“Sing this song of encouragement with David”~priest
Psalm 30
A David Psalm
1I give you all the credit, God— you got me out of that mess,
you didn't let my foes gloat.
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out. 4 -5All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter. 6 -7When things were going great
I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm God's favorite.
He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces. 8 -10I called out to you, God;
I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!" 11 -12You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough.
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God’s Goodness and Faithfulness
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God’s love may not get more real than this…
Daniel C. Hatch
Background and TestimonyI was raised in The Church of Christ and we religiously attended church 3 times a week, studied the bible in Sunday school, and prayed over every meal. At the young age of 8, I sincerely accepted Jesus as my savior and was baptized, but was quickly discouraged. That night, after being baptized, the other kids came up to me and wanted to play, and the adults congratulated my parents and slapped me on the back, said well done and told me to go play, then left. .
I’ll never forget the thought of, “is that all there is to it?” All too soon, I learned that the “Christian life”, (as presented by the church), was lacking something and I couldn’t live out in practice very well what I thought God wanted me to. As I grew into a young man, I followed my own ways more and more, and not wanting to be a hypocrite, quit going to church.
Never finishing college, I got married, went into the military, got a broken heart because of an adulterous wife, and spiraled down to a life of rebellion and self servitude. In 1975, the spirit of The Lord brought me to my knees and I knew He was real! I could actually see into the spiritual realm and saw a spiritual battle waging war all around me and I knew I needed Jesus to save me for real! I became a true Jesus freak! In my zeal, I proclaimed how “I” found The Lord” (ha), and preached to everyone, including my old church, about how God’s spirit is alive and still working today! They were not receptive to that revelation and before long, kicked me out!
Now I was certainly young in the Lord, and hungering for more and more knowledge of God, I listened to many, many tapes and teachings. I would read the bible, but would mostly look to the “pentecostal or charismatic” teachers. I found myself caught up in one of the charismatic churches that proclaimed some bad teachings and “doctrines”, and when I got close to the internal functions of the church (business and daily workings of the leadership), I saw a lot of the heresy that has permeated “the church” today. When that leadership fell because of sin, along with several personal struggles and failures in my life, business and family, and not being well grounded in GOD’S truth, I was crushed and spiritually wounded. I was filled with confusion, anger, inner guilt and disappointments. Again I spiraled down to a life of rebellion and eventually screwed up my second marriage. Alcohol, drugs, sex, you name it, I was into it.
Over the next decade and a half, I was a miserable soul! Tortured by the knowledge of the reality of God and yet not fellowshipping with Him, I struggled with trying to put my life in order to the best of my ability. Disappointments and hurts, failed marriages and unfulfilled expectations that were prevalent in my life eventually gave way to a form of stability and success. I married again; Janie was a good woman with 3 children she had raised on her own; two girls and a boy and all young adults. They graciously accepted me into the family and I soon found the pleasures of being looked at as a father figure and before too long a grandfather! Life was good at last. We considered ourselves Christians, but just didn’t go to church or get too carried away with it.
Time passed until once again, life dealt harshly with us with the loss of our business and after another horrific and tragic event that I won’t get into detail about now, I knew the emotional turmoil and devastation was far more than I could handle on my own. I cried out to God and in His grace and mercy, He answered me! I guess it took that much for me to finally surrender ALL and be still before Him. Janie, on the other hand, was embittered and even openly against God and wanted no part of anything that included Him, even me if that’s who I wanted to follow.
The next five or six years were filled with open hostility on the home front and downright persecution. I kept pleading for God to intervene on my behalf and make Janie change. Each request was answered by an instruction for ME to change and surrender another part of myself and leave Janie to Him. I can truly testify of going “through the valley”, but God was with me and my relationship with Him deepened.
You know, the bible says that bitterness will rot your bones and I actually saw that happen to Janie. As time went on, and Janie’s health deteriorated, she rebelled so hard against the gentle prodding of God’s spirit, while the more I surrendered myself to Him, He revealed more and more of Himself to me. Prayer that typically revolved around helping me, changed to one of praying FOR her. I believe God allowed me to once again see into the spiritual realm and witness the warfare taking place, not only in Janie, but inside of me too. I saw the battle, not as a Rocky Balboa type fight where good finally or barely triumphs in the last moment, but as the truths in God’s word standing firm against all lies and efforts of the enemy to change it. The truth is the truth and it can’t be changed! What a revelation!
Janie began to show signs of listening to God’s call and one glorious day, surrendered to the love of God in Christ Jesus! Bitterness was traded for forgiveness and rebellion traded for surrender. What a transformation and what a joy! She was so energetic and eager to share with the kids and grandkids and for several months we all enjoyed going to church together. On September 24, 2008, Janie went home to be with The Lord.
I have agonized over this writing (it’s taken me all day). The mental and emotional strain has been intense, and I have tried to condense everything to keep it reasonable in size but it’s still lengthy. I would like to conclude by letting you know I have so much more to learn and although I’m not where I want to be in the Lord, I’m not where I once was and the work that The Lord began in me (and now I pray in you), He will complete! Praise God for He IS worthy!
