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Comment by russ allen on September 23, 2008 at 7:36am

Good morning! How are we all faithing? Lets talk about how we can have a healthy prayer life. We have all heard we should pray this way and that way and man it gets old hearing pius advise that is unrealistic. Who can begin a healthy prayer time with a set time limit? No one can. Who can figure out who, how, what, where to pray without some guidance? The truth is we would be prone to stop praying out of frustration if we followed all these set ways that we hear. Lets define prayer;
Prayer is communication with God. Communication involves talking and listening. If we just send requests and leave it at that, is that praying? Is God our personal Santa? Of course not! God is our father and our Lord and knows what is best for us therefore requests made by us are not necessarily the best course of action. So how do we get this prayer thing started?
1. pick a time to pray. Could be before you climb out of the bed or could be when you go to bed, Could be at lunch or your 3:00 break. Point is to pick a time.
2. pick a place. Pick one where you can be alone. Quiet time with God is very refreshing and necessary.
3. pick a comfortable posture. Kneeling, sitting, prone, whatever.
4. pick some people to pray for. It truly is amazing what power comes from lifting up others unselfishly.
5. pick some scripture to dwell on. It is wise to start the day with the Word in your hand. On the toilet, at the table with coffee, or when you go to bed. That scripture is food for thought and God will reveal things to you.
Try these things. Make a commitment to do this. Don't be concerned with the amount of time you pray. That is not important but don't rush through it. This is your time with your savior so savor it. Pray, think about what you've read in the scriptures and listen for revelation. Check what you hear with the scriptures. If you aren't sure, ask someone who you can trust has Godly wisdom. We all need this.

James 5:13-16
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray . Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV

1 Corinthians 14:15
I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
NIV

Mark 14:37-38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
NIV

Matthew 6:5-8
"And when you pray , do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray , go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray , do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love for us. We want to talk to you all the time and to see your will for us. Help us see where we need improvement. Teach us to pray and to hear your voice. Lord we lift the concerns we have for each other and ask you show us all we need to serve you. Lord we want to pray but are bogged down with ceremonial traditions and have trouble deciphering them from true prayer. Help us truly seek your face. Lord guide us today. Protect the kids in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM 0 comments

Comment by russ allen on September 22, 2008 at 7:06am

Good morning! How are we faithing?

Psalms 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
NIV

Gee whiz, that says it all. All the struggles we endure can be taken care of with that. Lets start our work week with that as a prayer and lets seek wisdom from the Word and put it into practice in our lives.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that fills me up with wisdom and perseverance . Lord help us see your will and the narrow path to walk. Lord protect us so we don't leave that path. Give us courage and wisdom to make the choices we must make. Give us strength to overcome the enemy. Lord thank you for your healings. Lord thank you for your blessings. Lord thank you for your protection. Lord heal the wounds we carry and attend to the physical needs. Lord we lift up Brent who wrecked his bike...we lift Jim and Tins to you. We lift Kip and Kelly and their families. We lift Kathie M. and Megan M. We lift up Megan Terrel. We lift up all the kids in school who are struggling. Lord thank you for allowing us to speak to you anywhere, anytime Lord bless this author who deals with stuff all the time. Lord thank you for always being there, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:37 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 20, 2008 at 8:37am

