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Comment by russ allen on July 13, 2012 at 7:20am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing?  It is so cool to discover things when we least expect it. I discovered something about my bride and the female species from a husband/man perspective last night. I've said to my wife many times, "pay attention to your surroundings" and also " how did you miss that?"  Well guys, listen up. Last night I showed my bride something I wanted her to pick up at the store.  I didn't even know what brand it was but I knew what the label looked like and have many times saw the label and bought it my self but never knew exactly what was on the label per say but I'd recognize it immediately.  As I held it out for her to look at because I thought if she saw it it would be better than me explaining.   I watched in amazement as she read the label, mouthed what she read and I realized she was committing to memory what the words were and not a photo in her head of what the label looked like. As I watched her I was in awe and quite surprised that I actually got a glimpse of how her mind works. She doesn't see things like I do. Is it a female thing? Is it just her way? Is it the way God made us different? I definitively want to explore why she has to remember things that way and my mind takes a snapshot. God sure is something to make our brains function the same and yet different. The more I learn about the magnitude and complexities of God's creation the more wonderful and amazing he becomes. My bride picks up things I miss and in kind I do her. It made me take a look at my self and how I can judge others for simply not seeing what I see. I also realized I was wrong for doing that. The Word speaks about many things like this but for me anyways, it takes an event like last night for sense to come.



Gen 2:23-24
  And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.


 1Pe 3:7
  Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

Heavenly Father,

     Thank you for revelation. Thank you for making such a creature as woman. Lord we don't mean to be ignorant or dismissive so we ask for vision and wisdom to see truth outside of ourselves. Lord, reveal your Word to us. Teach us all these wonderful things we've been missing either by self absorbing or plain ignorant. Lord we ask blessings on marriages and families. Let not the enemy enter into sanctified unions that are cemented together by you. Lord, thank you for all your blessings and we honor and praise you, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 12, 2012 at 7:21am

  Good morning!  How are we faithing? Who's right and who's wrong? "So and so said it so it must be true"...even though other sources say it isn't. Man that can be a dangerous place to dwell. Trust is an important manner of living but wisdom requires open eyes. I've heard my own family members defend their kids when it was obvious those kids were screwing up. Are they doing them justice? Are we doing "what love requires"?  Gee whiz man, look at the schools! Teachers can't even correct bad behavior! There is a big different between protecting and defending.  I have to use my kids for illustration because, well, who else? If my daughter comes to me over issues in her marriage, the first thing I ask is "what does the hubby say?" She, as much as I love her, is not my responsibility any more,  I can offer support, prayer and fatherly advice but her husband took that responsibility on when I walked her down the isle. Now if her husband was abusing her physically or I heard him call her degrading names, we'd be boxing. I would defend anyone in those cases. That line between protecting and defending can get blurred when it comes to loved ones but we must refer to the Word in those cases, not to justify actions but to define them. This is a tough life we lead some times and when the flesh rebels and gets selfish we can can make catastrophic mistakes. Are you struggling? Refer to the Word. Get in the habit of daily readings and applications, be wise to ask disinterested trustworthy parties for Godly advise.  I have referred my kids to Pastors where they live because I know I am way to close to them to be objective. The Epistles address just about anything you are facing. Take the time to read them because you know the Word is the only thing that is always spot on. Check this out and think;



1Pe 1:13-21
  Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;  because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:   knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;   but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:  who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake,  who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.


remember Linda Stivers...remember Jerry Wheeler...remember our spouses and kids


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for the wisdom in your Word. Lord, help us remember our roles and not overstep. Help us make right choices and not choices that feed the flesh. Take our lives and do what you will. We ask we live and recognize honor, love and wisdom. Remove the fear from past scars. We lift those up in bad health to you. Heal them . Comfort them. Reveal yourself to them. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 11, 2012 at 7:28am

  Good morning! How are we faithing?  Reading a good book right now and it is fascinating that I can totally relate and see the things written about happening all around me.  People can be strange and wonderful at the same time. It always mystifies me how people can't see the forest for the trees until I realize I'm doing the same thing. Humbling for sure. The selfishness we are prone to is prevalent everywhere.  The self protectionism we take on when we get confronted with our mistakes is foolish sometimes. We as believers need to self evaluate daily and not for chastisement or whoopin up on ourselves but for rectifying given situations and learning what to do and not to do.  Anyone who thinks they are never wrong is speeding into a huge sink hole. Anyone who thinks they don't need help from anyone is headed to an abyss of loneliness and most likely a nasty disposition that makes people avoid them thus increasing that loneliness, a spiral out of control if you will. Our savior, Jesus of Nazareth saved us for love and not for what we can do for him.  All your good things will not save you nor will it off set the bad things you've done. Only the grace of Jesus saves therefore the striving for good is not to show off how good one is but should be a result of  the realization that by grace one is saved thus the works seem to just happen because you get filled with so much love you can't help it. Understand?  Focus on Jesus.  Get in the Word daily.  Ask questions.  Stop the "saving face" junk that always leads to selfish behavior.



