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Comment by russ allen on June 7, 2012 at 8:00am

Good Morning!  How are we faithing? It is good to be honest all the time but it needs to be tempered with kindness. It is good to be kind all the time but one must be wise to the methodology. It is good to tell the truth always but sometimes it's prudent to say nothing. These things are all done in love and the wisdom to act with love only comes from God and the Word of God. Jesus' examples of these things are all over the Bible. He asked questions many times rather than brutal hurtful answers even though they may have correct. Jesus also was not afraid to show his emotions honestly. He cried , he got mad, he forgave he even stepped where it wasn't "acceptable" in order to help and teach. Not being worried about what anybody else thinks does not give us the right to be mean and hurtful or to just blurt anything out because,"well it's true!" Sometimes things just don't need to be said and sometimes they do. Compassion is the rule.  Yes sometimes an "in your face" reply is required but if it is not that time, much damage can be wrought. I see it all the time in church of all places. We all are in church because we recognize we are lacking and then we point fingers? How idiotic.  I've heard comments made in inappropriate times on the premise that it was honest and true but did it benefit anyone one or the situation? Did it help or hinder? These are the questions we have to ask of ourselves before we act or speak. Sometimes it's as simple as my input isn't even needed,wanted or useful. Just think on this...


Joh 13:34-35
  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.   By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Pe 3:8-9

  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:   Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

Eph 4:31-32
  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:   And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


remember Jerry...remember the lost...remember our brethren...


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for the cross. Thank you for your example of compassion.  Please help our actions that they help and not hurt. Lord, we ask for blessings on those who are hurting today. Open their eyes to your grace and love. Help us see beyond ourselves. Lord, we lift our Pastors and leaders up to you. Open their hearts and minds to your ways. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on June 6, 2012 at 7:57am

Good morning!  How are we faithing?  I had one written and hit a couple buttons and it all went away. Bummer man.  Gotta be smarter than the tool I'm using I suppose...found some interesting scriptures that I want to share.


Pro 28:13 
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

That one explains to me what repent and believe means. We have to admit the sins in our life and stop doing them. We may mess up and do them from time to time but at the least repenting from them means that when we repeat them, we recognize that we did and we get sorrowful and even a little mad at ourselves for dropping the ball...again. Like we could hide them from God anyways.  Check this next one out;


2Ch 7:14
  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


Wow. Heal their land. Do you see what is happening in this country?  Don't point fingers, this starts with you. When we all do this the result is right in that verse. We are on a collision course with "another country down the tubes" if we don't do this. We have the luxury of hindsight and scripture.  I believe time is short and we have got to seek our savior daily, look out beyond our own selfish desires and lead people to the Christ.  I'm not really into explaining to God why I didn't take a couple seconds to explain to that smelly homeless guy that he is loved by God but instead walked on by. Just think about that...


remember Lilia Burgos...remember the people of Monterey Mexico...

Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for the cross. Thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for your love. Please please grant us vision and wisdom to see the lost and helpless. Grant us health, strength and fortitude to step where you would have us step. Grant us courage to face anything that leads to your glory. Lord, this world is getting weird and we ask for blessings on Mexico, America, Israel and the leaders. Father, forgive our stupidity, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on June 5, 2012 at 7:27am

Great morning! How are we faithing? We wait on things we desire. We work, we manipulate, we strive for what we want but do we understand that we have a God that knows what is best for us?  We pray,"oh God if you only give me this or that I will be happy and serve you more".  Really? Be realistic. Be honest with yourself. So many times we tend to rationalize our wants to the point we try to convince God that it would be in his best interest to do the things we desire. There's nothing wrong necessarily with wanting things but to what level do we focus on those things? Shouldn't we want the things that glorify God? Even though we desire things, wouldn't it be prudent to ask God to give us clarity as to whether or not this desire would be good for us? I want another hot rod but I also understand how consuming they can be. As long as the desire is in check it's not a problem but I know me enough to know how overwhelming that desire is therefore I stopped chasing it. I know God doesn't want it to become more important than what he has for me to do. Whenever I have matured enough where I can have it, enjoy it yet leave it when appropriate, I'll build another. How are you with stuff? Do you manipulate things? Circumstances? All for your own gain? Think about your desires and the motivation because we are a selfish lot and WE can get ourselves in a place we ought not be. Like it was said yesterday, take it to God FIRST.



Psa 27:14
  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.



