About Me
- Jason Ashley
- I am a Husband to the most loving and beautiful woman in the world. I am the father of 3 kids that continue to challenge me in so many ways but they are awesome. I am also a child of the most high God and I am striving to live out The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am also Co-Founder of The LOT Project. My home church is Newspring Church Anderson Campus. My prayer for you and I is that we are encouraged and challenged by the writings on this page. Some writings may be stories and some writings may be what God is teaching me from day to day. SO GRAB YOUR FORK AND LETS EAT :)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
What women WANT!
I Corinthians 13 4-7 says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” That is the true definition of Love! I would like to speak to just the women today! Men you can also learn some things from these verses and hopefully from this posts! Women you are beautiful, you were made by God and everything he makes is beautiful! Women you do not have to settle for a self righteous, egotistical, disrespectful man who just wants to get in your pants! Yes I went there so get over it!! Women REAL MEN are hard to find however they are out their! I know you think I want a man who will just treat me with respect and LISTEN for a change! That is what most woman want but you also need to look for qualities and integrity! He should be patient with you, kind to you, not proud of himself! (More than likely if he is all about him you want be able to change that!) He should never be rude or easily lose his temper with you! (If you notice this kind of behavior run at first sight and never look back!) You should feel protected, trusted, and pursued by him! If he says he’s going to do something and does it that is what I call great integrity! Ok now that most men are pissed at me I will just keep writing! Women do not settle for just any man God has created a special man for you! I want you to know you are BEAUTIFUL! The world will tell you many lies and that you’re ugly may be one of them! Or maybe you feel fat and the world tells you if you look like the AIRBRUSHED FAKE MODELS you see on the cover of magazines and on TV with 20 pounds of make up on and fake lips, breast, etc…. The list could go on and on! Just know you were created by a PERFECT GOD and he makes no mistakes! Be yourself and Love will be closer than you think!!! Remember Men are Jerks! Ok not all but in my opinion most! No APOLOGIES Jason!!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Shocked but Blessed!
Hello and I hope your morning is going great! I had a heck of a day yesterday and I want to talk about it this morning! I work in Manufacturing at Bosch which supplies parts for the big 3... yeah you automatically think slow work because their aren't anyone buying cars! Yesterday I went in to work and as soon as I clocked in my boss walked up with a sad look on his face and said walk with me! He then went on to tell me everything about the business and then he said today will be your last day! So it hit hard, I'm let go without any warning as so many have been all over this nation! I have to admit walking around and saying my good bye's was very hard! Then the ride home was full of weeping! It happened so fast! I have 2 kids and a wife and now no job! But I am in peace about the whole situation! On the way home I was listening to Hillsong "fall at your feet" and it was so awesome the peace that came over me! Then I began to inform my family and group of friends about my job loss and the support I have is unbelievable! Then last night a lady I love so much as a friend and one of my leaders in the children's ministry at church reminded me of Philippians 4:6 and wow that rocked me to the core! You know I realize times are tough for everyone and I pray that Jesus comforts those who have lost jobs! You see Jesus Christ said he would never leave nor forsake those who trust and believe in him! To all those out there wondering where to find answers JESUS. To those out there who are hurting and depressed you will find healing in JESUS. For all those out there jobless and fill like giving up turn to the one that created you JESUS. For all those out there looking for Love, Trust, Hope, and most of all a relationship that will never die turn to JESUS! Now for a prayer in closing "Dear Lord Jesus first I say Thank You for being my lord and my saviour. Father I pray for those who have lost jobs, I pray for those folks out there who feel like giving up on life that you would reach down and draw them to you. Jesus thank you for everything you have did for me and everything you are going to do. Give me wisdom and knowledge to continue to minister to the lost! Draw people to you and use your people to reach those who feel unreachable! Thank You for giving me life. In the name of Jesus I ask all things AMEN!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Danger
When things are going your way watch out! You may be living in the danger zone. For many churches and spiritual leaders when we live in comfort we may actually be in more danger than when we live in a time of crisis. Comfort subtly seeks up and robs churches and pastors of their vision and passion. When all the bills are paid, and the people are getting along it is easy to fall asleep at the wheel like a drowsy driver on a long straight stretch of “driving in place” across the Panhandle of Texas. Crisis creates urgency, passion and at times panic, but comfort lures people into complacency, simply going through the motions.
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle, warns about the dangers of comfort in his book Confessions of a Reformission Rev. He diagnoses the dangers of comfort in a very direct and disturbing way for many of us who find ourselves going through the motions in ministry.
“The comfort zone is the place a church commonly falls into once they learn how to survive…At this point, the propensity is for the church to settle in, accept its size, and slip into a mode of maintenance. At some point, the people will move away or die, others will get bored, and slowly the church will begin a cycle of decline unless it intentionally reinvents itself missionally to continue to grow by taking risks in an effort to reach lost people for Jesus.”
Sadly, this appears to be the place that most churches in America find themselves. Awash in a sea of people, churches have become closer to country clubs than hospitals, and slipped into the comfort zone. Statistics bear out this reality in harsh numbers that report that 70-90% of churches in America are either on a plateau or declining. Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently confessed he believed that most of the SBC church will die a slow death over the next twenty years—dying of “cancer of the comfort”.
Where did the fire go? Do we need a spiritual awakening in the pew or in the pulpit? Are we the proverbial frog in the kettle that has been slowly cooked by our changing culture environment?
Jesus and Paul stand out as clear biblical examples of leaders who had an unquenchable spirit about reaching people and changing the world. Even when Jesus had the “whole city at the door” he was not satisfied to stay put and establish his own version of a mega-church, but rather slipped away unannounced to touch the surrounding villages—because “that is why I have come.” In similar fashion Paul was relentless in his pursuit of people for the sake of the Kingdom. Paul noted to his friends in Corinth that “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22b).
How often can we honestly say we have used “all possible means” to reach our community? Watch out when things are going good, you just might doze of and miss the next turn toward becoming all God wants you to be.
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle, warns about the dangers of comfort in his book Confessions of a Reformission Rev. He diagnoses the dangers of comfort in a very direct and disturbing way for many of us who find ourselves going through the motions in ministry.
