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Comment by russ allen on August 5, 2010 at 7:43am

Good morning! How are we faithing? In times of stress it is important to remember God. In times of relaxation likewise. We need to cry out to him in agony and in joy. Our Father stands before us with love, compassion, honor and justice. We have the privilege to call on him for any and every thing. Don't be afraid to talk to him anytime. He did tell us he hears his children and we are able to hear him when we seek and listen. The compassion we must take on for fellow humans is beyond comprehension. It sometimes makes no sense in the physical to look for ways to help when someone is being a jerk but we must. Jesus did regardless of the bad things done to him. He kept the love going even when things were getting really bad. I mean gee whiz, hanging on a cross and still able to forgive.

2 Chronicles 6:28-31
"If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Thy people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own pain, and spreading his hands toward this house, then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest for Thou alone dost know the hearts of the sons of men, that they may fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways as long as they live in the land which Thou hast given to our fathers.
NAS

James 5:13-14
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.
NAS

Just ponder your view of your relationship with God. Is it a religion or a relationship? Do you need to speak with him more and be concerned with compassion more than dogma? Think on these...

remember Jake Mullins family

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the privilege to seek you in everything we do. Lord help us understand your desire to know us and help us see you are worthy of praise in good and bad times. Teach us your principles and grant the courage to do accordingly, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:09 AM

Comment by Thom Mc on August 4, 2010 at 7:25pm

I am sitting in the empty station. Nobody around. Is it the firefighters' church. It brings me a sense of peace and calm. It is some of my personal time with the Lord. Turnout gear is my Sunday clothes. I am here for my community, I am hear for strangers, I am here for my brothers, if they know it or not.

Comment by russ allen on August 4, 2010 at 7:53am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I'm listening to some bird racket and wondered if a nest was outside the back door. Don't see one but lots of noise! Critters are so interesting and cool! God really "done good" when it comes to them! I've always imagined heaven being a place where we could picnic with all the creatures. Don't know if that will be the case or if we'll even care then but it is still nice to watch God's creations. Sometimes watching them brings lots of scripture to mind. They don't toil other than for feeding the kids or like the squirrels, gather for winter. The squirrels biggest fear is the cat next door and even that fear isn't real strong. I watch critters play, hunt, sit still and I wonder what they're thinking. Do they know God? Are they aware of the creator? The Word is full of references to critters. Here are a few. Think about these.

Genesis 1:24-25
Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
NAS

Genesis 2:19
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.
NAS

Psalms 50:10-11
"For every beast of the forest is Mine,
The cattle on a thousand hills.
"I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
NAS

James 3:7-8
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.
NAS

Genesis 9:1-4
And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
NAS

Consider all things God has done. This message may not be profound today but take the time to observe God's creation and believe me, his greatness and ours will come into focus...

remember Jessy Benton...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing truths in your creation. Thank you for all your creatures big and small that amuse and amaze us. Lord we ask for wisdom and revelation in your creation. Let us see the splendor in it all. Bless those who seek you and show mercy to us. Protect our troops and help them show mercy. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:18 AM

Comment by Thom Mc on August 3, 2010 at 10:01pm

sounds interesting

Comment by russ allen on August 3, 2010 at 7:18am

Great morning! How are we faithing? There are so many thoughts and ideas we have every day and not all of them are necessarily good or profitable to our well being. I know as a man my mind wanders about interests and work but also errant bad thoughts creep in. Thoughts that have to do with lust of all sorts of stuff. Anger thoughts when someone acts the fool. Thoughts about the past actions that are forgiven but yet they still haunt. Controlling thought processes is a constant battle because it is a useful tool of the enemy. Recognising when the thoughts are condemning or hurtful to our self or to our witness of Jesus is not always easy but is prudent. I can sometimes get all wound up over an action or flip comment that may or may not have been intentionally hurtful in nature but is used at the time that I am vulnerable. Ever have that happen? A flip comment makes you laugh but when you are under stress or duress it hits a nerve. Point is we must intake God's Word every day by print, radio, conversation etc. because we are bombarded with the world all the time. You hear,"you'll pay for that" or "you'll go to hell for that" so many times, you start to act on those comments. Being exposed to worldly things over and over tends to numb our senses to that wrong action and before you know it, you're doing it. Been there. Be sure to seek out the love and admonition of the Lord every day so we can withstand the bombardment of the world cause it'll only get worse if we are not on our toes. Don't fear it, just be aware of it.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
KJV