Psa 37:4-5
  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.   Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psa 55:22  

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

Psa 56:3-4

  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.   In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 

Mat 6:33  

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

remember Kathy...remember Chris...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Help us to keep our focus on you so our desires stay in line with your righteousness. Lord, we seek you and feel like sometimes you are hiding even though we know that isn't true. Help us remember and without out doubt recognize your presence every second of every day. Lord we lift up those mentioned and those not to you. Heal what needs to be healed so they can become the person you designed. Thank you Lord for your grace for a lot like us, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on June 4, 2012 at 7:38am

daily prayer

     Fantastic morning!  How are we faithing? When we have decisions to make it is wise to pray first. Why would we make talking to our savior last? That makes no sense to me. It's like rebuilding a transmission and afterwards, opening the manual. This is a relationship with God. How awesome is that? The creator of all things has a relationship with the likes of me or you. If he cares enough to make all this and to make us to enjoy it, what would make us think he doesn't want to be bothered with our stuff? I just want you to stop saying,"he doesn't have time for me" or "I don't want to bother him with my junk". Noble maybe but stupid. The Word tells us to bring our concerns and praises to him. The Word tells us to lay our burdens down. Messiah Jesus has already defeated evil but we keep picking it back up. People, as soon as you recognize your misstep, repent and talk to God. Get in your place and pray-talk to your savior. He already knew as soon as you did it so why would we even try to hide it? Because of what so and so might think? Does so and so have any bearing on your eternity? I think not. You be concerned with you and Jesus and let the fallout be his concern.



1Pe 2:24
  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.


Php 4:6 
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


1Pe 5:6-7
  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.


remember Aubrey...remember my sis Diane...remember me and my bride...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your love for us. Thank you for being our God and savior. We humbly come before you asking for wisdom and courage to act and love as you do. Teach us to see truth in all things. Lord, we lift those mentioned up to you. Heal bodies and minds. Pour out your love. We leave our burdens at your feet and ask for clarification and again, wisdom. Thank you Lord, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 31, 2012 at 7:53am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Standing firm on a belief system can be difficult if it is not grounded in something that has proven to be steadfast through all sorts of storms in our lives. I've heard different philosophies come and go over my short life span. Some still come around, some are gone. The only one that has held true no matter what came against it is the one we discuss here daily. There are fragments of every other religion or ideas still kicking around but they don't continue to grow. They may have their ups and downs but the do not continue an upward growth. Jesus is Messiah steadily continues an upward climb. That is very interesting to me. I've seen movements come and go. I've seen the furor peak and subside in those movements but the common denominator is the movement fails to produce the desired effect or if it does, it's short lived. Our savior is and always will be. Our savior is what matters. Gee whiz, anyone who has read any history at all knows that things come and go that are man induced. Only God has remained. There are distortions of God but those are plagued with heresy and eventually succumb to there own lies. These are just ponderings and observations when I read the Old Testament. Kingdoms came and went but God's Word continued and did not vary regardless of the times.


Psa 1:1-3
  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.   But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.   And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


Remember Phyllis Smith...remember Dianna Barklay...remember Jose Avila...remember the MacKinney family


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for the cross. Thank you for your Word. Thank you for your steadfast ways. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for loving us. Lord, we do lift those mentioned up to you. Heal them physically, mentally and spiritually. Lord we love and honor you, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by Curtis Mensch on May 30, 2012 at 9:51pm

Feel free to add me people!

Comment by russ allen on May 30, 2012 at 7:09am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We have talked many times about "earning" salvation. We have gone over this faith of grace and how it all works. It is just plain humbling and glorious when you sit still and remember the stuff you've done and how Jesus forgives those things unconditionally. The cost is that when you accept that grace, you find yourself burdened with a desire to do better. A new desire to live upright. A desire to seek out the things of God but none of those things earn that salvation. Armed with that realization we can press on in our life even though it can be wrought with pain and anguish. This life also offers pleasures that we couldn't have imagined before Christ. For me, it's the wonderment of nature, the giggles of little kids, the sound of a race car on tilt.  What makes you stop in wonderment? What things awe you? The things in you that God designed and that the enemy tries to twists can be put in there right place. That motorcycle you love, where do you think that ability work and or ride them comes from? Some people simply cant work or ride them, why? Working with wood, some are artists and some cant use a toothpick, why? These things make me sit back in wonderment of Jesus and how he could come, sacrifice for us, love us and save such a diverse lot that we are. When we accept that gift and our eyes begin to open to the glory of God and the things he has provided for us, even though the enemy has distorted and perverted them we start to see where we were and why we got away. Don't fall back into those prior ways out of ease because Jesus saved us from them. Just think about this today...



