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Comment by russ allen on July 29, 2009 at 7:33am

Just shoot me, I'd probably feel better. Great morning! How are we faithing? Yep, sickern a dog still. Oh well, could be worse. So how many of you have questions about why things are the way they are? How many of you seek answers and have trouble finding them? Yep, me too. The sources that we use are very important when we ask questions. A Pastor, a Minister, a Priest, an Elder, a lay person can have the answers we seek but sometimes not. We have to be wise and ask for a backup as to why the answer we got is what it is. I don't have any trouble accepting an answer that is Biblicaly based. When someone starts with,"I think you should..." or "If it were me...", be wary. Opinions are fine but they can be so clouded with life experiences and perceptions from many sources that we must be wise to what to keep and what to let go. The right questions need to be asked and homework on our part is wise so we can ask those right questions. Where is this from? Lots of people ask things that I think are loaded or there are no set answers for. Why did Jesus die for us? Simply because he loves us but in our human minds, that is hard to accept or even fathom. Many of the questions asked in times of grief have no answers, they are a product of that grief and we must just mourn with them and when the grief subsides , then we can reason. In those times we just help that person maintain through. Look at these and ponder and think about answers to questions you have;

Eccl 3:1-11
For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.
ASV

Prov 15:21-23
Folly delights a man who lacks judgment,but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!
NIV

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
NIV

Cool huh? Check your sources, be wise with the council you get, fill yourself with truth and good things and don't let others wrath or bad advice stick on you.

Remember Julie Alverez...remember Marilyn Woodrum...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom. Lord, we know we can't understand everything but we ask for wisdom and peace so we can accept what is and not get trapped by what is not. Show us all we need to do your will. Lord we lift those mentioned to you. Cover them with your love. Lord ,protect our kids, in Jesus name we pray, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:51 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 28, 2009 at 7:14am

Good morning! Sickern a dog, pray for me. How are we faithing? We have talked about being good and whether it matters. We have talked about tact and being examples of God's workmanship. We are to be holy, not perfect because we can't. We are to be gentle as lambs but wise as wolves. We are to be holy as he is holy. When we flop in these areas we need to recognise the oops and make amends as is appropriate. Look man, we are not ever gonna achieve perfection while on this earth so stop whoopin you own butt when you fail. Turn to God and press on. Life is full of junk that can really get you down but God promised strength for the day and rest for the weary. It seems to be all over lately, people who feel so inadequate they wont even acknowledge God's sovereignty. They are so awash with sin they think they will never find relief. Well be ready to impart wisdom but not with platitudes. Pray quickly in any circumstance and let the Master of everything take the reigns. Gee whiz, I'm the co-pilot cause he's the one flying this tub we're on. Here's some encouragement;

Eph 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
NIV

1 Peter 3:13-15
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
NIV


I like this one alot...

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

Heavenly Father'
Thank you for your grace that saves us from eternal suffering. Lord, we ask for strength when we face things that bring us low. Lord, we are seeking the right path you have for us but we seem to always stumble. Let us know when you pick us up and brush us off. We ask for protection of our families and guidance when we seek you in your Word. Forgive us when we fail and bless our hands and feet that we do you will because we know it is always best even when it looks in the flesh to be not. In Jesus' name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:36 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 27, 2009 at 7:50am

Good morning! How are we faithing after a weekend? I had a good conversation with a friend\co-worker about being bashed by church members for things he had done and was doing. As I listened to his story it was obvious that the people talking to him had no sense of tact or used love as the motivator. Pointing fingers is such a waste of time. Pointing fingers alienates people, shuts people down, drives them away from the church. Now pay attention and don't misconstrue the point of this. Sins are to be pointed out and chastised but not at the expense of a soul. If correcting a sin belittles or demeans a person so they are so turned off and they miss Jesus, what good is it? Our goal is to present Jesus as the lover of our soul, how we are to approach the throne of God and how he accepts us as we are. We need to leave the sin conviction to God. If they ask, tell the truth. If they need to be told they are sinning, do so with love and not condemnation. Conviction vs condemnation. So important. I see sins committed every day, myself included. The stupidest statement we could make while pointing a finger is,"you'll go to hell for doing that". One thing sends you to hell or not. The answer to the question,"do you believe Jesus died for you and do you accept that free gift or not?" is the only thing that determines which place you end up in. Look at these;

Eph 2:1-10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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

See that? What gives us the right to point at someone and condemn them? Nothing does. That is wrong. Condemning the sin is correct, condemning
the sinner is not.