“The comfort zone is the place a church commonly falls into once they learn how to survive…At this point, the propensity is for the church to settle in, accept its size, and slip into a mode of maintenance. At some point, the people will move away or die, others will get bored, and slowly the church will begin a cycle of decline unless it intentionally reinvents itself missionally to continue to grow by taking risks in an effort to reach lost people for Jesus.”
Sadly, this appears to be the place that most churches in America find themselves. Awash in a sea of people, churches have become closer to country clubs than hospitals, and slipped into the comfort zone. Statistics bear out this reality in harsh numbers that report that 70-90% of churches in America are either on a plateau or declining. Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently confessed he believed that most of the SBC church will die a slow death over the next twenty years—dying of “cancer of the comfort”.
Where did the fire go? Do we need a spiritual awakening in the pew or in the pulpit? Are we the proverbial frog in the kettle that has been slowly cooked by our changing culture environment?
Jesus and Paul stand out as clear biblical examples of leaders who had an unquenchable spirit about reaching people and changing the world. Even when Jesus had the “whole city at the door” he was not satisfied to stay put and establish his own version of a mega-church, but rather slipped away unannounced to touch the surrounding villages—because “that is why I have come.” In similar fashion Paul was relentless in his pursuit of people for the sake of the Kingdom. Paul noted to his friends in Corinth that “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22b).
How often can we honestly say we have used “all possible means” to reach our community? Watch out when things are going good, you just might doze of and miss the next turn toward becoming all God wants you to be.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Prosperity or confusion!
Author Beth Jones.....The subject of prosperity has been controversial among believers of all denominations. This is so unfortunate, because something God meant to be a blessing to believers and to the kingdom of God has become a divisive issue. Those who embrace God's will to prosper have been called the "name-it-and-claim-it bunch," the "health-and-wealth believers" or the "hundredfold-heresy Christians." The result has been much misunderstanding and semantic wars about this issue. There has been confusion about several familiar verses of Scripture, as well as the prosperity message as a whole. For centuries, the religious traditions of men, as well as the devil's own lies, have kept Christians living below God's best for them. It takes time to renew your mind to the Word of God on this subject. So, is the prosperity message a false teaching, or is it God's will? Our doctrine should not be based upon traditions, excess, pious thinking or notions of false humility. Let's examine some relevant Scriptures to see what the Bible does, in fact, teach. Remember, it is important to rightly divide the Word of God. Anyone can take an isolated verse to make it say anything. So we want to look at several verses of Scripture and by the mouth of two or three witnesses let our doctrine be established. The best way to approach this study is much like the Bereans, as described in Acts 17:11:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.In other words, the Bereans didn't just take at face value what the apostle Paul or any other disciple said was the truth. They studied the Scriptures themselves to be sure what Paul said was true. This is a good example to follow. Study your own Bible for yourself to be sure that what you hear is indeed the truth. We want you to become convinced of God's will on the subject of prosperity because you have searched the Scriptures in your own Bible! To do this objectively, you may have to take off your "traditional" ways of thinking. Remember, Jesus told His disciples that the "traditions of men" made the Word of God of no effect. (Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13.) As you study God's Word, keep an open mind and heart and trust Him to lead you into all truth.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.In other words, the Bereans didn't just take at face value what the apostle Paul or any other disciple said was the truth. They studied the Scriptures themselves to be sure what Paul said was true. This is a good example to follow. Study your own Bible for yourself to be sure that what you hear is indeed the truth. We want you to become convinced of God's will on the subject of prosperity because you have searched the Scriptures in your own Bible! To do this objectively, you may have to take off your "traditional" ways of thinking. Remember, Jesus told His disciples that the "traditions of men" made the Word of God of no effect. (Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13.) As you study God's Word, keep an open mind and heart and trust Him to lead you into all truth.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Be Offensive not defensive!
by John Mason.....Never try to defend your present position and situation. Choose to be a person who is on the offensive, not the defensive. People who live defensively never rise above being average. We're called, as Christians, to be on the offensive - to take the initiative. A lukewarm, indecisive person is never secure regardless of his wealth, education, or position. Don't ever let your quest for balance become an excuse for not taking the unique, radical, invading move that God has directed you to take. Many times the attempt to maintain balance in life is really just an excuse for being lukewarm. In Joshua 1:6-7,9 the Lord says three times to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." I believe that he is saying the same thing to all believers today. When you choose to be on the offensive, the atmosphere of your life will begin to change. So if you don't like the atmosphere of your life, choose to take the offensive position. Taking the offensive is not just an action taken outside a person; it is always a decision made within. When you do choose to be on the offensive, keep all your conflicts impersonal. Fight the issue, not the person. Speak about what God in you can do, not what others cannot do. You will find that when all of your reasons are defensive, your cause almost never succeeds. Being on the offensive and taking the initiative is a master key which opens the door to opportunity in your life. Learn to create a habit of taking the initiative and don't ever start your day in neutral. Every morning when your feet hit the floor, you should be thinking on the offensive, reacting like an invader, taking control of your day and your life. By pulling back and being defensive usually you enhance the problem. Intimidation always precedes defeat. If you are not sure which way to go, pray and move towards the situation in confident trust. Be like the two fishermen who got trapped in a storm in the middle of the lake. One turned to the other and asked, "Should we pray, or should we row." His wise companion responded, "Let's do both!" That's taking the offensive.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
WOW GOD IS GOOD!!
