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Comment by russ allen on February 15, 2011 at 7:35am

hmmm.... did you ask that person first to turn it down? That may have been the wisest first step...frontal contact with love works most times. Suggest she use ear phones now...at least in one ear...in that environment, it is not prudent to be pushy with anything you may listen to...I would go bonkers if Opera was played on the radio next to me all day and someone else may do the same for my music. Consideration and compromise in those situations.

Comment by russ allen on February 15, 2011 at 7:30am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you have strife in your life? Do you go through days with constant feelings of anger, envy, arguments and or feelings of disappointment due to all of that? Do you point fingers and blame everyone else? Do you feel overwhelmed by all this and want to run and hide? All of these things are natural to us but how far we allow those things to take us is totally up to us. We must be on guard so as to not fall into the state of these emotions and behaviors. We must not allow circumstances and other peoples behavior control our thoughts and behaviors. We must be ready at all times to take captive anything that moves our sight from God. We must learn to recognise ourselves being turned by events or people. Man, this isn't always easy but it is necessary. If we allow these things to lead, we get lost. Many a nervous breakdown is due to allowing those thoughts and emotions run buck wild. I say these things to let you know, you ain't alone. There are many ways to deal with strife. Prayer should always be first. A quick "help" to the Father is sometimes all that we can do. Wisdom sought in the Word can equip us to recognise and decide whether to press on, confront and work towards a solution or dismiss it. I have a friend who is fretting over some medical things. I have another who is fretting over a loved ones habits. And yet another who seems to get in the middle of things that just are so trivial that strife over those things are kinda silly. It is understandable how we can get to those places but it isn't wise at all. Me worrying over stuff I have no control of is a waste of energy. My fretting and taking on personally what others are doing is a futile exercise. Now my talking and offering help when the time is right and my prayer of all things is always prudent. Knowing when my help isn't what is needed but I still pray is also important. Think today when you start to enter the strife zone. Ask yourself the important questions so the answers can keep you out of that zone and in a position to help or walk away. Look at this example and instead of continuing with strife, they came up with a solution;


Genesis 13:6-9
And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me: if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left."
NAS

A very good line of thought to maintain is right here;

Titus 3:1-8
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
NAS

remember Jom Odom...remember Carel Sons...

Heavenly Father,
We come before you today lifting up our concerns and the events we will encounter today. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage under fire to be keenly aware of the truth. Help us act in a manner reflective of your love and grace. Help us not take on burdens we ought not. Lord we lift those hu

Comment by russ allen on February 14, 2011 at 7:13am

Good morning! How are we faithing? How we treat other people says alot about where we stand. Words are of no use if we act contrary to them. I can say I love my neighbor but if I plot against him, I am wrong. How is that? Retribution isn't our concern. Leave out self/family defense in this discussion for that is something else.When someone pulls something over on us, that does not give us the right to seek revenge or "pay them back". They already sinned against you so how does you repeating the sin at them become justified or any different? Don't buy into the world's view of vengeance for it will lead to your destruction, even if you have been wronged. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies for a reason. That knucklehead that is all over you deserves the same salvation gift as you. That same person can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, just like you did. His sin isn't any worse than yours. Heed these words from the Bible;


Deuteronomy 6:4-9

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
NAS

Leviticus 19:33-34
And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
KJV

Leviticus 19:17-18
'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
NAS

Deuteronomy 32:35
'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,
In due time their foot will slip;
For the day of their calamity is near,
And the impending things are hastening upon them.'
NAS

Remember Lizzy...remember Kathy McGrath...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and for your son. Lord we react and act out of passion and selfishness sometimes. Help us not sin but seek wisdom. Help us see truth in everything. Lord we praise you and thank you for this gift of salvation and really do want to obey but we get overwhelmed some times. Help is be your children and reflect righteousness in all we do. We lift these mentioned to you. Heal them in the name of Jesus , amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 11, 2011 at 7:09am

Good morning! How are we faithing? This week end is a good time to do some self checking. Think about what you've read this week and what revelations you may have come to. No one can read the Word and not realize some things about yourself. This is an exercise for improvement and not for debasement. Seek the creator of all things and look for the focus point of Jesus. Realize your own place and where you are going. Ask the hard questions and use the answers to redirect your life. Jesus paid for all you did so armed with that truth we can move forward dumping the past and shedding all the burdens we carry. Shake them off with renewed fervor and confidence that you are justified in God's sight by the blood, the blood shed for you and me. That my friends is true freedom.


John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
KJV

Psalms 33:6
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
NAS

Ephesians 5:6-10
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
NAS

Remember Zack Asten family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for saving us. Thank you for caring for us. Thank you for your son. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that prompts us and leads us to you. Help us not inflict pain. Help us seek and reflect you. Help us know that we know we know you are the creator. Lord we lift those up to you who are hurting, addicted or otherwise encumbered with the world. Lord we praise you and ask for wisdom for all things and it's in Jesus name we ask these things, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:07 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 10, 2011 at 7:39am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We believers must be careful we don't get to wrapped up in adhering to the letter of the law and miss grace and real love. God sees a mans heart, not the outward appearance. With that said, think on this;

Luke 14:1-6

And it came about when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching Him closely. And there, in front of Him was a certain man suffering from dropsy. And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" But they kept silent. And He took hold of him, and healed him, and sent him away. And He said to them, "Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?" And they could make no reply to this.
NAS