1 Cor 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
NIV

Do you see that? These people were guilty of things but were washed in the blood and are found not guilty anymore so what right would we have to point fingers and condemn?

1 Cor 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
NIV

This is tact. Without compassion and putting yourself in others shoes, how are we to lead them to Jesus? By bashing and criticizing? Not by that but with understanding and love. Even if we are right about the sin pointed out, we are wrong when we condemn the sinner which in turn tends to alienate them from you and may cause them to miss Jesus. Like we've talked about before, no sin is worse or less than another. Sin is sin and Jesus forgives when asked. Simple as that.

Remember Bill Salvatore...remember our troops...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you give us daily. Lord, we lift the lost to you. Fill our mouths with your wisdom and grace. Help us not be critical of others and let your light shine through us. Grant us wisdom like a fox but tech us gentleness and tact so you are the focus and the rest is up to you, not us. Lord we ask for your blessings on the troops. Heal minds that are broken from war, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:11 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 24, 2009 at 7:37am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Ever feel like you've backed away from God? Left the faith or lost it somehow? Let me reassure you when you feel this way, and the feeling is not unusual, that Jesus loves you the same as he always does and the price for you was paid on the cross. All sin was paid for. Your debt is paid. Satan is the father of lies and he will use these feelings against you. He will convince you that you have fallen away from grace. Nowhere in scripture does that say this is possible. Why would this be discussed? Because we are still a sinful lot yet are redeemed. We stumble and fall but are still his. We feel guilt and unworthiness yet he still loves us and has paid already. Our knowledge of good and evil is why we even feel this way. So if we know good and evil we must also feel remorse and remorse is fine but self condemnation is not. Self loathing for bad junk we've done is actually selfish. Think about that. Jesus died for you, paid the price with his own blood and you think you are not part of that? You were omitted because you are so bad? You think you've done something so heinous that the sacrifice Jesus made can't overcome? Wow, you must be so above everyone else that Jesus can't save you. That is a selfish attitude. Me...I...or any other reference to oneself can be inserted here. Do you see the folly of that thinking? God redeemed all except you...how ridiculous and self indulgent. Look at these verses and reassure yourself when you feel that pity-party coming on and when the enemy start poking you and speaking lies.

Heb 9:24-28
For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
NIV

1 Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NIV

Rom 5:15-17
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
NIV

Isa 53:4-5
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,yet we considered him stricken by God,smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,and by his wounds we are healed.
NIV

remember to seek him daily....
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word and the wisdom you give. Thank you for paying all so we may live. Lord forgive us when we fall for the lies around us and bring us to truth. Slap us awake to truth and fully aware of deception. Lord, we ask for healing of our minds. We ask for forgiveness when we fail, we ask for confidence you have done all that is in the Word and we are yours forever. Even when we feel rotten, reassure us that your blood has already paid and we are cool with you. In Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:10 AM

Comment by Sue Okenyi on July 23, 2009 at 10:14pm

Hey All I have updates. Little Branden just underwent his first reconstructive surgery. Poor little guy is hurting from head to toe. They had to graft skin from other areas of his body. The eye is sown shut for now still. Pray the he will be able to see out of that eye and that over all he will recover. My sister-in-law promised me more updates in 2 days.

For Barry Hasterok, God has really come through! He is still in ICU after his back surgery and receiving pain medications through an IV. But he was maxed out on pain meds previous to the surgery, they found a fracture they didn't know existed before and he was in excruciating pain. With all the prayers he now claims to feel the best he has felt in 2 years!

God is faithful. My life is an example of God's healing power. I would not be alive if God did not heal. I was born with Hydrocephalus which nearly completely destroyed my brain. I was institutionalized at the age of 3 months given no hope. In the meantime my Grandmother had 3 convents of nuns praying for me and the doctors were unable to explain why suddenly I was fine. I have pictures from a CT scan that show the damage the Hydro did and that I have very little brain tissue left and a mis-shapen skull because of it. That along with other scars on my head are what my mother always termed - my silent testimony. God saw fit to cause me to live well anyway. It is nothing for Him.

God called me after 9/11 to share my story with the devasted members of the FDNY. Living in CA, never been to NY prior, I was connected to them in the most bazaar way and became a listening ear 3,000 miles away. This is why I am here now.