Had to share this story God is so POWERFUL enjoy!By: Anita Martinez
I am only 27 years old, but I have been through some of the most traumatizing events for an average person of this age. It started when I was 19 years old and married my first husband. I can't put my finger on what went wrong, or what I did wrong, per say, but the marriage was never a healthy one. My ex-husband drank heavily and stayed out many nights, sometimes never coming home without so much as a phone call. I can recall being hysterical (and pregnant), calling friend's houses, hospitals, jails, etc...looking for him. I knew one day I would hear a knock at the door, or a phone call to confirm my worst nightmare - that he was involved in a drinking and driving accident, or worse, that he had injured or killed an innocent person. I was at the point where I just lost all respect for him and my marriage. I started going out to bars, and meeting all kinds of men...married men too. The first affair I had was with a married man, and we continued to see each other just about every other weekend after that. Not once did I have any remorse for what I was doing to his wife, my husband, or anybody. The affairs didn't end with this person, but a total of ten affairs with different men. I thought I was in love with one of these men, and became pregnant with his child. He didn't want anything to do with me after that, much less a child. So, what does any ignorant, selfish woman in my situation do? She takes the cowardly way out - and has an abortion. I'll tell you, the devil was on a role now. What was going through my mind at the time - I'll give you one guess. The devil was controlling my mind, body and soul and had me convinced that this was the only way to get even. Who was having the last laugh now???? HE WAS! Not me!!! While all this was going on, my ex and I finally decided to separate. I packed a few things that night and headed toward the front door, with bags in hand. That would be the last time I would ever see my husband carrying my baby girl in his arms...at least standing. The next morning, I received word that he had been in a car accident and that he was in the hospital. I rushed to the hospital, and when I finally got there, about 20 pairs of eyes were glaring my way....as if to say, "What kind of wife/mother are you!!!" That's when I heard the news that he had been thrown from his vehicle and could not feel his legs! It actually turned out that he became paralyzed from the chest down, which made it even more difficult. I left the room because I thought I was gonna pass out, and at the same time, they were wheeling him out of the ER room. He looked up at me, and I at him, and all I could say was..."Don't worry, baby, everything is gonna be OK." He never replied, but just looked away from me. You can imagine all the guilt, and pain I was suffering from. However, none of it amounted to the pain and suffering he was about to face for the rest of his life. Since then, my ex and I have divorced, and are living better lives. I will not make excuses for either of us, we simply weren't strong enough in the Lord to fight our demons at the time. Through the grace of God, I have been forgiven of my past, and cleansed of all my sins. I felt for a long time that I was not worthy of forgiveness and that I should accept my fate. I know now who was lying to me that whole time. I can feel God's peace in my heart and not a day goes by that I don't thank him for that.
To YOU Lord: Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me. I promise to serve you, and to do your bidding. I know I am not worthy of your mercy, but you gave it to me anyway. I will love you and no other, and none equal to you. Educate me to teach others your way according to your Word. Help me to understand your teachings, and to pass that on to people who need your guidance as I did and still do! I know that I will never be PERFECT for there was only one perfect person in this world and that was our Lord Jesus Christ, but I will try my best. Also, I pray for my ex-husband who will ALWAYS have a place in my heart, that he will someday be healed and "walk" with YOU in this life and the next. In Jesus name, Amen and Amen.
I am only 27 years old, but I have been through some of the most traumatizing events for an average person of this age. It started when I was 19 years old and married my first husband. I can't put my finger on what went wrong, or what I did wrong, per say, but the marriage was never a healthy one. My ex-husband drank heavily and stayed out many nights, sometimes never coming home without so much as a phone call. I can recall being hysterical (and pregnant), calling friend's houses, hospitals, jails, etc...looking for him. I knew one day I would hear a knock at the door, or a phone call to confirm my worst nightmare - that he was involved in a drinking and driving accident, or worse, that he had injured or killed an innocent person. I was at the point where I just lost all respect for him and my marriage. I started going out to bars, and meeting all kinds of men...married men too. The first affair I had was with a married man, and we continued to see each other just about every other weekend after that. Not once did I have any remorse for what I was doing to his wife, my husband, or anybody. The affairs didn't end with this person, but a total of ten affairs with different men. I thought I was in love with one of these men, and became pregnant with his child. He didn't want anything to do with me after that, much less a child. So, what does any ignorant, selfish woman in my situation do? She takes the cowardly way out - and has an abortion. I'll tell you, the devil was on a role now. What was going through my mind at the time - I'll give you one guess. The devil was controlling my mind, body and soul and had me convinced that this was the only way to get even. Who was having the last laugh now???? HE WAS! Not me!!! While all this was going on, my ex and I finally decided to separate. I packed a few things that night and headed toward the front door, with bags in hand. That would be the last time I would ever see my husband carrying my baby girl in his arms...at least standing. The next morning, I received word that he had been in a car accident and that he was in the hospital. I rushed to the hospital, and when I finally got there, about 20 pairs of eyes were glaring my way....as if to say, "What kind of wife/mother are you!!!" That's when I heard the news that he had been thrown from his vehicle and could not feel his legs! It actually turned out that he became paralyzed from the chest down, which made it even more difficult. I left the room because I thought I was gonna pass out, and at the same time, they were wheeling him out of the ER room. He looked up at me, and I at him, and all I could say was..."Don't worry, baby, everything is gonna be OK." He never replied, but just looked away from me. You can imagine all the guilt, and pain I was suffering from. However, none of it amounted to the pain and suffering he was about to face for the rest of his life. Since then, my ex and I have divorced, and are living better lives. I will not make excuses for either of us, we simply weren't strong enough in the Lord to fight our demons at the time. Through the grace of God, I have been forgiven of my past, and cleansed of all my sins. I felt for a long time that I was not worthy of forgiveness and that I should accept my fate. I know now who was lying to me that whole time. I can feel God's peace in my heart and not a day goes by that I don't thank him for that.
To YOU Lord: Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me. I promise to serve you, and to do your bidding. I know I am not worthy of your mercy, but you gave it to me anyway. I will love you and no other, and none equal to you. Educate me to teach others your way according to your Word. Help me to understand your teachings, and to pass that on to people who need your guidance as I did and still do! I know that I will never be PERFECT for there was only one perfect person in this world and that was our Lord Jesus Christ, but I will try my best. Also, I pray for my ex-husband who will ALWAYS have a place in my heart, that he will someday be healed and "walk" with YOU in this life and the next. In Jesus name, Amen and Amen.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Are you Comfortable?
Hello! First i would like to say i hope you are having a great day. Im going to talk about the Church and comfort. The 2 should not be in the same sentence. I f you are trying to reach people for Christ you should never be comfortable while doing it! We have to step out of our comfort zone and reach people! For 2 long the people inside the church have been focused on there wants and needs and not the needs of the lost. The church should be were anybody can come, regardless of there clothes, car, hair, where they live or what they have done in there past. Who has the right to criticize a nonbeleiver and talk bad about them when they dont know any different. If there is anyone who should feel comfort in the church its the lost. The Church was not created for people to have permanent seats or parking , how dare people act like its theirs. The Church was created for Jesus Christ to be exalted not for congregations to have a Holy huddle! Im just sharing some very personal views and pet peeves of mine! Its my opinion and im not backing down. As far as youth goes heres one thing that burns me up is seeing a graveyard at a church well maintained and always shining, but the kids have to wash cars or sell donuts to go on youth camps. See the big picture is the people in the graveyard are dead and there decisions have been set. The Youth still need to be reached so why spend money on the non-important things that cemetary will not change the world. However our youth can make a huge impact. As far as the people that dont know Jesus what are we doing to change that.All throughout scripture the teachers of christ went out into the dangerous parts of town and reached out to them. So why are we not doing that today. You know what bothers me in the time it took to write this blog 100's of people have died without Jesus thus going to hell!!! That should be enough motivation for the Church! Faith does not require your details when God says do it just do it! This has challenged me WOW! man! I hope you get uncomfortable as well! One Love, One God, One Way!Later Jason!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I No Longer Have To Prove Myself
By: Patricia Fennell I hope you enjoy this testimony of how Christ can RADICALLY change someones LIFE!
