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Comment by russ allen on February 12, 2009 at 5:57am

Good morning! Sick of being sick but oh well, could be worse! Man the winds were ferocious last night! Alot of thoughts run through our heads when nature's voice is heard. It also makes us think about things that we may not typically think about. Do you remember the scripture about the apostles and Jesus out to sea in a storm? The apostles were shaking with fear and Jesus was asleep! They woke him and;

Mark 4:39-40
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith ?"
NIV

Picture that, toss about in the water, everything wet, screaming wind and this guy speaks and all is cool. The men on the boat were amazed and quite puzzled,this being early in Jesus' ministry, and asked;

Mark 4:41
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
NIV

What kind of faith is this? How can this happen? Faith is being convinced that what you believe has already taken place. Faith is resting with the knowledge that our savior, Jesus, will do what he said he would do. Jesus said we would do greater things by faith. Look at this;

John 14:11-12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
NIV

Did you see that? Greater things! Man! To have faith like that is hard to accept when we think fleshly but Jesus explained it further;

Luke 17:5-6
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith !"
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
NIV

Does that mean we all are going to be tossing trees in the lake? No, the point is that faith in our God is so important in our life. The spoken Word, said with faith and in line with God's will is more powerful than we can imagine. Remember;

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
NI

Psalms 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect;the word of the LORD is flawless.
NIV

The Word is faith. The Word increases our faith. The Word shows faith so we need to be in the Word as much as possible. Meditate on it. Pray for understanding and our faith grows so the maladies of this earth become not as bid a deal, still may suck but our faith shows us we will come out the other side stronger.
Remember Scarlett Perry's Dad...remember each other, be quick to forgive, wise with our tongues and faithful when all seems bleak...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word and how it props us up when we feel low. Lord help us stay clear minded. Lord heal those enemies of the mind. Lord we stand on your Word over our lives. Heal those who need healing. Touch them so they know it is you who is in control. Lord help us stand firm when the enemy attacks, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 5:13 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 11, 2009 at 7:29am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Being aware of the source of temptation helps us overcome such things. For guys it's our eyes that tempt us. As visual beings we get tempted by the visions before us. You think the enemy knows this? Of course he does. We encounter it daily. For the gals, and this is a guys perception, they are enticed by romantic emotions and visions of, for lack of a better analogy, cerebral ecstasy. Guys are enticed by what's in front of them, gals seem to be enticed by how dreamy things should be. Point is that temptation, however or whatever it is haunts us often. How do we stand up to it? Recognising it and keeping God in the front of our minds is the key. No we don't walk around with clasped hands speaking in proverbs all the time, that's not realistic but we sure can train our mind to recognise temptation and be quick to turn away from it and to the Lord. Look at these scriptures;

Philippians 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
NIV

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
NIV

Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
NIV

Get in the Word. The training of our minds is how we can resist the temptations of this world. God's wisdom is greater than any mans.
Remember Kathy...remember me...remember the families dealing with all the weather disasters...

Heavenly Father,
Help us to stand firm and not give into temptation. Help us recognise things that seem innocent but will harm us. Lord open up the scriptures that we see the truth of your ways. Lord we lift those up who are hurting for various reasons, touch them and let them know it is you who loves and cares for them, Lord we praise you in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:47 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 10, 2009 at 7:31am

Great morning to you! Man it is good to be alive and in the Word! Have you ever felt like you were alone in the dark? Like God has turned his back on you? Have you been in his presence but now you can't seem to get back in that place? When we are determined to do things our own way, God sometimes lets us so we learn to rely on him. Like a Dad who lets his kid try something that he knows wont work because the kid has to find it out on his own. We have to be careful not to forget when we are in the dark what we were taught in the light. God will and is still with you. Paul spoke alot about these things and had great wisdom for us to hold onto. Here is some;

Romans 14:13-21
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
NIV

Our behavior is important for us as well as a witness for Christ. If for example, my having a glass of wine with dinner would cause my brother in Christ to stumble due to his problem with alcohol, I'm not going to do it because his faith's welfare is more important than the wine. Is the wine bad? No, in itself it is nothing but as a stumbling block it becomes bad. With this train of thought we can see that things taught by the Word apply to all we do. Being conscience of what God says to us when we study the living Word guides our minds during the dark times and keeps us mindful of lessons we learned so we are able to focus on Jesus instead of the woes that have befallen us. We will endure. We will come out the other side with a new outlook when we seek him first and let all the external stuff fall where it may.

Heavenly Father,
Lord we seek you and want your hand on our lives so we honor you. Lord help us quickly see the lessons your Word teaches and help us when we are in the times that we feel alone. Lord help us know you are always there and help us be quick to learn whatever we need to. Thank you Lord for being a personal God who cares about us individually. Lord we lift those who are laden with things they don't understand. Lift them out of their depression and maladies, in Jesus name Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:55 AM

Comment by Scott Tretter on February 9, 2009 at 9:34am

Good morning to every one. Just remember God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Stay safe this week, and don't forget to take God with you everywhere you go. I'll be thinking of all of you as always, talk to you later.

