Wishing you and your family a happy new year for 2010!
Say "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to the past bad decisions and to the past hurts. Let this new year be a new beginning for your life. Start afresh!
Here's something symbolic and it will be etched in your mind:
Make a "GOOD RIDDANCE!" List. Write down all your mistakes, failures, hurts, and addictions- then burn it as you give it over to God. This will give you freedom from your past. Allowing you to have freedom to make the right decisions for your new future.
Always remember to bring God on the journey with you. He will always guide you on the right path. :)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).
As the new year is approaching, we talk about our new resolutions. The changes we will make to become a better person. If you want to be a better person for God ask Him to chisel away all the "dead-weight" in your life. All the addictions. All the past hurts. He is wanting to change you back into His masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
God has a Grander kind of living for you. He has instilled in you skills to bless others around you for His name sake. Realize the special gifts He has given you. You are unique in design. Will you live a life of purpose or continue to live the same meaningless life you've been living for so long?
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Look in the mirror and see how God sees you. Believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU are God's MASTERPIECE!
My family has a tradition. My daughter and I woke up early to bake a chocolate birthday cake. She then frosted the cake with chocolate frosting. Our two lil' boys helped with putting sprinkles on the cake. I think they ate half the sprinkles instead of putting it on the cake. After the cake was completely decorated, my wife put one candle in the center to celebrate Jesus' birthday. We sang happy birthday to Jesus. Everyone gets really excited- it the only time of year everyone is allowed to have chocolate cake for breakfast!
This year, I did something a bit different. We went around the table answering this question, "What is the one gift you are thankful for God giving you?" It is private, but the response was precious. Everyone's response made me really reflect on the fact that "Christmas" shouldn't be once a year... it should be all year round. Even deeper, we need to remember daily the gifts God gives us and how He continues to bless us and "Wow" us with His generosity.
The best gift I received this year was sitting around the kitchen table with my famiily as guests to Jesus' birthday party.
What a wonderful celebration it was!
"The best gifts are those unseen and given without a price tag." ~ HLJ
May you share Peace, Love and Hope all year round.
There's a story being told across the whole world. Will you examine this true story and see what kind of gift God is wanting to give you?
EXAMINE THE STORY
The Baby in the manger was sent to give us Hope. Enter Christmas knowing that Jesus was on a mission to bring us back. He came to this Earth for one mission- to die on the cross, held by three nails, absorbing every sin in our lives and erasing every punishment we deserve. Jesus did this out of love, bringing oneness between us and God.
ENCOUNTER THE GOD OF THE STORY
We were made for God's love. Your Creator dreamt you up and designed you with special care. Somewhere along the way we left God. He didn't leave us. We took the life He gave us and did as we pleased. We are lost. There is a God-sized vacuum in your life that only He can fill. God sent His son, Jesus, to this Earth as a "Christmas" gift for you. He wrapped Him up and gave Him to you so you no longer need to live life alone and without true love. This gift God has given you is divorce-proof. It is death-proof. It is full of love and grace. God is giving it... will you receive it? The gift of Jesus Christ will bring back oneness- it will give you a new life with Him- eternally.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
May you find true love and hope this holiday season.
* Family gatherings
* In-laws
* Then Christmas Day...
Long, Stressful, Busy hours at the mall. Crazy crowds at Wal-Mart. Chaos at Target. Racking up the credit card. Emptying out your savings account.
Does any of this look familiar? Can you feel the blood pressure rising in your head? If this is the kind of days you are having during this Holiday Season, no wonder there isn't any time for happiness. You look forward to time off from work to celebrate Christmas. But you find yourself spending hours upon hours shopping and standing in long lines at department stores.
Have you ever hit that proverbial wall and said, "This is just too much! This is killing me emotionally and financially. I can't keep up with all the demands of Christmas."
Then STOP! Stop and really think about what Christmas looked like in tradition past. One gift for each family member... not a dozen toys for your kids. During years past, families would secretly make special gifts with their hands from only material around their home. Gift giving was special because it took time, talent and hours putting together something special for each other.
Is THIS Real Christmas? Can you imagine waking up Christmas morning to a hot cup of coffee. Exchanging one gift with each other. Being so appreciative of what you received because you knew the giver spent months thinking about you and made something special with their very own, loving hands. Then, enjoying the rest of your empty schedule by being together as a FAMILY!
