Entertaining angels...

...unaware

Don't you just love a lazy Sunday afternoon? That's exactly what Jason and I had planned for today. We planned it all out as we were getting ready for church this morning. We were going to church, grab a bite to eat on the way home and then a nap, a real nap, in our bed, not just the typical Sunday afternoon lounging and dozing in the living room.

Ahhh... I could barely wait! The fun and excitement of the 12 hour social media boot camp I conducted yesterday wore me out!

We entered the church service and found our seats, me in the third row and Jason in the choir, typical Sunday morning. There were a few folks from nearby neighborhoods who I was especially excited to see. Someday I'll share more about them, but just know that I am witnessing the power of God's love through our church in the lives of some very special people.

As the offering is about to be taken up, I hear a familiar but unexpected sound come from the choir. Did he really just do that? Did my husband just whistle as if calling the dog to get my attention during the offering? Yes, as a matter of fact, that short "ssssrrrrit" was my husband calling. As I looked up from my purse, he was waiving the offering envelope at me. Seriously, I'm not joking. It was shortly after this that our afternoon plans were changed.

Just after the whistling incident, my husband started talking to the pastor's husband and then the pastor, (yes, during the service, as the offering was being collected and yes, I said pastor's husband). If you know Jason, you know this is somewhat out of character for him. Oh wait, here he comes, down out of the choir and starts talking to me.

You see, a stranger on the back pew had caught his attention as he got up and walked out of the church. For whatever reason, my sweet husband who usually keeps to himself, and is very well mannered in church was moved to follow the man out of church during the offering.

Turns out, he came to church on his bicycle in order to "keep his word". He's just passing through with no place to be, but needs a few bucks and a place to stay. Jason and I were blessed to be able to give him ride to the next town over and put him up in a motel for the night. Our lazy Sunday afternoon plans changed by a rambling stranger, but all the while all I could think of was Hebrews 13:2 which I had heard David Jeremiah talk about early in the week on my way to work:

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Miles to destination ... 20

Hotel for one night ... $40
Entertaining Angels ... Priceless

10 Principles of Prosperity

Last night, I witnessed what I consider to be one of the greatest honors in my lifetime. Our oldest daughter was baptized! I can just imagine the joy and a host of angels singing in heaven, rejoicing that another soul has been dedicated to our Lord! I can remember the feeling of relief and security I, myself, felt at the time of my own baptism and I am overjoyed that she is now feeling these same things! She will be on a journey of joy, but it will not be unclouded by temptation from Satan. It may be that he chooses to work harder in her life now than ever before, but now she has the power & the authority of Jesus Christ as her weapon! Praise God!

I wanted to share part of the sermon that the minister shared last night because it was a great message. He pointed out that we all struggle with some form of addiction, maybe we don't see it as such, but do all have something that adversely affects us. Consider this as the definition for addiction and I believe you will be able to point out at least one in your life:

"An addiction is a persistent behavioral pattern marked by physical and/or psychological dependency and tolerance that causes significant disruption and negatively impacts the quality of life"

The 10 Principles of Prosperity

Understanding the 10 principles of prosperity and applying them to your life are the first steps in your recovery from addiction.

1. If God’s against it, so am I.

• Galatians 5:19-24

2. Every sin has its origin in your heart.

• Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 4:23; Romans 13:14

3. It is easier to keep the heart clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled.

• Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 6:27-28

4. You cannot fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it.

• Ecclesiastes 5:10; James 1:14-15

5. Small compromises lead to great disasters.

• Luke 16:10; Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:16

6. Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.

• John 5:18-20; Proverbs 25:15-16

7. Our sinful habits do hurt those who follow us.

• Romans 14:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24

8. It is not possible to fight a fleshly temptation with fleshly weapons.

• II Corinthians 10:3-5; I John 4:4

9. We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God.

• Proverbs 5:22; Proverbs 20:17; Proverbs 9:17-18

10. God balances guilt with blame. Accept the blame for your actions, and God will remove the guilt.

• John 1:9

My life has been touched by addiction in many ways, my own and those of loved ones. You can be delivered from these strongholds in your life. Prayer is a powerful thing and that's where it starts.

