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Comment by russ allen on August 11, 2009 at 6:59am

Good morning! Man! Tired today...how are you faithing? How is your outlook on the day ahead? It is tough to get going when you work hard and feel drained but the body heals. The body can rest but the mind seems to never shut off. Physiological things aside and we know the body needs rest, so how do we rest our minds? Our minds run over everything from a comment heard at Micky D's to the dog chasing flies. Some work in their heads constantly while others seem to be able to shut it off. Learning to focus on God and his rest is something that a healthy prayer life gives. What is healthy? This is a relationship with Jesus and yours is different than mine. The constants are that you and I can speak to him anytime. We can worship anytime. We can bring petitions to him anytime but if we bring them we must leave them and not carry them away when we leave. That is what worry is. Of course we remain concerned over things but the care of it is the Lords when we give it to him. If my car breaks and I give it to the tech at the shop to fix I don't take it back and tell him "I just wanted to complain about it", do you? No man, you let him do what he needs to do. "I want it fixed now", he says "patience, I need to find the cause and fix that then I can fix what was effected by the root cause." God does the same. You pray to hit the lottery and yet you keep spending. The lack of money ain't the problem, your lack of wisdom using what you have is. You pray your kids straighten out and yet they are allowed to run amok without discipline. These worries we carry cause us to never relax and rest which is why we need to seek Godly council, seek God himself in everything and with the burden lifted, we can rest. Reading the Word and thinking about it, what better way to relax. Falling asleep thinking about God? That is so cool. That is rest from a difficult day.

2 Cor 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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

Rom 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
NIV

remember our troops...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for peace and rest from our days. Help us learn to seek your face and to be fully rested each day. Lord, help us be your servants. Help us find that peace so we can shut down each evening. Lord we worship you and love you. Lord we lift our concerns to you and lay them at your feet because we know you are the only one who can truly deal with them perfectly. Lord, bless our troops and help them show mercy whenever they can, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:16 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 10, 2009 at 7:08am

Good morning! How has your faith sustained you as of late? Ah! Different question eh? It is a question designed for you to reflect on your walk. Don't be self criticizing just be honest and try to learn from your success and failures. I often wonder why things happen and why I react certain ways. I thought by now I would be more Godly. Well, I am and you are to if you seek it but don't misinterpret that premise. We cannot be any more sanctified than when we first believed in Jesus. We cannot achieve a level of holiness and higher than what Jesus blood provides. We do not get better than anyone else that believes. What we do find is that we become more attuned to God's ways and not ours. We find we look at things from a perspective that is not worldly so much but with the eyes of our Lord. We find we are prompted by the Holy Spirit but we must not think we are any better than anyone else. Positive mantras and thinking is a good thing for our relaxing and for our outlook but without Jesus they are fleeting. Do we get better the longer we walk with God? If by better we mean we emulate and start to think in a Godly fashion and we start to see truth through the eyes of Jesus then yes we grow and get better but once we are saved, no amount of church or positive good will or anything of that nature makes us more worthy of God's grace and love. I'm not down playing church or that stuff but trying to make you realize that stuff does not sanctify us. Grace does. Jesus' love for us does. God so loved the world he gave his son for us so that we would live forever. Our performance, our appearance of Godliness is good but don't misconstrue that as what saves or determines our eternity. As we grow or get better or however you want to label it, we are still so not good enough that by remembering that Jesus is our salvation, then maybe we can climb down off that high horse and assemble in the trenches so our fellow men and women can discover what we have...the grace and love of our savior, Jesus the Christ..chew on these thoughts for awhile...

2 Cor 2:14-17
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
NIV

1 John 3:21-24
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
NIV

John 15:7-8
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
NIV

Remember Bill Salvatore...Brad McKinney...Jeff and his bride

Heavenly Father,
Help us to seek you in all we do and to remember where we came from and where you have promised we are going. Lord, help us not get "holier than thou" and realize our sanctification is totally yours and not of us. Lord, we lift all those who need physical healing, spiritual prop ups, and relationships that are broken become healed. Lord, help us see truth in all things and not be blinded by the worlds view. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:35 AM

Comment by Travis Bowers on August 9, 2009 at 7:18pm

ENGINE/ PUMPER DRIVER group. I hope everyone will join it, even if you do not drive or operate one, thanks!!!