Good morning! This one today is a little different because it's been an interesting week. Been exposed to a bunch of kids this week from babies to high school. I read my niece and nephews my space pages, talk to kids whenever I can and try to remember where my head was and what I was thinking at certain ages. The purpose is so encouragement can be given to them because it's rough growing up. The world is actually quite small for them compared to ours but they don't realize that yet so every problem they face is huge. As they grow up,i.e. high school kids, they start to see the big wide world, fear and trepidation can start to set in. And then some kids fear nothing. That was me and I walked headlong into stuff and well, sometimes it wasn't pretty. The one constant the whole time was Godly mentors and protection from God. I can look back and see that I should've been killed many times but wasn't. Many a Godly person appeared on the scene and saved my butt from sure destruction and some times I resented them for interfering. Of course later I thanked God for them. I think it is really important for us older folks to really reach out to the young ones to help them along without putting them down. We need to show love, correct where necessary and make them feel worthwhile as a member of the human race. To many suicides, to many drug addictions, to much violence and as long as they are not loved and mentored, these things will only get worse. I'm sure our parents had the same fears as we do. Times change, people don't. You can watch kids reactions to things and figure out quite quickly where they are emotionally and mentally. You can spot a child struggling and a family that doesn't know how to reach them. Not a condemnation at all just fact. When you see these things in a child and are able, reach out to them. A kind word, a complement on their individualism whether its hair, t-shirt, odd sock, whatever to let them know they are not isolated from the world and have worth. The kids that run up and hug me or wave or speak regardless of who's around says lots for their confidence in our friendship and that goes a long way! ( of course I can't hug my 1st grade nephew in front of his buddies so we high 5) The kids are the future and we should be careful not to make a damaged future. Rebuke where necessary, praise whenever we can, teach and show them all we know in due time.

Matthew 19:13-15
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
NIV

Matthew 21:14-16
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
"'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
NIV

Colossians 3:20-21
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers , provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
KJV

Think on all this and open your eyes to that brat next door. Why is he a brat? Don't blame, nurture whenever possible.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for wisdom. We ask for insight when we meet kids so we don't damage them. Let us rebuke, discipline, nurture, love as needed and show us which one to use. Lord we love these kids and want them to grow up as yours. Lord let us shine for you so they have that light in their hearts and know it's because of you that we are who we are. Lord we lift Jeannie Billings at this time of loss...we lift Tina Taylor to you...we lift Nicki to you...and we lift of course all the kids of all ages to you, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:48 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 19, 2008 at 7:07am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Alot on this ol noggin today. It's been an odd week. I've been plagued with headaches,(I know, a head like that oughta ache) faced some interesting questions, faced the subject of planning things for whenever I kick the bucket, seeing kids that are young adults now thus realizing how young I am not, worrying about my bride, worrying about my kids and grand kids, actually more concerned about them and if they are doing ok. My church is on my mind, my Pastor and his bride to be, our youth minister and his kids, my in laws, etc. it goes on and on. I do realize I am not in control and that God has it all in his hands. I think we all are concerned that the people we love are ok physically, spiritually and mentally. We know worrying does no one any good but we tend to bite our nails waiting on God to teach the lessons needed for them. We desire that they have an epiphany and get it all now! Of course that isn't the case and events unfold that we learn from. God has a way of teaching and protecting us when we seek him in his Word and on our knees. Faith is resting on this principle and even when we don't get it at the time we know we will eventually and we must go through this current situation to learn. Not easy but nobody ever said it would be. Our savior has been through all the emotional things we have. The times were different and the stuff things were done with was different but the emotions and principles were/are the same. Don't believe that? Think about these;

1 Timothy 2:1-6
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.
NAS

2 Corinthians 5:1-10
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- for we walk by faith, not by sight-- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
NAS

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
NAS

We will be concerned with the things of our world because we are here but we need to remember that all of this is temporary and as such keeping our focus on God and his ways keeps us sane. The things of this world can drive us nuts if kept in the wrong perspective. So take a step back, take a deep breath and ask Jesus to come in your life, set your mind straight and forgive all your mistakes, I have and my life and outlook on life has changed and so can yours.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you have done. Help us recognise your principles. Lord we need a touch from you every day so we remember who you are. Lord keep us focuses on you and not burdened with the things of this carnal life. We want to see you and to know you. Forgive us where we drop the ball and help us be open to correction. Lord protect the kids and teach them to see the good you do and to recognise wrong teaching. Lord thank you for your Word that sustains us, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 18, 2008 at 7:23am

Good morning! Man it's been a long week. Just seems like everything is in slow motion. Ever have those? Can't seem to get out of my own way. Typical I suppose. We all have times when we are just..well..blah. Nothing in particularly wrong, just kinda sitting still looking around and can't find first gear. So much happening around as of late I find myself observing in awe that the things happening are really happening. Some good, some bad, some just are. When we are in these times it is prudent to seek God and his wisdom because we can be immersed in the things of this world and get overwhelmed to the point we just throw up our hands and give up. This where remembering past victories is important.

