Add a Comment

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

prayers for BC Killeen....cool yakkee!

Comment by yakkee on August 3, 2009 at 1:59pm

got a praise report of gods love and mercy

just got back back from the fire 2009 ruscued advance! it was AWESOME sen lots of kids give there life to christ for the frist time ad some recomitments to god !seen some kids get filled w/ the Holy sprit!!!! seen god move in so many live including my own..

Comment by Joe Ryan on August 3, 2009 at 8:09am

Prayer request:
A good friend of mine, Battalion Chief Kevin Killeen-of the Newark, NJ FD
was critically injured at a major fire the other day. He fell through a skylight some 30 feet. Maydays went out and he was pulled from the building, but suffered a broken pelvis, severe back injuries, broken shoulder, other injuries and is in extreme pain.

Comment by russ allen on August 3, 2009 at 7:15am

Good Monday morning! How are we faithing? Lots to think about and to pray about. Things going on around as of late that arouse concern, things that make one shake one's head, things that makes a heart break for someone else and the things that concern ourselves. Sifting through council of others and separating the good from the not so good is daunting and can get confusing. Some things discovered is, council that is self serving or retaliatory in nature gets dismissed. Council that is pessimistic can be a warning and it can be just a crab session. Council that is tainted with regulatory constraints or dogmatic in nature can be solid and it can miss the mark completely because of its inherent biases. What to listen to and what not to? Godly council from the Word is always right, council from god fearing people is intended for good most times and worth a serious look see, council from friends and family are biased and council from people with no vested interest is either dead on the mark or throw away advise. What is this all for? There are people we encounter who are hurting all around us and we are to be beacons of hope and a lamp that emits the love light of Jesus. Without that shine we are just another drifting soul on the waters of humanity. Pearls of wisdom need not be prophetic or life changing. Sometimes council is a hug, a hand held, a question, a scripture reference or even a finger wag with a little chastisement. The wisdom to know what where when? There is the big rub. The Word tells us to be ready in season and out to respond Godly because any other advise is like heads, we all have one.

Prov 1:5-7
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
NIV

Prov 9:9
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
NIV

Prov 12:15
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
NIV

Prov 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. NIV

Hos 6:33
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
NIV

I want to encourage you all who are seeking answers to decisions to look not to man but to God. Get in the Word, proverbs is a fine place for wisdom and the Psalms is a fine place for praise. Remember our hope and assurance lies not with man but with the creator.

Lots of requests; remember Megan Wade...oral surgery, remember Katrina Williams...broke arm, remember Angel Hayward family...she passed at 43-left 6 kids and hubby...remember Linda Hanzel...wisdom for the path to take and the words to speak...remember Larry and Ellen Hoyt...he has cancer and time is short...remember the lost...remember our Pastors and teachers...remember our troops and their leaders...and of course all the kids...


Heavenly Father,
We come before you today with praises for you because we know you are indeed in control even when we can't figure out what is happening. Lord grant us the grace and faith to rest on your Word and what and when it speaks to us. Help us be a vessel of light and wisdom for your people. Lord we lift those mentioned to you. We ask for your will be done and your strength be with us all. Lord thank you for this life you give that we may serve. Lord, calm and comfort those who are in such anguish they feel alone. Lord, make it so plain to us that we act and react in accordance with your ways. Guide us this week and forgive us when we stumble because we want to please and honor you with our lives in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:32 AM

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on August 2, 2009 at 11:34pm

the Movie "Fire Proof" spoke volumes about my life as well.

Comment by russ allen on August 1, 2009 at 7:49am

wow....amen!

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on August 1, 2009 at 2:09am

Russ, Good Word! I recall way back at the beginning of my career that my wife and I sacrificed and scrimped in order for me to get the training to seek after the full time Fire Chief position here. The sad truth of of all this was that I was seeking something that was as empty and as a golden calf (idol). Because of the time away from my wife and family and many things related to going after this position that I woke up one day and realized even though I had attained the position as Chief I had lost the most precious gift I could ever have. My wife and children were no longer there by my side.. In fact the first actual day of my new job was a day just like any other day and I was so disappointed because I thought somehow it would be a big deal. My ex-wife sent me a card and flowers that was delivered to my office and the card said. I am so happy for you that you achieved the goal you set out to achieve, I am only sad that I am not there to share it with you after what we went through. This cut me to the core and brought me to my knees in shame and repentance. I had gained the whole world but lost what was much more important. I spent 10 years sorta wandering around on the back side of the desert until God finally saw us to find each other again and ultimately bring us back to restoration and bring our family back together again. Hallelujah for Gods restoration and forgiveness. Seek those things which are pure and Godly and reap Gods blessings rather then emptiness and pain........