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." -- Galatians 2:20
This past week I had opportunity to go to one of my favorite places to have coffee in the morning - Panera's in the local RiverTown Crossings Mall in Wyoming, Michigan. Having once had a job that I went to every morning for the past five years, I always went to Panera's to have my morning coffee and time to just read. That, and I came to know many folks that visit the place as regularly as I did, and I miss them.
While sitting there in my favorite spot, a lady came up to me and said, "I don't know if you remember me but you use to work for Arby's and I came in all the time." My face lit up. I knew who this lady was and we briefly played catch-up. Then as she and her now grown daughter began to leave, I thanked her for taking the time to stop and say "Hi" to me.
There was a time (especially while growing up) I strongly desired not to be forgotten. It was so important that when I left my life here on earth, I especially did not want to be forgotten ... even if I never made any major contribution to society or had lived some fantastic life according to the world's standard of achieving "success" or "fame." Growing up -- never fully being "loved and accepted" -- feeling more like I was more of a hindrance than a blessing to my parents ... it was hard for me to know what my value really was.
Over the years I involved myself in things that gave me a certain amount of value and then identified myself (value) through my marriage, my children, etc. Then people would remember who I was, I felt.
I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at age thirteen, yet didn't really knowing Him, and who I am in Him. I was always searching for ways in which I would not be forgotten by those who I loved, whether I was at church, work, home, friends or family outings and the like.
In just this past year the truth and reality of who I am in Christ, that it is not "I" who lives, but Christ who lives in me, has become such a revelation to me. "He kept me as the apple of His eye." (Deu. 32:10). I no longer have to prove myself -- He loves me no matter what! I am accepted in the Beloved. More and more as I grow closer in my relationship with my heavenly Father, I want Him to be remembered - represented - not me. Giving up my rights to myself for His rights to live in me, and live His life through me.
I was out grocery shopping yesterday with my oldest daughter, Sarah, and we ran into a gentleman at the check-out stand (again someone I once knew) who I hadn't seen in several years, and I said "Hi" and we chatted. As we left, Sarah said, "I can't go anywhere with you where you don't run into someone who knows you or visa verse!"
I shared with my daughter that no longer matters anymore about who does or does not know me ... but it's all about knowing Christ who lives in me. Placing and keeping my focus on Him gives me great peace because I no longer have to be concerned about me, myself and I. I may be taking baby steps at this point in my life, but I am pressing forward, and that is a miracle in itself!
Christ will be remembered long after I am gone. He is still alive today. Oh is He ever! When I go to be with Him in my eternal home, I can only hope and pray that I left more of Him behind in this earthly world ... than me.
"Christ in me, the hope of glory" -- Colossians 1:27
I am His,
Patricia
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." -- Galatians 2:20
This past week I had opportunity to go to one of my favorite places to have coffee in the morning - Panera's in the local RiverTown Crossings Mall in Wyoming, Michigan. Having once had a job that I went to every morning for the past five years, I always went to Panera's to have my morning coffee and time to just read. That, and I came to know many folks that visit the place as regularly as I did, and I miss them.
While sitting there in my favorite spot, a lady came up to me and said, "I don't know if you remember me but you use to work for Arby's and I came in all the time." My face lit up. I knew who this lady was and we briefly played catch-up. Then as she and her now grown daughter began to leave, I thanked her for taking the time to stop and say "Hi" to me.
There was a time (especially while growing up) I strongly desired not to be forgotten. It was so important that when I left my life here on earth, I especially did not want to be forgotten ... even if I never made any major contribution to society or had lived some fantastic life according to the world's standard of achieving "success" or "fame." Growing up -- never fully being "loved and accepted" -- feeling more like I was more of a hindrance than a blessing to my parents ... it was hard for me to know what my value really was.
Over the years I involved myself in things that gave me a certain amount of value and then identified myself (value) through my marriage, my children, etc. Then people would remember who I was, I felt.
I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at age thirteen, yet didn't really knowing Him, and who I am in Him. I was always searching for ways in which I would not be forgotten by those who I loved, whether I was at church, work, home, friends or family outings and the like.
In just this past year the truth and reality of who I am in Christ, that it is not "I" who lives, but Christ who lives in me, has become such a revelation to me. "He kept me as the apple of His eye." (Deu. 32:10). I no longer have to prove myself -- He loves me no matter what! I am accepted in the Beloved. More and more as I grow closer in my relationship with my heavenly Father, I want Him to be remembered - represented - not me. Giving up my rights to myself for His rights to live in me, and live His life through me.
I was out grocery shopping yesterday with my oldest daughter, Sarah, and we ran into a gentleman at the check-out stand (again someone I once knew) who I hadn't seen in several years, and I said "Hi" and we chatted. As we left, Sarah said, "I can't go anywhere with you where you don't run into someone who knows you or visa verse!"
I shared with my daughter that no longer matters anymore about who does or does not know me ... but it's all about knowing Christ who lives in me. Placing and keeping my focus on Him gives me great peace because I no longer have to be concerned about me, myself and I. I may be taking baby steps at this point in my life, but I am pressing forward, and that is a miracle in itself!
Christ will be remembered long after I am gone. He is still alive today. Oh is He ever! When I go to be with Him in my eternal home, I can only hope and pray that I left more of Him behind in this earthly world ... than me.
"Christ in me, the hope of glory" -- Colossians 1:27
I am His,
Patricia
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The inauguration!
