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Comment by Jacob Fouts on March 7, 2009 at 12:34am

Welcome to the group Bill, It's an honor and a pleasure to have you part of the group. Thank you for serving our country. There are many of us here that have served or are currentlt serve, and we value your committment to the country, the Father, and the fire service. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe and your family strong.

Comment by Bill Claus on March 6, 2009 at 12:56pm

Hi All, I'm glad I came across this group on FFN. I've been on a volunteer department for 2 years now. Rather I should say my name has been on the roster for that long. Half of that time has been spent gearing up for and serving a deployment overseas. I am a truck driver in the Army Reserves and winding down my second tour to Iraq. It is a blessing to know that God is good and is watching over us as we convoy across the roads of Iraq. As a convoy commander I always finish my safety briefs with the opportunity for all to come together in prayer. I look forward to returning home in a few months and hope to be able to complete my paramedic degree. I admit I have had doubts, but am reminded that God will not lead us anywhere that He will not see us through. Stay safe and Keep the Faith.

Comment by russ allen on March 6, 2009 at 7:36am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Got a virus in my computer and lost everything, work stuff, personal stuff I mean all of it. So anyways, back up and running. It is important how we think and how we see ourselves and our mission on earth. What we were taught and told in our youth and how we deal with people and situations now effect our outlook and our perseverance in those situations we face. If we heard from our parents we were never going to amount to much, besides mean, those thoughts can effect things we attempt in our adulthood. A defeatus attitude can be overcome. We need to remember to encourage ourselves as well as others with the Word of God. Jesus died for you therefore, you must be worth it. We all know that one negative person can infect a whole group and one defeatus attitude will ruin a project. True in work and in personal life. What we think is what we become so look at your thinking and make the adjustments. Our mind controls the body not the other way around so if we let our body rule we are in deep doo doo. We must encourage our spouses and our kids so they don't carry baggage that causes failure or fear to even attempt! "As a man think so he is" is a truth in the Word. How do you think about yourself?

Phil 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
NIV

Rom 12:22
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NIV

1 John 4:4-6
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
NIV

Luke 8:18
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
NIV

When those negative thoughts or that defeatus thinking creeps in or when the negativity around you starts to overwhelm you, then is the time to remember you are loved by Jesus so much he gave all for you! You are worth it! You are here for a reason and to be sickly, downtrodden, sad or down on yourself is not what God wants for you! Tell your self over and over until your subconscious hangs onto it and pushes out those other thoughts...
Remember Gloria Sylvester family...remember Debbi Thurman...remember our brothers and sisters who struggle with depression..

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and confidence you give. Lord we thank you for encouraging us with your Word. Help us absorb it daily so we build that confidence you give. Lord we lift those in pain and despair to you. Touch them with the grace and love that doesn't even make sense. Give us that feeling of covered protection from the world, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:02 AM

Comment by Sue Okenyi on March 6, 2009 at 1:20am

Ephesians 2:10 is my signature scripture. I have it on my facebook. I put it in all the books I sign...which hasn't been a whole lot lately. But God is faithful.

Comment by Sue Okenyi on March 6, 2009 at 1:17am

Dear Brother in Christ. I enjoy your posts.

Comment by russ allen on March 3, 2009 at 7:27am

Good morning! How are we faithing? There sure is alot of stuff going on in our nation and the world these days. Makes you wonder about alot of things. When we discuss "hate the sin and not the sinner", "judge not lest you be judged" and so forth we have questions. The things we need to remember; actions produce reactions. The deed of stealing or murder or what ever we could name are deeds that deserve punishment. Prison, death, probation, a slap, whatever it may be is justice for an act against law. Judging the action is necessary for orderly society. Hating the wrongs committed is justified but hating that soul is not. God was involved with every soul before they were even formed. God provided a way for all people to come to him; Jesus the Christ. Will all come? Unfortunately no. The choice is ours and that is free will. Look at these and think;

Psalms 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. NIV

The results of the wrong doings are evident in society. The forgiveness and the life that is available is also obvious. I don't care what you've done. God doesn't either. Forgiveness and life through Jesus the Christ is available for all. Earthly deeds hold earthly consequences but eternal forgiveness is but a repentant heart away.

Romans 1:18-20
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
NIV

When we have been wronged by those deeds we must forgive the person who did them. We don't have to like them or even communicate with them again and they may have to pay the rest of their physical life on earth for their sin but we have no right to judge that soul. Do you see the difference? That judgement is Gods and we ain't him. Are you wrestling with people who have wronged you and yours? Me too but we must seek the Lord and his grace so we can show that same grace and love to others who are in the same boat...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saves us. Lord forgive our unforgiveness to others. Lord help us heal from the wrongs, find justice in the deed and show compassion for the soul. Lord we need you every second of every day to be who you designed us to be. Grant us the peace and wisdom to act and see with your eyes, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:25 AM

Comment by russ allen on March 2, 2009 at 7:07am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Dreams. We've talked before about good ones and disturbing ones. Well mine last night were good then disturbing. When you wake still feeling the emotions the dream evoked it takes awhile to let go. I on the other hand analyze them to see if they are physiological or a message. Sometimes it's the pizza and sometimes it is an epiphany.
Ever feel like you are at the mercy of an idiot? No amount of reasoning or fortitude sways them from their idiocy? Know what's funny? Sometimes we are the ones that are not swayed. Are we being stubborn or are we standing for truth? When we know we are standing for Godly principles we can stand up but we must focus on Jesus and present that truth with love. Finger pointing usually accomplishes nothing but animosity but; living truth and loving the sinner and not the sin goes a long way.

