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Comment by russ allen on December 21, 2009 at 6:29am

Great morning! How are we faithing? I don't know about you but I have been discovering some things lately that are growth inducing and some humbling. Both are good things. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own gig that we miss others plights. Normal I suppose but when we recognise them we need to repent and not beat ourselves up. Self examination is healthy when we filter it through the Word. I see things when I read the Word and questions arise because God wants us to grow and to learn. As long as we don't use the Word for condemnation we are able to correct without depression. Feeling bad sometimes for transgressions of all types is ok but whoopin your own butt to the point of fetal position worthlessness is not God sent. Being corrected is useful for enlightenment and growth. I hear people who want people to"pay" for what they've done to them. In a society it is indeed necessary for laws and penalties so anarchy doesn't take over. Without laws and penalties it wouldn't be safe to walk anywhere at night, or in the day for that matter. What we are talking about in this today is "I'll get em back" type of self serving justice. Our God will take care of us and will also take care of that person that just sinned against you. Trust in that person will be lost but who does it serve to take retribution? You end up sinning in another area to justify "getting back" someone elses sin. That just isn't sound thinking. Look at these and try to remember them when you have been wronged.

Matt 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NIV

1 Thess 5:16-24
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
NIV

Lots of requests this weekend. Remember to lift up those around you...remember Jeff Budge's Dad...Maryellen Warman...Dave Morano...Linda Handzel...Casey Drury's family...Wayne M. family...Bob and Sue...Bob B...Kat's job...Christopher's search...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wonderful council in your Word. Make it dance off the pages and be so relevant and real that it permeates our thoughts. Lord we thank you for the voices heard in church last night, protect the children in all they do. Lord we lift those kids with afflictions mental and physical and ask blessings on them all. Lord help us act in a manner befitting your name. We give these concerns to you and rest in your love and grace. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 5:48 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 21, 2009 at 6:29am

amen Justin!

Comment by Justin Tilghman on December 20, 2009 at 3:12pm

This Christmas season let's all take time to truly give thanks and think about the gift of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 reminds us that we did nothing to warrant the gift and have nothing to offer in return but that God did it solely because He is the purest and most perfect expression of Love. He loved us, His created beings, the pinnacle of His earthly creation, so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ, stepped down from His throne to enter our sorrow filled world as a child born into a poor carpenters family, and for His joy endured the cross so that we might enjoy Him and be restored to Him. Give thanks to God, who could have left us alone and condemned us all, but instead reached down and chose us to be His light in this fallen world. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Comment by russ allen on December 17, 2009 at 7:16am

Good cold cold morning! I have a critter under the floor trying to get in! Don't know what it is but it is persistent. Interesting that we try to do the same. No not chew on the floor but seek warmth and will work hard for it. We seek that warm touch, that loving place where we rest warm and secure. The interesting thing about that thought process is where people look. Man it sure breaks my heart to see people look everywhere but where the world says it isn't. That is exactly where we find that loving warmth, in the arms of Jesus. Talked to a family that lost everything yesterday morning to fire. Then there is the couple who's baby is still in the hospital, the people suffering with all sorts of disease and illness, the family struggling with eeking out an existence, they all seek the same thing; love,a love that is stable and ever present, a love that assures when all seems lost, a love that protects and a love that inspires. The only place one finds that love is with Jesus. Do we love with word only? Do we despair and spit over our woes? Sure as humans we briefly ask why and kick the rocks but after the tantrum, do we thank God for what we do have rather than crab about what we don't? How can we do this? By remembering past victories. By remembering what good has come. Nothing stays the same so we might as well just get on with life and keep seeking God's love or we will end up bitter and mired in mud. This isn't easy most of the time but relying on HIS strength instead of ours we will come out the other side and what did we deposit on the way? Crabbing and deplorable behavior or did we leave encouragement for the others who are or will pass through the same place? Think about that as you face your troubles.

1 John 3:11-24
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
NIV

remember Andrew and Stephanie and little Manny...remember Rex and Kitty...Rebacca's family at the passing of her Dad...Billy Allen...The Grace family