What a day! The inauguration was off the chain Rick Warren done a great job! The speech by Obama was one of the best I've ever heard. I'm starting to like the changes taking place throughout our land. I believe Jesus is fixing to rock this nation and really turn our eyes to him as a Country. The one thing I take time to do everyday is pray for our nations leaders. I challenge you to do this everyday. We must stand together through these challenging times and love one another. To every worker out there we must continue to work hard and better days are ahead! To everyone without work just put your faith and trust in almighty God he will pull you through! To all the racist, criticizing, negative people out there I pray that you would awake and realize that you reap what you sow! You know I wonder one thing...What if God was to turn everyone Orange? Would we then look at each other by race and judge by the very color of someones skin. I pray today for unity to sweep this land and that God would lift us up once again. I will end this post with a quote that rocked my world. "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Monday, January 19, 2009
I HAVE A DREAM!
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A Changed Life!
Written by Lorraine Ginquitti This is one of the best stories ever written. I had to share it with my viewers! ENJOY!
On September 11, 2001 I said my first prayer. My son was a police officer with the New York Police Department. As I sat watching the Twin Towers burn, at first I thought that he was fine since he worked a desk job at One Police Plaza. But what if he went over to help?
“Please God,” I said, “if you’re listening… don’t let them go in there. You can take my car, my house, take anything you want, but don’t let them go in that building. He doesn’t even have a baby yet, God!”
Finally, I was able to reach his wife, Geraldine, who told me that a bunch of people from One Police Plaza went over to help. I hung up and turned back to the TV just in time to see the first tower fall. I thought the worst, of course.
Parents: Can you forgive them?Fathers: The holes they leave
It wasn’t until about 8:30 that evening that I heard from the police department that he was on his way home.
But that almost wasn’t the case.
My son was heading into the World Trade Center when his lieutenant said, “We need more equipment before we go in there.” They turned away from the others and went back to their van. They were spared! And nine months later he and his wife had a beautiful baby girl. Our miracle child!
I got my miracle, now what?
I believed there was a God and he answered my prayer on September 11, but what to do? The most logical thing was to go to church, so off I went. But people there seemed to be just going through the motions, like they felt they had to be there. I went less and less.
One day, I received the news that my estranged husband had died. He had written me once in a while from Arizona and let me know that he was “saved” (whatever that meant) and that he was praying for me and the kids. My inheritance was a Bible full of Arizona sand. I thought I may as well read it and give church another try. Still, not much changed. Something was missing and I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Then one day I was watching a history show on TV. It was about the history of execution and towards the end, the narrator said, “Now for the most famous execution of all…” I had no idea what that could be. Well, I found out it was Jesus of Nazareth. Watching this segment, I was overcome by an awful feeling of guilt. The other stories didn’t bother me, why his? Listening to the account of Jesus’ death, I found myself asking, Why did he have to do that?”
Suddenly, I realized for the first time that Jesus was God! No wonder people talked about him. I knew from that day on things were going to be different.. I owed him big time. But what now…? Where do I go?
Watching the Passion
A few weeks later the Passion of the Christ movie came out and I went five times! I was fascinated by it and what Jesus had done. I needed some more info, so I hit the internet and just happened to come across this wonderful web site, Thelife.com. I checked out different articles and finally saw a button that said, “Discuss Jesus” That was my first introduction to a chat room.
Here were the people that I had been looking for, people excited about their relationship with God and not afraid to answer my questions. After about four months they were talking about how we could know for sure that we were going to go to heaven when we died. I asked, “How?” Right there in chat they explained that it was simply by inviting Jesus into my life… so I did it right there and then.
Rosie, one of the people in the chat room who was like a mentor to me, just happened to have a friend that was the pastor of a church that she thought, would have just what I needed. And it was.
I’m learning to forgive others and myself. I’m learning to be thankful and I’m learning what true happiness is. Best of all, I’m getting to know and love the Person who heard and answered my first prayer on that fiery September 11 five years ago.
A lot has changed since 9/11. Not the least of all me.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.
On September 11, 2001 I said my first prayer. My son was a police officer with the New York Police Department. As I sat watching the Twin Towers burn, at first I thought that he was fine since he worked a desk job at One Police Plaza. But what if he went over to help?
“Please God,” I said, “if you’re listening… don’t let them go in there. You can take my car, my house, take anything you want, but don’t let them go in that building. He doesn’t even have a baby yet, God!”
Finally, I was able to reach his wife, Geraldine, who told me that a bunch of people from One Police Plaza went over to help. I hung up and turned back to the TV just in time to see the first tower fall. I thought the worst, of course.
Parents: Can you forgive them?Fathers: The holes they leave
It wasn’t until about 8:30 that evening that I heard from the police department that he was on his way home.
But that almost wasn’t the case.
My son was heading into the World Trade Center when his lieutenant said, “We need more equipment before we go in there.” They turned away from the others and went back to their van. They were spared! And nine months later he and his wife had a beautiful baby girl. Our miracle child!
I got my miracle, now what?
I believed there was a God and he answered my prayer on September 11, but what to do? The most logical thing was to go to church, so off I went. But people there seemed to be just going through the motions, like they felt they had to be there. I went less and less.
One day, I received the news that my estranged husband had died. He had written me once in a while from Arizona and let me know that he was “saved” (whatever that meant) and that he was praying for me and the kids. My inheritance was a Bible full of Arizona sand. I thought I may as well read it and give church another try. Still, not much changed. Something was missing and I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Then one day I was watching a history show on TV. It was about the history of execution and towards the end, the narrator said, “Now for the most famous execution of all…” I had no idea what that could be. Well, I found out it was Jesus of Nazareth. Watching this segment, I was overcome by an awful feeling of guilt. The other stories didn’t bother me, why his? Listening to the account of Jesus’ death, I found myself asking, Why did he have to do that?”
Suddenly, I realized for the first time that Jesus was God! No wonder people talked about him. I knew from that day on things were going to be different.. I owed him big time. But what now…? Where do I go?
Watching the Passion
A few weeks later the Passion of the Christ movie came out and I went five times! I was fascinated by it and what Jesus had done. I needed some more info, so I hit the internet and just happened to come across this wonderful web site, Thelife.com. I checked out different articles and finally saw a button that said, “Discuss Jesus” That was my first introduction to a chat room.