No $1,500 credit card debt. No stress of shopping at 10 different department stores to find the exact requests of your kids and spouse. Just a simple, honest, relaxing time together as a family.
I truly believe the marketing giants in their nice, taylored suits want the rest of us to think that if we don't keep up with the latest game console, the most expensive jewelry, and the nicest clothes, then we are inadequate. What a load of crap we've been buying into every year, for generations.
I believe the Evil One is also doing a great job in causing chaos and stress in our lives- keeping our minds off the one true reason for Christmas. The serene, peaceful, humble thought that God loved us so much He sent His only Son to this earth to rescue us from our disaster. To rebuild the relationship He desperately wanted the day He created us.
The Prince of Peace had entered this world to save us. We have allowed all the other frivolous stuff get in the middle of us and Him. Clouding our minds into thinking that we NEED to keep up with the demands. We NEED to spend big bucks on fleeting things. We NEED to stay on top of everyone else's gift giving out of obligation, not out of love.
What we need in our nation, in our personal lives, is a Holiday Detox. We need to re-think and re-do what we've been doing for decades. We need to say, NO! to the marketing giants and to the voice in our heads who says, "You are a failure if you don't satisfy the money eating, stress producing monster."
Our nation uses words like, "Happy Holidays". "Peace on Earth and Good Will to All Men." "Merry Christmas." We say it. Maybe it's time we start believing the words that mindlessly and easily flows from our lips. Let the very words you use make your holidays healthy again. Happy. Peace. Good Will. Merry.
Appreciate the truth that Jesus came to this Earth to give us Peace and Hope. I truly pray that your Holiday Detox is a success. :)
I pray that you will find ways to make Christmas meaningful again.
I have this hobby of finding the Silliest or Saddest Church Signs on the web. I figure the next 4 weeks are one of the most stressful times of the year... why not make you laugh! The next 10 posts will be signs I found that will either make you laugh because it's funny or make you laugh because it's just pathetic. Come back to see these funny church signs I found.
Remember, through all the hustle and bustle, the real reason for the season is Love, Faith, and Peace.
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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 69:30 (NIV)
Giving thanks to God for who He is and for what He has provided for your life - will make you happy!
In this day of bigger houses - nicer cars - faster computers - fancier clothes we have positioned ourselves at second-rate. It is difficult to "keep up with the Jones's". Life... marketing... our acquaintances have told us that our lives are not complete unless we fill our lives with stuff- expensive, useless stuff!
We are programmed to think that if we don't have enough money - if we don't have the latest HD TV - the big SUV, then we aren't "in" with the socioeconomic society. No wonder we get depressed, stressed and ultimately discouraged. We've become slaves to ourselves.
Change the posture of your heart. Stop focusing on what you don't have and be thankful for the priceless things you do have. The intangible is more important than your fleeting possessions. Life, Love, Friendships, Faith, Family, God, and Health.
If you were to make a list of all the intangible things you have, I guarantee they will out-weigh all your tangible stuff you possess.
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)
Stop "gratifying the cravings" of your desires- wants- and selfish thoughts. Realize our gifts, our possessions are out of this world! God is wanting to give you gifts: Gifts of Great Love, Rich in Mercy, Incomparable riches of His Grace, and Kindness. He is giving you an invitation to the best "Thanksgiving Party" ever! Seating you with Him in heaven.
"Father's Love Letter is a compilation of bible verses from both the Old & New Testaments that are presented in the form of a love letter from God to the world. What began as a simple sermon illustration is now an international best seller, translated into over 40 languages and seen by millions of people around the world. Father's Love Letter is a rich expression of the love of God, a moving and memorable video for all ages."
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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
Think back to the origin of your faith. Think about what you were going through before you encountered God's grace. Maybe you were far from God and were looking for answers. Maybe you were lonely and depressed and looking for hope. Maybe you were deep in addictions and you needed a spiritual break-through. Maybe you had past hurts that kept rewinding over and over in your mind.
The common thread is all of us needs to be rescued. Rescued from our hurts, addictions and from our eternal destination. Who was it that took a risk? Who was it that walked across the room and invested time in you? Who was it that shared God's love and grace with you?
In Bill Hybel's book "Just Walk Across the Room", shows a graph. It shows how new Christians have a broader network of lost people vs. a veteran Christian of 15 years.
It’s illustrates our years walking with Christ verses how many people we interact with who are far from God.
On average, a new Christ-follower knows about 20 people who are far from God.