Gal 5:1-6
  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.   Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.   For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.   Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your grace that saves me. Lord, we want to know you more. We want to see things as they are without the distortion brought by the enemy. Help us see with your eyes so we can be effective witnesses to your love and grace. Lord, convince us and convict us in your ways, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 29, 2012 at 6:54am

Good morning! How are we faithing?  Long hot weekend and for me, I prefer fall weather... so what is happening in your spiritual growth? Are you all messed up with the worlds view on things? Do you only see with your eyes or your feelings? There are many things that appear right or feel right only later to find out they were anything but right. A guy had an affair. He said it felt right. His marriage blew apart, his kids don't want anything to do with him and the woman he had the affair with left. Yeah, it felt right.  Was it right? A few moments of gratification, his world blown apart but it's ok because it "feels right"? C'mon, our choices cannot be made on those grounds. We must consider ramifications of all our actions. The Word is very explicit about certain actions and the principles taught apply to the rest. The simplest rule is the golden rule.  Before any decision you make, ask if you would be cool with that choice being done to you. The next step is the effect these actions may have on yourself and others.  This is a tightrope walk of a life most times but with Jesus, it's all doable.  Man, we even have a handbook to guide us.  If we but use it we are way better off than if we don't.


    Pro 1:7 
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.


Pro 18:2
 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.


Eph 2:2-3
  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

remember the McKinney family...remember Mary Hutcherson...remember Archie


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Lord, we ask forgiveness for our sins. We desire your wisdom in all things. Make us aware of our folly and our foolish ways. Help us live upright and holy for your sake. Help us show your love in all we do. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 25, 2012 at 6:47am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? We as believers have to be very careful of heresy and false teachers. Now remember that the teachers of the Word can make mistakes that those mistakes may not malicious or intended to mislead for sordid gain but are just mistakes. We are human and our background can lend itself to word  miss use so be careful to look at the Word you read every day and to reference the words used so you are not sent off in the wrong direction simply because of an incorrect word meaning. That being said, there three ways to examine teachings you hear. One is that you must become familiar with biblical truth. Any verse can be manipulated to say what the teacher may want if an alternative agenda is at hand. I advise my congregation to write down my references and look them up after they leave church. Get alone and re read the scriptures referenced and take in the whole council of God. Second, be aware of anyone who dismisses any scripture or tells you to ignore certain verses or books of the Bible. I had one fella who asked my why a certain church would tell him not to read "Song of Solomon" and "Leviticus". I told him I don't know why but I wouldn't go back there. Also the people who pick and choose verses to help their opinion when the subject is explained differently when the entire chapter or book is explored. We may not fathom how or why something happened in scripture but that does not justify writing it off.  Third, sensuality comes in to play and by that I mean interpretations that rationalize lewd behavior as natural or ok. Greed plays into these types of teachings as well as good speakers who can whip up a crowd to believe a twisted view of how we are to act or think. The only way you or I can ever hope to walk that narrow path and not get led off into beliefs that are wrong or  led to the kool-aid is to be in the Word daily. Without that sound teaching from God daily you open yourself up to heresy and lies can be cloaked in "feel good" doctrine that can end up killing us. Jonestown ring a bell?

Heb 4:12
 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.



Act 17:11 
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Remember the McKinney family...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Lord we lift our leaders up to you. Show them your wisdom and love. Open their minds to real truth and not the twisted lies that abound. We ask for comfort for those hurting this day. Mend hearts and minds. Heal bodies, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 24, 2012 at 7:24am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Believers have got to get a grip on what I'm about to say. You accepted Jesus as messiah, you've been baptized and now you think you have to be perfect or at least if you are not, the salvation didn't take? Mule muffins. People, by grace we are saved not by works lest anyone boasts.  We all desire to improve but remember that improvement has nill to do with our salvation. If you have to perform to keep salvation it becomes a "works" salvation and the Word is quite clear that is not the case.  In this world there are perils and pitfalls that come in and out of our lives and the quicker we understand that ease and comfort is low on the list of life priorities the quicker we can get on with this walk. Look guys, we desire to improve and to be  and live perfect but when we miss the mark we have to remember it's ok and ask forgiveness and help, get back up and continue on.  God is not looking for ways to squash you for infractions, in fact, he knows we are incapable of perfection, only his son pulled that off. As you go through your days remember that we are already deemed not guilty so press on to the prize, focus on Jesus, learn from mistakes and be passionate towards others and as a result you'll become better and be better for it.



Tit 3:4-8
  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;   That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.   This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Remember the McKinney family...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your salvation. Thank you for your Word that nourishes us. Lord, we lift Jeff's family up. Lord, you know how they are hurting and we ask for comfort for them. We lift them up and we thank you that Jeff is out of pain. Help us minister to the family. Lord we also lift up our brothers and sisters that need a touch from you today. We thank you for all, in Jesus name, amen

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