2Ti 3:1-7
  But know this, that in the last days grievous times will be upon us.  For men will be lovers of themselves, money-lovers, braggarts, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  without natural feeling, unyielding, slanderers, without self-control, savage, haters of good,  betrayers, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these.  For of these are those creeping into houses and leading silly women captive, the ones having been heaped with sins, being led away by various lusts,  always learning, but never being able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.



Php 2:1-4
  If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,  make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;  doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;  not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.


Heavenly Father,
  Help us be wise to our own faults so we can overcome them and be servants of yours.  Help us recognize where we do not do what love requires, your love requires. Lord we struggle within ourselves and ask for wisdom and the courage to use that wisdom. Pour your grace on our lives. We ask the Holy Spirit dwell in us so much we don't need headlights from the reflection of your light. Lord, forgive us when we fail and guide our paths with unmistakable vision. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 10, 2012 at 7:23am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It amazes me sometimes how the gospel gets distorted. It gets all twisted up over our culture, our past, our conceptions and misconceptions. We all have friends that are pessimistic and some who are optimistic. We know people who have been hurt badly by family, exes, friends, bosses etc. We know some who use the Gospel for gain or for some weird way to justify being judgmental over the hurt they feel. I thank God for the grace we are under and it causes me to grant the benefit of doubt because I am so messed up.  The Gospel has made me realize that just because someone in my past did thus and so that not every one else will do the same. It also grants wisdom to recognize many times if someone is stepping on me but forgiveness is required anyways because grace is why I am forgiven.  Trust is a big issue. Many a fight has been over something said or done that was innocent or or at least naively done. We tend to hold onto that hurt and animosity while the offender walks away unaware of any infraction.  This is where forgiveness and grace comes in.  Not only is it available for known infractions committed but also for the unknown. Heck man, I've done and said things innocently and caught grief over them.  I've also done some things that seemed like nothing but smacked some one else up side the head. This is where grace and forgiveness comes in. If we know we can do those things that way then it stands to reason someone else can do them to us in the same manner.  Grace requires forgiveness. Love requires the benefit of a doubt. Wisdom requires we pause for emotion identification before we act.  Just think abut this...



Rom 5:15-21
  But the free gift is not also like the deviation. For if by the deviation of the one the many died, much more the grace of God, and the gift in grace, which is of the one Man, Jesus Christ, did abound to the many.   And the gift is not as by one having sinned; for indeed the judgment was of one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many deviations to justification.  For if by the deviation of the one death reigned through the one, much more those who are receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall rule in life by the One, Jesus Christ.   So then, as through one deviation it was toward all men to condemnation, so also through one righteous act toward all men to justification of life.  For as through the one man's disobedience the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many shall be constituted righteous.   But Law came in besides, that the deviation might abound. But where sin abounded, grace much more abounded,   that as sin ruled in death, so also grace might rule through righteousness to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.


remember the Jeff Pratt family...remember our leaders/Pastors and families...


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for wisdom found in your Word. Lord, forgive us when we judge unjustly. Forgive our emotional boundaries that cause us to make bad choices. We ask for wisdom and courage to stand on this grace you give and to trust in your ways. Help us see truth through your eyes and not our fleshly ones. Guide us in all our endeavors so we shine for you! In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 9, 2012 at 8:00am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Looks like around here a break in the heat is underway. The heat causes so many problems besides just the electrical grid. Peoples thinking gets weird. Patience runs thin. Besides just dehydration and fatigue we deal with these former things. It very important that we keep tabs on ourselves when in stressful times like the last couple weeks of heat have produced.  I've watched situations that under other weather conditions were dealt with wisely but when the heat got turned up they turned into disasters. Not blaming the weather for bad judgement but it is interesting how the bad ones ramp up in hot weather. Other stresses can contribute to unwise reactions and actions by us also.  I know when I am real tired, things that normally are no big deal irritate the snot out of me. When I am hungry or lonely or feel neglected, simple things take on a more sinister meaning. We as believers must be careful of the enemies attacks on our weaknesses. Our own insecurities can innocent things become something they are not.  That stress get overwhelming really quick. Take care of yourself. Don't let yourself become too tired, too lonely or unforgiving  because you open a door for the enemy to attack and before you know it you're in deep where it was shallow.