By year two, it drops down to half.
By year four, the average Christian may interact with 5 people far from God.
By year seven, you only know 2 people far from God...
By your 8th birthday as a Christ-follower, you have completely insulated yourself from the outside world.
Proximity with Jesus increases... while proximity to the people who need Him decreases.
Why is that? We draw closer to the One who is the greatest people-person who ever walked the face of the earth, but we insulate ourselves from the world. We were once fired-up to share this radical love we found with people all around us, but now we insulate ourselves with other Christians.
We fill our lives up with church services, church meetings, church programs... while steadily, and maybe unintentionally, drifting farther and farther away from those who need Him most.
Somewhere along the way you've lost your focus- you forgot the origin of your faith. You lost the lustre that once drove you to wild encounters with people all around you. Jesus wants us to walk closely with Him... and He wants us to continue His mission here on Earth. The Bible says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Not to build greater programs at church. Not to hold multiple leadership meetings. Not to envelop ourselves with those with like faith. Jesus wants us to go and taking risks, search for friendships in the making, and share His story with those far from Him. There is a world of hurt out there and they are waiting to encounter God's love, grace, and Christ's healing on their lives.
Gain Him back! Go back to the day you first encountered Him. Ask God to revitalize those feelings- making them fresh and exciting. Find that passion for people, the same passion for people that caused Jesus to die on the cross.
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8 (NIV)
Attention All Backsliders: You have missed out on the right to be granted a pardon for your shenanigans. You continue to sleep in on Sunday mornings- causing you to fail in meeting your weekly quota of attending three church services a week.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV)
Thank goodness there isn't a deadline when it comes to Jesus. He is always ready to forgive us of our sins! Sorry, there is a deadline... Death! Make sure you make things right with Him before it's too late.
If you want a relationship with Jesus, then go to the right top corner of this blog and click on "Who Is Jesus". It will be the best decision you ever made- eternally!
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In 1970, this song hit #3 on the charts. Stevie Wonder sang, “Signed, Sealed and Delivered I’m yours.”
The Bible says, Well, we are signed, sealed and delivered by the Holy Spirit.
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
If it’s true- that we abide in Him and His Spirit in us, then, when it says that the fruit of the Spirit is Love... Growing within us should be a harvest. A harvest that holds an endless resource of love.
If you were to measure the fruits of your love, what would it look like?
Would you be holding a brown lunch bag with only 4-5 love fruits to give out on a day to day basis?
You have to ration your very limited supply for love in the morning, because your kid is screaming. One for lunch time because your co-worker is driving you crazy. Two in the evening, one for your spouse and one for the dog.
Or do you carry a splintery, wooden crate with 20-30 love fruits to give out each day? You have enough for your family, you even have enough to share at work, but as you get to things at church and serving God, your supply starts to deplete quickly. You get burned-out. Your attitude becomes negative. People start to really get on your nerves. All because you ran out of love for the day.
Are you that special someone who always seems to have an endless supply of love? Do you know someone like this? It’s like a big dump truck full of love fruits. The truck backs up, unloads and love is scattered everywhere. Wherever you look there’s love -- Ready for the taking. Wherever you go, there’s this sign that follows you, Saying, “Need love? Come on over, I’ve got plenty to hand out!”
The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love others deeply- the power to forgive them often- the power to give abundantly to everyone we come in contact with. If God is love, and God’s spirit is within us- then we should never run out of the resource. If we do, then we need to see where the assembly line has stopped. We need to find where the connection was cut off. Because it’s not God holding back his love- it’s us.
"Love, like the human heart, needs to be exercised often in order to grow stronger." ~ HLJ
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“Love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
God has created each one of us uniquely. Our appearances, our abilities, our personalities and the way we think are diversely different. What a boring world we would live in if everyone looked the same, acted the same and thought the same.
Unfortunately, with diversity come conflicts. Our personalities don’t mesh well with someone who is more outspoken, more direct, more in your face. Our hearts don’t connect well with someone whose convictions are different than ours.
This diversity can cause a chasm between us and a loved one. How many of you have hurts right now? Hurt by words. Hurt because of someone’s different stance on an issue. Hurt because someone shared something deep about your life with someone else? You feel betrayed.
Your marriage is failing. Your friend really hurt you. A family member used words that really cut deep. There is brokeness in your life.
