but where do we get the info to fill it? Bad sources nets bad choices and bad results. There was a movie way back when where Mike Douglass says,"greed works". Bunk. Greed works for greed and greed begets more greed. This is true about any selfish motivated actions. That holy face put on spoken of earlier is a selfish face, not a pious one and can only lead to disappointment, disillusionment and a witness that is fake which is seen by others. The lost are not stupid, they're lost. You can't fake holy for long. You can't maintain a facade for ever. We can however get accustomed to acting out of habit and not out of faith but that will eventually tumble down like a facade on an old building. You think about that and ask if you are being real to our savior or putting on airs as it were. Are you relying on Jesus or just speaking the platitudes. Do your actions bear witness to the savior or to a church like behavior? Tis Monday and you still have breath and a heartbeat, who granted that and what does God have for you to do today? Look at these;

Gal 2:11-21
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
NIV

remember Amber Hacker...Bill Salvatore...Tom Larsen...Layne Sansare

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that opens our eyes to truth. Lord thank you for friends, past and present. Lord, we ask for protection for our kids. Guide our leaders and keep our paths clear for righteousness. Lord we lift the troops and emergency workers. Keep them safe and wise. Forgive us we ask, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:35 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 21, 2009 at 7:35am

Good morning! How are we faithing this Friday? This has been an interesting week. So many lessons to be learned. Stuff of this world and stuff of God. With the battle every day between our physical and spiritual states, we sometimes get a little confused. That is when for me, prayer and reflection takes place. First to figure out is my emotions or if my ego is getting in the way of truth. Then its on to the lesson that carried over to the rest of life. Some lessons can be as simple as us not touching fire to know it's hot. Others can be harder such as why that person is flying off the handle over something minuscule. We work at wisdom or rather work wisdom out when we seek guidance from the creator of everything. There are just some things that leave us bewildered and that's ok. A lesson is still contained in those times if for nothing else but realizing our limitations and learning to approach God for any and everything. I don't think God cares who wins the ball game in particular but if one of his children does, he does. Think about that for a second.

Heb 6:9-12
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
NIV

Heb 12:1-6
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
NIV

Heb 13:1-3
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
NIV

remember Shannon Sansare as Layne is expected to be born today!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for lessons learned and discipline that helps us grow. Lord, help us remain humble and in tune to the straight and narrow. Lord we want to act correctly and to view all things as you do. Help us be quick in our recognition of your hand moving in our lives. Lord we ask blessings on those unborn children. Guide us and show us your ways, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:25 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 20, 2009 at 7:19am

Good morning! How are we faithing this new day? It is strange how we all grow and learn to be as God designed us to be. Lessons, at the time, can take on such passion and at the same time be so rudimentary. Our plight seems to be missing the nuances as well as the big picture. When we fail to maintain focus on God in all situations we end up relying on our own internal fortitude. I don't know about you but my life has been full of failures when I got cocky and relied on me only. Not to say that God hasn't grown us and taught us to be the men and woman we are that can stand on our own two feet but more important is how we grew strong and wise and where that strength and wisdom originates. Being humble is perceived to be pious and weak willed and not like the Word says, "be gentle as lambs but wise as a fox". David could have killed Saul but didn't. But he did take a piece of his clothing...think about that. Point is that the wisdom from man would have dictated that he kill his enemy and all his woes would have evaporated whereas God had raise him with wisdom and respect for the things of God, which Saul had been picked by him, therefore his point was made through an act that was contrary to conventional wisdom. Where do you get your ideas and wisdom? Does the world fill you with ideas that run the other way from God? Do you lose patience and act impulsively? Think about how your decision making is based today....