Jas 3:13-17
  Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.   But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.  This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, beastly, devilish.  For where jealousy and contention are, there is confusion and every foul deed.  But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended.





Gal 5:13  For, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use the freedom for an opening to the flesh. But through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18  But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not consumed by one another.


Remember Bob Burnsmier...Deanna Keuhl...Carla Phillips...Keith Phillips...Anna B...Janet Weary...Diane Reed


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your wisdom in your Word. Lord , reveal truth to us and help us not read into situations with fleshly eyes but with your eyes. Lord, you are our protector and our strength. Thank you for forgiving us when we fail. Please touch those mentioned today and in the name of Jesus we command that the enemy be tied and cast away from our lives. Help us keep our eyes on you Lord. Our eyes are on you Lord...in Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 6, 2012 at 7:32am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? Wisdom is really hard to discern sometimes. We all have many people we encounter every day that we think are wise but then something weird happens and all of a sudden they seem rather, well, unwise. It is prudent to ask a gunsmith rather than a plumber how to best modify a trigger. Not that the plumber isn't wise but most likely he learned his trigger modification from, you guessed it, the gun smith. Likewise if we as believers are dealing with issues in life it is wise to seek counsel from the experts in whatever field we are dealing with and not feel inferior because we don't know what they know. We also have to realize up front if there is an honor or a faith based element in what we are trying to decipher.  I would not want to rely on a person who denies God for those things. When we seek wisdom from God we have the best source and that is his Word. If we are not quite getting what the Word says then it becomes prudent to ask someone whom we trust as a Godly living individual. This is not judging but wise. Some things are what they are. Who do you receive counsel from?   




Pro 13:20-21
  He who walks with the wise shall be wise, but one associating with fools shall be broken.  Evil pursues sinners, but the righteous shall be rewarded with good.

Pro 15:31-33 

 The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.   He casting off correction despises his own soul, but he who hears reproof gets understanding.   The fear of Jehovah is instruction in wisdom, and before honor is humility. 

Psa_53:1  

To the Chief musician on Mahalath. A Contemplation; A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God! They have done corruptly; they have committed abominable wickedness; there is none doing good! 

Pro_14:3 

 A rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool, but the lips of the wise shall keep them.

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your wisdom in your Word that nourishes us. Lord, help us not be a respecter of persons but of wisdom so we can accept wisdom from the right source and not from men we admire alone. Lord, help us discern your wisdom over mans. We lift the lost to you and ask your Word be on our minds and lips so they will come to you. Protect those working in this heat, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 5, 2012 at 7:17am

 Good morning! How are we faithing?  A lot of things going on around us in this country and in the world. Many many influences and distractions designed to take our eyes off Jesus. We can get so involved in every thing but what matters. Sports, hobbies, the yard, vacations, the hot rod, the bike and on it goes.  By no means are we saying we shouldn't enjoy or have distractions to relax with but has that distraction become the main thing you live and breath for?  Would you rather golf or race or go to Fenway than help spread the Word?  That is problematic.  We need to have those distractions if for no other reason than to expand our thinking and keep us from stressing out but the distraction after it has done it's job should be put up so we can get back to our mission.  I don't have all the answers and the balancing act is not always easy but I do know the Word does contain all we need for life.  What ever your vocation, whatever your interests, whatever your desires, be sure to check them to the principles contained in the Word. We're not picking on anything in particular but trying to remind you where all this is from and where all this is going because in the final outcome when we are lying in the coffin it won't much matter whether you shot a 60 or a 90 but how you lived in between. Just give it some thought...




Rom 12:2 
And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.



Eph 4:22-24
  For you have put off the old man, as regards the former behavior, having been corrupted according to the deceitful lusts,   and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  and to put on the new man, which according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness.