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
NAS

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
NAS

remember Bob Quarles...remember Linda, Steph, Mike and Ben

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being our guide and light. We ask for protection of our minds from the enemy. Set a fire in our heart for your Word and teach us to take in only what is yours and filter out the junk of the world. Lord we ask for forgiveness and peace from the storms we face. Grant us courage and the faith to endure reflecting you to this world. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:55 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 2, 2010 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? What does love mean to us? How do we love the unlovable? How can we be a loving people when all around us is falling down? Are we capable of loving even when we are wronged? Love is an interesting emotion that is manifested with actions. We love our spouse so we buy flowers or take them out or fix a dinner. Those are tangible ways of showing that love. How do we show it to other than family? We help someone carry their groceries. We give money or things to help. We sit and listen to someone when we want to be playing elsewhere. We offer a kind word and a cup of coffee. We look for ways to show Gods kindness and grace. How we come across shows genuine love. If you have to force a smile or help begrudgingly, you need to check your heart to see if you do love or are just going through the motions. Don't get me wrong here, there are times when we act as trained but do this remembering that you are loved and under grace. Sometimes we just are beat and it is an effort to be upbeat and charitable. Don't whoop your own tail but remember to pray and focus on God. The love we have is so great that we can't help but share it. Read this and analyze how it applies to you thinking and your life;

1 Corinthians 13
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love , I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love , I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love , it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love , these three; but the greatest of these is love .
NAS

remember Julie Phairs Mom...remember Tonya Fulfer...remember Brandon Burton and family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love for a lot like us. Lord we honor your presence with our praises. We ask for wisdom and insight to the things we encounter every day. We want others to see you in us so they may come to the knowledge of this wonderful love you have for all of us. Lord we ask for your covering on us so we may share courageously and profoundly with everyone. Thank you for forgiving us, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:54 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 30, 2010 at 7:55am

Good morning! How are we faithing? What is sin? What things are we not to do? What about unknown sins? Lets be real here, I know when I sin so do you, most times. If I lie and say I'm fine when I'm not, a lie is a lie. If I take a pen from work, that's stealing. If I buy a hooker, gee, I've broken a few right there and am fully aware of the sins involved. Here's the thing, we all sin to varying degrees but sin is sin and repentance is expected from our Lord. If we have accepted the gift of salvation we are no longer judged by those sins but they are still sins. Sins have repercussions. Sin dull the senses. You keep sinning in a certain way and eventually it becomes ok. Rationalization, hardening of one's heart to the Holy Spirits promptings etc. will make you think it's ok to continue in a certain sin. Heck, I've heard people say that because of grace I can do anything I want, even sins named in the Word. Technically this may be true but practically it will dull your senses to God's promptings and though you may still be saved, you become ineffective for Jesus. That my friends is right where satan wants you. This grace we enjoy is so great how could we not share? Share with words and share with our life. It's time we consider others in what we do rather than our own pleasure. I am not saying not to enjoy this life but think about momentary pleasures compared to causing one person to miss Jesus because of it. It is interesting how Jesus separated himself from sin but still engaged sinners. That my friends is a real clue as to how we should behave.

Luke 5:29-32
And the Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax-gatherers and sinners?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
NAS

I've shown you these below before but think on them with the narrative above;

1 Corinthians 6:9-12
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
KJV

Remember Mark MacDonald family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace that saves us even though we keep goofing up. Lord help us control urges and help us take captive inappropriate mindsets. Lord we thank you for all your love for us and we ask for wisdom so we do not do the things that displease you. Be with the MacDonald family in this time of sadness. Keep our lives ready to do your service, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:07 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 29, 2010 at 7:42am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? "For I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see, show your will for me". Those are great sentiments when passing through a rough time. We all have times when we feel we are alone but we must reassure ourselves that God is right there with us because he promised he would be. People these days tend to not put much stock in promises because they are broken so ofter around us. Watch the news. Raises promised at work never materialize, visits promised get side tracked and you feel they found something better to do, promises to help and they not only don't show up, they don't even call. We all have dealt with these frustrations but you know what? Jesus kept and keeps all his promises. Yes it may not be when we think it should be but with the focus on the Word and the Holy Spirit, things are revealed and we see why things went the way they did. It is hard to keep perspective in rough times by remembering the promises of God and faithfully standing on them reassures us because we know our best interest is in his heart. He knows things we don't. He knows if something we want will hurt us later. He knows how something will grow us or hinder us so we must be faithful in our trust of him. We must be fully aware of perversions around us. Anything that contradicts premises found in the Word is not of God. Anything that would cause our faith in Messiah to shift to some other thing is not of God. I am not talking religion but the Word. Lots of people use the Word to distort promises of God and change meaning to a performance based faith. "Do this or that and you are justified". Hogwash. What does the Word say justifies us? Belief in Jesus. Does the Word give guidance on how to behave and live? Yup. When dogma enters in so we have an appearance of holiness based on perception of men, who do we please? Men. Ya, there's a good idea...satisfy someone who holds no power over our souls. I recommend you all seek this savior and his promises from now on and trust his will for you and me will and is always best.