Here were the people that I had been looking for, people excited about their relationship with God and not afraid to answer my questions. After about four months they were talking about how we could know for sure that we were going to go to heaven when we died. I asked, “How?” Right there in chat they explained that it was simply by inviting Jesus into my life… so I did it right there and then.
Rosie, one of the people in the chat room who was like a mentor to me, just happened to have a friend that was the pastor of a church that she thought, would have just what I needed. And it was.
I’m learning to forgive others and myself. I’m learning to be thankful and I’m learning what true happiness is. Best of all, I’m getting to know and love the Person who heard and answered my first prayer on that fiery September 11 five years ago.
A lot has changed since 9/11. Not the least of all me.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Poem by Tim!
This poem will rock you if you read it with an open mind, if your close minded go ahead and click on the X button ENJOY!..........Broken No LongerA physician prepared his instructionAnatomy it would beWith hands on experienceAnd detail for all to see.
He began by building a modelProportioned in every partWith arms and legs and fingersAnd bone and nose and heart.
He made his model bigTwice that of a regular manHe wished his students to seeThe body's consummate plan.
But then he took a sawAnd cut it all apartHundreds of funny piecesAnd that was just the start.
He purchased a thousand magnetsTo hold the pieces in placeHe glued and glued and pastedHere and there as the case.
When each part had a magnetWhere each magnet ought to beHe surveyed all his workAnd thought all would agree.
This was a great inventionNone like it was ever seenHundreds of funny piecesNice and neat and clean.
After all, it was quite easyTo tear a body apartBut to put it back togetherNow where would each one start.
He imagined in himselfSome would take the heartAnd begin to the build the bodyBut would miss some vital part.
Others may take a toeAnd find it wondrous funTo build the body upwardsReaching to the sun.
He thought about the insightHe would gain into each oneAs he observed where they startedAnd what was left when done.
The first day of class beganHe brought out first the boxAnd dumped the pieces on the floorOne thought it was an ox.
But as they began to workSomething appeared quite wrongThe magnets were all backwardsTheir repelling strength was strong.
One student picked up the toeAnother took the footBut try as they mightYou never saw such a sightThe toe and the foot wouldn't stick.
Another tried the headBut could not get the earTo stick to the placeWhere the ear has its baseHe stuck it to the teeth.
The heart stuck fast to the brainBut repelled like crazy the vein.And the tongue to the eyeSaid "hi."
By now all the students were workingGiving effort to the causeThey retrieved from somewhere tapeAnd bandages and gauze.
But even these did not help themThe hand rejected the armAnd though bandaged tightly togetherThere was no connecting charm.
The experiment made quite a storyA lesson never forgotTo hold a body togetherTakes more than tape and cloth.
There must be some connectivityA relationship we must seeEach attached to anotherAnd connected properly.
The church is like that bodyWith many scattered partsEach with a functionNot everyone's the heart.
But if there is repulsion, Envy, discord, strife;We cannot fit together, So much for body life!
He began by building a modelProportioned in every partWith arms and legs and fingersAnd bone and nose and heart.
He made his model bigTwice that of a regular manHe wished his students to seeThe body's consummate plan.
But then he took a sawAnd cut it all apartHundreds of funny piecesAnd that was just the start.
He purchased a thousand magnetsTo hold the pieces in placeHe glued and glued and pastedHere and there as the case.
When each part had a magnetWhere each magnet ought to beHe surveyed all his workAnd thought all would agree.
This was a great inventionNone like it was ever seenHundreds of funny piecesNice and neat and clean.
After all, it was quite easyTo tear a body apartBut to put it back togetherNow where would each one start.
He imagined in himselfSome would take the heartAnd begin to the build the bodyBut would miss some vital part.
Others may take a toeAnd find it wondrous funTo build the body upwardsReaching to the sun.
He thought about the insightHe would gain into each oneAs he observed where they startedAnd what was left when done.
The first day of class beganHe brought out first the boxAnd dumped the pieces on the floorOne thought it was an ox.
But as they began to workSomething appeared quite wrongThe magnets were all backwardsTheir repelling strength was strong.
One student picked up the toeAnother took the footBut try as they mightYou never saw such a sightThe toe and the foot wouldn't stick.
Another tried the headBut could not get the earTo stick to the placeWhere the ear has its baseHe stuck it to the teeth.
The heart stuck fast to the brainBut repelled like crazy the vein.And the tongue to the eyeSaid "hi."
By now all the students were workingGiving effort to the causeThey retrieved from somewhere tapeAnd bandages and gauze.
But even these did not help themThe hand rejected the armAnd though bandaged tightly togetherThere was no connecting charm.
The experiment made quite a storyA lesson never forgotTo hold a body togetherTakes more than tape and cloth.
There must be some connectivityA relationship we must seeEach attached to anotherAnd connected properly.
The church is like that bodyWith many scattered partsEach with a functionNot everyone's the heart.
But if there is repulsion, Envy, discord, strife;We cannot fit together, So much for body life!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Desperate lyrics!