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for our manual for living. Help us see what you are teaching and not get wrapped up in "how" so much we forget "why". Lord we love and worship you and want to see with your eyes, love with your heart and live according to your example. We lift up those who are searching for you and don't know it yet. Holy Spirit indwell us so much we hear your prompting quickly and accurately. Help us understand issues and not be fooled by the enemies ploys. Thank you for your love in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 3, 2012 at 7:28am

  Good morning!  How are we faithing?  There's always been some controversy about our behavior and how it relates to salvation. I've heard long standing Christians state that one must obey this law or that law in order to be saved.  That is so far from truth. You can't earn salvation.  Good behavior is a result of salvation through the Holy Spirit that dwells in us when we receive Jesus as savior. The verses that tell us to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling" does not say "earn" it. It is an admonition to live like someone who has salvation and now is working for God who dwells in us. It is us being aware that our job is now to tell by deed and by mouth of the glory of God. The fear isn't "afraid" the trembling isn't "scared he might drop you" but it is emphasizing how hard and how serious this life now is. We are aware now that all those we meet who don't know Jesus as savior are hell bound. Man, how can we not tell? There was some problems when the church was new way back and it was tradition. Some of the leaders thought they still had to obey the laws of Moses or one would lose their salvation. Bull. This salvation is by grace and if it's by grace, we can't do or not do anything to make it not by grace. Look at this admonition to the Galatians that struggled with the same thing;



Gal 2:15-21
  We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.   But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.   For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.  For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.   I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.  I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.


Heavenly Father,
  Forgive our unbelief. Forgive when we get wrapped up in things we ought not. Help us realize every moment that our salvation is set in Jesus and we do because of Jesus and not to get to Jesus. Lord, we lift those up who struggle with things that drag them down. We ask for healings and clarity. Grant us wisdom and let us not be fooled by the enemy, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on July 2, 2012 at 8:02am

 Good morning! How are we faithing?  It is interesting and fun to discuss various views on biblical history.  How Jonah actually got in the whale and what kind of whale was it? Consider Noah's ark, how did all species get on board in time? Was shoveling out the ark an all day thing? What did Jesus look like?  How did people who met Jesus or the apostles first react?  Man, just the calendar, time and festivals - feasts alone can make one's head spin when trying to understand from a modern perspective.  The cool thing is that while all those kinds of things are interesting, they have no bearing on God's love for us that he sent his son so he could commune with us.  The love he has for all is spelled out in that while we were all dead, Jesus made us alive in him. I can't imagine anyone living in denial of this and be optimistic.  Life would look quite futile when viewed from the perspective of no God. The Word spells out life and love for us.  We are in a constant state of learning about life and love also. Remember as this day unfolds, God loves you and gives a hoot about you. Search for his grace to guide your mouth and to guide your actions. Any other way can turn sucky in a hurry...



Rom 12:1-5
  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your intelligent service.   And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.   For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.  For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;  thus we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.


remember Bob Burnsmier and Anna Benton...Deanna Keuhl...remember Carla and Keith Phillips...remember Janet Weary...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your love for us. Thank you for your grace that saves a lot like us. Lord we ask for blessings and wisdom that we act according to your ways. Teach us to be clean and trustworthy. Break our addictions and desires that harm us  and others. Lord we want to see you in a new way this day. Make us see truth no matter the circumstances. Help us control our minds to not fall for the accuser. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on June 29, 2012 at 7:46am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing?  Please please be aware of the heat! Hydrate and rest often.  Pray for all the emergency workers in Colorado.  They are dealing with weather and high heat...in a fire fight.
     Job talked in his affliction about many things but he always remembered who he was and who God was. If we read Job in it's entirety remembering why these things happened to him and his thought process through it all we can gain some real wisdom for when we are afflicted. Picture yourself in his shoes and read Job. Here's a sample;


 Job 4:12-21
  Now to me a word was secretly brought, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.   In thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men: --   Fear came on me, and trembling, and made all my bones to shake;   And a spirit passed before my face--the hair of my flesh stood up--   It stood still; I could not discern the appearance thereof: a form was before mine eyes; I heard a slight murmur and a voice:   Shall mortal man be more just than +God? Shall a man be purer than his Maker?   Lo, he trusteth not his servants, and his angels he chargeth with folly:   How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed as the moth!   From morning to evening are they smitten: without any heeding it, they perish for ever.   Is not their tent-cord torn away in them? they die, and without wisdom.


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for the wisdom in your Word. Bring to mind your Word in all our grief and joy. Lord we ask for protection in Colorado. We ask for strength and courage for the people enduring all the fires.  Lord, we ask the leaders in the middle east wake up to your sovereignty. Guide us and protect us this weekend, in Jesus name, amen

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