Galatians 1:6-10
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
NAS

Remember Jenae and the girls...remember Tonya Fulfer...remember Ryan Stoner...remember Kat

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the cross that you laid down yourself for us. Lord we ask for forgiveness in our unbelief. We ask for wisdom to see beyond current circumstances. Help those who are hurting physically and spiritually. Lord we are your servants and we want to live upright and with a heart for the lost and infirmed. We beseech you for strength to stand up against anything that attacks our belief. Keep us aware of the snares that show up, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 28, 2010 at 7:40am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Do you realize the grace and forgiveness you have from Jesus covers everything? Even the secret things in your life? Do you understand that even as you try to not screw up that when you do it is forgiven? Do you understand that the Holy Spirit lives in you the moment you accept the gift of redemption? Do you also understand that that feeling of separation from the master is real when you continue in known sin? Truth is you are not separated but there's like static between you and God when you keep doing things you know you are not suppose to. Do you need to attain perfection? Of course not! But if you purposely do things you know are against God's Word, the communication will get fuzzier and fuzzier. Our minds and hearts will become dull to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that lives in you as a saved creature of God. The best way to grow in the Lord is to read the Word every day. Don't seek justification for your ways but find out what your ways ought to be. An attitude of searching for truth will always lead to it when you search in the right place. Read, ponder, listen. Get quiet and speak to God, then listen. God will never reveal things that are contrary to the Word and that is how you tell which voice is the right one. Yes I know, hearing voices again...hahaha...I jest about voices because this world tells us we are mental if we hear them. The source is what is the issue. If the voices tell you to run nekked shooting squirrels, chances are that isn't God but if the voice tells you that you just hurt that person with your retort and to apologise, that is scriptural hence, Word from God. You can't achieve perfection and that should not even be the goal. Pleasing the master is. What does he tell us? Do everything in love. Love will not allow you to lambaste anyone for retribution. Love will not allow you to lie. Love will not allow you to step on someone to get ahead. Love will make you stop to help someone. Love will cause compassion to well up inside so that reaching out becomes natural. Love of God will cause you to seek truth. It's time we as believers in Messiah Jesus wake up to the fact that as his people we need to go out and be examples of what his people ought to be like, walk the walk not just talk the talk. Only perfect people get to point out imperfection in others...leaves me out...how about you?

Galatians 1:6-10
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
NAS

1 Corinthians 2:9
but just as it is written,
"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him."
NAS

2 Corinthians 10:3-7
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.
NAS

Remember Josh Duvall...remember Anna Benton...remember Joe Joe...remember Kenny

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and wisdom. Teach us to be wise and to recognise your voice. Grant us the serenity to be at peace inside. Lord, we want to serve and to do what is right but we are weak many times. Grant us courage to stand in the face of opposition. Teach us to garner strength and love from your Word so we may share your love out there. Touch these mentioned and our leaders. Gather our troops to your self. Open the eyes of our heart so we may see you in all we do, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:07 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 27, 2010 at 7:06am

Good morning! How are we faithing? God wants us to live upright and wisely. He does not want us to live involved in debauchery and sinfulness. What does that mean? How can I not live in that way with the world as rotten as it is? How do I abstain from things that our culture deems OK? First of all we need to stop pointing fingers at people with hate and personal attacks. What they do is where the problem and the sin lies. We all goof up to some degree and if you sin to a lessor degree, good for you but remember that doesn't make you anymore saved than anyone else. The sin is the problem and when we get on our high horse in attack mode remember to attack the real foe and not the by product. Burying the matchbook while the house burns doesn't help at all. We serve a risen God who died for ALL. That means the person you are at odds with. That means all who seek him will be offered the same gift you were. So now that you have found Jesus and he has helped your life improve greatly, don't think you are somehow better and can point fingers. Call what ever what it is but do it in love and kindness. Love and kindness will not let you belittle and chastise unwisely, like in front of everyone, that is just a case of trying to make oneself look better at the expense of another. Look at these and see the truth in loving and seeking out the heart of God to grow and to be an example, not a ruler;

1 Timothy 6:1-2
Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as their masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
NAS

Titus 2
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
NAS

Pretty cool! Did you see anywhere said to chastise and point fingers? Did you see anywhere to lord over anyone your good deeds and salvation? Did you see any instruction to go after a person and slam them for what they do? No you didn't. Do we get on people who are doing wrong? Absolutely! But we do not condemn them personally, we condemn the deeds. We concentrate on living upright ourselves, that's a big enough job without worrying about our neighbors deeds. We need to be who we are suppose to be in Jesus and his light will shine for those to see.

remember Emily's placement tests...remember Rodney Raby family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for you love and patience with me. Thank you for revealing my faults and teaching me how to fix em. Lord we all are in that place and ask for a heart for the lost and ask for courage to love the unlovable. Teach us to see beyond the sin to the sinner and realize they need you too! Lord we ask for courage to speak and to hold our tongue in the honorable way. Open your Word to us so we may become who you designed us to be. Set your Holy Spirit on all who read this and all we meet. Open our eyes to the needs of those we encounter. Let us cause no pain or harm on your creatures. Let us only heal with kind loving words that lift up and encourage others to seek you. Lord forgive our failures and grant the courage to rectify any mistakes we make. Teach us to be humbly strong in spirit so this world can't get a toe hold on our Psyche, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:28 AM

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