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Comment by russ allen on August 20, 2010 at 7:37am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Again with tons on my mind. It is baffling yet interesting why salvation has to be the way it is. I know we are saved by Jesus and I know the path as I hope you do but sometimes I wonder why it is what it is. Why do some see it and some do not. Why it is so hard to remain pure and not fall into temptation. Understanding principles and how they apply to every day life isn't that hard to comprehend but sometimes we just want to toss everything in life and go sit on a creek bank and fish. Sometimes our lot in life gets so overwhelming we just want to scream! But the beauty of this salvation and inner peace from the savior is he always pulls us back. The footprint poem really does explain Jesus' presence in our lives. Jesus carries us when we need carrying, pushes us on with encouraging words when we need it, protects us from the enemy when he wants us all to fail. Remembering we are loved by God even in our bad deeds makes us desire to follow his ways and truths and thusly we fail less and less. The Bible tells us all the things that are unapproved by God and it also shows us how to live outside those unapproved actions. Only by a daily intake of the Word are we ever able to improve, not to earn any ride to heaven but to live a better more fulfilled life thus with the love of Jesus and an owners manual as it were, that inner joy grows and grows which results in less and less of the junk the world throws at us sticking...

2 Timothy 2:11-13
It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
NAS

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
NAS

Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
NAS

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, Thou art my God;
I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name;
For Thou hast worked wonders,
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
NAS

Psalms 111:7-10
The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
NAS

remember Megan Wade...remember David Crowe...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your strength and wisdom that holds us and teaches us your ways. Lord we love and honor you and do seek your thoughts and guidance for our lives. With you all things are possible and we praise you for it. Lord Jesus be with all those we are concerned about and bless them. Take our prayers as we seek you with them to your throne. We ask for your mercy on a sinful lot like us. Lord we ask for revelation of your wondrous movement in our lives, in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:00 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 18, 2010 at 7:58am

Good morning! How are we faithing? How is it we become so convinced that our way is the only way? I am talking about our dogmatic perceptions and adherence's not how to fix a screen door or how to mow the lawn. We have to be careful that what we are convinced of may not be someone elses conviction. One may be convicted to be a vegetarian and one may not, neither is totally right nor totally wrong. Does it matter? Arguments over those types of things are selfish in nature and depending on which side of the issue you are on can make you form opinions about that other person and that is what leads to judgemental behavior. Explaining your position and even debating it is fine as long as it doesn't get personal. Can we argue or debate without getting personal? Yes but it isn't easy. We have to be cognisant of when we start to look at the other person with ire because they disagree with us. That is the start of a judgemental spirit and that is when things go awry. I watch political opinion shows to get others takes on subjects but when they start spewing insults, off it goes because that benefits no one. The same with arguments over Sunday vs Saturday worship or real wine vs grape juice in communion. Both views can be valid and both could be wrong but is it worth alienating someone? Is it worth an argument that turns a lost person off to the saving knowledge of the grace of God? Think next time when things come up. Presenting our case and conviction is indeed our duty. Living our convictions is our duty. Judging someone who disagrees is not our duty. Think about this...

Romans 14:13-23
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
NAS

remember Stephanie and Ken...remember John A. Brown family...remember Nikki...remember Linda and Stephanie Handzel...

Heavenly Father,
We praise your holy name father because we know you love us, faults and all. We understand you care for all of us no matter our views. Lord help us behave in a comely fashion so we do nor repel the lost. Help us see the importance of issues and not judge the people but the issue. Lord we lift those people up who are struggling with physical, emotional and mental issues. We ask for a healing touch on these bodies so we can serve appropriately. Thank you in advance in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 17, 2010 at 6:59am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Look at this;
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."
NAS