Ephesians 4:2-6, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
The word "bearing" stuck out in my head. What does that really mean? Here's what I found:
BEARING: 1. Dignified manner or conduct. 2.Withstanding a weight or strain.
1. Respect. Our actions and our words need to be with respect. Always having the best interest of the other person in mind. Being Tactful, not just truthful.
2. Taking on the pain- the stress- the drama with them. Saying, "How can we get through this together?"
This means we need to suffer with them.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
No matter the conflict. No matter the hurts. No matter how difficult it will be... we need to forgive! You see, when your love is greater than the affliction, then Love will always pursue Restoration.
"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." He forgave all our debts.
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I thought this was a funny picture to post. It got your attention, didn't it?
No, I am not going to tell you whether or not Halloween is suitable for Christians. I have heard many reasons why Christians think it's okay for their children to go Trick or Treating...
"We don't let our kids dress up as scary goblins, witches or demons. They dress up as animals or bible characters."
"We don't celebrate Halloween, per se. We just let our kids get candy."
"We only let our kids celebrate the "Fall Festival" that our church does as an alternative to Halloween."
My motive isn't to talk about the origin, the meaning behind Halloween or even share bible verses that talks about staying away from such traditions. That's for a different time.
I want to discuss the masks we wear when we are around other believers and the mask we wear when we are talking to God.
Here is a story I want to share with you from Ron Hutchcraft, "I had to stop at a convenience store one Halloween night. No, not to trick or treat, just to pay for the gas I had just put in my car. That's when I saw this interesting sign they had posted - a sign I had never seen anywhere else before. It simply said, "Please remove your mask before you enter." ... Obviously, they didn't want someone to try to pull off a Halloween heist, wearing a mask that would conceal their identity from the security cameras. I didn't see anyone in the store that night with a mask."
What if there was a sign above the entrance doors of your church that said, "PLEASE REMOVE YOUR MASK BEFORE YOU ENTER."?
When we come to worship God we say we want to experience God's glory. Well, God wants to see us in all our glory as well. Naked. Spiritually naked before His throne. Exposing all our sins, all our faults and confess our issues with Him. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
You see, God doesn't care about our religion or our religious jargon. He doesn't want us to pretend we have it all together. Pretending our life is fine. He wants to know what's at the heart of the matter. What's discouraging us- what we are struggling with today- He desires for us share every detail of our lives with Him.
God expects the same when we have conversations with other believers. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 says God wants us to Weep as one and Celebrate as one. “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
In God's family, it's OKAY! It's okay to share you're having a bad day. It's okay to admit your mistakes. It's okay to say your marriage is failing. It's okay to show you don't have it all together.
It's OKAY! It's Okay to celebrate with one another. It's okay to be happy about your new car. It's okay to share you lost 10 pounds. It's okay to shout "Hallelujah" because God is good!
Come to God with honesty and show everyone the authentic and true YOU!
Whenever my wife asks our 3 year old son, "Do you love me?" His response is, "Yes!"
My wife will say, "How much do you love me?"
In the mind of a 3 year old who doesn't understand how to measure the width and depth of his love (or maybe he does), will often answer by saying, "Three thousand worlds!"
"How much do you love me - three thousand worlds!" Boy, I don't need to tell you how that makes mommy feel! Her face lights up and she gets the biggest smile on her face every time. The warmth and the love she feels makes all the craziness- all the chaos of life worth while.
I believe when you ask God, "Do you love me?" He will always say, "YES!"
"How much do you love me, God?"
"More than anything in the entire Galaxy!"
I John 4:7-11 (NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
God chose it. Jesus died for it. We need to share it!
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Jesus walked across the cosmos, so to speak, to connect with you - to talk to you - and He's holding out His redemptive hand in order to rescue you out of your worst situations in life. He wants to give you an eternal hope so that you can fellowship together - eternally.
Jesus loves you deeply. He never intended for you to go through life alone. Call out to the One who loves you and He can heal you from all your pains and regrets.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
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1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Psalm 103:1-13 (NIV)
Don't hold on to your past mistakes. Don't fester in your guilt. Let go of your sins and pains... Jesus wants to release all your past mistakes if you are willing to make things right with Him. Re-read this passage and realize Jesus wants to toss your mistakes far, far away. There is freedom for your life!
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"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
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"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"
~ Corrie Ten Boom
How often does prayer become our last resort, our final plea? When things are going well, we don't pray at all. As a matter of fact most of us forget about God all together, until our lives come upon a pot hole in the middle of the road. Maybe even then we don't give prayer a chance.
