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Comment by russ allen on May 20, 2010 at 7:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Frustration with events, people or stuff can really get a hold of us and drag us down. The coffee pot blew up or in my case the computer crashed. The car didn't start. Someone betrayed your confidence. What is our reactions? Sure at first we may get ticked, hurt or even befuddled but what good does it do to continue in those modes? Staying mad perpetuates that ill feeling and leads to depression and or harboring ill feelings which in turn leads to unforgiveness. Dwelling on hurt feelings can lead down the same path. Searching for peace from within the Word of God is what we ought to do. Praying immediately as soon as we recognise one of those modes is most definitely prudent. You know, it is quite telling that Jesus forgave everyone who came before him with a contrite heart, it didn't matter what the sin was but that repentance was present. With that piece of information, why would what you have done be any different? Why would he not forgive you? He will forgive you is the truth of the matter. Solomon said it way back,"nothing is new under the sun". Where you are isn't any more unique than where I am. The circumstances are different but the actions we take are not. You think about that today as things unfold...

read John 20:21-23...Mark 2:8-12... I'm having trouble pasting the references...

remember Jeff Reynolds...remember the Reynolds

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you do and show us in your Word. Bring to mind when we get in modes that hurt us. Help us see truth in every situation. Help us live according to your son's example. We lift those mentioned up to you. Heal hearts and minds. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:15 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 18, 2010 at 7:15am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Yesterday started so weird. Computer got sick and died. Had to start all over again. Oh well. I'm still in the process of getting my PC bible back so bear with me. Please pray for these below and keep our savior in mind today. Do everything as unto the Lord.
Remember Megan Terrell...Turley Richards...Amber and Zoey Badgett...Joyn Wyatt...Summer Harrod...

Heavenly Father,
We come to you with a heart of love and compassion as we lie these requests at your feet. We ask for healings and wisdom for each need. Show your love and compassion for a fallen world. Thank you for everything you do fo us, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:05 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 14, 2010 at 7:45am

Good morning! How did we faith this week? Tough week in some respects and then again it was a joyous one. Even when junk happened it still was good to be alive. Granted there were times we'd rather be taking a nap but...
You know, the stuff we take in molds us. The stuff we see and hear during our week can set up inside and cause peace or turmoil. That same stuff can cause elation or despair. What we take in will influence our being even if it's slow, it will influence us. If all we took in was TV, we would be like we see. If all we took in was the newspaper, we would be depressed most of the time. Some good advice is to take in the Word of God every day. One minute or ten minutes worth, one verse or one chapter, it matters not. Make that habit of getting into the Word daily. You have to feed your spirit with Gods Word or it will get fed elsewhere. In my line of work I meet tons of people and it is easy for me to see influences. I'm not judging just observing. You're depressed and scared yet you wont go to the source of freedom and peace. You don't rest because the world events scare the snot out of you. You stay angry, sometimes not even knowing why, yet you keep reading about angry events and people. Balance man...balance. The Word will reveal peace, truth, knowledge, love and guidance. Just make yourself start today with your own personal time with God in his Word. Start with the scripture quoted here, believe me when I say it will progress and grow...

Ps 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
NIV

Ps 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
NIV

Ps 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light;it gives understanding to the simple. NIV

Remember Megan Terrell...remember Amber Badgett and grandpa Turley...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and protection you give. Lord we ask for a peace and a desire to be in your Word constantly. We desire to hear and to obey your precepts we find in your Word. Lord we lift up those mentioned and our leaders to you. Grab their hearts and minds so they do things that honor and please you. Protect us in our travels in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:21 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 14, 2010 at 7:45am