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Resources found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction and http://www.ruhammond.com/_mgxroot/page_10766.html

His Word never returns void...

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
--Isaiah 40:31 NIV

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On April 9th 2010, SonGear.com is searching for one million Christians who own a Christian T-Shirt and/or hat to volunteer to participate in "One Million Walking Billboards for Christ” by wearing them for the day.** It can be ANY Christian T-Shirt ** Other billboards could include signs in businesses, on buses, internet web sites, etc. SonGear is also challenging all participants and friends who may not be able to participate, to take time to pray for this event daily as well as our leaders, service personnel, and our country from today until the event … and continue thereafter.

Will this cause others to take a step towards committing their lives to Jesus Christ? Will this help other Christians realize the community is large and supportive? Will this help those Christians who have stepped away from the Christian lifestyle to return? Will it cause someone to go home and open their Bible and read God’s Word? Will it strengthen us in our walk with Christ? Only God knows.

But we do know that His Word never returns void, and this opportunity will counter some of the anti-Christian messages that are out there. If you have any feedback on things that happened as a result of this event, Songear would like to compile them and put them on their site.

Holy Week - The Tale of an Almighty Hero

"It's official, my favorite week of the year has begun! Today my Hero came into town on a donkey to die for my sins!! Thank you Jesus!"

This is my favorite time of year! I always like to reflect on exactly what happened the week that Jesus suffered and died for my sins. I've wanted to post the details, but haven't taken the time, so I was excited to see that Carmen from the JoyFM posted this today -

"While many of us are familiar with Holy Week, we may not all know the specific time line of the week. - The point being:

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Sunday, March 28th - Palm Sunday
2 mile journey to Jerusalem from Bethany, where Jesus stays each night

Monday, March 29th
Jesus protests financial transactions within the temple; argues with chief priests

Tuesday, March 30th
Jesus predicts/announces the date of his execution; debates with religious leaders; responds to question about greatest commandment

Judas contracts to betray Jesus

Wednesday, March 31st
Jesus warns against religious leaders, calling them hypocrites and snakes;
From Mount of Olives, Jesus mourns Jerusalem's rejection and pending destruction

Thursday, April 1st - Maundy Thursday
6:00pm-11:30pm
Last supper with disciples - Passover meal

11:30pm
Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus waits for his arrest

Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
1:00am-1:30am
Confrontation in Garden and Jesus' Arrest

1:30am-3:00am
Trial 1: Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years - Jesus receives initial physical abuse

Trial 2: Current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin Court - Jesus bloodied by abuse

3:00am-5:00am
Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace

5:00am-6:00am
Trial 3: All the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, scribes and whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus

6:00am-7:00am
Trial 4: Hearing before Roman governor Pilate, who declares, "I find no guilt in this man."

7:00am-7:30am
Trial 5: Hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who had jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus refused to answer any questions so Herod returned him quickly to Pilate

7:30am-8:30am
Trial 6: Pilate repeatedly tried to release Jesus but the Jewish leaders continued to object. Pilate physically tortured and beat Jesus beyond recognition seeking to satisfy the Jewish leaders. However the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted but eventually gave the order to execute Jesus

8:30am-9:00am
Pilate's Roman soldiers take Jesus into the court ("Praetorium") and enjoy mockery and continued torture, including driving thorns into his skull

9:00am-12:00noon
Jesus forced to carry his own cross, then actual crucifixion

12:00noon-3:00pm
Momentous final 3 hours on the cross

Some of the things that Jesus spoke from the cross:

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus is talking about his executioners because they do not understand or know that Jesus is God.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus (quoting a line from the Jewish scriptures) cries out at a moment in time when he is not just physically punished, but spiritually separated from God, his Father. God separates Himself from Jesus because all of the evils of mankind are placed on Jesus. This spiritual separation is the heaviest sacrifice which Jesus pays of behalf of mankind, so that mankand does not need to suffer spiritual separation from God.