These are the lyrics from Lecrae's new song desperate! Have you ever felt this way?Lecrae Rebel Lyrics
Desperate ft. Cam
© Reach Records
Verse 1:(Lecrae)Woke up this morning too depressed and shamed to leave my bedCan't stand to see my own reflection so I hang my headfeel like a disappointment like the scum of the earthI'm so hurt I know you see I can't cover my dirtmy souls dying hearts weak and I cant even cryI'm sposed to run to you but WHY I'm such an evil guyThe sun's shining but for me it's the darkest of daysTry to pretend it never happened but the guilt remainsI leave the house it feels like everybody knows I did itFeel like they reading my mind and know the sin I committedThrough your blood I'm acquitted but my heart doesn't get itOh God I'm desperate for Help cause I'm grieving your SpiritI couldn't sing in the sunday service, Lord I felt fakeand when they started communion I just made an escapeI'm in need of your grace/ feels like you hid your faceLord Lead me back to cross and show me my sins erased
Hook:(Cam)I'm so desperate; I can't believe I've sinned against youCreate in me a clean heart (I'm so sorry)Your mercy is what I need
Verse 2:(Lecrae)I'm waste deep in my pity/ Is Satan tryna trick me and tell me you wont forgive mecause it's startin to get me/ Jesus help me quickly I hate the wrong I've done/ I know we all fall but I feel like the only one/ Feels like I should be shunned/ should I punish myself/ I know it's dumb cause by your death all my sin has been dealt/ But my sin is been felt/ I didn't want to do it/ but what I want to do I don't/ I swear I'm goin through it/ I'm tryna open up my bible need to read your pages/need you Lord but my guilt has got me feeling so faithless/ Help me see where grace is/ take me back to the basics/ help me find my joy in you and not people and places/ my sin is ever before me I turned my back on you/ Oh father break and restore me to bring me back to you/my sin is ever before me I turned my back on you/ God break and restore me to bring me back to you
Hook:
Verse 3:(Lecrae)have mercy on me God according to your steady lovewipe away my transgressions and wash me in your bloodCreate in me a clean heart renew a right spiritDon't hide your face from me God/ your Presence keep me near itI'm waiting patience on you Lord i know you hear my cryRestore your Joy in me/ for you alone I live and die/It's you I Glorify cause you don't want my sacrifice/ you want me broken and contrite trusting in the Christ/ I confess to you my sin and you show me mercy/ I turn away from it demonstrating that you are worthy/ over lust, over pride, over all sin/ is my affection for Jesus who died for all them/ I was lost now I'm found I was toss to the ground/ My sin weighed on me heavy but I am no longer bound/ As sure as Christ wear the crown/ I know that grace will abound/ And even when I feel lost I know in You I am found/
Desperate ft. Cam
© Reach Records
Verse 1:(Lecrae)Woke up this morning too depressed and shamed to leave my bedCan't stand to see my own reflection so I hang my headfeel like a disappointment like the scum of the earthI'm so hurt I know you see I can't cover my dirtmy souls dying hearts weak and I cant even cryI'm sposed to run to you but WHY I'm such an evil guyThe sun's shining but for me it's the darkest of daysTry to pretend it never happened but the guilt remainsI leave the house it feels like everybody knows I did itFeel like they reading my mind and know the sin I committedThrough your blood I'm acquitted but my heart doesn't get itOh God I'm desperate for Help cause I'm grieving your SpiritI couldn't sing in the sunday service, Lord I felt fakeand when they started communion I just made an escapeI'm in need of your grace/ feels like you hid your faceLord Lead me back to cross and show me my sins erased
Hook:(Cam)I'm so desperate; I can't believe I've sinned against youCreate in me a clean heart (I'm so sorry)Your mercy is what I need
Verse 2:(Lecrae)I'm waste deep in my pity/ Is Satan tryna trick me and tell me you wont forgive mecause it's startin to get me/ Jesus help me quickly I hate the wrong I've done/ I know we all fall but I feel like the only one/ Feels like I should be shunned/ should I punish myself/ I know it's dumb cause by your death all my sin has been dealt/ But my sin is been felt/ I didn't want to do it/ but what I want to do I don't/ I swear I'm goin through it/ I'm tryna open up my bible need to read your pages/need you Lord but my guilt has got me feeling so faithless/ Help me see where grace is/ take me back to the basics/ help me find my joy in you and not people and places/ my sin is ever before me I turned my back on you/ Oh father break and restore me to bring me back to you/my sin is ever before me I turned my back on you/ God break and restore me to bring me back to you
Hook:
Verse 3:(Lecrae)have mercy on me God according to your steady lovewipe away my transgressions and wash me in your bloodCreate in me a clean heart renew a right spiritDon't hide your face from me God/ your Presence keep me near itI'm waiting patience on you Lord i know you hear my cryRestore your Joy in me/ for you alone I live and die/It's you I Glorify cause you don't want my sacrifice/ you want me broken and contrite trusting in the Christ/ I confess to you my sin and you show me mercy/ I turn away from it demonstrating that you are worthy/ over lust, over pride, over all sin/ is my affection for Jesus who died for all them/ I was lost now I'm found I was toss to the ground/ My sin weighed on me heavy but I am no longer bound/ As sure as Christ wear the crown/ I know that grace will abound/ And even when I feel lost I know in You I am found/
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
No Rush!
This is a posts I posted about 3 months ago. I wanted to post it again because I feel we all rush so much myself included! Good lunchtime to everyone. I encourage you to slow down today and just tell God Thank You. We have so much to be thankful for and sometimes or should i say all the time we rush through our day without a smile on our face and peace in our souls! Stop and listen, Listen to your spouse and your children today. But most of all listen to God, he is everywhere. He is in the wind, the rain, you see his beauty through the flowers and the sunsets. You will be amazed at what you will learn and what impact you will have on others as you go through your day not rushing! So smile and have a Blessed day! Love Jason
Monday, January 12, 2009
Lecrae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7fOBSQHEj4 Watch this video it is AWESOME and so true! We need people to step up and spread Jesus Christ everywhere!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Moving Forward!!!!!!
Do you ever catch yourself looking back into your past? Maybe at some mistakes you made or maybe just wishing you could change some things? If we would all be honest we have all done this maybe this week! I’m convinced most people limit their abilities to chase God’s plan for their lives by looking backwards instead of moving forward! Hey what’s done is done and we can’t change the past so why do we sometimes worry about our mistakes and our missed opportunities. In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul lays the foundation for how we should press forward to what lies ahead and never look back! If you’re holding on to something from your past and it’s eating at you grab a pen and a piece of paper. Now write down what it is that continues to haunt you. Then tear that piece of paper up and throw it away! That has always made me feel better! You see Jesus will set you free from your past and help you make better decisions in the future. If you’re a Christ follower you need to forget about your past because Jesus has! He loves you for who you are today and for what you will become through him as he leads you and guides you! So today repent and let the Son set you free, because who ever believes in Jesus is free indeed! Love You Guys and Gals Jason
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My Life Story!
