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Comment by russ allen on April 8, 2009 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I get e-mails and have conversations with people who feel they don't deserve salvation and feel they shouldn't be forgiven because they have done some awful stuff. I tell them they are right. Don't run off on me! Although those statements may be true, God loves us and forgives us anyways. Jesus was the sacrifice for us so we don't have to pay for our own sins. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that WHO EVER believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." john 3:16. This time of year the focus at Easter is to be on this one fact. God didn't have to do this, but he did. God could have wiped us all out but he didn't. Why? Because of that statement. He loved us all. I watched Law and Order SVU last night and all I could think of was the criminals heart, the officers pertinacity for retribution and wondering where their belief system lies. I know it's TV but what lies beneath the characters persona was noteworthy because I meet people just like them every day and I suppose you do too. Looking at the heart is what God does because we are so far from perfect we would never live up to the exact letter of God's law. We harbor things, we get bitter, we plot payback, we say we forgive but "wont forget". All of those things are not what we should do but alas, we do them. Our only hope lies in Jesus the Christ for by no other way will we see God. That is what the cross is about. That is what we should think on when that moment of clarity comes while we are doing those previously mentioned things. By the cross are we redeemed. Man, humbling when we think about that.

Peter 2:1-6
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:
"Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."
NAS

2 Peter 1:20-21
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. NIV

2 Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
NIV

Isa 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,a tested stone,a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
NIV

I know this is rehashed material but we must be diligent in our recollection of the truth and be ready to convey our believes because the world sucks out there and many are in deep and looking for relief. We know it is in Jesus and not anything in the world. Think on this as you go through your days...
Remember Don Pease and Nicole Major...remember Brandies tumor that the docs go in and find nothing...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for standing by us even when we don't deserve it. Lord we ask for a touch from the masters hand today. Reveal yourself and bring to mind your word. Lord thank you for the peace you give that passes all understanding. Lord thank you for the joy in our hearts that comforts us. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:51 AM

Comment by Nanny on April 7, 2009 at 7:17pm

Mark it's great that you found it! I love it too.

Comment by Mark A. Duell on April 7, 2009 at 5:48pm

I can see I"m going to love this group! Don't get scared!! I'm just glad I found it. The discussions I see listed has really sparked my interest.

Comment by Capt.Luka Jazvic on April 7, 2009 at 11:40am

Good Morning Russ, My prayers to our brothers,sisters,there families and to all who suffered loss in Italy. Everyone have a safe,great and blessed day. Luka

Comment by russ allen on April 7, 2009 at 7:31am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We say things flippantly sometimes and don't realize or stop to think what power is in our words. Things said jesting can be taken incorrectly and animosities can grow. Things said with love and respect can be heard incorrectly by the tone spoken in. Word jokes are funny to me yet some get offended. What line when razzing should we not cross? I've heard funny things said and watched reactions and saw hurt on faces. This is a wake up call for us to be careful how we jest. Laughter is a wonderful thing and is necessary for health but laughter over someones mistakes must be temperate at least until the receivers state is realized. Sometimes it is best to console now and laugh later. A story that was told recently was of a foreman on a horse farm who knew honored guests were coming to visit and he told the hands to clean the water buckets in the stalls and refill them. He ran an errand and upon his return saw 12 beautifully cleaned buckets outside in the sun. When he asked what was going on the hands replied," we're letting them dry". Now that is hilarious but at the time that foreman who was rushing to prepare was not amused although now he tells the story with humor. We must be sensitive to the feelings of others when we jest because as little a thing it could be, it may be huge to the victim right then. Our words carry weight and our Father in heaven teaches us so.

Eccl 10:12-14
Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness- and the fool multiplies words.
NIV

Prov 15:23
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!
NIV

Prov 25:11
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
NIV

Ps 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
NIV

Matt 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
NIV

2 Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
NIV

Heb 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
NIV

All this to keep reminding us to be careful of what we speak and how we speak. I love a good joke but am not real fond of ridicule, how about you?