Phil 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
NIV

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
NIV

1 Thess 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV

remember Shannon Sansare and baby Layne, Layne make make a presence today! remember Jonathan O'Malley...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for blessing us even when we don't recognise it. Lord, forgive us our failings, we try to stay where we need to be but our spirits are willing and the flesh is weak...help us be content in where we are so we may learn what we need to learn to be images of you. Lord we praise and thank you for you wisdom and love you pour out on us, In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:47 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 19, 2009 at 7:25am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I go from happy and praising God to ticked and sometimes frightened when people don't know what merge and yield means. I get downright indignant when I see someone reading or texting while drifting into my lane. Being on the road every day affords me the privilege of seeing all the dumb moves people make...me included. We can get so wrapped up in watching the performances of others that we miss our own faux pas'. How is it we see wrongs committed against us but miss those we toss out? Has our own arrogance elevated us above reproach? Do we really think we can say we are better than those pagans over there? If we are indeed doing that, we have moved from a redeemed sinner, to a self indulgent-self righteous hypocrite. Now we all sin and falter and I think as we grow in faith, we do get better but it is not a case of rising above everybody else because where we gain we can also lose. Whenever we start to think we can do things and we don't need God to be with us all the time, that is when we stumble and fall. That person that cuts you off and gives you the dirty look like it's his road and we should do his bidding is just as deserving of the savior as you. Sure we want to fatten their lip or wish the police fairy would materialize and bust em, we still need to lift them up rather than curse them down. As believers and as Christians we must remember what Christ taught us and must not forget where we came from. So the next time you almost get creamed, try to bless them and not curse them. This is a good thing for our attitude and heck man, they may be bad drivers or their child could have just been killed or something and they need that prayer.

James 1:26-27
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
NIV

Ps 119:65-72
Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,for I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,but I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
NIV

1 Cor 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Help us take the reins of our anger and indignation. Help us see the bigger issues in calamity. Lord, come into out conscience immediately when others hurt or threaten our safety. Lord we wish all would come to know you and rely on you. Protect our kids on foreign soil and those at home. Bless this country and keep your hand on us, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:40 AM 0 comments

Comment by russ allen on August 18, 2009 at 7:46am

Good morning! Overcast and raining and with that comes a big headache...oh well, could be worse! How are we faithing? Does your religion make you more holy? Do you rest on what you've done or are doing to define your place with God? This is a supposition that actions make our faith what it is and set our place with God. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We cannot do anything that makes us holier. We cannot get any closer to the throne by good deeds or procedure. We are already at the throne because of Jesus. What we do in obedience to the Word is a result of faith in Jesus and not our own doings. God doesn't need our own personal actions to achieve anything. Our actions at church, in our workplace, at home are manifestations of the love God has for us. Realizing that God who doesn't need us to achieve anything but chooses to hold us, help and to teach us because he loves us kind of takes away the importance of "me". We do correct righteous things and it pleases God but in no way earns the love or closeness we already have because of his son. If we were capable of being holier by actions, the cross would be unnecessary. Of course we cannot and there is no scripture that teaches us that. What it does teach is he loves us and cares for us. What it does teach is that he forgives us for all...period. So by all means continue to serve and to follow Jesus and his church but don't lose sight of his love and grace and start thinking you have to do this or that or he wont love you.

1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
NKJV

Col 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
NIV

1 John 3:16-20
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
NIV

There tons of scripture to support this whole discussion and I don't want anyone to miss the point. Don't get so wrapped up in doing that you miss or neglect your relationship with Messiah. He loves you as you are. HE will improve you with the Holy Spirit just like at Pentecost. He promises his love for all who seek him.

Remember Brandi Sutherland Mosek...Jerry and Sarah Glander and their new son Copper Reed, 1 month premature and all the things that come with that...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving and putting up with us. Lord, help us to focus on your love and greatness and not loose sight of your grace. Help us not get so wrapped up in earning points towards heaven. Help us not do to get but do out of love and compassion. Lord we ask for healing today. We expect a miracle in the lives mentioned and stand on your promises. Lord, forgive us when we fail and show us how to see beyond self to what really matters today, in Jesus name,amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:02 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 17, 2009 at 7:26am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Had some good conversations and interaction with many different people this week. Many were pleasant exchanges and many were eye opening. A person I've known for many years asked a very good question and just the asking revealed lots about her belief system and where her understanding is. The question you are wondering? "My friend is a good person and if she doesn't accept Jesus she goes to hell?" This is a scary question to me because it opened my eyes to how some don't quite understand what our savior has done for us. God gave us free choice, yes or no to Jesus. It also reveled that some still think we have to do more or earn salvation. This premise says that what Jesus did wasn't enough and we must supplement it. Where is the assurance or the grace or the peace if we must continue to earn salvation? The Word talks of the peace and assurance of belief in Jesus. It talks, as we have many times, that only Jesus matters and that while we still sin, our Lord Jesus is there interceding on our behalf. So many still think that performance earns grace instead of grace causes the good performances. The result of Jesus gift of salvation is shown by, as the Word says, good works and not the other way around. If I am sure of my place, I am going to perform with grace. Nothing wrong with tradition or ceremony as long as it doesn't replace grace. I have such concern for people who may miss that grace and that love and try to stand on their works because, it will never be enough, if it were possible, Jesus would not have had to take all sin on so we don't have to.