Psalms 71:5-8
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
NIV

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
NIV

Colossians 2:2-5
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
NIV

Today I am exuberant to realize Jesus is active in my and your life. Without him we would be as all the people who don't have Jesus are. My heart weeps for these people who flounder and fight with life when they could be at peace and get on with life with the perspective the apostles had. Always perfect? Heck no! Always as we plan? Ha ha! But indeed peaceful inside, confident of our direction and surety of our destination. Pray for those who are lost. Pray for the struggles we see. Pray that we don't look down our noses but show compassion and the love of Jesus so they might find what we have.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing us your grace. Thank you for saving us. Lord help us keep your Word close to us so we can show the principles to others. Lord lift us out of the doldrums when we are in them. Lord help us see you in all we do. Lord protect the children from predators and evil. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 17, 2008 at 7:47am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Loss another one to the computer . I blame Bill Gates. Ha Ha!
We are exposed to many things in this world that can cause us to despair. We see things that can so depress us so much we can't hardly function if left to fester. What we need to sink deep in our minds is that our savior overcame all of the temptation we face plus he overcame death. Who else do you know who did that? We are given the privilege to go to him so we can overcome too. As we read the Word to see the principles contained we see Jesus doing miraculous things like; not cussing out the pharisees, not whoppin hecklers, not zapping the Sadducee's, not lusting over the beautiful women, not telling the Romans,"screw you guys, I'm going home" or not running amok with his power. Makes you think doesn't it. Read the adventures of Jesus and think what you would. Picture yourself surrounded by all these smart theologians that know the scripture well. Would you run away screaming? I probably would. Point to this is to learn from Jesus and to trust him to be with you like he said he would. We still will feel apprehensive, ok downright knee shakin scared but we have to remember he is with us. We must be bold and yet not overbearing. Confident yet not cocky. Gracious from the heart and not just lip service. Jesus told us what to do withe great commission. We don't all have to be in the pulpit but how we live and taking opportunities to share Jesus' love is fulfilling that commission.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
NIV

Scared? Gee whiz, we all are. But check this out;

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
NIV

Pray and believe he is with you always. Read the Word to build that confidence. You still will be wide eyed apprehensive but you will have scripture to remind you you are not alone!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that gives us confidence to go out and evangelize in word and deed. Lord help us be brave and grant us the wisdom to speak or not to speak. Help us recognise opportunities to share your love. Lord we ask you protect the kids and bring those that hurt them to justice. Lord open the eyes of our hearts, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:17 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 16, 2008 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Have you ever thought about how your life has touched others? If you reflect about your own life and how you are who you are, you will realize how you became who you are. I know in my life I have struggled with things that I can trace back as far as my great grandparents and I'll bet if it were possible to see further back than that, the same issues would be present, at least the reactions would be the same. We are indeed a product of our environment to the point of learned behavior is hard to overcome. I've talked to some people as of late that conveyed harrowing things in their lives that have led to where they are. Some of these things have led to a sinful lifestyle and some have not. Let me relate an example; I can remember dirt poor people who stole without thought and some who did not. Why the difference? I'm not sure why particular responses are what they are but I am sure some are learned and some are the sinful man giving in. Maybe they were poor because of the wrong attitude or the sin? Maybe they grew up around this as normal behavior. I see some of my responses as the same I saw my folks do. I've seen my kids respond like I do. Recognising behavior patterns that are unhealthy so you can modify them is prudent. As a fallen species we are prone to be sinful. Our only way of improving is through Jesus the Christ. Look at this;

Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
NAS

That is quite poignant. We all can relate to that at some times in our lives. By thinking on these things we can see that our actions too can affect others and they in turn pass these things on. I've met bitter people and joyous people. I've met angry people and jubilant people. I've endured boring people and laughed with funny people. I've cursed evil people and forgotten to praise friends that are always near. These are actions we need to watch carefully. Our actions and reactions can produce love or hatred. We can drive people away from God or gather them to reveal his love for us.