Many Blessings!

Comment by russ allen on July 23, 2009 at 7:12am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Upon reading and looking at things from a different view I discovered a few things awhile back that needs to be shared. The world is under the misconception that Christians must give up everything and be poor. They must be destitute and be perfect. They must never stumble, make mistakes, sin at all or ever have fun. All of that is bunk. We could get into the history of how all these misconceptions came about but there isn't room here and besides, there are tons of books written by smarter people than me on the subjects. Let me share some scripture and what they are telling us.

Matt 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
NIV


When this was said, did Jesus want this man to become a pauper and come to him? The giving up was an indication of where this mans heart was, not the fact that he had stuff. The place the stuff held inside this man was the problem.
We came here naked and we will leave the same. There is a story of a guy who went to heaven and convinced God to let him take something before hand from here. He took a sack of gold. When he got to heaven, the others asked why he brought pavement. Of course this is a reference to the streets paved with gold in heaven. The things here are for our enjoyment and our use for the kingdom of God on earth. To be used to prepare the bride, Christians, for his arrival.

Matt 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
NIV

Point is that we just have to put in place the tangible things on earth we reap. Here's another persons view, Dr.Luke, of the same thing;

Luke 12:32-34
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
NIV

Interesting. The focus is on where our heart is. The stuff isn't the problem, the reliance on the stuff is. Look at this;

Gal 6:7-10
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
NIV

There's lots of things here we enjoy. I like cars and guitars, my friend likes horses and another makes purses. One plays in a band and another races. Where are these thing's place in our life? Are they number 1? If they are, they have become our God. We need to understand that God made us as beings to enjoy his other creations, not to be bitter, resentful and have the appearance of being piously sad all the time. He made promises and provided guidance so we don't get all confused on what is important. I look at my kids and realize how much everything else pales in comparison to them. God sees likewise but on a level we only get a glimpse of by the love we have for our kids.

John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
NIV

Trust that he cares. Trust he makes ready for us so much more than we can even imagine. Look at this and see the point. Trust in the Lord, leave the rest to him.

1 Tim 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
NIV

Remember Tommy Larsen...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the blessings you give that we are privileged to enjoy. Lord, show us how we are to be for your kingdom. Lord, help us see truth and rely on you and not the stuff we obtain. Lord, protect our troops and their leaders. We thank you for your wisdom in your Word so we can learn to live like your people and not the worlds. n Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:30 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 22, 2009 at 7:46am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It's been such an amazing week. Not necessarily good amazing like watching a new litter being born but amazing because the grace and love of our savior was and is so prevalent around us. As most of you know, my stepson's father passed at 45. Sad week for Chris and I'm sure there will be lots of times and conversations that deal with many questions. One wants to grab another when they are in pain and make it better but alas, it's not like kissing a boo-boo when our kids were little. No, we need to approach life in a grown up way and it's hard. Lots of things have been said to me that are normal and show someone working through pain. What we need to remember in these times is not to abandon our Lord. We can get mad, we can question the reasons for the events, we can mourn, we can reevaluate lots of things but what we should not do is get caught up in blame or abandon our beliefs because events make no sense at this moment. Whether we agree or disagree with thing doesn't change truth. God is sovereign, God is good, God loves us. These things are always true even in calamity as well as good times. Pain and sadness do come from time to time and while sad, we still can rejoice knowing that this present time will fade and joy will return and our inner joy that only comes from Jesus never fades. Recognising that inner joy regardless of circumstances, sustains us.

Ps 36:5-9
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,your justice like the great deep.O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love!Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house;you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life;in your light we see light.
NIV

Ps 37:18-20
The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither;in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish:The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,they will vanish--vanish like smoke.
NIV