Comment by russ allen on August 7, 2009 at 6:57am

Great morning! How are you faithing? Oh how I seek to know the wisdom of the Lord. Oh how I want to be wise in choices I make. Oh how when I make idiotic choices I shake my head at the folly of my thinking. Oh how we seek to know the Lord in the scriptures and have foresight to avert the many perils in this life. Our paths are not certain and we can turn left when we should turn right. Our desires offend ourselves sometimes and leads us to failure. Our own eyes deceive us and our passions can lead to ruin. They also can lead to success, blessings, wisdom and triumph over evil. Where is that line left or right? Only God knows and he has provided the scriptures for guidance. Beside being great literary stories, the Word provides lessons learned by the mistakes of others. Jacob's sons who sold their brother, Elijah who performed great miracles and yet ran from Jazabel, Ester and her stance with the King that saved a whole nation, the apostles and their exploits, on and on these tales are told with lessons contained that apply to life. Where are you loyalties? Self? Country? A habit? A lust? An idol? Rhetorical yet we need to find those answers for our own peace. Seek out lessons when you read the scriptures. Try to notice where those heads were turned from the path God set them on. See where they stayed on that path amidst persecution. Ask the hard questions of yourself and don't lie to yourself. Look at this;

Prov 9:1-12
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!"she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding. "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
NIV

Pay attention to things this weekend and ask pertinent questions so you can gain from things and not just get your tail handed to you.

remember Ricky Van Dyke, healing after hip surgery...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all your blessings. Lord, help us see lessons and not repeat offenses. Lord, we ask for wisdom in all we do. Help us say and do according to your will. Let us not be cast into doubt because we don't understand something. Let us be willing to seek truth regardless of the answer. Lord, protect our kids and help Ricky heal quickly, in Jesus name amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:22 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 6, 2009 at 7:16am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Having conversations about biblical details and arguable stands on ideas and dogma can be very interesting and faith growing. It can also cast doubt and confusion. Be careful with whom you discuss that it does not become arguing. Jesus is the issue not how to hold your hands when you pray. I talk to so many people that miss Jesus and do church. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." Don't miss Jesus. All the rest is filler. Sure doing church is fine but not at the expense of Jesus. Without Jesus, church is an idol. Without Jesus' sacrifice, we are all still condemned. So when you discuss, argue, exchange ideas, don't be misled to think these positions will save you, only Jesus does that. "I do good and I am a member of this or that church" is not salvation nor does it have any bearing on entrance into heaven. Good works are a manifestation of salvation, not the other way around. Now that statement can lead to a discussion about good works leading to Jesus and that position does have some merit but it is not always the case. Finding Jesus and good works follow IS always the case. One cannot help but have good works show up in their life when they know Jesus. They may not be visible to us but then what we think of that person doesn't matter to God anyways. All this is for you to think and to see Jesus and to seek Jesus and not "being good"." There are none righteous, no not one" is said in the scriptures so if that be the case, why would we ever try to attain goodness out side of Jesus? The Word tells us that none come to the father but by Jesus so why would anyone even attempt that? The lies from the pit of hell...the father of lies...falling for his ploys, that is why.

Prov 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man,But its end is the way of death.
NKJV

1 Peter 1:24-25
For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.
ASV

Discuss particulars but be humble and admit if you don't know. Talk about particulars but not at the expense of alienating a soul from God. Your convictions are yours and may not be someone elses. You may be at a point in your spiritual maturity that is at a different place than who you are talking to. I have my views on the last days and the great tribulation but I sure would not bet my life on those particulars. The only thing I am steadfast on is Jesus died for me...and you. Think about this today...
Remember Matt Madsen...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that is always true and just. Lord help us see you ways and to seek you in everything. Lord, grant us wisdom and a keen sense of folly and truth. Thank you for all the blessings and help us see the path that we are to be on in life. Lord, we ask you be in the face of those who are lost. Lead them to your loving arms...protect our leaders, troops, emergency workers, kids and our minds, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 5, 2009 at 7:21am