2 Corinthians 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

Think before we speak. Observe and analyse. We all sin so is what's coming at us a reaction or a deliberate action? We all are sinners so this is where we apply, "hate the sin and not the sinner" because you don't know the background of that person. We can't judge the person because we don't know the whole story. Can we rebuke the sin? Of course but don't make it a personal attack. Do we pay for sins committed against society? Yep, we are here and that's part of it but we must still show Jesus because salvation is for all who believe, regardless of the sin.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Lord help us have wisdom to spot others plagues and demons. Lord we wish to show your love and let you handle the changes in their lives. Lord we know we are not to try to change people but that if we introduce them to you, you will change them. Help us remember that we too cannot change without you. Lord reveal to us where we need improvement. Help us recognise your lessons and rebuke condemnation from satan. Lord give us clean, joyous hearts. Lord forgive us when we fail and thank you for loving us as we are, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:36 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 15, 2008 at 1:30pm

I like that Gordon!

Comment by russ allen on September 15, 2008 at 7:59am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Turmoil. Gee whiz turmoil everywhere. Rosanne Rosannadanna said it best,"it's always something". Do you get fired up and angry or do you roll your eyes and say,"here we go" or do you laugh and move through with the grace of Jesus? We are human and we all probably do all three! Keeping control of our minds and reactions is paramount and it is only possible with the grace of God. How do we get there? The Word, Godly advise, biblical theories and principles and not the worlds. The world would have us retaliate, God says,"vengeance is mine". The world would have us get em back, the Word says to "do unto others as we would have them do unto us". The world would teach us to fret over the future, the Word tells us to "let tomorrow worry about itself". Over and over the Word teaches us principles that equip us with principles to live by. Sometimes they seem contrary to human thinking but that is to be expected because it is Godly thinking. If we were capable of seeing the future, we would make the right choices all the time...maybe...God knows the future and knows what is best in the long run. Is the Word teaching us to be wiser? Well yeah but more importantly it teaches us to trust God. When the Word tells of ways we should behave it is for our good and not for dominance. Accepting that principle opens up the Word to a book of promises and warnings rather than a book of rules. A stop sign is for our own good for if we ignore it, we could end up in a heap of trouble from a ticket and fine to killing yourself or someone else. So the turmoil you are in or you see coming is indeed surmountable because all things are possible with God. When it looks like the sky is falling, put on your helmet instead of whining about the hurt that's coming.

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow , for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
NIV

Matthew 13:18-23
"Hear then the parable of the sower. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."
NAS

Luke 12:24-26
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the principles in your Word . Lord we want to live according to the principles you set for us but we are weak and burdened with the worries of our days. Help us not worry but seek you and trust you will handle everything. Give us the wisdom and help us recognize the Holy Spirits promptings so we are bold and strong to do your will. Lord make our sight keen so we see and trust rather than fear and hide. Lord thank you for all your blessing. Lord protect the kids from harm. Lord ride with Sammy and Kellynn and keep them safe. Lord touch them. Lord guide our ways and protect our minds. Lord be with our leaders. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:15 AM

Comment by Cody Collopy on September 13, 2008 at 8:54am

Let's all lift up our brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Ike, and pray that God shelters them from harm as they try to perform their duties in the aftermath of this storm.

The memories of the morning of 9/11 are as vivid today as they were 7 years ago. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news.

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