Eph 1:3-10
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
NIV

Remember Nancy Hicks...Jonna Roberts...Chris Hall...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love for without it we would be hollow. Lord, we ask for blessings on those mentioned today. Sustain them through another day and build up that inner joy so they overcome pain and anguish. Heal hearts, minds and bodies to your glory. Lord with a concerned heart we pray for you to work with and through us so your wisdom and light reveals such truths that it cannot be denied. Open our minds to truths that transform Thank you for your love and grace for us. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:10 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 21, 2009 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It has been an eye opening past few days. Attitudes, emotions, fatigue to name a few. When you are hit with a myriad of things all at once, who or what do you lean on? Do you rely on yourself and only turn to God only when things start circling the drain? Why not start with his touch at the onset of things? He does promise us in his Word that he is with us all the time so why do we wait? Pray without ceasing means just that, pray continually. Not with formal prayers but with that relationship attitude that keeps our focus on the things we ought to be doing, how we are to handle things. And how are we suppose to do that? The Word mainly and by getting the focus off ourselves, how we feel, how we are effected, how wronged we think we are only leads to things that hinder our Godly focus. Even if we are stepped on hard, so what? We ain't the first or the last and wallowing rather than praying serves all the wrong things. Initial pain reactions are normal but don't sit there to long because taking ones eyes off God and onto one self leads to all kinds of problems that only compound issues. We've all seen self centered people and the junk that gets stirred up because of that attitude. Don't get caught up in that trap! Self centered people miss out on the blessings around them because they are so concerned with how everything effects them. If we but pay attention to what God has for us, walk with him through everything, we wont have time for all the crap flying around thus we actually are better off and better equipped to deal with anything that comes our way. Think about this and pray, read;

2 Cor 5:16-21
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
NIV

Col 1:19-23
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
NAS

Heb 10:26-31
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
NIV

Remember Frad Price...Helen Hamock...Dustin Higgs...Tim Tincher...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you do for us. We want to walk as you teach. We want to be what we should be. We ask you reveal your Word in all we do so that we know you are with us. Lord, remove the blinders from our eyes so we can see things around us and see real truth. Lord help us not take things as an attack but as a result of the selfishness that leads to those attacks. Grant us the grace to immediately see root causes and speak the right things for your glory and not just verbal attacks because we feel hurt. Lord we lift those mentioned to you, heal and touch them as only you can. Make them so aware of you they cannot deny nor would they want to. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 20, 2009 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want to thank you all for the outpouring during the family crisis last week. Your prayers were so appreciated.
A subject taught on at church this weekend and one that is hard to get a hold of in life is how we come as we are and don't fall into the lie that we must "clean up" before we come to Jesus. In a nut shell, it can't be done. It is a lie from the pit of hell and it smells bad. If we were able we wouldn't need a savior. The more I stumble and fall the more I know I still am a man in need of Jesus, my savior. The whole idea of coming to God through Jesus is summed up in these verses;

Rom 5:6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NIV

"While we were still sinners", anyone see where we got good then he came? Didn't either. While we were still wallowing in sin, while we were neck deep in offenses, while we were so buried in bad choices and a life full of despair and grief, he came. Why? Because he loved us so. He knew where we were and are.

Isa 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,each of us has turned to his own way;and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
NIV

How is it that we ever think we need to or even can "clean up" before we come to the savior? What or who ever started that whole "holier than thou" thing? Man did. Satan did. We hear sometimes the condemnation when we fail and the thoughts come as to why would God love someone"like me, a sinner". They are false! They also are from the pit! Listen to this;

John 3:16-19
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
NIV

With these verses quoted, how can it be any plainer? Think you have done anything beyond salvation? Think you don't deserve it? Think you are forever lost? Listen up people, you haven't, you don't, if you don't accept the free gift of God, you are. Accept the gift, pray to our Father who loves us and leave the clean up to him. Delaying is selfish..."my way"...how that will kick your butt eternally...

Remember Sheree Molner...Becca Salvatore...Michelle Barns...Jonna Roberts...our leaders and our troops...Teresa Saylor and family...Chris Hall


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that sustains us in the midst of life's woes. Thank you for holding us when the pain we face is so intense. Lord, thank you for you wisdom and love we find in your Word. We ask you bless those who we mentioned. Heal, comfort, hold them so they know you are with them no matter the circumstance. Lord, we ask for a comfort than only you can bring to everyone who is hurting physically and emotionally. Guide our paths and help us see truth without the clouds the enemy puts in our path. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

Comment by Sue Okenyi on July 19, 2009 at 3:31pm

Thank you Br Joe! God answers prayer. He does heal. He is an ever present help in a time of need. I'm going to call later today to find out more. I have another prayer request for the group. Please pray for Barry Hasterok. He is retired from the Orange County Fire Authority where his last position was that of engineer. He had back surgery 3 days ago in L.A. During the surgery they found a stress fracture that they did not know about prior. He is in extreme pain. He is maxed out on his pain meds and they are not working for him. He is a Brother in Christ and just an awesome individual.

Blessings,

YSIC Sue

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