yakkee...matthew 18:15-17

Comment by russ allen on August 5, 2009 at 7:19am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? As we learn and grow in the Lord we find ourselves looking deeper into issues and trying to see root causes rather than superficial actions and reactions. As we read the Word we question things not with doubt so much but with lack of understanding. It is natural to say,"what?" when we hear of new precepts that fly against convention. In the world we will doubt and be right but when it comes to the Word of God, not so much. I heard a statement that a person believes in the salvation of Jesus but can't believe the virgin birth. How ridiculous that line of thinking is. The Bible tells us of the virgin birth way back in Isaiah7 and then after it happened, in the gospels. This is one of those things that people don't believe because they can't understand how it could happen. I don't understand how protons and neutrons circling a nucleus can form my body but, well, here they are. Point is that if we can be saved, if Jesus died for us, if the miracles happened, why would we doubt anything just because we can't grasp the mechanics of it? Some issues have to be taken on faith because we see God work around us and know he isn't a liar. I want to impress upon all of you today that God is the same today and yesterday and he is with you regardless of the circumstances or the outcome. Keeping a good attitude even within events that are life altering is just and proper. Our joy is within and not without. Our joy is in the confidence we have in our savior and not in our comfort. We get sad, we get distraught, we endure pain and suffering but our joy remains because Jesus is in us and with us through everything. We gotta look at what we will learn in every circumstance and that is what helps us endure because we know God is right there to prop us up.


Eph 1:11-14
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.
NIV

1 Peter 1:17-21
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
NIV

Remember Eddie Thompson...Brenda Lindstrom...Ricky Van Dyke...all having surgeries...

Heavenly Father,
Lord, we lift up those who are scared about the surgeries coming up. Guide the surgeons hands and put confidence in the patients that all will be according to your will. We ask for total healings and successful surgeries and thank you before hand. We ask for wisdom and guidance of those who are nursing. Lord, endow us with such peace and joy that your will be done and we stand on the promises that the best is yet to come. Lord, forgive us where we drop the ball and let us remember and learn without self condemnation. Thank you for blessing we see and ones we don't in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:26 AM

Comment by Mark A. Duell on August 5, 2009 at 4:38am

Sorry all for not responding to some of the comments,prayer requests and new members. Have been very busy as you all are. !st I would like to say hello and welcome to all the new members of of CFA that have joined over the last month. May our Lord and Savior bless you and hopefully meet some of your spiritual needs with this group.

Prayer is lifted up for Chief Killeen. I pray that he makes a full recovery from this. Also prayers lifted up for yakkee. Been there. Just address the chief complaint head on the appropiate way by following the chain of command. Actually you ought to go to the person you have the problem with first and start there. Follow the scripture in addressing this problem. Well gotta go to work, talk to ya later. Keep looking up!

Comment by yakkee on August 4, 2009 at 2:14pm

prayer request
i have had a falling out w/ some 1 in my department. and since he was a very popular person in the dept. i am having a very hard time and beeing singled out.
also im being ridaculed for my work w/ youth minisitry.

any advice would be gratly welcome u can mesage me on ffn or email @ bob_mccain@yahoo.com

a strugling firefighter in christ

Comment by russ allen on August 4, 2009 at 7:10am

Great morning! How are we faithing? It gets rough out here sometimes. Life deals uncertain times and events that cause us to pause and question the purpose. Sickness, death, calamity and when it involves our children...well that can be such a heavy load. As parents we can't help being concerned and being worry warts. Yes we know we are to cast our woes on the Lord and he will handle them but when it comes to our kids, no matter the age, we tend to fret and hang onto whatever is happening to them. Of course it is natural to want what's best for them but it is also up to them to seek God, follow his precepts and to be accountable to him. Paul had "a thorn" that God chose not to remove from him, we don't know what it was...might've been a limp, a lisp, ADD but it doesn't matter what it was because God said his grace was sufficient. That is really important for us to see. If there is something tormenting you, look to Jesus and his grace rather than the affliction. I know it's hard to see past afflictions alot of the time especially when it kicks our butts daily but turning our focus from the affliction to God is the only way we can survive. Prayer constantly is our right as believers and actually becomes conversation with our Father and that makes anything doable. What ever happens isn't new, isn't the first time or the last and that makes it a little more tolerable. Remembering that Jesus endured the same things we do and did is something we can hang our hats on. Think about that...remember Jeff McKinney

Heb 12:1-3
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

Isa 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
NIV

Ps 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous fall.
NIV

Heb 10:35-37
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
NIV

Ps 27:33
Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then will I be confident.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for confidence even in affliction. Thank you for always remaining true to us. Grant us wisdom in all we face. Lord, we lift those in torment from all the mental and physical ailments. We ask for a healing and a focus on you that rises above anything that goes on in our days. Lord we lift our kids of all ages. Keep them safe and open to your teachings. Lord assure us of your love so we can continue in confidence every day, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

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