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our minds that can decipher things. Thank you for your humor in our lives. Lord help us enjoy humor without hurting anyone. Help us recognise someone who is hurt by it. Lord we want to please you and to be upright but alas, we stumble and sometimes fall as you know. Pick us up and help us be humble and quick to see truth. Lord protect the kids, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:43 AM

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

Good morning! How are we faithing? We men are concerned for our wives in such a way as we can't even explain. We worry about their safety, their emotional state, their view of us as husbands. I got on my wife last night, probably in an incorrect manner, about being aware of her surroundings. As a husband I am concerned for her because there are some bad people out there. I worry when she walks with her head down, distracted, when she walks to her car. I worry about her being bothered by someone who has bad intentions. We husbands want our brides safe and always secure. Of course I know that there is no guarantee of anything in this life but it's my job to care for her. When I get on her, the intention is to alert her to these types of things. Tick her off and she will remember, of course women remember every word we utter and sometimes that bites us years down the road, but never the less we want them as secure as possible. Look at these and see how men think and how we feel about our brides, and guys, if you don't feel this way, we need to talk.

Eccl 9:9-10
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
NIV

1 Cor 7:33-34
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife- and his interests are divided.
NIV

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
NIV

Song 4:77
All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
NIV

Song of Solomon is a great book to read.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessings in our lives and thank you for wisdom to live upright. Lord we ask our spouses be kept safe from the world. We ask that you bind us tight withe love for them like you have for us. Lord open the eyes of your servants to the dangers we face and protect us with wisdom and courage. Lord we lift those who are hurting and feeling sorrow. Mend the broken hearts, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:31 AM

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on April 5, 2009 at 2:35pm

Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus. AMEN!!!

Comment by russ allen on April 3, 2009 at 8:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Psalm 103 tells us that our sins are removed as far as east is from west so why don't we forgive ourselves? Are we different than any other person that the Word says is saved when they believe? We can forgive others when they wrong us but hold ourselves to a higher standard? What is that? Our hope is in Jesus and he said we are forgiven so why do we have trouble forgiving ourselves? "Oh, you don't know what I've done", no I don't, but God does. He set this up before you were born, before you sinned, and forgives what you've done and what you will do in the future. Give your self a break here. You not forgiving yourself is the exact same thing as not forgiving others. That is a sin itself. Look here and take these to heart;

103:11-12
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
NAS

Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus.
NIV

Rom 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
NAS

John 8:36
"If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
NAS

Well now, would you look at that! ALL are forgive when the gift of salvation is accepted. Hum, even you! So stop whooping yourself and afford that same forgiveness you give to others to come to you, Jesus already has.

Remember Sammy and Kellynn's Papaw...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift you gave. Thank you for caring and loving a lot like us so much you saved us. Lord we ask for the courage and the wisdom to fathom this gift and help us forgive ourselves. Lord be with the Hockensmith family. Lord we lift your name higher than anything else in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:41 AM

Comment by Capt.Luka Jazvic on April 2, 2009 at 5:30pm

Thank God !! Done With S-390, How is everyone Russ hope you have a GREAT day take care luka

Comment by russ allen on April 2, 2009 at 7:16am

Good morning! How are we faithing? How do you see yourself in the body of Christ? What do you see as your place in the church of Jesus? Are you just saved and dormant or are you seeking his will in all you do? Finding your niche as it were in the church can be baffling and it also can be a tightrope walk when you do. What this means is that we seek out the direction Jesus has for us as he equips us with certain talents and passions. We discover these talents and passions through the Word and the inspiration the Holy Spirit grants. The body of Christ, the church family, is very diverse. I can read and convey ideas but I am not a pulpit preacher. Does that make me more or less than the person standing in the pulpit? Nope, I encourage, I explain things. Where are you strengths and passion? How do you you them for the kingdom? Your place is where God wants you to be. Now seek that place. Look here;

Cor 12:4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
NIV

Eph 4:7-13
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."
(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
NIV

Do you see that? Do you get that YOU are valuable and important to the body? You have a place, a job, a niche that God has prepared for you. Desire what God wants for you because in that place you will be successful. The spiritual gift you have received at salvation is necessary for the body to be whole. That gift from God is so awesome!

James 1:16-18
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
NIV

Remember Andy Allan, sick again...Richard Perez, his mom passed...Corey Allen who is Richards best friend since 1st grade and is grieving his "other mom"...Clancey Brazier, missing his Dad...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gifts you give. Lord, reveal to all of us where we need to be in your church. Lord help us desire the gifts that you want us to have. Lord grant us the wisdom to see the gift and realize we are important to you. Lord we lift those hurting today and ask you touch them in a way that they know it was you and no possible way it is anything but you. Lord forgive us when we fail and grant us the courage to stand for you, in Jesus name amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:37 AM

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