Heavenly Father,
We come before you to ask for comfort for the ones who need it. We ask for your intervention in lives that seem so enveloped in despair. We do praise and honor you and thank you for knowing our plight and redeeming us from the plague of evil rampant on earth. Lord we hurt for our friends and neighbors. Help us be the sons and daughters of a loving God that you are. Help us see needs and act as we should. Grant us the means to help physically and grant us the wisdom to help spiritually and mentally. We praise you in all thing, and in Jesus' name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 16, 2009 at 6:46am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I don't know how you picture things when you read but I'm sure we all have a vivid place that shows up whenever we read the Word. Mine is probably based on things like the movie "Ben Hur" and the "10 commandments". I also try to put myself back in time where there is no phone, no cars, entertainment that isn't live. I picture the homes the people lived in and how they spent their off time. I also picture church and how information is disseminated. Could you imagine the scene at church where this carpenter rolls out a scroll, reads the prophecy, and then says that "today this is fulfilled"? Could you imagine how people reacted? It is so fascinating to think that those people had the messiah standing before them. The scriptures were fulfilled right before their eyes. I wonder if I would have bought it at that time. Would I have been sceptic? I'd bet that a whole lot of observation would have started that day. These were people who were awaiting messiah but also deep in the religious things of the synagogue. Were they so wrapped up in doing right that they had forgot why or for what reason they did right. Were they so wrapped up in getting accolades from fellow men they forgot what the religion was for? Did they even fathom that God was fixin to be approachable and that the whole way they worshipped was about to be revolutionized? Wow man, most were illiterate as we know literacy and relied on just what the Rabi's said and did. Now this man claiming to be God shows up and does things never seen before. The blind see, the mute speak, the deaf hear, the dead walk, healings abound and the leaders of the church are ticked. This man speaks of peace instead of retribution. He speaks of love in a way that has never been spoken of before. He offers payment for MY sins and YOURS too! Wow man, to be a fly on the wall at the watering holes and listen to the conversations....

Isa 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
NIV

Luke 4:16-21
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
NIV

remember Janet,Jessica...remember Sheree...remember our firefighters and police...remember the troops and their families...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the minds eye you gave us all. Thank you for enabling us to think and to see things in your Word. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage to face each day with resolve to stand tall regardless of the circumstances. We ask for your protection on all those mentioned and those not. We ask for your touch on our bodies so we may be strong to do your will. Lord, teach us to be an example of your grace and love in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:13 A

Comment by russ allen on December 15, 2009 at 7:14am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It's getting real close to Christmas and the buzzing around at the stores really strikes me as odd. People running and fretting over gifts that normally they wouldn't even consider. I know, you've heard a million people say Christmas has lost it's meaning and has become so commercialized, and it pretty much has but we as believers really should pray and make that effort to see truth and reach out to those who are so wrapped up as it were and show Jesus' compassion and love and only then may the masses actually see what this season is really about. "Jesus is the reason for the season" stickers while you cuss and cut people off really doesn't show much belief in that sign. It's easy to do. I really do encourage you to shift the focus from a perfect Norman Rockwell painting of a Christmas to a love filled honoring of a savior who was born so we could be born into a relationship with the creator. When you think on those terms, missing the sale or not getting something you want kind of diminishes in importance.

Ps 119:105-112
Thy word is a lamp to my feet,And a light to my path.
I have sworn, and I will confirm it,That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances.
I am exceedingly afflicted;Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word.
O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,And teach me Thine ordinances.
My life is continually in my hand,Yet I do not forget Thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,Yet I have not gone astray from Thy precepts.
I have inherited Thy testimonies forever,For they are the joy of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes Forever, even to the end.
NAS

Remember Chris...remember Jeff Reynolds...remember Jessica Riddle

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that restores us when we stray or fail. Lord we ask for wisdom and open eyes to truth around us. Lord we lift the concerns on our hearts to you and know you will deal with them. I ask for a blessing Donna. Lord reveal yourself in a way that cannot be denied this Christmas season. Lord we ask for courage and strength to stand and tell of your life and love and forgiveness. Grant the courage and wisdom to act and react in a manner pleasing to you. Heal those who are sick. Ease the pain people are enduring and let them know without a doubt that it is you who heals all, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:54 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 14, 2009 at 7:05am

Good morning! How are we faithing? With all the things that we see going on around us it sometimes gets hard to not be jaded. Sometimes we see things and react in the natural rather than with God and the Word in the forefront. Our thinking is tempered with the world only because we live in it but we really need to take captive all thoughts and hold them up to what Jesus taught. There have been times in the past where I wanted to slam someone in the face and they probably deserved it but what would that accomplish? A friend said that last night and she was right on the mark. As believers we are not better or more worthy of Gods love but because of Jesus and us accepting that grace we have access. It is a wonderful thing even when we are getting stepped on. Yes knowing that God loves you and does have your best interest sure makes the day better. Today when you encounter junk that winds you up, try to remember the Word of God and run everything through that filter.