Do you look at the pot hole and find a way to avoid it's potential damage or do you just speed up and drive right over it because you are in too much of a hurry to avoid the disaster in the road?
As the popular Carrie Underwood sang, "Jesus, take the wheel!", we need to allow Him to steer our lives. We need to slow down or sometimes stop on the side of the road in order to hear God tell us where we need to go, safely. As we drive recklessly through life- we drive right into the pot hole, coming away with ruined suspensions and a flat tire. Then, and only then, do we reach in the trunk out of desperation for our lives. Somewhere beneath the stinky shoes, golf clubs, baby strollers and fast-food wrappers we get to the spare tire.
Prayer is what gives balance in our lives. It's what changes the deflated, discouraging issues into promising possibilities.
Prayer isn't something you tuck under your soiled problems and extracurricular activities. Prayer is what should be driving your life. Every idea. Every decision. Every move you make, that is significant, needs to start with prayer.
Prayer channels our earthly issues towards heavenly wisdom. Prayer taps in to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit in order to conquer our life issues.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
The Bible says, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." He knew that in order to stay in-sync with His Father, God, Jesus needed to talk to Him often, because He knew God is all-knowing and sees the greater picture for our lives even before we do. Jesus said, "Not my Will but Yours." Allow prayer to be the steering wheel for your life. When you come to those pot holes in the middle of the road, you will be prepared and not shaken. You will have God as the driving force for your life. He will never leave you and He will never turn His back on you. That is a promise!
The more you know God and His attibutes, you will come to realize how lost you will be if you don't allow Him to direct your life.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
When we moved into our new neighborhood about 9 months ago, there was this old(er) guy across the street that seemed very grumpy... okay, he looked down-right mean. Money was tight, so every evening I would load up the Camry with boxes and misc. junk(which fills up quickly), drive 40-45 minutes and start unloading. I did this every night, sometimes several times a night.
When I would show up to our new home, this older guy would stare at me with his intense eyes. I would say, "Hello." He would briefly respond and then either walk away or turn back to what he was doing. I kept thinking to myself, "Sheesh, this guy is nosey and he doesn't seem very friendly." Well, about a week of unloading our stuff, the neighbor guy starts walking over to me with a frown on his face and with his big, intense eyes staring at me.
I was thinking, "Oh boy, is there going to be some kind of confrontation? What is this guy going to say to me? What am I going to say to him?"
Grumpy guy, with a loud, gruff voice, "Hey, you seem like you have a big family." I replied, "Yes, we have three kids." Grumpy guy, "Well, how many trash cans do you have?" I awkwardly responded, "Just this one trash can, here." Grumpy guy answers back, "That's not enough- that will fill up too fast. I have two trash cans you can have." I was stumped and uncomfortable, but I pushed my words out, "Thank you very much. Are you sure?" Not so grumpy guy, "Yeah, I don't use them." Grateful, I said, "Thanks again! We will put them to good use!"
There's a life lesson to be learned here. Of course the old primary school statement, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." The greater lesson is this: Don't judge others so easily. We don't know what battles they've been through in life. We don't know what kind of crappy day they may have had. We don't know their past and the hurt they've gone through.
As I have invested time in this hard-faced, German friend- I've found out that he's been through two messy divorces. For many years, he works very hard with his hands as a carpenter to have very little to show for it.
Here's an update about my grumpy friend. He has given us garden tools, we have swapped home-cooked meals, we've had great conversations standing outside in our lawns. I've asked him about his beliefs and invited him to church.
Sharing God with people sometimes takes time; it took me about 6 months. Putting my guard down and finding time to talk to him has allowed me to get to know more about him and his life... this has opened up deeper conversations.
"Even in your lawn, you can find the cross." ~ HLJ
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This is a tribute to all the wonderful MOM'S who have changed our lives for the better. STOP what you are doing for 10 minutes and enjoy this uplifting and humorous video.
You live a stressful and very demanding life.
Shut the door, close your shades and take a little "me" time.