Wow. That is full of truth. There's a few things going on here. Our attitude should not be one of shame but of jubilence because God saves any and everyone who recognises and believes what has been said about Jesus the Messiah. Our faith in this truth is everlasting and is not wavering. Sure HOW things take place and for sure the timing baffles us sometimes but the faith that God has already handled and won whatever we face is where our faith should be. Living by faith is not always easy especially when it flies in the face of conventional wisdom but ponder this, God CREATED mankind and the world and since we can't even begin to fathom the complexities involved in that action, why would we doubt his Word that tells us to live by believing in his Word? Why would we doubt just because we don't understand all aspects of creation or because WE can't figure it out? How Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead for our sake doesn't make a lick of sense in the natural but it happened and he did it for you. God wants you to come to the truth of salvation because he loves you. Kinda makes you want to dive in his Word and learn some more about a love that big that will save people regardless of infractions committed doesn't it? Think about that...

remember Stephanie and Ken Pflug...remember Gardiner Yates and his crew...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for increasing our faith. Thank you for providing a way for all of us to see your throne. Lord we ask for direction and a peace about our paths and make it obvious where we are to go. Lord we lift up the lost to you. Help them see you and know your love is the only true love. Lead us to a faith that flat sustains us even in turmoil. We love and honor you Lord and in Jesus name we lift these things up to you. Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 16, 2010 at 7:23am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Being able to share this love of Jesus we understand and have is tough to do sometimes and not because of its inherent truth but because of our own fear of reactions from others. Why is that? We should be bold with a confidence of our salvation to not fear men but we still tread lightly. If this faith we have and this grace we have is so great we need to learn to step out on that same faith that what we have to share just simply can't be kept to ourselves. There are people out there that are dead in their sins and deserve Jesus as much as we do. Their sin isn't any different than ours so since we are sinners redeemed from that sin it only makes sense that we share this grace. I know that bringing up subjects in certain forums isn't wise but since we know our battle is first in the spiritual realm we ought to pray all the time for courage and wisdom to witness appropriately. Our own fears of ridicule should not prevent our sharing such a love that surpasses all understanding. Here's something to remember, that ridicule will be fleeting because our savior endured worse and we know that even when that person witnessed to ridicules, God still loves them and will save them. Our momentary hurt feelings are insignificant when compared to eternity in hell. Remember that the next time you hear that prompting to share...


Psalms 40:9
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, Thou knowest.
NAS

1 Corinthians 2:2-3
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
NAS

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
KJV

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
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.
NAS

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
NAS

Remember Mai Harness...remember Becky Keith...remember Nikki Rayborn...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your steadfastness on our behalf. Lord we ask for vision and wisdom to see truth and needs as they really are. Help us understand your grace and empower us with courage to stand firm on your Word and help us live it with honor and kindness so others want it too. Lord, bless those hurting today. Bless us in ways we never imagined, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:57 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 12, 2010 at 7:08am

Good morning! How are we faithing in this heat? Reading some interesting scripture today and I really don't have much to say about them. They speak for themselves.

Hebrews 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
KJV

Revelation 4:11
"Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."
NAS

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power
Not one of them is missing.
NAS

Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
NAS

Yes, we serve an awesome God. We serve a God who loves us so much we cannot even begin to fathom a love as big as his. Lord we ask for peace and understanding in your Word.

Remember Chris Hall...remember Chris Bell...remember Anna Lynn

Heavenly Father,
Our prayer is for that peace and understanding that surpasses human logic. We ask for healing of our minds and souls today. Reveal your majesty and grace in ways that we cannot miss. We ask for a touch on those mentioned here. Let them know you are here and love them, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 11, 2010 at 7:33am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I talk to people who feel unworthy of being saved, of being loved by God, of deserving anything other than junk and instead of seeing truth in the Word of God, continue in their folly. By no means am I judging but making observations. Why do they do this? Why do they not understand that God loves them and they are not worthy but because of that love, God provided a way of redemption through his son. The enemy wants people to rebel and not see the true God and thusly join his ranks. The enemy could care less about you but doesn't want anybody to find Jesus. You will not ever be good enough and guess what? That isn't even a part of salvation. We need to recognise we can't possible be "good enough" and accept the gift of salvation and press on with goodness not for earning anything but because it's right. Our souls are already paid for. We don't keep paying over and over for that coat we bought do we? So do good because it's the right thing to do, not to earn a place in heaven.