Comment by russ allen on July 31, 2009 at 8:06am

Good morning! How are we faithing? A saying that has a real deep meaning is,"hold on to everything on earth, loosely". Think about that. To tight a grip on things of this world leads to lots of trouble. Like the Word tells us, we came here naked and we'll leave here the same. I see people agonize over their property, stay awake at night worried someone is gonna take it. I hear people threatening to kill over property. Is the stuff so important that we would die for it? How ridiculous is that. Die or kill over a car or a lawn mower. The things we hold tight to can become our idol. Example, in India people are dying of starvation while cows wander the streets. People in America are shooting people for a street corner. Where did this type of thinking come from? When did people become so attached to stuff that their whole life has become that stuff? I love my cars and guitars but if they are gone today, it may suck but oh well. Stuff ain't worth losing one's self over. This thinking and way of hoarding is as old as mankind. How did satan temp Jesus? Stuff, fame and fortune, idolatry. Mankind is lured from truth by fleshly desires. The Word is full of this kind of thinking. Where does it lead? To nothing. They all died and took none with them. They live a life full of envy and strife over stuff that will end up an archaeological dig. There's nothing wrong with enjoying stuff but what rules what? We have to be careful of the position these thoughts and things take in our lives. When we allow them to permeate and take over, idolatry becomes the result and that only leads to dissatisfaction and eventual ruin. Think about that.

Titus 3:3-8
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. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
NIV

Rom 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
NIV

Mark 7:8
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and grace that saves us. Thank you for your patience when we get in a place we don't recognise as dangerous. Help us see the folly of idolatry. Help us learn how to enjoy but not be consumed and possessed by the pleasures you grant. Lord, help us be kind, humble, always alert to needs, never mean spirited, in control of our words, and an example of your grace and love. We seek peace in this world and ask for others to find the same. Lord remove the blinders from our eyes and grant us courage under fire to stand for truth and your ways, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:27 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 30, 2009 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Reading the Psalms is really refreshing because they relate to us today. Psalm 119 is full of encouragement and wisdom. One of the premises that struck me today is the whole idea of following God's ways and seeing the world's ways as futile. It made me think of past mistakes and how far I've come since then. It also brought to mind some folks who haven't gotten beyond habitual things from their youth. No finger pointing just observations and lessons gleaned. I can see that by following God's ways instead of mine, even when it gets difficult, the outcome ALWAYS is best. Anyone of us can reflect and see where we dropped the ball and the lesson we learned from it. May have sucked at the time but now we see the whys and wherefores and don't repeat. If you don't recognise these things you will end up in a vicious cycle repeating the same things over and over. How sad when we miss the lesson and have to do it again. I've done it, you've done it, we all have missed it sometimes but what is encouraging is our savior is ever present to pick us up and brush the crap off us so we can press on. We as finite beings must swallow our pride, see truth and act accordingly. Do yourself a favor and start reading the Psalms, you will not be disappointed.

Ps 119:125-128
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. It is time for you to act, O LORD;your law is being broken. Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right,I hate every wrong path.
NIV

Ps 119:129-136
Your statutes are wonderful;therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light;it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant,longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me,as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word;let no sin rule over me. Redeem me from the oppression of men,that I may obey your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. Streams of tears flow from my eyes,for your law is not obeyed.
NIV

Ps 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart;do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD;teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees;I will not neglect your word.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that fills me with wisdom. Thank you for the way you teach us with it. Lord, help us see truth and recognise folly in our lives. Lord, renew our minds so we can see where we need to change. Lord help us control our thoughts and actions so they are honorable to you. Lord we need a touch in ouir lives so we have courage to stand for you regardless of the opposition. Thank you and protect us from evil, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:46 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 29, 2009 at 7:34am

Lord, we lift Patti to you, hold her and hold her family...

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 109
• 110
• 111
• 112
• 113
• …
• 157
• Next ›
• Page