A Mother's Love There are times when only a Mother's love Can understand our tears, Can soothe our disappoints And calm all of our fears. There are times when only a Mother's love Can share the joy we feel When something we've dreamed about Quite suddenly is real. There are times when only a Mother's faith Can help us on life's way And inspire in us the confidence We need from day to day. For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith And a Mother's steadfast love Were fashioned by the Angels And sent from God above. Author Unknown
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:28-29 (NIV)
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This infomercial has been sweeping the nation for quite some time now. You will find over 26,000 YouTube videos regarding this insane product that plays on your hopes. Peter Popoff, you should be ashamed about what you are doing!
In doing some investigation, you pay for the "miracle manna" and eat it. Along with your package, there is a letter that says you are to give Peter Popoff more money to activate the "blessings", wait 5 to open a secretly sealed enclosed envelope that says "Do not open for 5 days". Inside that envelope is a cheap trinket (looks like it's worth 50 cents) with a real nice newletter explaining the power of the "miracle manna".
He is double-dipping into your pockets!! Most of the people who want a miracle are in financial hardship and his infomercial reveals how people are receiving $1,000's of dollars miraculously.
There are others who have terminal health issues hoping to be healed by the "miracle manna". What a sad, sad man, Peter Popoff is! As you are waiting for your blessings- he is receiving $MILLIONS of dollars by feeding off of hopeless lives.
I understand in desperate times we take desperate measures. We are looking for that magic pill to make us rich. Why do you think the lottery is so successful? People dream of hitting it big over-night. Others possess crippling diseases and are looking for the magic potion that will heal them instantly.
This so called godly man is telling you to worship the golden calf. Pour all your money- all your possessions- all your faith on a man-made idol.
Exodus 32:2-4: "Aaron answered them, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.'
So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron.
He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."
I love the beginning of this chapter- it says the people grew impatient and wanted results NOW!
vs. 1: "When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.' "
We are whiny, impatient, self-gratifying creatures. Look at the commericals on the television. You will see eye-catching words, like; Quick, Easy, Instant, Fast. You catch my drift. How often do you say, "God is taking too long!""What's the hold-up?I need answers NOW!""God's taking too long...I'll just do it myself!"
SLOW DOWN! Don't give into the world's view, but focus on God's best for your life.
"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 (NIV)
Did you ever imagine that God may be protecting you? I believe He knows us better than we do about ourselves. Think about it. With good intentions, you may tell God that if He made you rich, you would tithe 15% or even 20%, instead of the standard 10%. Maybe you promise to use the money to help missionaries or great non-profit organizations. Maybe, just maybe, God knows that somewhere down the road money would be too much for you to handle. Maybe you would start to spend it on all your wants and needs and losing your need for Him. You see, it says in the bible that it is more possible for a camel to enter through an eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It's through the tough times; the financial struggles that we draw near to God for His provision.
I don't have the answers to why people get terminally ill. Other than it's part of the filth and sin in our world. The Bible says the Earth and all it's creation grumbles in anticipation for Christ's return. Creation knows what it was like to be flawless and perfect- now it's tainted. Just like our lives, at one time our human bodies were perfect and flawless. Because of the actions of Adam and Eve our bodies are now tainted. Processed foods, high fat, pesticides, smoking, drinking adds to the breakdown of our bodies.
It's no joke, and this issue is a very serious matter to many who are going through terminal illness. We need to stay focused and remember that God can give us the strength to get through each day. Pray for healing. Pray that GOD will do a miracle in your life... not "miracle bread"!
In scripture God gave manna to sustain His people. There wasn't anything magical about this bread. Except when God was able to have it pour down from Heaven each morning.
DON'T worship the bread. Worship- Pray- Bow Down to the Creator. Remember that HE is the bread of LIFE.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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(Please share your thoughts and comments.)
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On Saturday, April 11th, our team went out in the community and passed out bags o' jelly beans. Along with the jelly beans we passed out cards with our version of what each color of the jelly bean represents:
Jelly Beans
Black – Represents the sin in all of us - Romans 3:23
Red – Represents the blood He shed – Hebrews 9:14
Yellow - Represents His light that fills the world – 2 Corinthians 4:6
Orange – Represents the warmth of His love – Psalm 13:5-6
Green – Represents the growth that we all experience as His children – 1 Peter 2:1-3
Pink – Represents His overwhelming love for us – John 3:16-17
Purple – Represents His royalty - Philippians 2:9-11
White – Represents the cleansing that we receive from His death – Psalm 51:1-2
This was such a fun opportunity to show God's love to people around the community. We were able to touch 345 lives with the true meaning of Easter- that's exciting! We had two teams going to grocery stores, shopping centers, the local library and to a community playground. The children were excited about getting jelly beans, but we found the adults and teens enjoyed them as well.