Rom 3:23-25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.
NAS

Rom 3:10
"There is none righteous, not even one;
NAS

Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
NIV

2 Tim 1:8-11
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
NIV

Eph 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

remember Melinda Moran...remember Scott DeBusk...

Heavenly Father,
We come before you seeking understanding of your Word. We ask for the wisdom your grace brings. Lord, reveal your truths. Let us not be offended but let us desire your will and understanding. Do not let us be intimidated or belittled away from your grace. Open the eyes of our hearts, soften out hearts to the understanding of your love and grace. Lord we lift the concerns to you and rely on just your love and power to sustain us. to you the glory is given, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 14, 2009 at 7:23am

Great morning! How are we faithing? I'm not really sure how to convey the compassion felt for people I meet who are overwhelmed with their circumstances. My heart aches for them. As someone on the outside looking in, the situation is clearer most times. You all have been in the same place where you can see the obvious solution but the person saddled with the particular burden can't. I think our compassion is born in that place because alot of times we have endured or gone through the same things we see in others. Being able to see beyond the circumstances and knowing God has already defeated whatever situation you're in is totally a faith thing. Believing that your current situation, although it may suck, is already handled takes a confidence in the Lord that only faith learned by past victories can afford. The bible is full of the events that solidified great faith in the people involved. The classics; Noah, probably scratched his head for many years as he built the ark not having a clue what a flood of those proportions could be. Daniel in the lions den; confident God would protect him but surely a little apprehension upon seeing those snarling teeth. The apostles in the upper room; Jesus crucified, reappeared from the dead-raised, ascended into heaven and now awaiting the Holy Spirit and probably clueless as to what lie ahead. What are you enduring that is daunting and overwhelming and you feel like you are drowning? Where do you see your outcome from your current position? Are you whiny and crabby or are sucking it up in confidence that God has already defeated it? Do you know that while this time sucks that it will pass and victory is already God's? Can you look back and see God whooping things that you at the time saw no escape? These are the things we remember. These are the things we build our confidence on so when other calamities befall us we are able to stand. Don't revert to the non faith position you once held before you met the savior.

Job 5:7-9
Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.
"But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. NIV

James 5:10-11
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
NIV


Heb 12:1-31
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
NIV

Remember Heather S...Chris Poole...Mike H...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that is non bending nor wavery when we falter and stumble. Lord, grant us insight and wisdom so we can persevere when all looks futile. Forgive us when we goof up and make our minds clear for the fix for our maladies. Lord we need to hear from you so make your Word come alive in us so much we feed on it! Lord, keep our troops safe and bless those who read this daily that the food of your Word is indeed nourishing, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 13, 2009 at 6:56am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The lessons learned by those old stories in the Bible are not just stories. David standing up to Goliath shows David seeing the giant blaspheming God and that just won't cut it. He didn't care that he was 9'6". Elijah and the priests of a false god, baal, and how he stood up to them and won. Noah building a boat on faith, probably enduring ridicule and people walking around making the universal sign that he was nuts. There is tons of lessons to be gleaned from these stories. I do not have the space in this type of forum to delve into them so it would be wise for you to dig out your Bible and read, looking for state of mind, motivation, the fears and the trust putting yourself in the situations described. This forum is for encouragement every day and life experiences of an old fat guy. My reading of the Bible teaches me about life and how nothing in humans has changed, just the times. I would like for you all to ask questions and let me know where you are having difficulties in your time on this orb. It is of course in confidence so feel free to ask so we all can learn and lean on each other. We all see perceived faults in each other but we have to remember God loves all of us and we all are created in his image therefore what sin has muddled up, God can clean up. What sin has wrecked, God's hands will straighten the sheet metal we wrinkled and smooth back into the shape he designed. Will we ever achieve perfection here? Of course not but we sure can lean on each other and learn from each other. Read Psalm 139 and look at the attitude, the fortitude, the love and adoration, the way of thinking to realize the greatness of God. Here's a start;

Ps 139:1-4
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

Remember Jennifer...remember Bill S...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom and patience with a lot such as us. Lord, we lift those concerns to you and ask for healings and insight to whatever is going on. Lord, protect our children from things that are not of you. Guide and teach us when we read your Word. Show us lessons and attitudes that we may become more as you designed. Keep us on the road that is marked and not the one that leads to nowhere, in Jesus name, amen
NIV
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

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