Hebrews 12:2-3
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

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
KJV

Be quick to love and quick to forgive as we have been. Stand for right, rebuke what is wrong. We once were lost and by the grace of Jesus are now found.

1 John 2:1-2
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
NIV

Remember Mike Ranick...remember the kids...

Oh Lord we come to you this morning asking for wisdom so we may see truth and courage to share that truth. Father, we fail you so much and ask forgiveness. Lord show us how to live and show us your workings in our days. Lord we lift Mike to you. Heal him. Lord we lift the kids of all ages to you. Protect and hold them. Equip us with scale less eyes so we see clearly your principles and direction and we ask in your Holy and most gracious name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 27, 2009 at 7:03am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Climbing the wall that is life is hard. Sometimes we scale right up and overcome a wall and sometimes we attempt to scale and fall back. Try again and back down we come. We see others that appear to just scurry right over a wall without a hitch when we can't even get halfway. Where are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you draw your strength from? God sets in motion things that make us stronger and wiser. The Word is where we start to learn how to scale the walls in life. The Word is the foundation that places our feet and hands in a position to start scaling. The Holy Spirit is in us, strengthens us and refreshes us so we are able to scale those walls. Look at this and see what the apostle is saying;

1 Corinthians 3:10-15
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
NIV

What is your work based on? Superficial junk? Do you have the appearance of holiness and not true substance? Is it a show or real? We have salvation by grace, love unconditional, God's presence for ever.

Jude 20-23
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
NIV

Meditate on these scriptures and equip yourself for life's wall scaling, you can get over that wall.

Remember Ken and Steph...remember our leaders and troops...Remember Jay,Tarma,Nana,Dusty, their Dad passed...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saves us even though we fall often. Lord protect and teach us with foundational truths not encumbered with trappings of this world. Lord help us show that same grace you do to people we meet. Lord we lift those who are hurting to you, revel your love to them. Lord protect our troops and guide the leaders to wise decisions. Lord thank you for another day, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:02 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 26, 2009 at 7:40am

Good morning! How is your walk? I'm gonna run around the barn this morning but follow me because it will come together. I've heard people say when someone passes that they were good, "they never stole or killed anybody, they must get in heaven." Now emotions aside this is ridiculous thinking. Nowhere in the Word has it been said that we earn salvation or a pass to heaven. One way, Jesus. Now to the other things people say. What would Jesus drive? These pompous people were saying a Prius or something other than an SUV. Give me a break, how self promoting is that. Come on, he'd drive an old pan head, maybe a knucklehead Harley. One that doesn't leak or break down, a miracle in itself, so he can help all those that do. With these lines of thought the whole majesty of Jesus is missed. He did good works and we do too because of the love of God for us and the love we have in such abundance it permeates our whole being. We can't help but do good things because it is Jesus' nature therefore ours. When we realize and accept the gift of salvation and the life that Jesus gives, good works kinda just show up. Should we count the works or brag about them? No we shouldn't because if it's recognition we do them for, we do them for the wrong reasons. Do em cause they should be done and horn tooting is it's own reward. The statement earlier about the passed on person may be partially true but they didn't earn the entrance to heaven, they are there because of Jesus and his love. Just like the one who thinks they know what Jesus would drive is more concerned with the show than with what he'd do when he got there. Jesus loves us and has offered redemption. We must accept, leave the fall out to him. Less concern about how holy or religious we look and more concerned with spreading the love of God by genuine concern for all those we meet. Forget self and follow him.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
KJV

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
NIV

Titus 3:1-2
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
NIV

2 Timothy 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

1 Timothy 5:24-25
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
NIV

remember Ken and Steph...remember the lost...remember each other to prop them up when they stumble cause we do it too...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that is nourishment for us. Lord help us act in your will as a normal activity. Lord help us understand our own faults without self debasing. Lord we lift those around us up to you. Equip us with your love and let us shine for you. Let us plant that seed and let us see it grow once in awhile. Lord we know and trust you even when we can see. Grant us the courage to stand regardless of the rock that are thrown, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:04 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 25, 2009 at 7:24am

Good morning? This has struck a chord today.

John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
KJV

Now look at this;

Ezekiel 34:11-12
"'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
NIV

Do you see that only Jesus is the way to God? Do you see that even when everything gets dark that Jesus is there for us? We can stray and wander when it's dark and Jesus as the light, leads us back. How this relates to our lives is just uncanny. Sit back and think about how we goof up sometimes and our Lord lets us know and leads us back to his safety and love. As believers we are equipped to be out of the confines of the law and by grace we follow Jesus voice which shows us how and where to go and what to do. By the Word of God we are here and by the Word of God we learn to hear Jesus' voice.

Psalms 100:33
Know that the LORD is God.It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
NIV

Where are you? Have you wandered off? Jesus is calling. Is it all gloomy and dark? Are you crying out to the Lord yet you feel like you are alone? Are you ticked at God? Are you disillusioned because of someone else stepping all over you? You felt safe and now you don't? Our shepherd is right there where the enemy knocked that fence down and is burning the field. Our shepherd is kicking the enemies butt and putting out the fire so are we still running away from the shepherd or to him? Think about all this...

Heavenly Father,
Lord, we love and adore your majesty. We want to have unwavering faith but sometimes we just can't seem to. Lord we ask forgiveness when we wander and ask you guide us back. Lord let us know that assurance in a way that we cannot loose it. Lord help us see things in truth and love and help us stand firm no matter what is done to us. Lord forgive us our failings for they are many, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:35 AM

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