The scribes and pharisees were concerned with behavior. They thought that if things were done correctly, even hatred didn't matter. They thought that if they were smart enough and knew the law well enough, they could earn their way to heaven. They thought it was prudent to follow the letter of the law and missed the whole intention. Jesus healing on the sabbath was viewed as a breaking of the law but they really couldn't fault for healing someone even though they in their heart, were condemning him. The compassion of God was lost in them. They were so hard and so rigid in performance, they missed true love and grace. The very simple example of a son or ox in peril showed them of this principle and they still sought to kill him. Check this out;

Psalms 37:32
The wicked spies upon the righteous,
And seeks to kill him.
NAS

Oh boy. Loopholes. The scribes and Pharisees were looking for loopholes to justify their adherence to that letter of the law. They just couldn't or refused to see what Jesus was saying. Some people would rather try to catch a believer in stuff than see truth. The lesson for us is to not do the same!

Remember Diane...remember Kathy...remember Chris...remember Israel as these are perilous times...

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your loving grace that saves a wretch like me. Help us see truth in every situation and grant us courage to act righteously. Lord we thank and praise you for showing us love and for sacrificing all so we could commune with you. Lord we lift those mentioned to you. Open their eyes to truth. Give them courage to see. We rebuke the accuser of the brethren and ask for divine protection from the enemy. Heal our minds and spirits, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:36 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 9, 2011 at 7:27am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Scattered thoughts this morning. Disturbing things on the news, events so outlandish I have trouble wrapping my head around them. It flat baffles me what man will do to each other. Man kills wife, Mother kills children, molestations, robberies, assaults, it goes on and on. Why? Is it the society that pushes people to these deeds? Are they a product of their environment? Are we inherently bad? Probably all of that. So what are we who know grace and peace only Jesus gives to do? Reflect Jesus' love and grace. Again, I am not talking justice or self defense here but our role in these lost peoples lives. Gee whiz man, they obviously do not know of the messiah! They obviously are selfish and letting things push them to their own end. I've been there, You've been there. We all want our own pleasures. We all want peace and comfort but where we go astray is when we do whatever to get that. We eat the junk the world tells us will achieve that peace and pleasures. Yeah there is momentary pleasures and or relief from the woes but the worldly ways compound our troubles. I could cite example after example of what seems right to man but ends up biting him or her later. Heck man, the easiest example of huge messes for momentary pleasure is infidelity. We must wake up and not be afraid of anything because this world is nothing compared to forever. I do not want anyones blood on my head because I was afraid to tell of this great gift of God. I do not want to be bogged down with worldly pleasures and miss or mislead anyone. Do we have fun? Experience pleasure? Of course! But we cannot allow those things to overshadow the love of God. Think about that.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
KJV

Mark 16:15-18
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. "And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. "
NAS

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
NAS

John 14:6-7
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
NAS

Acts 10:41-43
"And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
NAS

Remember Lucy Webber...

Heavenly Father,
Forgive us when we loose sight of your grace in our lives. Grant us wisdom and charity that we put into perspective all the things we encounter every day. Lord, we lift your name on high and praise and worship your goodness. Teach us to be aware and to think clearly every day, In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:25 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 8, 2011 at 7:28am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Interesting week so far and it isn't even hump day! Conversations, musings, idle talk and amazing to me that truth gets set aside. What did Jesus say? Some say he was a good man. Some say a prophet. What did he say? If what he says isn't true, then he is a liar and not a prophet or teacher or even a good guy. Look at these and see for yourself;

Luke 12:8-10

"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man shall confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
NAS

John 14:6-7
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
NAS

John 10:31
"I and the Father are one."
NAS

John 15:22-24
"He who hates Me hates My Father also.
NAS

1 John 4:15
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
NAS

1 John 2:21-22
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
NAS

John 15:6-8
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
NAS

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
NAS

So if Jesus said he was the Messiah, either he is or he is a scoundrel. I for one believe he is who he said he is. How about you? Where are you on this issue? Are you using worldly logic or what you see before you? Look in the Word even further and make that choice, it has eternal consequences and I want all of you there in heaven when this all ends...

remember the Quarles, Harness and Caldwell families...remember Sarah Ayers...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and grace that saves us. Lord we are not worthy and we beg for forgiveness. We try but fail. We seek righteousness but fall off the path. We lift holy hands but still sin. Lord we humbly ask for peace and wisdom in all we do because we want to know you and be a pleasing aroma to you. Lord please open the eyes of our hearts so we know that we know. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:24 A

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on February 7, 2011 at 1:53am

Russ, your post reminds me of a chorus I know so very well. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace". In these times we are reminded to look to Jesus and know that He is in control and trust Him in it. I am so thankful that our Lord and Savior is author an finisher of our faith. Our trust is in Him.

Comment by phillip hice on February 6, 2011 at 10:57pm

God is with you wherever you go. Excellent! Sounds like a great way to bring God into the classroom. Also firefighters are courageous so it is very fitting. Good luck God Bless

Comment by Thomas Robert Young on February 6, 2011 at 10:36pm

A good verse, but not exactly what I'm loking for. May wind up going with Joshua 1:9. What do you think?

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