Good morning! How did we faith this week? Tough week in some respects and then again it was a joyous one. Even when junk happened it still was good to be alive. Granted there were times we'd rather be taking a nap but...
You know, the stuff we take in molds us. The stuff we see and hear during our week can set up inside and cause peace or turmoil. That same stuff can cause elation or despair. What we take in will influence our being even if it's slow, it will influence us. If all we took in was TV, we would be like we see. If all we took in was the newspaper, we would be depressed most of the time. Some good advice is to take in the Word of God every day. One minute or ten minutes worth, one verse or one chapter, it matters not. Make that habit of getting into the Word daily. You have to feed your spirit with Gods Word or it will get fed elsewhere. In my line of work I meet tons of people and it is easy for me to see influences. I'm not judging just observing. You're depressed and scared yet you wont go to the source of freedom and peace. You don't rest because the world events scare the snot out of you. You stay angry, sometimes not even knowing why, yet you keep reading about angry events and people. Balance man...balance. The Word will reveal peace, truth, knowledge, love and guidance. Just make yourself start today with your own personal time with God in his Word. Start with the scripture quoted here, believe me when I say it will progress and grow...

Ps 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
NIV

Ps 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
NIV

Ps 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light;it gives understanding to the simple. NIV

Remember Megan Terrell...remember Amber Badgett and grandpa Turley...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and protection you give. Lord we ask for a peace and a desire to be in your Word constantly. We desire to hear and to obey your precepts we find in your Word. Lord we lift up those mentioned and our leaders to you. Grab their hearts and minds so they do things that honor and please you. Protect us in our travels in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:21 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 13, 2010 at 7:31am

Good morning! How are we faithing? You're wondering if someone loves you and wondering if you love also. Sometimes it gets confusing. Sometimes you just aren't sure of where you are in this thing called love. Don't confuse physical passion for love in it's entirety. Being in love and loving are distinct forms of love. I'm in love with my wife passionately. I desire her and I desire to be around her. I love her spirit. I love her mind. I love her physically. So lets define the characteristics of love as described in the Word.

1 Cor 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
NIV

"Love is patient." Boy that can get taxing! There are times when we lose patience but does that mean we don't love anymore? Do we need to ask for forgiveness when we lose patience with people? Absolutely! Things can happen that just get you fired up but retaliatory actions serve no one and they also destroy love. People mature at different rates. Our attitude and actions is what we must be concerned with, not theirs.

"Love is kind". Does that mean we never say a cross word? Does that mean we wait on our spouses or kids hand and foot? Of course not! Loving with kindness is granting the benefit of a doubt. Kindness is seeing dismay in a terse word sent our way. Love heals not cuts down. So you got hurt, address that issue with honor and prayer because that benefit of a doubt used wisely may calm that other person so they are able to love back and not attack. Sometimes people are mean but our being unkind back serves absolutely no purpose but to perpetuate that unkindness. Are we footstools? No way man but defensive walls need to be temporary and movable.

" Love does not envy". Look, other people get more and others get less. You see that couple or that parent in what seems like the perfect relationship. Wake up man! That is not at all the truth! Sure they may have it together in areas you don't but that goes both ways. Look upon that relationship you think is great with an attitude of learning, not envying.

"Love does not boast, is not proud". Me,me,me. "Looky what I do for you" . Don't count the things done. Don't be so self protective that you don't let others in. Don't brag on your love deeds, just do them because you love.

"Love is not rude, or self seeking, or easily angered or remembers wrongs". This is a biggy right here! Treat people the way you want to be treated regardless of how they treat you. Love is not for self gain. You don't love for what you can get, you get because you love. Are you ticked at the drop of a hat? You need work there man! You need to pray and humble yourself before God and that person who is the butt of your anger. Do not retain infractions! Good lord man, we all goof up and we all fail from time to time so don't throw it up in the face of the person who dissed you every time they tick you off! What purpose does that serve?

The last part those verses tells what love does do; it does not delight in evil, it always trusts, it always hopes, it always perseveres. True loving attitude does not wish anything befall others. Calamity happens on its own and wishing it on others is a futile exercise that only reaps more malice and what good is that? True love always hopes for what is best for others and rejoices at their success, not mutter and sputter at them. True love stays the course and realizes when they are hurting or are feeling down that an upswing is inevitable therefore they continue to love because love is way way stronger than the alternative.

Remember these things and when problems or situations crop up you will be better equipped to with stand the storm...and there will be storms...