"It is finished."
Once Jesus felt he had borne the penalty for the evils of mankind, he declared his mission as accomplished.

"Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
These words, spoken to a thief also being executed with Jesus, indicates Jesus' belief that Jesus would continue to live in paradise (heaven) and that Jesus can choose who will be there with him.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus believes his spirit, not body, now goes to heaven with God.

3:00pm
Death
Burial

Sunday, April 4th - Easter Sunday
Resurrection! Jesus is alive!

Friends, the tomb is empty!! He is risen! And He's coming back for us. Jesus is the best do-over button we could ever hope for! His grace is enough. And His grace covers you. There's nothing that you have done - or can do - that is bigger than Jesus' ability AND willingness to forgive. In short, you can't "out-sin" the cross. He is alive indeed, but certainly not without nail-pierced hands. Those scars are for you. For me. Accept His gift. Let Him love you today. He wants nothing more. And I want nothing more for you."

I couldn't have said it better myself! Go enjoy Jesus!

From Overwhelming Despair to Overwhelming Victory...

...this is my prayer.

My heart has been very heavy the last two weeks. It started when I recognized the pain of the average American teenager. I work with youth on a regular basis in my church and I see many who struggle with things much like I struggled with as a teenager. The things you don't always recognize is that even the "kid who has it all" struggles on a daily basis. They struggle to fit in with their peers, they struggle to maintain what they know is right and wrong, they struggle to meet their parents' expectations, and they struggle to do good in a world that just isn't. They want to do good, they want to excel, they want to give to others, and they want to be loved.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." - John 14:16-17

Then there is Haiti. 1.5 million homeless, 70,000 dead in a country with 380,000 orphans. It's just so hard to comprehend. Tears fill my eyes with every news story, with every image. Daily I find myself calling out to God and asking "why?"!

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27

Early Sunday morning, I witnessed the death of a great man, Ralph Morrison Smith, Jason's uncle. I didn't know him that well, but in his death, I found myself wishing I had taken the time to know him better. He was a good man, full of love, the overflowing kind. He lived a self-less life and was always willing to lend a helping hand or just a kind word. I honestly never heard him complain or say a cross word to or about anyone. His son said it best at the memorial yesterday when he said, he truly reflects Christ. I pray that someday someone will be able to say the same about me.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. - John 11:25-26

Following the services yesterday, a tornado ripped through Bradford County. 25 homes were destroyed. Driving through the area this morning, I was devastated to witness what looked like a war zone. Tears filled my eyes and I cried out, "God help them." Again, it's just so hard to comprehend.

I don't know "why", but I do know that God can "help them". Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Please join me in prayer for all who are struggling in this world today, that they will come to know the comfort of the Holy Spirit and they will have overwhelming victory in Him!

Sunday - Hallelujah!

it's not so far away

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

There's this song, Sunday by Tree 63. It says, "it's Friday but Sunday is coming. Sunday ... Hallelujah!" For most, Sunday's are bittersweet I guess. I mean typically it's the weekend (sweet), but it's the last day of the weekend (bitter). Then of course there's that whole weekend, first day of the week argument too...

None of that is the point right now. I'm talking about the song. In the song, the reference to Friday, pertains to the day the Lord was hung on the cross. Friday being a day of despair and sorrow, but Sunday, Sunday is coming! Sunday being the day of the resurrection!

I relate this song to my entire life! I've lived through "Friday"! Friday being all the years I spent in darkness, running from God, ignoring Him, trying to hide from Him. And now it's "Sunday"! Now, I'm living in the Truth, in the Light, forgiven and saved by Grace!

With our Lord, Jesus Christ, every "Friday" has a "Sunday" and that deserves a HALLELUJAH! Whatever your trials are right now, they are not without purpose. Just hold on for your "Sunday", it's not so far away!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12