“You’re a bunch of pompous quacks! I wish you’d shut your mouths…”~Job
"I've had it with you—I'm going directly to God. You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks! I wish you'd shut your mouths – silence is your only claim to wisdom."~Job
So it seems God is well aware of the suffering we are engaged in. He also is inclined to limit our suffering. I'm inclined to think when satan attacks and we stand firm in our love for God, we authenticate the love He has for us. His love was ultimately proved by His decision for Jesus to die on the cross for us.
I also think when we don't remain faithful in times of suffering, God is saddened in light of what He did for us on the cross. It is way past time for believers to stop whining about how unfair life is and start loving God regardless of the cost. Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection…For more GodSpots – 37stories Enjoy!
So God has a plan. Do you think He would allow suffering in your life in order to position you in the middle of His plan?
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Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection…
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God Spots and the price one might pay….
Many of you know I chase God Spots. A God Spot is defined as a time when God chooses to authenticate His presence and I get to blog about it. These God Spots are found interwoven throughout my blog 37stories . Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection…
David Robinson
Subject: David Robinson…..True Story as told by Nicole Glenn
For those of you who are familiar with basketball, you certainly know the name David Robinson……..He is an American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. He won the MVP trophy in 1995, and in 1996 he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, and C. Vivian Stringer on September 11, 2009.
Robinson is a transplanted San Antonian, and though retired still resides here. Having been in the restaurant industry for the last few years I have had the good fortune of meeting David Robinson, Malik Rose, and a few other Spurs players.
A few weeks ago, Mr. Robinson came into P.F. Chang’s to dine with his family. He was kind, courteous, and very patient with all of the fans who asked him for autographs. I was impressed, even with people bugging him during his meal, he held a happy face and patient demeanor with all of the people he spoke with.
Today Mr. Robinson visited P.F’s again. And again, he was ever-so patient with the fans…. he signed autographs, and snapped pictures. Right as he was about to leave, a young woman approach him and told him the story of how her brother was killed by a drunk driver just a few days ago, and the wake was today. She explained that her brother was a huge Spurs and David Robinson fan, and having never had the opportunity to meet him, she asked for an autograph on her brother’s funeral program. Of course Mr. Robinson was very sympathetic, and you could tell, the woman was exceptionally emotional and it took a lot of courage to approach him to request his autograph. He signed the paper, and what he did next blew me away……
He asked her if he could pray with her…. With tears in her eyes she said, “Yes, Please”. He wrapped his Giant basket-ball player hands around hers…and together they bowed their heads. Blocking out all of the people, noise, and traffic around him, he prayed a long and heartfelt prayer aloud, asking God for strength for her and her family in their time of loss, and for the protection of her brother. I could see in concentration that he was speaking directly to God, and that he meant every word.
Though this whole encounter only took just a few minutes, it was truly amazing. When he walked out the door I stood in awe, I was truly inspired by this man. Though he is a famously accomplished athlete, he offered a sense of peace and calm to a woman who had just suffered a devastating loss.. I’m sure that moment will live in her heart forever.
My heart was warmed by one simple human interaction, and it made me think of the amazing power that one hug, touch, kind word, or Prayer can provide. With so much concentration on money, cars, name-brands, and possessions, I am overjoyed to know that there are kind-hearted, moral, professional athletes, such as Mr. Robinson who can be positive role-models for our youth.
David Robinson is a true inspiration. And…. I’m so happy I eavesdropped today I thought this story was most definitely worth sharing. Please forward if you’d like.
With Love and Blessings,
Nicole Glenn
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READ. #1 Best seller. Esther: a novel of intrigue, romance and death.
"Mordecai wouldn't do it, wouldn't bow down and kneel"~Esther
Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: "Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I'll go to the king, even though it's forbidden. If I die, I die."~Esther
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“Is religion good or bad? HELP! Save me!”~priest
I borrowed this dialog from my friend Richard Glenn. His blog Truth From the Hip. He is an avid blogger and purveyor of truth. Thought you might like this discussion on religion. This is what Richard says….
That’s a great question because religion is one of the most misunderstood and abused words in the world of faith. Are you aware that religion can either be a good thing or a bad thing? Yes, contrary to most full gospel, independent Christians there is such a thing as “good religion”. Alright then, what is it? James 1:27 tells us that, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.” New Living translation.
That is “good” religion. Caring for the needs of one another and walking out our salvation in this world through our actions. And yet, even though they are the right thing for a Christian to do, they cannot earn you your salvation. And then there is another, more well known understanding of religion. It’s the ultimate deception, if you will. It’s the ill-conceived thought that man can somehow earn his right to eternal life in heaven by obeying certain rules, performing certain rituals, perfect church attendance and doing enough good works. Not so. And that’s the “religion” most people are familiar with. That is the false religion.
Simply put, bad (or false) religion is man’s attempt to worship the God he doesn’t have a personal relationship with. And he has been led to think that by faithfully performing ceremonial duties God will approve of his efforts, overlook or somehow forgive his sin without coming through His Son, and let him earn a right into heaven. False religion is a deadly form of worship because it never takes into account the sacrifice of Jesus for the remission of sin. They recognize the cross of Jesus but they do not feel Jesus’ sacrifice was enough. They are still trying to earn salvation because without a relationship with the Lord they are not sure they have it.
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“How long’s it been since you oozed Jesus?”~priest
I had lunch with a friend yesterday who loves his family and His Lord. We had a great time sharing with each other the commonality of our struggles. Each with a desire to become the man God desires to spend eternity with.Active Meter