The rejection-rate was very low again. I would say around 3% said, "No" to receiving our Easter gift (approx. 10 people). On the greater side, there were good conversations and people wanting us to pray for their needs. That's what it's all about! Connecting with people and letting them know that God loves them.
Switching gears, here is something I want to share with you. It has been rolling through my mind these several weeks... My friend and his wife came to hand out the bags o' jelly beans. Now, they are both introverts. Being bold and talking to strangers is not their cup of tea. If you are an introvert, you understand the inward struggles- FEAR! Insecurities welt up inside you and the fear of rejection can be overwhelming.
This past year, my friends have really positioned themselves into looking past their personal fears in order to serve God and to show love to people around them. I place great respect on people like this more than those who are outgoing and gifted in public speaking. Why? Because they are willing to take risks despite their insecurities. They are willing to put God's purpose over their limitations. Their love for people supercedes their fears. I have learned much from them!
This verse is a perfect example on how we are to be dealing with fear: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,"
1 John 4:18a (NIV)
What are you doing today that takes risk?
People need God! If you don't put yourself out there, how will people come to know the Good News about God's love?
TODAY, tell someone, "God Loves You". Bake some goodies, mow someone's grass, pay for someone's meal at a fast food joint. Whatever it takes- let them know that God loves them!
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Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.
Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, Age 11, Anderson.
Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty. Age 10, New Haven
Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Yours truly,Annette. Age 9, Albany
Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.Loreen. Age 9. Tacoma
Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh
Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron
Signs Your Pastor Is Watching To Many Westerns. . .
* His sermon on Revelation is titled "Showdown at High Noon."
* At the end of the service, he replaces altar call with "roundup."
* Refers to the Deacons Meetings as "a campfire chat."
* Keeps referring to "brothers" as Hoss and Little Joe.
* Walks into the pulpit with a hearty, "Hi-Yo Silver"
* Always refers to his Bible as "My Six-Shooter."
*Forces ushers to tie bandanas around their faces and pass around ten-gallon cowboy hats instead of offering plates.
* When performing a wedding, he begins the ceremony with, "Howdy Pardners."
* Constantly threatens to preach well past "High Noon."
* He insists on being addressed as "Reverend Duke."
* Refers to the next churchwide fellowship dinner as "gathering around the chuckwagon."
* His new three-week sermon series: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."
* Asks for the song "Rawhide" to be sung as a call to worship.
* He keeps mumbling two words: "Holy Chaps!"
Courtesy of crosswalk.com
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On a past "Steve Harvey Show", Steve imagines what it would be like if Jesus was a guest on his TV show. This is how Steve would introduce Jesus. It gets your blood pumping!
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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 1-10, 16-20 (NIV)
HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Prophet Isaiah reveals the events of the Christ, our Saviour in Isaiah 53. 600 years later, Jesus comes and fulfills the prophecy. Read John Chapters 18 & 19.
Jesus died for you, because He LOVES you very much! Believe. Witness the Truth. Ask His forgiveness for your life. Secure your life with Him- eternally.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13 (NIV)
If you would like to know more about how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please click on "Who is Jesus" in the right column of this blog. It's a great video by Pastor Rick Warren explaining who Jesus is and how to have a relationship with Him.
Also, if you would like me to pray for you, please send me a personal e-mail: responding2u@gmail.com
Don't live another day without Him!
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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
As I have shared in the past, I have been really wanting to start new family traditions in our home. Two reasons: To remember what the holiday is truly about. To have something special our kids will remember and hopefully pass on for generations to come.
This is an article that I came across about making cookies that tells the story about Jesus' death and resurrection. Each deliberate step to making the cookies shares what Jesus went through when He died for us. This tradition will bring a deeper meaning to Easter and a new appreciation of what Jesus went through when eating these cookies. What a fun way to share the REAL Easter Story!
"Resurrection Cookies"
~ Also known as Easter Story Cookies ~
This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. That the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......
This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School.
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whitesa pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible
Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20 & 22
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9
"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
Don't limit God's power in your life by hiding your weaknesses. Cry out to him as the Apostle Paul did and tell Him you can't do it on your own. God doesn't promise to take your hardship and hurts away, but He does give you the power to get through it.
In your weakest moments turn all your griefs and pains over to Him and you will experience His great power on your life.