Remember Linda Handzell...remember Joe Bailey...remember Jennifer Redmon...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and your teachings on it. Open our hearts without reservation so we can truly love as we should. Soften our hearts so we see into events and things that hit us to the root. We ask for forgiveness and strength to stand honorably in you ways. Bless the bodies and minds of those mentioned and the rest of us too! Thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 12, 2010 at 7:58am

Good morning! How are we faithing? On the discussion of rule adherence and the like I have come upon many stories in the Old Testament about following rules and the penalty for those infractions. It is true that before Messiah the penalties were harsh for sins committed. The reasons were for life to be led holy and to rid the people of evil. In the days prior to Messiah there were rigid rules and if you disobeyed, the punishment was already laid down. Since Messiah has come we have forgiveness. We have a choice, believe and accept Messiah thus all sins are forgiven, past, present and future or not accept Messiah and fall under the previous covenant rules. Our free choice is right there. Sins in the world still have consequences but our forgiveness by God is complete. We are still vulnerable to consequences in this world for our actions but they do not effect our salvation. Love the sinner, hate the sin is not a cliche' but the way Jesus taught us to live. So straighten out your own walk and don't be judgemental about someone elses...

Rom 2:1-4
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
NIV


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

Remember Chelsea Bailey...remember Matt Praria...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for giving me a choice of salvation or not. You are a just God and give of yourself freely. Take our lives and use them in the wisest way possible and teach us to be in tune to what you want for us. Lord we lift those mentioned and those not. Heal minds and spirits and touch the bodies so they may find that peace and serve you in a Holy way. In Jesus name ,amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 11, 2010 at 7:23am

Good morning! How are we faithing? With what we were talking about yesterday, rules and following them, we need to be aware of the rules from the love standpoint. If I love my fellow humans as I say I do and yet I still do something that makes that other person not see Jesus' light, I ought not do it. We are examples of that light. Oh man, I fall down all the time but I am aware of that light and when realization hits, I try to keep that light on by repenting from a behavior. I don't repent for fear of punishment but out of love for Jesus and how that behavior effects that other guy. Now if I focus on that good behavior and start pointing fingers at other brothers or sisters that fall down, my righteousness just became unrighteousness. How so? Pride. Pride in doing things . Pride in adherence to the rules. When that happens, the light is extinguished because the rule becomes the focus and not the light. Who are we?

Matt 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
NIV


Eph 5:8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
NIV

remember Natalie Moore...remember Nikki Rayborn...remember the parents that are raising the next generation...

Heavenly Father,
Forgive our sins. Help us be lights unto this world. Help us recognise where we stumble and where we make mistakes. Lord we need to be able to hear your voice. Heal our hearts and minds. Guide our paths this day and help us see when we crush others and to rectify immediately when we do so. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:04 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 10, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? What are our behavior patterns? Do you realize the freedom we have under grace? The grace of our savior removes the judgement from all the old rules. The old rules don't go away, we just aren't under a heavenly penalty of them. How we act and how our rule adherence behavior is important in so much as the witness it has on the unsaved people, the lost. I may have the freedom to do or eat whatever but when my doing or eating causes another to stray or ignore the gospel, I ought not do it. I'm not judged by it but by it another may fall thusly I am aware of my behavior and make an effort to not break those rules. Do you see the difference from rule adherence by love verses by command? Look at think;

1 Cor 8
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
NIV

Remember Mike and Natalie Moore...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the freedom in your arms. Lord we know that the rules are for our own good and you are not just being a tyrant. Lord we ask for wisdom in our choices. Lord, we ask for your light to shine on us and reveal truth about all we do. Teach us to be loving and witnesses for you. Lord we lift those who are frightened and hurting. Heal there hearts and minds and bodies, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM

Comment by David "slick" Rivers on May 9, 2010 at 6:31pm

I agree chief!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on May 9, 2010 at 2:52pm

God so bless our Mothers. We are all blessed by the lives they lived and the investment they made in us. We are legacies of our Mothers.

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