Good morning this will be one of the longest posts you have probably ever read! It’s the story of my life, the bad decisions and the great decisions! Well I grew up in Abbeville SC my childhood was awful suffered some abuse and went through the divorce of my parents. We never went to church and me and my sister really had no father figure there for us! He went to jail and to this day that’s where he is. So as I grew older I got involved in sex at a very young age as well as drugs and alcohol and I had a huge addiction to pornography. I abused drugs and alcohol for years! Then after graduation I continued to party and be what I always said I would never be a loser! Though I did maintain a job through all of my mistakes I wasted the money away. Then in November of 2000 I met my wife and as we started to date my influences rubbed off on her and we started partying together and of course everything that comes along with partying we did it! Then something great but scary happened she got pregnant with our first child! We were not married and did not even live together. So my lifestyle slowed down some and I started to save for us a place in Anderson. We moved to Anderson when Ethan was 1 and started living together and no we were not married! This continued for a while until my wife got invited to church by her mother! It was New Spring Church in Anderson then they were located at Anderson College Fine Arts Center. So she began to go and I noticed a change in her, she would constantly invite me and I told her I didn’t need church on Sunday that was my day to sleep in! But she was relentless she said Jason this church is different you come as you are. At that time I was still using drugs and alcohol on a daily basis. So finally one day I went to church with her and I must say I was floored at the love shown toward me and my family. I liked it and we started going every Sunday. After a while me and my wife started fussing and she looked at me one night I never will forget it she said I don’t know if I want to continue living like this. She went on to tell me that the message Pastor Perry preached that Sunday “Get right or get out” it was something like that really made her think about the direction we were headed and it was a road of destruction! So she said I want to get married! So 2 days later we went to the courthouse and tied the knot! Then God really started rocking my world! We were picking up my son from his class after the church service and Cherie Duffey whom I Love dearly was standing there and she pulled us to the side and said have you guys ever thought about volunteering with the kids! Wow I was like are you serious we are screwed up people! Then she went on to say we all are so are yaw in for next Sunday we said yes and our lives from that point on began to do a complete 180. I quit the drugs, the drinking, and the porn and really started applying the things I was being taught every Sunday. Then my world got rocked It was in February of 2004 Perry spoke a message of repentance and salvation! You see I thought I was saved because I went down to the alter at the age of 10 during an Easter Sunday and said a prayer! Here’s the thing I did not even know what I was praying or what Jesus did for me, I just went through the motions I even got baptized yep and you guessed it I was just a wet sinner! So after the message Perry preached that day it left me knowing that for the first time in my life I knew I needed Jesus because I haven’t had him in my life! And for once I understood what Jesus done for me and why I needed him to save me! So that night I got down on my knees in our bedroom and give my life to Christ. A week later my wife got baptized and then months went by and then I got baptized! So we continued to teach in the children’s ministry at New Spring and we still do and it’s such a blessing for us! God has told me to do outreach evangelism in our community and were doing it! God has totally transformed us individually and together we are an awesome team. Now we have another child a little girl and yes she is a Daddy’s girl! Here’s the reason I shared my story God has a plan for you and it doesn’t matter how screwed up you are he can fix you if you allow him to. I am still screwed up and I’m an imperfect human being but it’s amazing how Jesus uses the screwed up people to reach others for Christ. If you would like to give your life to Jesus today Pray this “Dear Lord Jesus I know I’m a sinner and I need your forgiveness I believe you died on the cross and rose from the grave come into my life take complete control Jesus I give my life to you AMEN!” If you prayed that prayer you made the best decision of your life! You need to tell someone it’s AWESOME. Contact me and I will mail you a bible and your next step needs to be finding a Church that will love you no matter what for who you are! God Bless and I Love all of you out there! Verse of the day JOHN 3:16-17 have an awesome day love Jason!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My Prayer Pt.5
Hello today is the last part(5) of My Prayer I pray that through these 5 postings you realized we all need to live in a constant state of prayer and pray for each other and ask God for the big things! He said we have not cause we ask not! I am so thankful to have people that I know will and do pray for me, thank you for all of your prayers! Now for the post! Dear Lord Jesus I pray for the lost today! I pray for the people who have never heard your message of salvation and of truth! Jesus please put someone in the path of the lost in the world that will share with them what you done over 2,000 years ago so they would not have to die and spend eternity separated from you! I pray for the Christians out there to step up and lead people to you instead of expecting their Pastors to do it all the time! I pray for the young people of the up and coming generation that their churches would start investing time and money into them instead of spending it all on the church cemetery and trips for the seniors to pick apples! And finally I pray for every person who is searching for answers and life that you would draw them to you and use your people to make an impact in this nation and beyond! Use me Father I'm all in, everything I have is yours and everything I need is here, Father I have you!! AMEN!
Monday, January 5, 2009
My Prayer Pt.4
Father, I want to pray to you today and ask you for the cleansing of my heart and mind! I repent of anything that I have done displeasing to you. Father, please help our country and our leaders make the right decisions! Your mercy is so sufficient and we need it to sweep this nation! We as a country have turned our back to you. We have taken you out of schools and anything that has to do with your son Jesus we won't talk about, we give him the HEISMAN, we make decisions without you! That results in failure every time!!! I pray today that you will begin a work in our nation and put your enemies under your feet and lift up the people who are seeking your will in their lives! I pray for the CHURCH your bride that we would wake up and focus on your son Jesus and his will not our own! Tradition and Religion send people to Hell. Only Jesus Christ can save(John 14:6) He is not a way he is the only way to the Father! I pray for those that do not know you that you would rock their world today! Father help us as Men lead our families and that our wives would feel cared for and loved as you love your Church! I am begging you for a revival to sweep across America! Thank You Jesus for saving me and Thank You for being my best friend and my God I Love You AMEN!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
My Prayer pt.3
What a day awesome church service this morning and afternoon! When is the last time you thanked God for the many things he has did for you? Dear Lord Jesus I just want to say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AMEN!!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Prayer Pt.2
Father, sometimes I am drained of strength. Thank You for providing opportunities for me to be recharged by reading your word, praying and spending time with other Christians. Help me discover the reason that I have become spiritually exhausted. Renew my strength and fill me with your abundant power! Thank You Jesus Christ for lifting me up when I felt useless and tired. I Love You AMEN! Verse for today Psalm31:24 "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, and ye that hope in the Lord."
Friday, January 2, 2009
MY PRAYER pt1!!!
The first posts of a 5 day series named “Prayer is Powerful” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says 6-These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.7- Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.8- Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.9- Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. My Prayer- Father, I know that you call upon me to teach and raise my children in your truth and light. It is easy for me to tell my children what to do if I think I do not have to do it myself. Father, help me be like Jesus, who illustrated in His powerful sermons with examples of love, compassion, truth, and humility. I want my children to receive good training by examples of my actions. May I demonstrate Your Love in my everyday routine. Lord write Your commandments on my life so they will be a living lesson to my children in your name (JESUS) I ask all things AMEN!
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