Comment by russ allen on February 9, 2009 at 7:38am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Something to keep in mind is doing good things. Do we do them for accolades? Nope. Do we do them for received honors? No sir. Do we do good so everyone sees them? No ma'am. We do good things because it's the right thing to do. We do things as if everything is for Jesus because it is. Everything done in secret is seen by God. We didn't get away with anything just because no one knows about it. We also need to stay focused remembering that our lives are reflections of God. Do we spew bad thoughts all around? What purpose does that serve? We need to pray and work on doing right and good things as a course of constant behavior. Having trouble with some things? Take it to God, repent and fight the urge with help from the master. Don't give any reason for any bad reports to surface about you and when a true one does comes up, repent and don't repeat it. Remember this;

1 Peter 3:13-16
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." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. NIV

Remember Turley's friend Michelle and his business venture...remember Kat...remember me, sore throat...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that teaches us how to act. Lord help us keep a healthy attitude and outlook on everything. Help us be wise and strong to make choices that edify you. Lord help us not react to slander and junk that flies at us. We want to be holy and need your help and your peace. Lord help us seek you and move forward and not dwell on the past. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on February 8, 2009 at 3:37am

Happy Sunday Morning. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Looking forward to being in fellowship this morning. My schedule makes it hard to be in church every week so I enjoy very much the times I can. Glory to God for his faithfulness to meet with us as we gather together in His name. God Bless all of you this sunny Sunday.

Comment by russ allen on February 6, 2009 at 7:43am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Alot of thoughts and alot of directions this could go today. I'm reminded when reading and hearing the Word where I have and do fall short. I'd bet you do too. I can see where danger of falling off to the side of the path of God could happen quite easily. Not the ceremonial part but the relationship part. I also realize that the ceremonial part helps us focus and watch for the pitfalls that lead off the path. The ceremonies themselves don't save but them as a tool to keep our eye on God is very useful and lead to the savior. Everyone can have 20-20 hindsight but what we should do is turn around with that sight after we've learned, go forward without forgetting thus we don't repeat it. The law of Moses is full of sins we are not to commit and how to atone for them. As men and women we couldn't follow it to the letter thus we were destined to die for payment. Jesus came to atone FOR US because God loved us and didn't want any to perish. He also gave us a choice, yes or no. Believe or not. The choice is ours.

Romans 3:19-26
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
NIV

This is something to think about because we all fall short and without grace, we are, well, lost.
Remember Marilyn Woodrum...Kat, blood pressure...the cowboy church that it reaches out and ignores the naysayers

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all your wisdom we find in the Word. Lord help us live the Word, not just speak it. Help us truly seek you and live with courage even when we are criticized. Lord we stand on your promises. Lord we lift those mention to you you and ask a healing. Thank you God for allowing us the privilege of knowing you, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:49 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 5, 2009 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Cultivating a relationship with God is knowing you can go to him for everything. You wont annoy him unlike earthly Dads get annoyed. You wont interrupt him like we did our Dads. We can't ask for stuff that is beyond his doing, like our Dads. We have the luxury of speaking to our heavenly Father about absolutely everything. Now I will admit that I personally don't go to him for menial stuff but you know what? That's gonna change. We all could benefit from moment by moment contact with God. The scriptures tell us;

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing , in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
NKJV

Ephesians 6:17-18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
NIV

Romans 12:12-13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
NIV

We've grown up with formality and procedure and there is a place for that but God wants us to come to him for everything. You in your car, in the garage, in the kitchen, on the couch and anyplace else is the right place to talk with God. Not to be glib about this but you are able to glean a relationship with God because of our savior Jesus the Christ. If this were not so, the cross wouldn't have been necessary.
Remember Steve G.,Elain Bogan, Grace Day, John and Kathy White.

Heavenly Father,
We lift the concerns on our hearts today and ask for blessings and a touch from your mighty hand. Lord, help us know we can come to you for anything. Help us keep our attitude one of grace and of love so we can shine for you. Lord help us hear those cries from the people who tick us off. Help us be able to show you when we want to run or smack others. Lord help us be loving and not smug about what we know. Help us treat others as we want to be treated. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:51 A

Comment by russ allen on February 3, 2009 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Please remember all those in need in Kentucky and the surrounding states. The need is huge. We've already had many deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning so pay attention to the warnings on the products you use! There are many requests I've been receiving and it is funny how all the preaching I've heard lately has been on prayer and how prayer is answered. We've talked before about prayer, unanswered prayer and prayers that seem to be opposite of the request made. We really have to remember that our request sometimes are not answered like we think or when we think. Jesus asked to be relieved of what he knew was coming,(the cross), but his attitude was a desire for God's will because he had it down. What you say? He got that what ever God chose to happen was for the best. Of course we may not know why or the effect any situation has down the road but we know that "all things God works for good for those who love him". Yes sometimes it sucks physically and emotionally. Sometimes it's hard to see any blessings in situations but we have to trust. Be of good cheer! Cry when you need to, laugh often, hold those who need it, believe the Word and not superficial fluff the world feeds, rest knowing God has a plan for each of us and all we must do is look to him. Read the Word and give all to him.

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him "
NIV

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him .
NIV

Romans 8:28-29
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him , who have been called according to his purpose.
NIV

1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
NIV

Remember Caleb Barnes, Charlie Rawlings, Ann Manns, and The House family for their loss...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessings. Lord help us get through the things that are weighing on us. Lord we want to trust and believe all your Word shows us but sometimes it's hard when we are in the depths of junk. Lord we know you love and care and we know it all will come out in the wash but we are struggling. Grant that peace that you promised. Show us your wisdom and help us look to you for everything. Lord we lift those mentioned and ask for healing physically and emotionally. Lord, protect all those who are without normalcy after the storm last week. Protect them and protect the workers who are tired. Give them strength for the day and renew their spirits so they may continue on! in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:38 AM

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on January 31, 2009 at 2:49pm

Good Morning to all, Just got home from a men's breakfast at church. Was great to be there and be in fellowship. With my schedule I am not able to be in church all the time so this was nice. Enjoyed the fellowship. Beautiful day in the neighborhood a good day to be alive and glorify the Lord. He truly is good. What a wonderful Savior we have. Have a great day everyone. Be safe!

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