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
KJV

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

remember Dana Fitzpatrick...remember Jason Jeffries...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and thank you I don't have to earn it. Lord we lift those searching for truth. Reveal yourself and let them see where they need to go. Lord we ask for blessing financially and physically on those who cry out to you. Lord we ask for protection of our troops and ask for mercy to our enemies. Please reveal wisdom in all we do for we desire to please and to do what you want in our lives. Thank you for grace that we are able to come to you through your son. We praise and worship you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 10, 2010 at 8:25am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Late start for me and I apologise. Both kids here from abroad and we were up late! It is very interesting and encouraging to see our grown children become amazing adults. It pleases us parents to think that they in fact did listen to us and learn from the good and the bad. I listened to my children and found that they have insight and sound logic. I am pleased they still listen to old Dad but am more pleased they are their own person. God will use them as he sees fit and not as I do. This is hard sometimes to accept and to not try to keep dealing with them as kids. The Word has tons of teaching for families. Here's but a few;

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
KJV

Philippians 1:8-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NAS

1 Corinthians 13:11-12
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.
NAS


Ephesians 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
NAS

Remember Anna Benton...remember Kathy Allen...remember Bob Quarles...remember those on the road...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for children of all ages. Thank you for the time we have with them. Lord we ask for healing in this time of upheaval in the world. Let our kids know you are there for them at all times. We lift those mentioned to you, heal them physically and let them know who healed them, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:54 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 9, 2010 at 8:00am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is so interesting to peruse iconic pictures from the past. The one here on the web page is of sheer jubilation at the end of WWII. Can you envision how hearts were feeling with the announcement of surrender of the axis powers? The relief of knowing no more lead was going to fly your way. The thought that going home,for some after 3 plus long years in combat,was now a reality. How after the horrors one had seen that going back to the world was also a little scary. The questions they must've asked concerning what they had seen. Our current troops must be enduring the same. We are surrounded by things that fly in the face of a generous loving God and if we focus on the maladies of this world we are indeed prone to bitterness. Events can skew our view of the creator but regardless of what happens we have to remember he did not want robots but beings that could freely love him and with that must come free choice. That would be hard to go forward with knowing in advance that many would choose not to know God. My heart hurts for those who choose that path. With that free choice some choose to hurt and not help. Some choose selfishness and not selflessness. Where do you stand? What choices have you made? It is never to late to reverse your position. Jesus awaits you because he loves you, no mater the past. That my friends is love in its purest form.


Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
NAS

Romans 5:1-11
Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Help us love and understand your love for us. Help us realize you gave us choice in following you. Grant us courage and longsuffering so we see truth and act accordingly. Lord, bless our troops and heal their hearts from inages they now possess. Lord we lift the lost to you and ask for you to show through for them to see, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:27 AM

Comment by russ allen on August 6, 2010 at 7:01am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The power in words cannot be denied. You say something aloud and you cannot take it back, it's already out there. You say things that bless and they do. You say things that curse and they do. There is tons of scripture that deals with the spoken word. We must be fully aware of what we speak into being. All over scripture the spoken word casts out demons, heals the sick, gives sight to the blind etc. How? Only God knows. Why? No answer there either. Fact is, words have power to heal and to slice and dice. Words can encourage and not just platitudes but real encouragement . Words can express love, hate, interest, compassion and on and on. With this knowledge we need to be real aware of even flip comments so we do not cause undue pain or stress. Think today before you speak. Ask yourself some questions like, who will this comment benefit? Is this comment at the expense of another? Will others see truth or lies in my words? Check these;

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
NAS

Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
NAS

See those? Spoken word brought everything into being. That my friends opens up responsibility in words so think...

remember Aunt Eileen...remember Jennifer

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your Word. Thank you for giving me a brain to understand things. Thank you for compassion. Lord help us return these attributes out into this world. Lord we ask for wisdom, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:40 AM

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

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