Ps 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart,That I may not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O LORD; Teach me Thy statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies,As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Thy precepts, And regard Thy ways. I shall delight in Thy statutes;I shall not forget Thy word.
NAS

Alot has transpired on my end this weekend and I'll bet on yours too. As I list my concerns, you write down yours and remember them in prayer. As we pray this morning, you lift those up to the Father so they can find peace and love like we have. If you haven't found it, now is as good a time as ever to ask Jesus to come in to your life and live there. You'll never be sorry.

Remember Ken and Steph...Meagans friend Jerry...Kathie M...Steph,Andrew and their new boy Manny!7lbs 7oz...Kellynn and Ty traveling and Samuel and them as they head out to Vegas this week...Chris coming home...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace. Thank you for the love you have for us. Lord, open the eyes of our hearts so we see truth and love that only you provide. Teach us to rely on you for our joy and not the things that are fleeting in this world. Be with all those mentioned and those unspoken, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:40 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 10, 2009 at 6:58am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I am privileged to be exposed to good teachings of the Word. I am privileged to be able to pray for close friends and family and also people I don't know. I am privileged to know that many are praying about the same things and that is comforting. I am privileged to have a savior who gives a hoot about me...and you. This is not a burdensome faith at all. This is a faith of true love and devotion to someone who knows exactly what we need individually. This is a belief system that is the only true one out there. The only flaws I see are when man interjects their own twists. Dogmatic ideas that come out of a desire for control of the people involved makes for some regulatory things that have nothing to do with salvation. Last night at prayer meeting I heard someone pray from their heart. They prayed for people and things they were not a part of other than they carried compassion for those people. It is a wonderful privilege we have that we can go to God and speak of the things on our hearts. He already is aware of all things but it is a very good exercise and we are compelled to do it because it is what makes this a personal relationship. Pray today like you believe he will answer. Pray today like you know it's already taken care of. Pray today like a loving child talks to his Father. Pray with all those things and believe HIS best is what will take place.


Rom 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
NIV

Acts 17:25-26
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
NIV

Remember Dave Morano...remember those who are searching for truth...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to redeem us. Help us understand and know the unfailing compassion you have for us. Lord we lift those hurting emotionally and physically. Reveal truths that set all free. Show us your ways and make it so obvious we can't miss them. Lord we lift up all those on each of our heart today. Gather us to you so we can share that love and light with the lost. Thank you for friends that care, in Jesus name, Amen!
Posted by russ allen at 6:28 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 9, 2009 at 7:48am

Great cold morning! How are we faithing? We as believers under grace need to stop pointing fingers, criticizing others, and living like we don't sin. I hear gay bashing, bad talk about people who smell bad, criticism about bar patrons and all the time they forget that they are sinners too. Granted, some sins may be more offensive than others but we've talked before about hating the sin and not the sinners. We as believers are sinning when we bash other sinners. Of course the consequences for sins committed in this world do deserve justice but we as believers must pray for the sinner and rebuke the sin. People seem to get offended at speech, nativity scenes, Christmas trees etc. and I for one am tired of it. We Christians are guilty of the same transgression of offense. How can one expect another to act like a Christian when they are not? Do you think correcting speech will lead them to God? We need to grow tougher skin and see the person under the persona and live by example with grace and love thus letting God show them there wayward ways. We must be more concerned with the persons eternal soul rather than the outward appearance. God'll take care of that stuff, out job is to show compassion and reveal truth from scripture and not condemn them with that Bible. If we are publicly standing for a principle, fine but remember there is a soul under the behavior. The apostle Paul did some really horrible things but when he met Jesus, those things changed and no other Christian pointing those sins out led him home. Protect the innocent of course, live by true example of Christ's grace and love. Be concerned about Jesus and don't get caught up in seemingly righteous indignation if it is for itself and not for revealing God's love.

Luke 10:30-37

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
NIV


This is our mission. This is what we are to do. We must stand for truth. We must love like we are loved by God. We must love the sinner and hate the sin and we need to see with Jesus' eyes and begin that way today. Stop pointing fingers and show Jesus.

Remember Mike Foushe and his family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saved someone as nasty as me. Lord we ask for your wisdom to see truth and to see into the person. Lord we are persuaded by outward appearance and we ask for strength to get past that. Lord open our eyes to truth. Open our hearts to the compassion you give. Fill our mouths with truth and love and help us love unconditionally without judging. We lift up Mike and his family...heal and comfort them in this tragedy, in Jesus name, Amen

Comment by Michael Brittain on December 8, 2009 at 8:57am

Thanks Russ. And to all my FFN Brothers and Sisters out there I pray you have a Safe and God Blessed Day!

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